The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Emmy nominated Actress Danielle Vega. Danielle talks about her life as a child actor on 'Barney & Friends,' how she landed her role on Hulu's 'East Los High,' and how being Bi-Racial can affect casting and auditions. 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

#MAKEIT

Danielle’s Links:

IMDb

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Barney and Friends (tv show)

East Los High (tv show)

Links:

Carlos Portugal (director)

Debbie Alan (actress)

So This is Christmas (film)

Vivica A. Fox (actress)

Eric Roberts (actor)

Red Dirt International Film Festival

Hana (short film)

Young Actor’s Studio

David Joyner (actor)

KD Studios

Blanca Valdez (Casting Director)

Chris Greene (actor)

Life of an Actor Organization

Viola Davis (actress)

Meryl Streep (actress)

Hello, Indie Investors & Producers, 

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the differences between creating a film for a theatrical run and creating a film or series for an SVOD. 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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Film Creatives!

In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive Director of TN Entertainment, Bob Raines. We talk about how working on a political campaign jumpstarted his career, if he would consider running for Governor, how Tennessee stacks up to Georgia competitively, and how he helped win Bluff City Law. 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

#MAKEIT

Bob’s Links:

Bob Raines - https://www.tnentertainment.com/about/bob-raines/

Tennessee Entertainment Commission - https://www.tnentertainment.com/

Links:

Nashville (tv show)

Bluff City Law (tv show)

Still the King (tv show)

Nashville Film Festival

Memphis Film Commission

Knoxville Film Commission

Film Com

Indie Memphis

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Fall Creek Falls park

Skullbone city

IATSE Union

Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG)

Show about Emmett Till (article)

Hello, Indie Investors & Producers, 

In this edition of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason talk about the best way to know if your prospective filmmaking team can execute. 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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about the lie we all tell about the Academy Award Best Film Nominations and breakdown the details of what a highly-specific prospectus and film plan looks like. 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

#MAKEIT

Links:

The 93rd Oscar Winners

The Father (film)

Judas and the Black Messiah (film)

Mank (film)

Minari (film)

Nomadland (film)

Promising Young Woman (film)

Sound of Metal (film)

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (film)

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Concerto is a Conversation (short film)

Ava DuVernay (producer)

Jennica Schwartzman (actress)

Kickstarter

Seed and Spark crowdfunding

Vertical integration (article)

Sevan Najarian (visual effects artist)

What is NFT by Gary Vanderchuck

Brad Pitt (actor)

Tiffany Haddish (actress)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about Chris' fourth essential film investment principle, Execute A Plan. 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

#MAKEIT 

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this week's episode, we have a conversation with the actor, director, and writer, Alan Powell. We talk about not being afraid to give up the good to go for the great, writing screenplays for a specific audience, and the concept of "effortless" structure in film, and his Netflix film, 'A Week Away.'

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

#MAKEIT

Alan’s Links:

IMDb

Instagram

Twitter

A Week Away (film)

Anthem Lights (band)

The Song (film)

Quantico (tv show)

Worth Fighting For (film)

Love You Like I Used To (music video)

Links:

Kali Bailey (writer)

Tom Hanks (actor)

Saving Private Ryan (film)

Regina Moore (casting director)

Die Hard (film)

How to Train Your Dragon (film)

Jim Carey (actor)

Nashville Film Festival

Aaron Sorkin (writer)

Viola Davis (actress)

Meryl Streep (actress)

Tom Cruise (actor)

Heath Ledger (actor)

Philip Seymour Hoffman (actor)

Anthony Hopkins (actor)

Denzel Washington (actor)

Hamilton (musical)

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this week's episode, we have a conversation with the actor, director, and writer, Alan Powell. We talk about not being afraid to give up the good to go for the great, writing screenplays for a specific audience, and the concept of "effortless" structure in film, and his Netflix film, 'A Week Away.'

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

#MAKEIT

Alan’s Links:

IMDb

Instagram

Twitter

A Week Away (film)

Anthem Lights (band)

The Song (film)

Quantico (tv show)

Worth Fighting For (film)

Love You Like I Used To (music video)

Links:

Kali Bailey (writer)

Tom Hanks (actor)

Saving Private Ryan (film)

Regina Moore (casting director)

Die Hard (film)

How to Train Your Dragon (film)

Jim Carey (actor)

Nashville Film Festival

Aaron Sorkin (writer)

Viola Davis (actress)

Meryl Streep (actress)

Tom Cruise (actor)

Heath Ledger (actor)

Philip Seymour Hoffman (actor)

Anthony Hopkins (actor)

Denzel Washington (actor)

Hamilton (musical)

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with actress, writer, producer Jennica Schwartzman. In this deep-dive chat, we talk about being a working mom in Hollywood, her book, 'Movie Baking: The Indie Work-At-Home Parent Filmmaker,' her new podcast 'XPK' (Ex-Pastor-Kids), and a real-world extensive breakdown of how to crowdfund your next Indie Film. 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

#MAKEIT

Jennica’s Links:

IMDb

Little Sister Entertainment

Links

The Drill Magazine

XPK podcast

Movie Baking: The Indie Work-At-Home-Parent Filmmaker (book)

Ms. In the Biz Magazine

Breastfeeding on Set (article)

Links:

Parker’s Anchor (film)

All My Children (tv show)

Ridge Runners (film)

Gordan Family Tree (film)

Before the Lights Come Up (film)

Ryan Schwartzman (Actor)

Producers’ Guild of America

Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG)

Chris Marquette (actor)

Bentonville Film Festival

Kickstarter

Indiegogo

Seed and Spark

Hello Indie Investors and Producers!

In this edition of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason talk about the importance of asking good questions and provide examples of powerful close-ended and high-impact questions. 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⠀⠀⠀

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick breakdown the primary tenants of the Tom Rath book Vital Friends, with a little help from the wisdom of Actress/Director and friend of the podcast, Stefanie Black. 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

#MAKEIT 

Links:

Stefanie Black (producer)

Vital Friends by Tom Rath (book)

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Indie Film, the diversity problem at the Golden Globes, and the obstacles that exist that circumvent an easy path forward for DEI in Film. 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

#MAKEIT

Links:

Golden Globes & HFPA Controversy

Emil Gallardo (writer)

Motke Dapp (director)

Micah Simms (cinematographer)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers!

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the second vital principle in foundational thinking in the world of film investment, Do the Work. 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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Director/VFX Artist and Animator Sevan Najarian. We talk about pursuing a creative career against his parent's wishes, how luck played a major role in his success, why he turned down working on Rick & Morty, and why Channel 101 was a genius creative breeding ground for the likes of Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland, and Tim & Eric. 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

#MAKEIT

Sevan’s Links:

IMDb

LinkedIn

Vimeo

Twitter

Midnight Kids Studios

Frequency 101 Podcast

Links:

Channel 101

Most Extraordinary Space Investigations (tv show) 

The Sarah Silverman Program

Wet Hot American Summer (tv show)

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (tv show)

Rick and Morty (tv show)

Dan Harmon (writer)

Justin Roiland (writer)

George Lucas (writer)

Too Late with Adam Carolla (show)

The Tyra Banks Show

The Sharon Osbourne Show

Andy Sandberg (actor)

Cotton Bureau t-shirt company

The Walking Dead (tv show)

Real Life Sci Fy Sevan podcast interview

Just Roll With It (show)

Transformers (film)

The Matrix (film)

Titanic (film)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! 

In this edition of the Film Investment Series, Chris and Jason talk about the importance of first-principles thinking and breakdown the first of Chris' four favorite principles, Do The Math. 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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick borrows wisdom from editor and former podcast guest Wes Powers. We discuss the importance of an organized hard drive and how being diligent in this one area can save an Indie Production thousands of dollars and countless hours. 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

#MAKEIT

Wes Powers (editor)

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this edition of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about whether it's best to wait for inspiration to strike or better to find inspiration through your creative discipline. The answer isn't as straightforward as you might expect. 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

#MAKEIT

Links:

“Hello” by Lionel Richie (music video)

“drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo (music video)

“Scream” by Michael Jackson (music video)

“Black or White” by Michael Jackson (music video)

Priscilla Wise (writer)

John August (writer)

Go (film)

Big Fish (film)

Script Notes podcast

Craig Mazin (writer)

Fido Coffee shop

Dunning-Kruger effect

Hello, Indie Investors & Producers! 

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about the necessity of hiring an Entertainment Lawyer and how to avoid detrimental conflicts of interest. 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

#MAKEIT 

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with singer-songwriter, author, and actor Korby Lenker. We talk about his forthcoming album 'Man In The Maroon,' the paradox and difficulty of loving multiple writing mediums, happiness, fame, god, his plans for his semi-autobiographical dramedy Morse Code,' and opens up about his late sister, Kenna. 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

#MAKE

Korby’s links:

Website

Spotify

Instagram

Morse Code (web series)

Links:

Stay Away by Randy Newman (song)

Joel the Lump of Coal by the Killers (song)

Moon River by Audrey Hepburn (song)

Moon River by Frank Ocean (song)

George Clooney (actor)

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (book)

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (book)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (author)

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (book)

Fido Coffee shop

Travis Nicholson (writer)

Sara Antonio (actress)

Olivia Evans (actress)

Maggie Schneider (actress)

Pollen Path Entertainment

Woody Allen (director)

Hello, Indie Producers and Investors, 

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about how to avoid FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and the times in which it's impossible to completely stamp FOMO out. 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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, her film 'Black Bodies,' and why it took a shout out from Ava DuVerney for Canada to recognize its success as one of six films from Canada to make Sundance. 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

#MAKEIT

Links:

Black Bodies (short film)

Kelly Fyffe-Marshall (director)

Sundance Film Festival

The Belcourt Theatre

Ava DuVernay (director)

Clubhouse app

Adult Interference (film)

Kate Upton (actress)

Valerie Barnhart (animator)

Passing (film)

Ruth Negga (actress)

Tessa Thompson (actress)

Imitation of Life (film)

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this week's episode, we have a deep-dive conversation with Director & Writer Emil Gallardo. We talk about his award-winning and Oscar-nominated short film '1, 2, 3, All Eyes On Me,' what it's like to win the HBO Access Directing Fellowship, and how he found the courage to leave a six-figure job to pursue his dream of filmmaking. 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

#MAKEIT

Emil’s Links:

IMDb

Waterlight Films

Vimeo

Linkedin

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

Links:

HBO Access Directing Fellowship

Derek Ho (writer)

Too Short – Shorty the Pimp (album)

Nick Lopez (filmmaker)

Sundance Film Festival

As Good as It Gets (film)

Rosa Parks (civil rights activist)

David Blaine Ascension hot air balloon trip

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this week's episode, we have a conversation with Animator and Director Valerie Barnhart. We talk about her award-winning short film 'Girl In the Hallway', the method she used to teach herself how to animate, how to get noticed as an artist, and much more.

Listen+Subscribe+Rate = Love 

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Valerie’s Links:

Website

Twitter

Girl In the Hallway (short film)

Jamie DeWolf (performer)

Links:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (book)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy (book)

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (book)

International Film Festival of Ottawa

Adobe Photoshop

Dragon Frame stop motion software

Guillermo del Toro (writer)

The Shape of Water (film)

Pan’s Labyrinth (film)

Nick Lopez (filmmaker)

Milk Teeth (short film)

Gustave Doré (artist)

Croquis Café models

The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams (book)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers, 

In this installment of FIS, Jason and Chris discuss how to develop contract terms that set the floor (or walk away point) instead of focusing on getting the best terms on every agreement.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with Writer/Director Robert Broadhurst. We talk about his award-winning film 'An Occurrence at Arverne,' how his film reveals bias across racial and national lines, and why he doesn't like to depend on coverage.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Robert’s Links:

Website

Vimeo

An Occurrence at Arvern (short film)

Links:

Ghostbusters (film)

The Princess Bride (film)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (film)

David Kruta (cinematography)

Curtiss Cook Jr. (actor)

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (short film film)

James Baldwin (author)

Brandon Hirsch (actor)

Spike Lee (director)

Christopher Nolan (director)

Ingmar Bergman (director)

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this Indie Talk, Chris and Nick discuss the effect of Mimetic Desire on branding and creative within filmmaking communities, the unfortunate failings of WW84 (potential spoilers), and the rich and necessary film content that's available to view about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. 

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Links:

Netflix releases a new film every week of 2021 (news)

Why is Cats such a disaster?

Wonder Woman 1984 (film)

Don’t Think Twice (film)

Wonder Woman (tv series)

Aquaman (film)

Justice League (film)

Wonder Woman (film)

Hubie Halloween (film)

Basic Instinct (film)

Beerfest (film)

Snakes on a Plane (film)

Malcom X (film)

Spike Lee (director)

Rosewood (film)

Hello, Indie Investors, 

In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the value to an investor to receive the contract terms at the same time you receive the project prospectus.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this week's episode, we have a conversation with emerging filmmaker Nick Lopez. Nick talks about his experience coming out as a Queer filmmaker, the underserved groups he believes needs their stories told most, and how superior scoring can win you laurels.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Nick’s links:

Website

IMDb

LinkedIn

Milk Teeth (short film)

Sunshine Room (short film)

Links:

Pan’s Labyrinth (film)

Guillermo del Toro (Writer)

Ryan Murphy (producer)

Pose (tv series)

Tiffany Lin (filmmaker)

Felipe Vargas (director)

Hello, Indie Investors, 

In this week's episode, Jason and Chris talk about Pari Passu payment and Gross versus Net profit returns.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives!

This is an Indie Talk week with Executive and Advisory Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs. Chris and Nick look back on the unprecedented year that was 2020 and the biggest events that shaped the year for the Indie Filmmaker and the Film industry, alike.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Links:

Top 10 Netflix of 2020:

Tiger King (series)

The Queen’s Gambit (tv series)

The Umbrella Academy (tv series)

My Octopus Teacher (documentary)

Outer Banks (tv series)

The Haunting of Bly Manor (tv series)

Ozark (tv series)

Space Force (tv series)

13 Reasons Why (tv series)

Ratched (tv series)

Hubie Halloween (film)

Chris DeBlasio (Producer)

Government Records (tv series)

Wonder Woman 1984 (film)

Failure of Quibi (news)

Pluto Tv

Xumo Tv

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this year ending episode, we have a conversation with Producer, Actor, and Co-Owner of Pollen Path Entertainment, Tom Stajmiger. Tom talks about the correct expectations for making and exploiting a short film, finding your filmmaking tribe, and the downside of funding your film via Kickstarter.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Tom’s Links:

Pollen Path Entertainment

IMDb

LinkedIn

Captive (film)

Bunker (short film)

Cody Frank

Links:

Scout Taylor-Compton (actress)

Cannes Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival

Tribeca Film Festival

Seed and Spark crowdfunding

Alejandro Montoya Marín (director) 

Greg Simon (director)

The Queen’s Gambit (tv mini series)

Scott Frank (writer)

Poltergeist (film)

SAW (film series)

The Silence of the Lambs (film)

The Conjuring (film)

Shudder horror film streaming

The Irishman (film)

Lucille Ball (actress)

Sin City (film)

Darren Aronofsky (director)

Aaron Sorkin (writer)

The Boys (tv series)

Requiem for a Dream (film)

Pi (film)

Mother (film)

The Rose (film)

Amanda McBroom (songwriter)

Brandon Rhiness (writer)

The Princess Bride (film)

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this episode, we have a conversation with the Executive Producer and Owner of Agency 850 and 850 Entertainment, Chris DeBlasio. We talk about how he turned a commercial gig into a reality show, comparing Los Angeles to Atlanta, and his latest project, Government Records. 

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Chris’s Links:

IMDb

Website

Agency 850

Insurance Wars (tv series)

Government Records (tv series)

One Life to Live (tv series)

CSI: NY (tv series)

Links:

Edward Norton (actor)

Sarah Michelle Gellar (actress)

Peter Sarsgaard (actor)

Jalbert Brothers (filmmakers)

Terron R. Parsons (writer)

The Queen’s Gambit (tv mini series)

Scott Frank (writer)

Stranger Things (tv series)

Tiger King (tv mini series)

Voices (film)

Valerie Jane Parker (actress)

Elisabeth Donaldson (actress)

M&Ms turned down E.T.  (news)

John Travolta (actor)

Edward Norton (actor)

Motherless Brooklyn (film)

LED walls used on the ‘Mandalorian’ (news)

Increase of streaming and internet in 2020 (news)

Quibi’s failure and the film industry (news)

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this edition of Industry Insights, Nick explores the actions and principles of persistence by tapping into the wisdom of writer, director, and composer Korby Lenker and script consultant and executive Shannan E. Johnson. 

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Korby Lenker (singer)

Stefanie Black (producer)

Shannan E. Johnson (script consultant)

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Marketing and Brand Elevation Strategist Sandra Garcia. We talk about the best ways to overcome introversion, the future of digital advertising, and what the best value per dollar is in social media marketing.

Enjoy! 

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

#MAKEIT 

Sandra’s Links:

Website

Inspire Human Resources 

Instagram

LinkedIn

Links:

Oprah Winfrey (talk show host)

National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications

Digital Diversity Network

Frank Ocean (singer)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! 

In this week's episode, Jason and Chris continue on the topic of allowing for a cooling-off period, falling out of love with a project, and going back to foundational thinking. 

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives!

In this week's episode of Indie Talk, Chris and Nick talk about how to set your film's branding and marketing plan up for success, and the lessons we can learn from Warner Brothers Studio filmmakers about their resistance to have their films go straight to HBO Max and streaming.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Links:

Warner Bros. 2021 films streaming (news)

Christopher Nolan ‘Streaming New Films a Danger’ (news)

Gumroad film streaming

Eggnog recipes:

Chris’s:

Vanilla spiced eggnog

Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum

A cinnamon stick

Ground nutmeg

Mix 4 parts eggnog with 1 part rum. Add cinnamon stick and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Nick’s:

Black seal spiced rum OR

Café Patron coffee flavored liquor

Eggnog

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! 

In this week's Film Investment Series, Jason and Chris talk about why taking a 48-hour "cooling-off" period is instrumental in making a sound investment decision.

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, Nick taps into the wisdom of writer/ director/producer Dycee Wildman about the importance of letting go of petty pride, admitting when you don't know, and allowing yourself to ask questions. 

Enjoy! 

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

#MAKEIT

Dycee Wildman (filmmaker)

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, we talk with Interdisciplinary Artist and Filmmaker Dr. Nicholas Quin Serenati. We talk about how art blossomed from his survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, exploring liminal spaces, his documentary Taking Chance, and the little known and most beautiful places to film globally.

Enjoy! 

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

#MAKEIT

Dr. Nicholas’ Links:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Links:

Goddard College

Effects of Psilocybin on depression (study)

Federico Fellini (writer/director)

Another Version of You (film)

Motke Dapp (director)

David Perry (producer)

Ryan Hartsock (producer)

The Queen’s Gambit (tv mini series)

Fritz Lang (director)

D.W. Griffith (director)

Quentin Tarantino (writer)

Happy Thanksgiving! 

In this episode, Nick taps into the wisdom of writer, producer, director Tony Scott to explore the concept of doing the same thing, but differently. 

Enjoy!

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

#MAKEIT

Tony Scott (screenwriter)

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about the threat to Indie Filmmakers by well-funded production companies making social content, the why behind the success of The Queen's Gambit, how to double your money in digital streaming, and the little known story of the first Indie Creative Oscar Micheaux. 

Enjoy! 

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

#MAKEIT

Links:

Shawn Mendes launches production company (news)

All Light Will End (film)

The Queen’s Gambit (tv mini series)

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ wins 62 mil views (news)

The Last Dance (documentary mini series)

The Queen of Katwe (film)

Tiger King (tv mini series)

Oscar Micheaux (filmmaker)

The Czar of Black Hollywood (documentary)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers! 

In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about the importance of getting good references that you can call, instead of just a list of names or logos. 

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, we talk with Writer and Director Brandon Rhiness. We talk about the importance of bootstrapping as an Indie, how he overcame addiction to reach success, and his method of churning out screenplays, novels, and comic books. 

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

#MAKEIT

Brandon’s Links:

Higher Universe Comics

FaceBook

YouTube

Twitter

IMDb

Hot Box (film)

Cor Values (film)

John, 316 (film)

Grotesque (film)

I’m Haunted (book)

Links:

Craig Mazin (writer)

The Hangover Part 2 (film)

Chernobyl (tv mini series)

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (book)

Jarvis Reiner (producer)

10 Do’s and Don’ts When Submitting to Comic Book Publishers (article)

Hello, Indie Investors and Producers,

In this episode, Jason and Chris talk about why coffee shop meetings are good for getting cordial but not great for making investment decisions. 

Enjoy! 

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative

#MAKEIT

Hello, Indie Creatives! 

In this episode, Chris and Nick talk about what Awards season will look like this year, how to make sense of all the conflicting streaming data, what content people can't live without, and the origin story of the MAKE IT Podcast. 

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative

#MAKEIT

Links:

2021 Oscar Nominations

2020 Oscar Nominations

The Dark and the Wicked (film)

Jungleland (film)

Kindred (film)

Mulan (film)

Invisible Man (film)

Tenet (film)

Brad Pitt (actor)

Leonardo DiCaprio (actor)

Daniel Craig (actor)

On the Rocks (film)

Lost in Translation (film)

Bill Murray (actor)

The Swerve (film)

Kajillionaire (film)

Schindler’s List (film)

Joker (film)

Todd Phillips (director)

Malcom X (film)

The Passion of the Christ (film)

Tom Hanks (actor)

Greyhound (film)

Big (film)

Nightmare on Elm Street (film)

The Haunting of Bly Manor (tv mini series)

Schitt’s Creek (tv series)

The Mandalorian (tv series)

Hubie Halloween (film)

The Boys (tv series)

Ted Lasso (tv series)

Hamilton (film)

In this episode, Jason and Chris discuss what a plan to 100X your film investment might look like, and the questions all profitable films answer. 

Enjoy! 

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative

#MAKEIT

Links:

Napoleon Dynamite (film)

The Blair Witch Project (film)

Star Wars: A New Hope (film)

In this episode, we have a conversation with Casting Director Kim Petrosky and Talent Agent Kim "Cookie" McCray. We talk about how to get your start as a Casting Director, the dangers of Social Casting and Direct Hires, and how stock footage paydays could be a career-killer.

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative

#MAKEIT

Kim Petrosky’s Links:

Website

FaceBook

IMDb

Kim “Cookie”  McCray’s Links:

McCray Agency

IMDb

FaceBook

Links:

The Casting Society of America

Berry Markowitz (cinematographer)

Call My Agent! (tv series)

In this episode, Chris and Jason talk about whether or not it makes sense to ask a producer what their plan is to 100X your money and what the goal behind the question truly represents.

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative

#MAKEIT

"You have to take those opportunities to write, even if it's a small amount. I've found that five minutes turns to thirty." Priscilla Wise

In this episode, Nick explores a piece of advice provided by writer Priscilla Wise. Something she calls "The Five Minute Rule."

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative

#MAKEIT

Priscilla Wise (writer)

Cecil B. DeMille (Producer)

In this episode, Executive and Advisory Producers Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs talk about why "Guilty Pleasures" exist and how Indie's can learn from them, the audience mistake that cost Quibi, how to approach film festivals in a virtual world, and how to mirror top streamers genre metadata.

Enjoy!

Questions or Comments? Reach out to us at contact@bonsai.film or on Instagram or Twitter @ _bonsaicreative

#MAKEIT

Links:

Tiger King (tv mini series)

The Great British Baking Show (tv series)

The Nod podcast Quibi show (news)

Narcos streaming on Pluto TV (news)

Washington West Film Festival

Fayetteville Film Festival

Defy Film Festival

Nashville Film Festival

Film Com

SWIFT Summit

Women in Film & TV Nashville

Toronto International Film Festival

Venice International Film Festival

International New York Film Festival

Telluride Film Festival

Cannes Film Festival

Tribeca Film Festival

LA International Film Festival

Roma (film)

Marriage Story (film)

Walmart converts parking lots to drive-in theaters (news)