The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Emmy-winning director and Creative Consultant, Fr3deR1ck. In this hard-hitting, no-holds-barred interview, we talk about his award-winning documentary film, 'Counter Histories: Rock Hill,' his production company Tomorrow Pictures, life-changing experiences in Kenya and Romania, the many roles race plays in film opportunities in America, the plight of the Black male intellectual, who and what Black people are afraid of, how he structures his documentaries, types of currency to be aware of when raising funding, the EMMY award process, and a one of a kind story from the set of 'Driving Miss Daisy.' Enjoy! 

The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization).

If you like what we're doing, please donate here: www.bonsai.film/donate.

How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:

Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.bonsai.film/subscribe.

The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, and insights through our Filmmaker Conversations, Mistakes in the Making, Industry Insights, Indie Talks, and Film Investment Series. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives!

More on Fr3deR1ck

https://www.fr3der1ck.com

https://www.tomorrowpictures.com

IG: @fr3der1ck

TW: @Fr3deR1ck

TikTok: @Fr3deR1ck

Hello, Hello!

In this special edition of Indie Talk, Actor, Writer, and Comedian Jessica Anderson (@jesstation) stands in as co-host for Nick. We talk about the problem of social media being good for validation but bad for kids, Neal Brennan's new stand-up special, 'Blocks,' we discuss the Dave Chappelle SNL monologue and appearance criticisms, Wakanda Forever's colossal opening weekend box office, and P&A spend, the strange polar reviews of Dwayne Johnson's and DC Comics, 'Black Adam,' and we play Insane(ly bad) Movie Trivia starring Producer Papa Bear. Enjoy! 

The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization).

If you like what we're doing, please donate here: www.bonsai.film/donate.

How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:

Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.bonsai.film/subscribe.

The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, and insights through our Filmmaker Conversations, Mistakes in the Making, Industry Insights, Indie Talks, and Film Investment Series. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives!

Hello, Hello! In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive Vice President of Rolling Pictures and Producer Mark Maxey. We talk about his films, ‘Space Oddity,’ ‘As They Made Us,’ and ‘Rare Objects,’ his relationship with Snuffy Walden, the subject of his documentary, ‘Up To Snuff,’ the types of films he likes to produce, how he accesses a screenplay, how to create proper financing structure, and so much more. Enjoy!

The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization).

If you like what we're doing, please donate here: www.bonsai.film/donate.

How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:

Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.bonsai.film/subscribe.

The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, and insights through our Filmmaker Conversations, Mistakes in the Making, Industry Insights, Indie Talks, and Film Investment Series. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives!

More On Mark

www.rollingpictures.com

www.imdb.me/markmaxey

www.linkedin.com/in/maxey

www.instagram.com/themarkmaxey/

Mark Maxey is an Emmy award-winning producer and Executive Vice President of Rolling Pictures - a motion picture company delivering development, packaging, production, and editorial services for film and television. Recent feature films include Space Oddity starring Kevin Bacon, Madeline Brewer, and Carrie Preston, directed by Kyra Sedgwick; the dramatic feature As They Made Us starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, Dianna Agron, and Simon Helberg, directed by Mayim Bialik; Rare Objects directed by and starring Katie Holmes with Alan Cumming and Derek Luke; and the documentary feature Up to Snuff which Maxey wrote, directed and produced, featuring Aaron Sorkin, Martin Sheen, Tom Arnold, Timothy Busfield, Ed Asner, Lawrence O’Donnell, and W.G. Snuffy Walden. Other film credits include Beyond Sixty, Soul Prison, and Senior Entourage.

Maxey is a member of the Producers Guild of America, Television Academy, and Documentary Producers Alliance. Maxey is co-founder and chairman emeritus of the Washington West Film Festival, the only film festival to donate 100% of box office proceeds to help an area of need in the community. Maxey serves on the boards of Women in Film & Video, Artistic Fuel Foundation, and the Rock & Roll for Children Foundation, benefiting families fighting pediatric cancer at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health.

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Actress and Producer Zair Montes. We talk about growing up as a creative in Venezuela, her company Golden Ceiba Productions, how she produced a feature film without access to electricity, the secrets of shooting a film in Cuba, advice on acting school, her experience falling in love on set, her films Dopamine (post-production), Rumba Love, Havana Instant, and much more. Enjoy! 

The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization).

If you like what we're doing, please donate here: www.bonsai.film/donate.

How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:

Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.bonsai.film/subscribe.

The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, and insights through our Filmmaker Conversations, Mistakes in the Making, Industry Insights, Indie Talks, and Film Investment Series. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives!

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about why they aren’t watching Netflix’s ‘Dahmer,’ our take on the Ye antisemitic saga, predatory contracts in the Indie Film industry, why ‘Black Adam’ didn’t sell as expected in the box office, and we provide an update on Meg Smaker’s progress with her documentary, ‘Unredacted.’ Enjoy! 

The MAKE IT podcast is brought to you by the Voice of the Filmmaker program, which is sponsored by Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization).

If you like what we're doing, please donate here: www.bonsai.film/donate.

How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:

Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe to our newsletter at www.bonsai.film/subscribe.

The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, and insights through our Filmmaker Conversations, Mistakes in the Making, Industry Insights, Indie Talks, and Film Investment Series. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives!

Shownotes:

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (tv mini series)

House of the Dragon (tv series)

Steven Pinker (author)

The Purge (film)

John Wick (film)

Hellraiser (film)

Jamie Lee Curtis (actress)

Halloween Ends (film)

Dave Chappelle (writer)

Kanye dropped by Adidas

The Price of Everything (documentary)

Jeff Koons (actor)

Top Gun: Maverick

Hello, Hello!

In this Industry Insight, Nick breaks down a branding and marketing snafu that Naomi Osaka recently worked through and what we, as film creatives, can do to avoid the same obstacles. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!

In this special Mental Health Awareness Month release, we have a conversation with Former UCLA Professor of Psychiatry, Author, Documentarian, Podcaster, and Suicide Prevention Expert, Dr. Mark Goulston. We talk about how he treated his undiagnosed depression, "Surgical Empathy," the "Four Prompts for Suicide Prevention," the stories of Patient Nancy, Kevin Hines, Jason Reid, Frank Kilpatrick, and Musician Rayko, "The Five Really's," how to help creatives stave off sadness and depression, Elon Musk and Steve Job's potential for Bi-Polar Disorder, Nolen Bushnell, Jordan Peterson, and Chip Connelly, how to talk to assholes, and his role in the OJ Simpson trial. Enjoy! 

Follow Mark’s work:

My Wake Up Call podcast

Website

Twitter

LinkedIn

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through To Absolutely Anyone (book)

Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSDU by Mark Goulston and Diana Hendel

Talking to Crazy (book)

Stay Alive (documentary)

Kevin Hines (storyteller, podcaster)

Rayco (musician)

Tell My Story (documentary)

What I Wish My Parents Knew (documentary)

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Designer and Art Director Frances Hernandez. We talk about her work on 'Spiderman: No Way Home,' 'Star Wars,' 'House Party,' Mura Masa and Shura's 'Love for That,' growing up in the North Carolina "sticks," why LeBron James is fantastic, but not the greatest of all-time, falling out of love with basketball, dealing with abusive coaches, finding love in lonely places, her stolen short film, working with Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Love and Thunder) on the film Next Goal Wins, and the skills one needs to be a successful Art Director. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Mura Masa – Love For That feat. Shura (music video)

Spiderman: No Way Home (film)

Ahsoka (tv mini series)

The Holstee Manifesto

Rosario Dawson (actress)

Hitch (film)

Will Smith (actor)

The Matrix (film)

Darren Gilford (production designer)

Dave Filoni (producer)

Andrew L. Jones (production designer)

The Jungle Book (film)

The Mandalorian (tv series)

Mulholland Drive (film)

David Lynch (director)  

Mouse Guard (film)

Wes Ball (director)

Nuon Films

Unreal Engine

Unity Engine

The Lion King (2019 film)

Taika Waititi (director)

Boy (film)

Next Goal Wins (film)

Jojo Rabbit (film)

Brandi Carlile (musician)

Hello, Hello! 

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Director Spencer Glover. Spencer expounds on the frustration of knowing what you want to see on the screen in your mind’s eye but not being able to reproduce those qualities in the real world starting out as a neophyte Director. His advice? Let your good taste guide you until you get it right. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Message Read (short film)

Philip Bloom (YouTube channel)

Light & Magic (tv doc mini series)

Ira Glass (radio host)

Hello, Hello!

It’s an Indie Talk week, and Chris and Nick have a conversation about the about-face of Sundance on the festival acceptance turned rejection of the Meg Smaker documentary, ‘Jihad Rehab,’ fake Twitter fights, the bombast and publicity genius of Ye (formerly Kanye West), and we break down what we learned from the Nashville Film Festival pitch contest and provide the tactics, tools, and tips on how to present a successful pitch. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT 

Shownotes:

Nashville Film Festival

Sundance Liked Her Documentary on Terrorims, Until Muslim Critics Didn’t (article)

Meg Smaker (producer)

Abigail Disney twitter

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (tv mini series)

Chris Greene (actor)

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Ken Burns (producer)

Kanye Wes wears ‘White Lives Matter’ Shirt (news)

Blumhouse Productions

Fayetteville Film Festival

International New York Film Festival

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Actor Aaron Muñoz teaches us not to psyche ourselves out from over-preparation. Aaron expounds on an experience in which he was cast in a significant role and wanted to be prepared—but that readily turned into an obsession with minutia and over-preparation that didn't help him perform better but instead put too much in his head about his character. Enjoy! 

Follow Aaron:

Website

Instagram

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

Shownotes:

The Walking Dead (tv show)

Michael Raymond-James (actor)

True Blood (tv series)

Terriers (tv show)

The Shield (tv series)

Alan Rickman (actor)

#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Director, Producer, and Cinematographer Haley Watson. We talk about the Academy Award Winning film ‘Queen Of Basketball,’ her film ‘The Getaway,’ working with Director Ben Proudfoot, the concept of “measurable error,” the challenges of shooting outside of her home country (U.S.), the importance of building community, and her formula for getting incredible shots. Enjoy! 

Follow Haley:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Queen of Basketball (documentary)

The Getaway (short film)

Breakwater Studios

Ben Proudfoot (director)

Brandon Somerhalder (cinematrographer)

Desert Cathedral (film)

Flickfair

Cinema & Media Studies at University of Washington

Lynn Shelton (director)

Reed Morano (cinematographer)

Touchy Feely (film)

What Artists Do by Leonard Koren (book)

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. (book)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we explore Actor Chris Greene's experiences around learning to honor the business side of show business and not letting fear decide whether or not to question a less than straightforward agent. Enjoy!

Connect with Chris:

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about being able to compartmentalize the art and the artist, provide an explanation for this year's low Emmy ratings, and expound about what we loved about the Emmys (including the Cheryl Lee Ralph speech), and introduce the concept of non-fiscal currency, and it's importance in guaranteeing Indie Film ROI. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Kelly found guilty (article)

‘Pregnant’ by R. Kelly

Chris Noth accusations (article)

Sex and the City (tv series)

Michael Jackson (musician)

Tupac (musician)

74th Emmy Awards

Lizzo Emmy speech

PnB killed in L.A. (article)

Quinta Brunson (actress, writer)

Ted Lasso (tv series)

Severance (tv series)

Seinfeld (tv series)

Call the Midwife (tv series)

Jason Sudeikis (actor)

Abbott Elementary (tv series)

Sheryl Lee Ralph Emmy speech

Sheryl Lee Ralph (actress)

Sister Act 2 (film)

The Distinguished Gentleman (film)

Moesha (tv series)

Hello, Hello! 

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Actor Brandon Hirsch. He talks about a time when he accepted a writing job that didn't pan out. 

Through this experience, he learned to value his time better and always scrutinize opportunities and the people that offer them. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Artistic Director Brian Owens. We talk about the upcoming Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) beginning on September 22nd, the importance of The Royal Theater in Danville, Indiana and the story of their "Big Pickle," why Jaws changed his life, what mistake kills the chances of a film being accepted into a major film festival, how he balances the needs of the local filmmakers while expanding CIFF to new audiences, why reducing a movie to the essential is paramount to success, and his $1 million run-in with Al and Tipper Gore. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

Indie Talks

Industry Insights      

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We're everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

More on CIFF

CIFF INFO:

www.ciffcalgary.ca

Instagram: @ciffcalgary

CIFF is happening from September 22nd - October 2nd, 2022

CIFF operates on the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 region, which includes the Blackfoot First Nation tribes of Siksika, Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley and the Region 3 Metis Nation of Alberta. 

The first Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) was held in 2000 for six days and was attended by 8,000 people. Now, attendance has more than quadrupled to over 35,000 for the expanded 11-day festival.

In 2022, CIFF celebrates its 23rd year, September 22nd - October 2nd. The 11-day showcase of over 175 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and worldwide also hosts an Industry Week series that emphasizes unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact. Our virtual cinema program returns this year for audiences across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Calgary International Film Festival is now the largest film festival in Alberta and is the sixth-largest in Canada. It is also an Oscar-qualifying festival for short films, a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying festival, and was named one of "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in 2009, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 & 2022 by MovieMaker Magazine.

Shownotes:

Nashville Film Festival

Edinburgh International Film Festival

SXSW Film Festival

Cleveland International Film Festival

Heartland Film Festival

Toronto International Film Festival

Bill Guentzler (Dir. Of Acquisitions at Gravitas Ventures)

Jaws (film)

The Rescuers (film)

Gorillas in the Mist (film)

On Golden Pond (film)

Midnight Express (film)

Star Wars: A New Hope (film)

Indy Film Fest

Talk to Her (film)

Pedro Almodóvar (writer)

Spirited Away (film)

Hayao Miyazaki (director)

Oldboy (film)

The Story of the Weeping Camel (film)

Lars von Trier (writer)

Dogville (film)

Parasite (film)

Boon Joon Ho (writer)

David Cronenberg (actor)

Hoosiers (film)

Tom Cruise (actor)

Top Gun: Maverick

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (film)

Martin Scorsese (producer)

George Miller (director)

Mad Max: Fury Road (film)

Babe: Pig in the City (film)

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger (book)

Detroit Unleaded (film)

Sing Street (film)

John Carney (director)

Inglorious Bastards (film)

Lawrence Bender (producer)

Garbage Dreams (film)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we learn from Actor Kris Wente about the dangers of not asking for what you need on set. 

Especially when things change in the project or script. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the branding genius of Serena Williams, the potentially creepy return of MoviePass, Neil Gaiman’s rule of two-thirds, the arms race for the future of media, branding rules to follow before you start marketing, Indie Film scoring, Nick defends his “triple aloha,” and Chris talks art diversification. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Open Sea (NFT marketplace)

Serena Williams’ Fashion Choices at the U.S. Open (article)

Bill Maher (producer)

The Big Lebowski (film)

Eminem (singer)

Yeezus album by Kanye West

House of the Dragon (tv series)

The Gray Man (film)

Chris Evans (actor)

Ryan Gosling (actor)

Ana de Armas (actress)

Top Gun: Maverick

Jurassic World Dominion (film)

Roma (film)

Nicole Kidman (actress)

Kairos (AI company)

Moviepass

The World According to Jeff Goldblum (tv series)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Actor and Writer Ted Welch. He expounds upon his experiences in the film industry after booking hit films like 'The Help' and hit shows like 'True Blood' and how he overcame hubris to form a true community. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Adult Interference (film)

The Help (film)

True Blood (tv series)

Justified (tv series)

Stefanie Black (producer)

Gravitas Ventures film distributor

Women of the Movement (tv series)

Killers of the Flower Moon (film)

Martin Scorsese (producer)

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Cinematographer, Writer, and Director Tiffany Murray. We talk about her partnership with Amy Kersten, their new podcast 'Southbridge,' how to turn a failed television pitch into new media, the major networks creating a lane for podcast domination, knowing when you need a change of scenery creatively, her favorite cameras for novice filmmakers and experts, how technology has changed Cinematography, and the story behind her best advice to film creatives, “Never wonder what if.” Enjoy!

More about Tiffany:

Website

Instagram

Southbridge podcast

I’ll Be Here (short)

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Adult Interference (film)

Amanda Young (director)

The Truman Show (film)

QCode Media

Design Matters podcast by Debbie Millman

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Wayne Knight (actor)

Steve Buscemi (actor)

Daniel Radcliffe (actor)

Masterclass

Panasonic Lumix GH5S

RED cameras

Alexa cameras

So Cold the River (film)

My Sisters (film)

Adam Justice Hardy (producer)

Jennica Schwartzman (actress)

Lesley Powers (filmmaker)

Wes Powers (editor)

Hello, Hello! 

In this special episode, we have a conversation with Director, Writer Aaron Irons, and Producer, Actor Josh Croft. We talk about their new Found Footage film, ‘Chest,’ the process of making a $30K SAG film, the challenges of shooting, acting, and scoring a Found Footage film, the importance of improv, and getting held at gunpoint and detained while on a location scout. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Defy Film Festival

Dean Shortland (actor)

Ted Welch (actor)

Marissa Kaye (actress)

Sarah VanArsdal (actress)

Jason Cring (actor)

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras

Canon cameras

GoPro cameras

Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (film)

Cookie McCray (talent agent)

Bernie (film)

Jack Black (actor)

The Blair Witch Project (film)

Exists (film)

Eduardo Sánchez (director)

Ryan Reynolds (actor)

Tubi streamer

Shudder horror film streaming

Hello, Hello! 

Nick is on vacation, so in this edition of Indie Talk, Writer, Actor, and Director Matt Williams joins Chris in this Wonderland-rabbit-hole exploration of a conversation. Chris and Matt talk about why creatives should move to Los Angeles to play at the highest levels, finding success as a writer, and when to take a break from social media for the sake of their mental health (but, can non-celebrity creatives afford to?), and 25 tangents destined and designed to educate, inspire and entertain. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

LaCroix lawsuit dismissed (article)

Apple requiring employees to return to the office (news)

Tom Holland Taking a Break from Social Media (news)

Arrington Vineyards

Jerry Maguire (film)

Bill Lawrence (producer)

Ted Lasso (tv series)

Scrubs (tv series)

Armie Hammer (actor)

The Social Network (film)

Call Me By Your Name (film)

South Park (tv series)

Spiderman: No Way Home (film)

Zendaya (actress)

Mr. Beast (youtuber)

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we speak with Actress and Writer Florencia Lozano. We talk about her film, ‘Life After You,’ her new Netflix series ‘Keep Breathing,’ the plague of grief, addiction, shame, and suicide, what Americans get wrong about freedom and what we take for granted, and how to solve the world’s biggest problems, the value of “owning it” as creative, why Soap Actors don’t get the respect they deserve, and the secret to winning over Producers and Casting Directors in auditions. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Life After You: What Your Death From Drugs Leaves Behind by Linda Lajterman

Brian Long (producer)

One Life to Live (tv series)

Narcos (tv series)

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection by Michael A. Singer

Perfect Stranger (film)

Autobiography of a Yogi by P. Yogananda (book)

C.J. Perry (actress)

Another Version of You (film)

NYU Film Program

Paul Walker (actor)

Janet McTeer (actress)

Marnie Schulenburg (actress)

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the artists they thought would be more successful, how fake tv singing competitions are, how Joaquin Phoenix uses his asymmetry to his advantage, why we watch the movies that we watch, social engineering, the power of relational and comparative thinking, and the role random chance and stacked decks play in the success of an artist. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

The MAKE IT podcast is the platform for the Voice of the Filmmaker (https://www.bonsai.film/voiceofthefilmmaker) program, which is brought to you in partnership with Women in Film and Television, Nashville (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization).

The Voice of the Filmmaker program brings educational, inspirational, and aspirational content to the filmmaking community. All of the content we create is for filmmakers, by filmmakers. Through this partnership, we bring you the following podcast series:

Filmmaker Conversations

Indie Talks

Industry Insights

Mistakes in the Making

Film Investment Series

Our audience plays a crucial role in making this all happen through donations to this fantastic program.

Donate Today! (https://www.bonsai.film/donate)

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film.

Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. We’re everywhere!

You can find more info and a link to join our bi-weekly newsletter here: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative.

Thanks for listening and, as always,

Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Severance (tv series)

The Black Phone (film)

True Detective (tv series)

SAW (film series)

Stranger Things (tv series)

Marc Nelson (musician)

Boyz 2 Men

Rap Sh!t (tv series)

Issa Rae (producer)

System of a Down (band)

Metallica (band)

Nirvana (band)

Pearl Jam (band)

Smashing Pumpkins (band)

Rage Against the Machine (band)

Joaquin Phoenix (actor)

Gladiator (film)

Joker (film)

I Was Here (documentary)

Her (film)

Joker 2 Release Date (news)

Lightyear (film)

Derren Brown (producer)

The Mentalist (tv series)

Amy Winehouse (musician)

Tupac (musician)

Drake (musician)

Lauryn Hill (musician)

Dave Chappelle (comedian)

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Producer and Director of Programming at Black Public Media, Denise Greene. We talk about her role at Black Public Media, BPM’s relationship with Netflix and Paramount, what makes for a winning pitch, the power, and reach of the 360 Incubator+, why she shuns social media, how she left the doctoral path to pursue Documentary filmmaking, and why she believes you shouldn’t go to film school. Enjoy!  

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

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Shownotes:

Black Public Media

Afropop (tv series)

Black Star Film Festival

360 Incubator+

Denise's Vimeo

Leslie Fields-Cruz (ex. Dir at Black Public Media)

Madeleine Hunt Ehrlich (filmmaker)

Tribeca Film Festival (film)

Dick Gregory (entertainer & activist)

Revolution From Afar (film)

I’ll Make Me a World (tv mini series)

The Color Purple (film)

The Cosby Show (tv series)

Sesame Street (tv series)

NYU Film Program

UCLA

Alex Schmider (filmmaker)

DISC personality profile

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Producer Ryan Hartsock. Ryan walks us through his mistake of hubris through metaphor and humble confession. Enjoy!

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

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#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about their recent experiences at the theater, the surprise at the end of the new Thor movie, Winnie The Pooh (and other well-known characters) becoming fair use, the ‘Blood & Honey’ trailer and why it works so well, social media branding choices, and what Netflix can do to get back to their dominate ways. Enjoy! 

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

First Winnie the Pooh: Blood And Honey Poster (article)

Nope (film)

Keke Palmer (actress)

Daniel Kaluuya (actor)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Where the Crawdads Sing (film)

Jurassic World Dominion (film)

Top Gun (film)

Thor: Love and Thunder (film)

Minions : The Rise of Gru (film)

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (tv series)

Burn After Reading (film)

Joel Coen (producer)

Ethan Coen (producer)

Pulp Fiction (film)

Freddy Got Fingered (film)

Tom Green (producer)

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Jennifer Lawrence (actress)

Winter’s Bone (film)

Motke Dapp (director)

Weird Al Yankovic (musician)

FBoy Island Netflix show (article)

Seinfeld (tv series)

Stranger Things (tv series)

Hello, Hello! 

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we talk with Cinematographer Logen Christopher. Logen talks about the mistake of creative isolation and how his habit of creating within his comfort zone threatened the success and viability of his studio, Stormlight Pictures, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with filmmaker, actor, and philanthropist Julia Rosengren. We talk about her challenging upbringing in Northern Brazil, traveling the world at seventeen, surviving the modeling industry,  climate change, UNIAO GAIA, why she fell in love with trees, her short film, ‘Leaves,’ and what the world gets wrong about money. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

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Follow Julia's Work:

Website

Instagram

FaceBook

Leaves (short film)

Before Sunrise (short film)

União Gaia

Shownotes:

Leonardo DiCaprio (actor)

Martin Scorsese (producer)

Selton Mello (actor, dir)

The Basketball Diaries (film)

Hello, Hello! 

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds on the challenges faced by Simone Biles during her latest Olympic experience and her response to those challenges while contrasting those trials with some of the issues filmmakers face once their film gets out of post-production. Enjoy!

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Entertainment Publicist Amy Prenner. Chris and Amy talk about her documentary ‘Have You Heard About Greg’, her fascination with news as a child, how Zoom helped her have the most successful year of her career, why media training is so important, her work with Ellen DeGeneres, how she would help Alec Balwin and Will Smith, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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More on Amy

The Prenner Group

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

Veteran publicity executive Amy Prenner is the founder of TPG, where she oversees publicity on behalf of the agency. The Prenner Group has been in business since 2007. With offices in Los Angeles and New York, The Prenner Group helps you develop and implement marketing communications strategies by providing media, trends, and business expertise.

Prenner, who has over 20 years of experience, develops and executes marketing communications strategies to help launch and grow your business. She is a leading entertainment publicist in Los Angeles. Services include public relations, communications strategy, and market evaluation. We specialize in taking entertainment campaigns and getting media attention.

She currently represents Acast Studios as their official agency of record for their original podcasts. She also works with fast channels Swerve Sports, DistroTV, and Best Ever Channels. In 2021, Prenner handled unit publicity on behalf of the indie film "Chocolate Lizards," starring Carrie Ann Moss, Bruce Dern, and Thomas Hayden Church, as well as the feature "The Baby Pact," starring Haylie Duff. On the streaming side, she launched several series on behalf of her client RadicalMedia, including "The Me You Can't See," on Apple+ featuring Prince Harry & Oprah, as well as "Crime Scene" on Netflix, "Sons of Sam," on Netflix and "Confronting A Serial Killer," for Starz. She also launched Lula Rich on behalf of The Cinemart on Amazon.

Amy has created memorable PR campaigns and secured national and local placements for all of the agency's clients. She is currently the chair of TPEC and is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and son.

—— 

Have you Heard About Greg? (HYHAG) is a documentary introducing Greg O'Brien, an investigative reporter, best-selling author, and public speaker. Greg takes us into his world where he has survived cancer and now is battling an incurable disease-- AlzhAlzheimer'sThis disease has taken out GregGreg'sily members; his father and mother, grandfather, and uncles. Now Alzheimer's has come for him. Greg faces the journey with authenticity, humor, and a ferocious courageousness that has rarely been captured on camera until now.

www.facebook.com/hyhagregmovie

www.instagram.com/hyhagreg/

twitter.com/hyhagreg

www.youtube.com/channel/UCpsRqXT6RO2KOYSd5yEGAwQ

—— 

Shownotes:

Have You Heard About Greg? (documentary)

Still Alice (film)

Vortex (film)

Oprah Winfrey (producer)

Law and Order (tv series)

Los Angeles Times

Ellen DeGeneres (producer)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, we hear from Writer, Actor, Author, and Musician Korby Lenker. Korby opens up about a time in his career when he was forced to slow down, take a 9-to-5 job, and rethink his creative path. Enjoy! 

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

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#MAKEIT

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Whistleblower, Documentarian, and Author Michael McCray. We talk about the upcoming Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival, the art of pitching, the film industry’s role in Whistleblowing, social media building user’s psyches, the 30 data points rule, MK Ultra, Whistleblower protection laws, Julian Assange, Elon Musk’s bid to acquire Twitter, and much more! Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

More on Michael:  

Website

Twitter

Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival

Race, Power & Politics (Acorn 8) book

Acorn 8 Race, Power & Politics by Michael McCray (book)

Acorn 8 website

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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Shownotes:

The Great Hack (film)

The Social Network (film)

Minority Report (film)

WeCrashed (tv mini series)

The Dropout (tv mini series)

Daniel Ellsberg (anti-war activist)

The Fifth Estate (film)

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Office of the Whistleblower (Congress)

House Whistleblower Protection Caucus

Government Accountability Project

National Whistleblower Center

The Corporate Whistleblower’s Survival Guide by Tom Devine (book)

The New Whistleblower’s Handbook by Stephen Martin Kohn (book)

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we hear from a brilliant panel of female filmmakers and creatives - Kd Amond (AZIF Productions), Elisabeth Donaldson (Rattled, 2020), Tammy Hyler (Smashville Entertainment), Vicki Yates (News Channel 5), and Sarah Zanotti (Faye, 2021, AZIF Productions). We learn about the Bechdel Test, why it matters and why it's becoming easier to pass, the empowerment movement for women in film, the age of consent, and overcoming your fear as a female creative. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan!

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Five Women in the End (film)

Rattled (film)

Steel Magnolias (film)

Thelma and Louise (film)

Terms of Endearment (film)

Beaches (film)

Imitation of Life (film)

Shelley Duvall (actress)

Ellen Burstyn (actress)

Martin Scorsese (producer)

Writer Duet screenwriting software

Mean Girls (film)

The Exorcist (film)

Shirley MacLaine (actress)

Booksmart (film)

Paddington 2 (film)

9 to 5 (film)

Jerry Maguire (film)

Hello, Hello! 

In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick review this week in podcast guests, discuss the usefulness of the DISC profile, take on the constant media dog whistles designed to indoctrinate us, and tackle the idea of being yourself at the expense of doing great work or being a good person. Enjoy!

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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Shownotes:

“Hello” by Lionel Richie (music video)

Chris Haley (author, filmmaker)

Chris St. Croix (writer, dir)

DISC personality profile

Camrus Johnson (actor)

Joker (film)

Reese Witherspoon (actress)

Legally Blonde (film)

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, Chris joins the Creative Director of the Nashville Film Festival, Lauren Ponto, and Filmmaker Ava Leigh Stewart on a panel to discuss the best practices and pitfalls of deploying your film across festivals nationwide. We talk about the role of Film Freeway, what an “Oscar qualifying” festival actually means, how Creative Directors program festivals, the role of alternate film festivals, the value of in-person festival attendance compared to virtual, and why you should use pitch contests as practice for your big studio pitch, and much more. Enjoy!

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

Love the MAKE IT Podcast? Become a True Fan! 

www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

#MAKEIT

Shownotes:

Toronto International Film Festival

SXSW Film Festival

Venice International Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival

Cannes Film Festival

Nashville Film Festival

Heartland International Film Festival

Chicago Film Festival

Palm Springs Film Festival

New Orleans Film Festival

Hot Docs Film Festival

DOC NYC Festival

Film Freeway

Defy Film Festival

Dycee Wildman (filmmaker)

Fetish (short film)

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (documentary)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (film)

Willem Dafoe (actor)

Armageddon (film)

Deep Impact (film)

Hello, Hello!

In this conversant episode, we have a conversation with Director Chris St. Croix. We talk about his films 'In The Dark,' 'Shattered,' and 'Final,' the details behind the streaming wars, working with Quentin Tarantino, how to transition from one creative dream to another, overcoming demons, self-doubt, lack of education, and addiction, the realities of Indie Film distribution, and much more. Enjoy! 

More about Chris:

Website

Instagram

In the Dark (film)

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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www.makeit.libsyn.com/podcast

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More On Chris St. Croix

www.chrisstcroix.com

Born in New York to a Brooklyn business professor and a former nun from Pennsylvania. Raised in New Jersey, Europe, Boston, L.A., and now Nashville, TN. As a teen, I was hell-bent on filmmaking until music took over, landing me in Hollywood as a long-haired heavy metal singer. A storyteller, just louder. I paid the bills by working as an extra on sets with everyone from Tarantino to Zemeckis and soaked it all in. When music shot me back across the country to Nashville, by day I worked my way up the crew ladder to Assistant Director. When the rekindling of my childhood passion couldn't be ignored any longer, I wrote and directed the short comedy "Rocco & Vinnie." Since then, I've written, directed, and released, through Gravitas Ventures, two features and directed shorts, commercials, and music videos. My period supernatural thriller, "Final," is my latest short supernatural thriller. I have multiple finished screenplays and pilots ready to produce and am always looking for collaborators to make that happen.

Chris' Films:

• Final (short thriller)

• Midnight (short supernatural)

• In The Dark (feature horror)

• Dirty Little Secret 3D (short thriller)

• Shattered (feature drama/thriller)

• Rocco & Vinnie (short comedy)

Commercials:

Vizio, Nutrisystem, Oakley, Wall Street Journal

Shownotes:

Ozark (tv series)

Black Mirror (tv series)

Stranger Things (tv series)

CODA (film)

WeCrashed (tv mini series)

Ryan Reynolds (actor)

George Clooney (actor)

Eddie Murphy (actor)

Pluto TV

Star Wars: A New Hope (film)

Quentin Tarantino (writer)

Pulp Fiction (film)

Forrest Gump (film)

Speed (film)

Lethal Weapon (film)

Melrose Place (tv series)

In Living Color (tv series)

Full House (tv series)

Quantum Leap (tv series)

Arnold Schwarzenegger (actor)

Total Recall (film)

Robert Mitchum (actor)

Tony Scott (screenwriter)

Steven Soderbergh (producer)

Gravitas Ventures film distributor

American Cinematographer

IMDb Pro

Steven Spielberg (director)

Script Notes podcast

The Movie Crypt podcast

Albums & Movies Chris would take on an island:

Shout at the Devil by Mötley Crüe

Alive! By Kiss

Listen Without Prejudice by George Michael

Rock & Rule (film)

Tony Scott (screenwriter)

The Last Boy Scout (film)

All the President’s Men (film)

Hello, Hello!

In this special Juneteenth, Pride Month, and Father’s Day episode, we have a conversation with Author & Actor Chris Haley. We talk about his #1 Amazon Best-Selling book of poetry, ‘Fists & Rainbows: WIth One Fist In The Air and Holla!’, the current state of American society and fairness, how he defends his uncle Alex Haley’s legacy, reparations, how he manages his anxiety, tips on how to audition and remember lines, and how self-sabotage and self-doubt cost him work with Wayne Brady. Enjoy!

More about Chris:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

FaceBook

LinkedIn

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Shownotes:

Jim Crow of the North (film)

Alex Haley (author)

Hamilton (musical)

Lin-Manuel Miranda (actor)

Rainer Maria Rilke (poet)

Langston Hughes (poet)

Kendrick Lamar (musician)

Paul Laurence Dunbar (poet)

Frederick Douglass (author, activist)

Arsenio Hall (producer)

James Patterson apologizes for saying white male authors face ‘racism’ (news)

What is CRISPR? (article)

Barbara Streisand (actress)

Donny Osmond (actor)

Drive My Car (film)

Hello, Hello!

In this Indie Talk episode, Chris and Nick coin the term, “Non-Priority To-Do List,” they address the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ lawsuit, share opinions on Matthew McConaughey’s White House speech and discuss Quinta Brunson’s (Abbott Elementary) response to her Twitter critics on refusing to produce a school shooting episode. Enjoy!

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Shownotes:

Conversation with Janlatae’ Mullins

Top Gun: Maverick

Calgary International Film Festival

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey remarks at the White House (video)

Abbott Elementary (tv series)

Quinta Brunson (actress, writer)

1, 2, 3, All Eyes on Me (short film)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick details the sentiments of Director Nick Frangione about getting to the core of the message in your film. Enjoy!

Our conversation with Nick

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Hello, Hello!   

In this episode, we have a conversation with Director Janlatae' Mullins. We talk about the incredible lengths she went through to pitch Dawson’s Creek, why being seen as a minority creator is so important, how she overcame suicidal thoughts and depression to pursue her filmmaking dreams, and how she identified procrastination as a form of Imposter Syndrome, and her new educational endeavor, The Heartbeat Film Club. Enjoy!

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More About Janlatae' Mullins

Reel

vimeo.com/251433244

Website

www.janlatae.com/

Heartbeat Film Club

www.janlatae.com/heartbeat-film-club

Janlatae’ Mullins is an award-winning writer, producer, and director. She directs films, music videos, promos, and branded content. Her promo and commercial credits include work with Fox, CMT, Barbie, Amazon Studios, Paramount Pictures, Bravo, Hershey's, Pantene, Nickelodeon, and OWN.

Her short films have won numerous awards including Best Director at The Black Women in Film Festival in 2015, Best Screenplay in 2018, and the grand prize winner for her short film Soul Fire in the Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack Real to Reel Competition in association with BET and Code Black Entertainment. She has also worked with various creatives to help develop projects to pitch.

Janlatae’ is a true believer in the power of collaboration. Her tenacity to run after honest performances and soul-provoking visuals makes her a great choice for any talent-driven narrative or commercial work.

Janlatae’s heart is to empower fellow creators to understand the power of their voice and how it can change the world; to essentially find their heartbeat. She’s currently developing and writing a few TV projects, a series of heartbeat-led creative workshops for creators, and inspiring a movement through emotionally moving content for her digital channel The Heartbeat Network. Janlatae’ is here to remind people that were birthed to start a MOVEMENT.

Shownotes:

Dawson’s Creek (tv series)

Greg Prange (producer)

Mario Lopez (actor)

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (actor)

Michelle Williams (actress)

The Color Purple (film)

Arrow (tv series)

The Flash (tv series)

Oprah Winfrey

Roger Deakins (cinematographer)

Blade Runner (film)

Ridley Scott (producer)

Denis Villeneuve (director)

Gavin DeGraw (musician)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Mistakes In The Making, Writer Sandrene Mathews shares an experience in which she lost her confidence and then her job. Enjoy!

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This episode brings you a special panel conversation from the recent SWIFT Summit Conference hosted by Women In Film and Television. Chris joins executive and creative panelists Ken Carpenter, Stuart Bishop, Dave Moody, and Andy Van Roon to discuss a variety of topics concerning pitching your project, the future of distribution, and how to get funding. 

Moderated by Valerie Connelly and Nadia Bruce-Rawlings. Enjoy!

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Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick explores and expounds on the wisdom of actor Joshua Noble. If change is a constant, it's not about who we are but who we are willing to be. Enjoy!

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In this episode, we have a conversation with Director and Actor, Sam Brooks. We talk about the tools he uses to book high-profile roles, being a good scene reader, serving the story instead of his ego, why he hasn’t joined SAG, and how he got the name “Pillsbury Flowboy.” Enjoy!

Follow Sam:

Instagram

IMDb

Fear Street: Part Two – 1978 (film)

Stargirl (tv series)

These Streets We Haunt (film)

Long Slow Exhale (tv series)

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Show notes:

Stefanie Black (actress, producer)

Good Will Hunting (film)

Regina Moore (casting director)

The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck (book)

How to Stop Acting by Harold Guskin (book)

Dean Shortland (actor)

Quentin Tarantino (writer)

Tom Hardy (actor)

Will Smith (actor)

Samuel L. Jackson (actor)

Mahershala Ali (actor)

Shia LaBeouf (actor)

Peaky Blinders (tv series)

Matthew McConaughey (actor)

CODA (film)

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick expounds on the confession and wisdom of Actor & Director Matt Williams. Nick talks about how to mitigate the feast and famine swings while living and working the creative life. Enjoy!

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Hello, Hello!

In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the diminishing effects of caffeine during the creative flow state, when and if artists should play the race/gender/sex/nationality card, and how facial recognition company Kairos and production company Legendary Pictures aim to make better films using advanced AI. Enjoy!

Legendary Pictures and AI screenings (article)

Kairos (AI company)

This Person Does not Exist.com

Life is Elsewhere by Milan Kundera (book)

SWIFT Summit

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Writer & Actor Joshua Noble talks about his early career experience of putting all of his eggs in one basket and how that taught him to take a diversified approach to his creative work. Enjoy!

Follow Joshua

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Director Traci Hays. We talk about her latest feature film ‘Tangled’ streaming on Passionflix now, how she overcame childhood health and learning issues to pursue filmmaking, the benefits of career coaching, overcoming barriers as a female in the film industry, the role women play in holding other women back, how to find a mentor, and so much more. Enjoy!

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More on Traci Hays

Website

FaceBook

Instagram

IMDb

Tangled (film)

Frederick (short film)

40ish (short film)

Traci Hays is a DGA nominated director. Her work has earned multiple awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, along with being an award-winning Production Designer.

Hays recently directed Disconnected, a short film thriller, as part of the Women's Weekend Film Challenge. With a diverse all-female cast and crew, she lead the film to garner a win for Best Director at the Independent Short Awards and Best Thriller at the Top Short Film Festival.

Before this, Traci directed the short film 'Frederick' starring James Morrison (Fox's 24). The film premiered at Dances with Films at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The film has won 20 awards, including Best Director at the LA Film Awards and Best Picture at the New York Film Awards.

With her proven track record, Hays secured a partnership with Tosca Musk's production company, Passionflix, where she directed the film Dry Spell, written by New York Times Bestselling Author Vi Keeland.

Hays graduated cum laude from Chapman University, earning her BFA in Film Production. She was awarded a coveted apprenticeship with legendary director Randal Kleiser (Grease) to oversee her senior thesis, an 1800s-period film Lions Among Men, starring Dayo Okeniyi (NBC's Shades of Blue). The film was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a finalist for the DGA Student Film Awards. She continued to develop her directing sensibilities under the mentorship of John Badham (Saturday Night Fever), Martha Coolidge (Real Genius), and Lawrence Paull (Back to the Future).

Hays is also an accomplished production designer, having worked on various feature films, television, and commercials with companies such as Universal Studios, Hulu, BET, and many more.

Links:

Lucy Hale (actress)

PassionFlix

Twilight (film)

Fifty Shades of Grey (film)

Bridgerton (tv series)

The Wizard of Oz (film)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (film)

Lawrence G. Paull (production designer)

Mel Cooper (set decorator)

Cinequest Film Festival

Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

Martha Coolidge (director)

I’ll Find You (fim)

Women in Film mentorship programs

Jean-Marc Vallée (director)

Larry Moss (acting coach)

Ludovico Einaudi (composer)

Kathryn Bigelow (director)

Zero Dark Thirty (film)

The Hurt Locker (film)

Back to the Future (film)

Hello, Hello!

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick borrows wisdom from Writer and Director, Kali Bailey to deep dive into the mindset of positivity. Enjoy! 

“Never underestimate the importance of a good attitude, it’s part of a skill set that’s really important.” - Kali Bailey

Follow Kail

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (book)

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Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on social and the web at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

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