The MAKE IT Podcast

Jaksot

• 
  446 - Isabel Hagen on Making 'On a String', Winning Tribeca, Cancel Culture, and Surviving Stand‑Up 18.09.2026 1t 34min

  This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.comHello, Hello! In this episode, Isabel Hagen joins us to discuss her work as a comedian, filmmaker, and classically trained violist. She explains how her freelance music career inspired the feature film On a String, which premiered at Tribeca and won Best Screenplay in the U.S. Narrative Competition. The conversation also explores comedy in the age of clips, creative persistence, protecting real people in fiction, film criticism, artistic identity, and what it means to make it.We also talk about:Turning experiences from weddings, funerals, and private music gigs into heightened comedic characters and situations.Why live comedy benefits from audiences putting their phones away while performers test unfinished material.Isabel’s process for becoming a stronger comedian through open mics, recordings, repeated performance, and daily review.The creative lessons she draws from Paul Thomas Anderson, including the scale of One Battle After Another and the score of Phantom Thread.How nostalgia, streaming overload, and the paradox of choice influence how audiences rewatch their favorite movies.People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleIsabel Hagen (isabelhagen.com)Brandon Tamburri William PrimrosePaul Thomas AndersonMaria BamfordMarina AbramovićLana Del ReyFilms & TVOn a StringThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonOne Battle After AnotherPhantom ThreadHappinessThe OmenThe Parent Trap GoodfellasChallengersSaltburnIt's a Wonderful LifeThe Princess BrideFerris Bueller's Day OffThe NeverEnding StoryThe Dukes of HazzardCompanies & OrganizationsJoke ZeroTribeca Film FestivalThe Juilliard SchoolNBC Symphony OrchestraHollywood Walk of FameNashville Film FestivalSubstackSoho HouseMusicGuns N' Roses"Welcome to the Jungle"Food & PlacesLaGuardia AirportSeattle7th Street BurgerShake ShackBeecher's Handmade Cheese The Capital GrilleMAKE ITMake It AcademyMastering Film Marketing (e-book)We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  Film Brief - Who Is Stan Smith? - The Man Behind the Three Stripes 16.09.2026 11min

  WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.BRIEF:In this episode, Nick reviews Who Is Stan Smith?, Danny Lee’s documentary about the tennis champion whose name became attached to one of the world’s most recognizable sneakers. The film moves from athletic achievement and fashion history to Stan Smith’s friendship with Arthur Ashe, humanitarian work, and commitment to players’ rights. The conversation ultimately asks what kind of signature each person leaves behind when fame and branding are stripped away.TAKEAWAYS:Smith’s rise from Southern California and USC tennis to former world number one.His 1971 U.S. Open victory, 1972 Wimbledon victory, five U.S. Open titles across singles and doubles, and eight championship Davis Cup teams.The open era of professional tennis and the movement for greater player control.Smith’s 1973 Wimbledon boycott after Nikola Pilic was suspended.The sneaker’s adoption by musicians, artists, designers, and fashion communities.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The FilmWho Is Stan Smith?Danny LeeRebecca HalpernPeopleStan SmithArthur AsheJohn McEnroeDarryl "DMC" McDanielsPharrell WilliamsNiki Pilić Products & BrandsAdidas Stan SmithRun-DMCInstitutions & EventsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUS OpenWimbledonDavis CupEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT PodcastWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating us, or leaving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITAll Links: www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Alexis Gambis - CRISPR, Cinema, and Identity—The Human Story of Science 15.09.2026 20min

  We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportHello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the world of filmmaker and Scientist, Alexis Gambis. He explains how a background in molecular biology can serve as a foundation for filmmaking rather than be an abandoned career. The conversation explores the Science New Wave, a movement that combines rigorous science with emotional storytelling, culture, and personal identity. It also examines CRISPR, de-extinction, creative practice, and the infrastructure needed to bring hybrid science films to audiences.We also talk about:The patience and observation skills Gambis developed while studying fruit flies.His father’s shift from engineering to painting and the role of family history in his films.The resistance Gambis encountered from both biology and film communities.Spike Lee’s mentorship and the fruit-fly drawing displayed beside a photo of Patrick Ewing.The Symbiosis initiative’s one-week collaborations between scientists and filmmakers.People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Alexis Gambis Spike LeeJames FrancoJessica ChastainTenoch Huerta Kurt AndersenThomas Hunt MorganFilms & ProjectsThe Fly Room (2014)Son of Monarchs (2020/21)The Next Jaguar Disposable The Color of Time Institutions & PlatformsThe Rockefeller UniversityNYU Tisch School of the ArtsColumbia UniversityLabocineImagine Science FilmsScience New Wave — LabocineSundance Film FestivalAlfred P. Sloan PrizeScience & ConceptsSymbiosisCRISPRCas9Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger)Woolly mammothAsian elephantAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  445 - Indie Talk - The Death of Physical Media, Infoist Religion, Fall Film Festivals, AI in Education, and Reaching 300K Subscribers 04.09.2026 1t 23min

  This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.comHello, Hello! In this episode, we dive deep into the cultural and philosophical battle between physical ownership and the digital future, using Sony's elimination of physical game discs and Xbox's pro-physical media stance as a launching point for a wide-ranging conversation about what we lose when we lose the tangible things we love. We pay heartfelt tribute to recently lost icons — including Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen, Hayden Panettiere, and Michael Wright — reflecting on how physical artifacts, authentic storytelling, and genuine human connection define lasting legacies. We also cover upcoming film releases, fall film festival Oscar buzz, the Nashville Film Festival, and celebrate our milestone of 300K YouTube subscribers.We also talk about:The generational nostalgia crisis — what happens when the next generation's cultural touchstones are memes instead of physical media, Saturday morning cartoons, or vinyl records, and why that loss of human connection to art mattersThe University of Michigan's decision to eliminate grades in response to students using AI to complete coursework for them, and what that means for the future of education and creativityThe Tennessee Titans' underwhelming $10,000 charity gesture for former star Chris Johnson (CJ2K), who was diagnosed with ALS, contrasted with Dolly Parton's 330-million-book donation legacy and what "real" philanthropy looks likeThe upcoming Netflix reboot of A Different World, why Kadeem Hardison's involvement gives fans hope, and what the show must get right to honor the original's legacy of hope, pride, and HBCU cultureThe "infoist" philosophy described in Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century and how it explains why tech companies are relentlessly pushing toward a fully digital, ownership-free worldPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Products / Software / TechnologyPlayStationXboxSpotify / Apple MusiciTunesNetflixHPFunkoAtari 2600Sega GenesisChatGPTFlock SafetyFilms / Shows / MusicMastering Film Marketing (ebook)On a StringBlack ZombieAnthony BourdainDigger (Tom Cruise)A Different WorldBel-AirGood TimesThe Five HeartbeatsBlonde"Jolene""Coat of Many Colors""9 to 5""I Will Always Love You"Boys Don't Cry (Frank Ocean magazine) — Blonde pageThe Rocky Horror Picture ShowAnnieThe TransformersSmosh"Chocolate Rain"Charlie Bit My FingerIron LungObsessionBackroomsPeter Frampton21 Lessons for the 21st CenturySapiensPeopleDolly PartonTim CurryPeter CullenHayden PanettiereMichael WrightChris Johnson (CJ2K)Frank OceanWhitney HoustonElvis PresleyPorter WagonerEminemSteve JobsYuval Noah HarariKadeem HardisonMarkiplierKane ParsonsCurry BarkerIsabel HagenAnthony Padilla & Ian HecoxTay ZondayPaul KuharskyBill CosbyPlaces / Events / OrganizationsNashville Film FestivalNashville, TennesseeDollywoodTelluride Film FestivalNew York Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalTIFFSundance Film FestivalTribeca Film FestivalHBCUsUniversity of MichiganMake It Academythemakeitpodcast.comTargetWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Jeffrey Pittle - Why Art Is Never Finished, The Secret Lost Chaka Khan Video, and How Serving the Work Builds a Lasting Creative Legacy 01.09.2026 23min

  We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportHello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the remarkable career of Jeffrey Pittle, a senior creative director, animator, and self-described "agent of transformation" who has spent over two decades working with industry giants like Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Nickelodeon. Drawing from the original MAKE IT interview, they unpack the audacious, humble, and often painful journey of a creative professional who built a unicorn skill set by refusing to stay in any single lane. From knocking on a comic legend's front door as a teenager to producing an Oscar-nominated Holocaust animated short, Jeff's story is a masterclass in surviving — and thriving — in the unpredictable business of creativity.We also talk about:How Jeffrey's childhood obsession with '70s Disney films, Jim Henson's Muppets, and the original Star Wars at a drive-in theater planted the seeds of his creative identity and gave him the cognitive leap to realize that making art was an actual, payable professionThe critical balance between audacity and humility in a creative career — why having the ego to knock on a legend's door means nothing without the willingness to sit in a freezing car all night just to hold a parking spot for a film craneThe dangers of tying your creative work to a proprietary tech platform, illustrated by the heartbreaking story of a technically stunning Chaka Khan music video that was locked away forever when the startup behind it went bankruptJeffrey's sharp critique of modern art schools, which excel at teaching technical craft but consistently fail to equip young creatives with the business skills — invoicing, taxes, pricing their time — needed to survive as professionalsThe philosophical paradox that closes the episode: if a masterpiece is created but legally sealed away from the public forever, does it still have value — or does the true worth of creativity lie entirely in how the process of making it transforms the artist?People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Jeffrey PittleWill EisnerBill MurrayCaroll Spinney Chaka KhanJim Krupa (NY puppet company)Daniel Alcheh Leonardo da Vinci Isaac NewtonSteven SpielbergFilms & ShowsPete's Dragon Winnie the PoohStar Wars (1977)Scrooged (1988)Eureeka's Castle Deal or No DealWipeoutThe Tattooed TorahCompanies & OrganizationsNickelodeonUniversal PicturesNick Jr.School of Visual ArtsQB (vertical video startup)QuibiFish Eggs (Venice, CA)USC Shoah Foundation11 Dollar Bill Platforms & ToolsAdobe After EffectsFitbitGoogle ImagesMTVPlacesSouth FloridaBoca Raton, FloridaNew York CityQueens, New YorkVenice, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaMoscow, RussiaConcepts & AwardsEisner AwardsAcademy Award for Best Animated Short Film Motion captureChroma key (green screen)SteampunkJack of all trades, master of noneStar Trek vs. Star WarsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  444 - Oscar Boyson on Directing Our Hero, Balthazar, Working with The Neistat Brothers, Empathy Machines vs. Validation Machines, and Failing in Public 21.08.2026 1t 23min

  This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.comHello, Hello! In this episode, Chris & Papa Bear sit down with filmmaker Oscar Boyson to discuss his directorial debut, Our Hero, Balthazar, a provocative and critically talked-about indie film that has been called the most controversial movie of the year. Oscar shares how his unconventional path — from competitive freestyle skier in Maine to Craigslist hire at the Neistat Brothers' studio — shaped him into the filmmaker he is today. The conversation spans filmmaking craft, the dangers of AI dependency, the power of perseverance over ideas, and what it truly means to get an independent film in front of audiences.We also talk about:The thematic parallels between Our Hero, Balthazar, and the 1995 indie classic Kids, including how both films straddle the line between being cautionary tales for parents and romanticized adventures for younger viewersThe growing role of AI tools like ChatGPT in everyday decision-making, and whether over-reliance on AI is creating a generation that can no longer think or fail independently — including the concept of "Gellman Amnesia" as a lens for understanding AI's credibility problemThe social media "validation machine" phenomenon, how algorithms reinforce existing beliefs and behaviors, and what that means for youth culture, mental health, and even real-world violenceThe importance of perseverance over ideas in the creative process, drawing on Casey Neistat's famous motto — "Ideas are common, perseverance is rare" — and how Oscar applied that philosophy to his own career and filmmaking journeyThe practical and ethical considerations of using firearms and blank-firing weapons on an indie film set in the post-Rust era, including the critical role of a professional armorer and the creative reasoning behind using blanks for actor authenticityPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleOscar BoysonCasey NeistatVan NeistatRicky CamilleriNate DeYoungJosh & Benny SafdieGreta GerwigNoah BaumbachTom SachsFrank GehryAsa ButterfieldJaeden MartellStephen PhelpsChristopher MessinaLena DunhamSam LisencoHarmony KorineRosario DawsonChloë SevignyRoger EbertGene SiskelOscar Hammerstein IIOscar MicheauxOscar IsaacOscar LevantDick GregoryMrBeastJordan Gallant (composer)Spike LeeSpike JonzeDavid FincherGaspar NoéAndrew TateBig Mike (Oscar’s father)Elise (Oscar’s sister)FilmsOur Hero, BalthazarKids (1995)Frances HaGood TimeHeaven Knows WhatAdolescenceThe OdysseyBoogie NightsTrainspottingTaxi DriverStraw Dogs (1971)Jour de fêteThe Last Temptation of ChristIrréversibleEx MachinaA Most Violent YearLady Be Good (1941)State Fair (1945)TV ShowsThe Neistat BrothersPlatforms, Websites & ToolsChatGPT / OpenAICraigslistVimeoThe Wayback MachineDigital Cinema Package (DCP)Art House ConvergencePlacesWilliams CenterNashville, TennesseeMarylandLower Antioch / Woodbine — Nashville neighborhoodsMaineNew York CityNorth TexasHawaiiTribeca FestivalNashville Film FestivalBelcourt TheatreRegal Opry MillsProducts & BrandsTesla SuperchargerTesla appCanon EOS 5D Mark IIChick-fil-AConcepts & ReferencesGell-Mann Amnesia EffectParasocial relationshipsThe Covenant School shootingNineteen Eighty-FourStoneman Douglas / ParklandFour-walling“Ideas are common, perseverance is rare” — Casey Neistat motto“Movies are empathy machines” — Roger EbertWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  Mistakes In The Making - The Creative Pivot That Made Barbie a Billion-Dollar Film 19.08.2026 14min

  Hello, Hello!In this episode, Kevin Goetz, Hollywood's leading audience research expert and founder of Screen Engine, shares one of his most humbling professional mistakes — advising Mattel's entertainment team to walk away from the Barbie movie project before it became a global cultural phenomenon. Kevin reflects on how he misread early research data that showed limited audience interest in a Barbie film, and how a visionary filmmaker, a bold creative pivot, and a brilliant marketing strategy transformed a seemingly doomed IP into one of the highest-grossing films in history. This conversation is a masterclass in intellectual humility, the limits of data, and the power of creative conviction.We also talk about:How Kevin's proprietary "capability testing technique" works — measuring awareness, interest, intensity, and format preference — and why even well-executed research has its limits when creative transformation hasn't yet occurredThe behind-the-scenes story of how Greta Gerwig pitched her vision for Barbie in a New York brownstone, describing the film as existing "somewhere between a stiletto and a Birkenstock," and how that single creative framing changed everythingWhy two previous Barbie film attempts — one with Anne Hathaway and one with Amy Schumer — never made it to production, and what pattern Kevin saw that made him skeptical a third attempt would succeedHow Barbie's marketing team turned the color pink into a full visual language and cultural movement, driving audiences to theaters dressed in Pepto-Bismol pink and making the film a genuine zeitgeist momentHow this pivotal mistake reshaped Kevin's approach to advising clients, leading him to offer a new kind of hope to filmmakers and studios working with IP or projects that appear to have limited audience potential on paperPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleKevin GoetzRobbie Brenner Margot RobbieTom Ackerley Greta GerwigNoah BaumbachRyan GoslingAmerica FerreraIssa RaeAnne HathawayAmy SchumerCompanies & OrganizationsScreen Engine/ASIMattelSimon & Schuster Films & FranchisesBarbie (2023)Dallas Buyers ClubFast & Furious franchiseList of Barbie films BooksAudienceologyHow to Score in HollywoodPodcastsDon't Kill the MessengerMattel IP ReferencedBarbie Hot WheelsWebsites & Social MediaKevinGoetz360.comWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.storeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Nathaniel Nuon's Unconventional Philosophy on Filmmaking Tech (The Uber Analogy and the Viagra Principle) 18.08.2026 20min

  Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the extraordinary life and career of Nathaniel Nuon, a Cambodian refugee-turned Emmy-winning filmmaker who transformed personal and financial limitations into groundbreaking creative work. They explore how a childhood spent watching a broken, silent television set trained Nathaniel's brain to become a master storyteller, and how that same constraint-driven mindset led him to make an Emmy-winning short film about one of history's most overlooked genocides. From designing a feature film specifically for visually impaired audiences to using a cheap VR gaming puck to replicate Hollywood-grade camera tracking, Nathaniel's story is a masterclass in turning obstacles into innovation.We also talk about:How Nathaniel's Cambodian refugee background and his family's adoption of American names shaped his identity and creative driveThe psychological science behind why cognitive constraints — like missing audio — can actually hardwire the brain to become a more powerful problem-solving storytellerThe concept of inclusive design in filmmaking and how designing for marginalized audiences (such as the visually impaired) can unintentionally produce a richer, more atmospheric experience for all audiencesThe culture and output of Full Sail University as a 24/7 creative incubator, and how its high-pressure environment produced 140 graduates who worked on Oscar-nominated films in a single yearA forward-looking philosophical question about the future of filmmaking: as AI, LED walls, and game engines make visual perfection cheap and ubiquitous, will audiences eventually crave the imperfection of practical, physical effects just to feel something authentically human?People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleNathaniel NuonJordan Ladd Valerie Jane Parker Films & ProjectsResidue The Voices Shows ReferencedMister EdJohn WickMarvel Cinematic UniverseOrganizations & CompaniesNuon Films3rd Realm CreationsFull Sail UniversityTechnology & ProductsHTC Vive TrackerLED walls / virtual productionREDARRI AlexaDSLR camerasViagra (sildenafil)UberHistorical Events & Concepts*Operation MenuKhmer RougeAudio descriptionParallax*This was actually a US Air Force operation, not a CIA operation — Strategic Air Command B-52 strikes authorized by Nixon and Kissinger (1969–70), kept secret from Congress. The CIA did run separate covert programs in Cambodia, including training Cambodian irregulars, which is the premise Residue actually dramatizes.We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  443 - X-Men ’97 Cast - Rogue, Morph & Nightcrawler Walk Into a Podcast: The Voice Acting Craft Behind X-Men '97 12.08.2026 1t 12min

  This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.comHello, Hello! In this episode, we sit down with three legendary voice actors from the animated series X-Men '97 — Lenore Zann (Rogue), JP Karliak (Morph), and Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler) — to discuss Season 2 of the hit Disney+ show, the craft of voice acting, and the personal journeys that have shaped each of their careers. The trio shares candid reflections on preserving character continuity across decades, the challenges facing working voice actors in an AI-driven industry, and how their art intersects with social justice, environmental advocacy, and political engagement. From cheat day meals to what it truly means to "MAKE IT," this conversation is as heartfelt as it is illuminating.We also talk about:The origins of Rogue's iconic catchphrase "sugar" and how it became part of Lenore Zann's everyday speech, blurring the line between character and performerThe nostalgia for the 1990s circulating on social media, and why JP Karliak believes humans were never biologically designed to process the volume of information we consume today via the internetThe very real threat of AI voice cloning in the animation industry, including Adrian Hough's discovery of unauthorized voice copies of his characters Nightcrawler and Haytham Kenway, and what that means for workhorse voice actorsThe role the COVID-19 pandemic played in reviving interest in X-Men: The Animated Series on Disney+, and how that surge in viewership likely led directly to the creation of X-Men '97Each guest's deep personal commitment to causes beyond entertainment, including environmental advocacy for old-growth forests (Adrian), LGBTQIA+ voice actor support and nonpartisan voter engagement (JP), and social/political justice work rooted in Lenore's 12-year career as a Canadian politicianPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:X-Men '97 X-Men: The Animated Series Disney+Revival PeacockAudible / Amazon Star Wars: Visions My Life with the Walter Boys Marvel Mash-Up Bob Trevino Likes ItOur Hero BalthazarHoly DaysBreaker Morant Mephisto The Ruling ClassThe Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Picnic at Hanging RockMy Brilliant CareerStorm Hawks The Boss BabyCoComelonYo Gabba Gabba!BlueyThe Joy Luck ClubThe Aussie SixPeopleLenore ZannJP KarliakAdrian HoughTracie Laymon Ted WelchOscar Boyson Nat Boltt Miriam Margolyes Jacki Weaver Judy DavisSam Neill Edward WoodwardJack ThompsonBryan BrownPeter O'TooleAnthony Hopkins / Hannibal LecterIan McKellenPatrick StewartTom Kenny / SpongeBobChris RockElla FitzgeraldMarilyn MonroeNeil Gaiman / The Graveyard BookDavid Letterman / Jennifer AnistonCharactersX-ForceX-FactorPolarisJubilee / SunspotGraydon CreedCarol Danvers / Ms. MarvelMystique / DestinyBishopGambit / Remy LeBeauPoison IvyHaytham KenwayOrganizations, Tools & BooksQueer BoxNerds VoteNashville Film FestivalPostlyCanvaRiversideA Rogue's Tale Lilith FairMTV Video Music AwardsCocoanut Grove PlacesVancouver IslandCalgaryLondon, UKMontrealParisNew York / Off-BroadwayWisconsinHollywoodSocial MediaAdrian HoughJP [email protected] / @nerdsvote@LenoreZann (Instagram) / @ZannLenore (X)We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  442 - Illuminai Studios Founder Jesse Weglein on Being Laid Off at Pixar, Why AI Is the Brush, Not the Artist, and Animation's Next Frontier 07.08.2026 1t 46min

  This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketing. Use the Discount code: NASHFILM20 for 20% off EVERYTHING at themakeitpodcast.comHello, Hello! In this episode, Chris, Nick, and Producer Papa Bear sit down with Jesse Weglein — 15 years at Pixar, now founder of Illuminai Studios — joining live from the foot of Mount Fuji. Jesse worked on Up, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4 before a mass layoff ended that run and pushed him into building his own studio. He's using AI as a tool, not a replacement, to make original animated films for audiences the industry keeps overlooking — including his short film Roar, which Whoopi Goldberg picked for the Tribeca Film Festival.We also talk about:The creative culture at Pixar and what makes it impossible to replicate — including how directors would skip watching their own films in theaters to study the audience's reactions insteadThe global divide on AI in animation, from China's breakneck adoption of the technology to Japan's philosophical hesitation around whether AI can carry the "soul" of an artist's visionThe economic fragility of the animation business model, including the trend of outsourcing animation overseas and how AI might offer a path to reclaiming domestic production jobsThe importance of traditional art training as the essential foundation before any aspiring animator or filmmaker touches AI tools — and why skipping that foundation produces hollow, soulless contentThe passionate debate around AI's role in filmmaking, including the social policing happening on different platforms, copyright and trademark risks when using AI-generated imagery, and the distinction between using AI to accelerate creativity versus allowing it to replace it entirelyPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleJesse Weglein John LasseterSteve JobsEd CatmullPete DocterFrank OzAndrew StantonWhoopi GoldbergPhil TippettTim McLaughlin John McCarthyAkira KurosawaHayao MiyazakiFritz LangToshiro MifuneLionel MessiRay KurzweilIsaac AsimovDario Amodei Sam Altman Brian AdlerBarbara Lowenstein Films & ShowsUpToy Story 3Toy Story 4Toy Story 5The IncrediblesROAR Shine (Illuminai Studios)The Color Purple Metropolis (1927)Seven Samurai High and Low The Wind Rises Spirited Away Rashomon Red Beard Starship Troopers Jumpin' Jack Flash Sister Act A.I. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Day The Boy and the Heron The Odyssey Companies & OrganizationsPixar Animation StudiosILLUMINAI StudiosIndustrial Light & Magic (ILM)Google DeepMindTribeca Film FestivalTexas A&M VisualizationAnthropicOpenAI / ChatGPTAppleTechnicolorNashville Film FestivalWGASoftware & TechnologyMayaPresto (Pixar's proprietary tool)PhotoshopSunoRay tracing / render farmWebsites & Social Mediailluminaistudios.comnashvillefilmfestival.orgBooks & ProductsMastering Film Marketing (ebook)Make It AcademyUp Lego SetLuxo Jr.PlacesEmeryville, California Lake Kawaguchi / Mount FujiTokyo, JapanSan Francisco, CaliforniaLucas Building/Steve Jobs BuildingDartmouth College / Dartmouth workshop, 1956Other ReferencesThe Dan Patrick ShowThe View2026 FIFA World CupNBA PlayoffsWHALE 52 — Suite For Man, Boy, And Whale Dear Upstairs Neighbors Joseph McCarthy / McCarthyismWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Actress Christine Woods - How to Walk Into Any Audition Room and Completely Flip the Power Dynamic in Your Favor 04.08.2026 21min

  Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness take a deep dive into the life, craft, and career philosophy of actress Christine Woods — known for her roles in HBO's Hello Ladies, ABC's Flash Forward, and The Walking Dead — exploring how a profoundly shy girl from Lake Forest, California built a sustainable, authentic acting career by rejecting Hollywood's arbitrary rules. Drawing from a wide-ranging interview hosted by Chris, he unpacks how Christine transformed her fear of failure into a powerful, service-driven approach to storytelling that flips the traditional power dynamic of the audition room on its head. From her early tap dancing days and her grandfather Sterling's love of classic movie musicals to her unconventional college path, her manager's game-changing advice, and her expanding work as a producer and director, this episode offers a masterclass in building a creative career on your own terms.We also talk about:How Christine's grandfather Sterling — a hulking, ex-military man who secretly loved classic movie musicals — introduced her to films like Meet Me in St. Louis and Gene Kelly and Judy Garland, fundamentally shaping her belief that performance is communal storytelling, not ego-driven spectacleWhy Christine chose to attend the University of Arizona on a singing and vocal jazz scholarship rather than audition for prestigious conservatories like Juilliard or Carnegie Mellon, and how she made a calculated pivot to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater to fill a critical gap in her trainingHow severe creative constraints on low-budget indie sets — such as having only one hour left at a location to capture a crucial, emotionally exhausting scene — can actually serve as a psychological gift by forcing actors entirely into the present moment and bypassing the internal criticThe fascinating physiological mechanics behind Christine's on-set habit of performing classical vocal warm-ups right before the director calls action — including how stretching the jaw and engaging the vocal cords stimulates the vagus nerve to calm the parasympathetic nervous systemChristine's expanding work behind the camera, including producing and directing experimental comedy shorts with friends, such as one brilliantly titled Finding the Asshole, as a way to tell stories on her own terms without waiting for permission from industry gatekeepersPeople, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleChristine Woods (actress)Sterling Woods (Christine's grandfather)Eric Emery (Christine's first LA manager)Joe Sill Gene KellyJudy GarlandBilly Corgan Frank OceanShows, Films & ProjectsHello Ladies FlashForward The Walking DeadMeet Me in St. LouisStray Finding the Asshole — experimental comedy shortSchools & ProgramsUniversity of ArizonaJuilliardCarnegie MellonSocial Media@TrickyBear (Christine Woods' Instagram)Bands / ArtistsThe Smashing PumpkinsFrank OceanPlacesLake Forest, CaliforniaWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  441 - How YouTube Lore Is Rewriting the Hollywood Playbook, Why George Lucas Is Right, and the New Rules of the Box Office (Your Father's IP Is Dead) - Indie Talk 24.07.2026 1t 57min

  This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketingHello, Hello! In this episode, Chris and Nick reunite for an Indie Talk episode packed with film industry insights, starting with Chris's powerful experience watching the James Baldwin documentary I Am Not Your Negro and a heartfelt shoutout to Carlton Adkins and the Enlightenment Film Academy's standing-room-only student film screening in Nashville. We dive deep into the evolving box office landscape, dissecting why certain legacy IP films are underperforming while YouTube-lore-driven films like Backrooms are shattering A24 records, and what that means for the future of indie filmmaking. We close with a rich discussion on George Lucas's comments about AI and audience testing, the Warner Bros./Paramount merger controversy, and a passionate defense of the theatrical experience as a community-building institution.We also talk about:The cultural and historical significance of the deaths of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Medgar Evers in the 1960s, and how their simultaneous loss effectively ended a generation of Black empowerment leadershipThe nostalgia and community value of Blockbuster Video, including employee perks, the tactile VHS experience, and how video rental stores created a unique social ecosystem that streaming has failed to replicateThe philosophical tension between George Lucas's belief in pure artistic storytelling and Kevin Goetz's data-informed audience testing approach, and what each means for the future of cinemaThe proposed Warner Bros./Paramount merger, the protests and petitions against it, what it could mean for creative competition and content diversity, and parallels to Disney's acquisition of Marvel and Star WarsThe complicated cultural conversation around celebrities and public figures in the internet age, and how total transparency disabuses audiences of the idea that their heroes are perfect or infalliblePeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleJames BaldwinMalcolm XMartin Luther King Jr.Medgar EversJesse JacksonAl SharptonJohn LewisDick GregoryT.D. JakesRay CharlesStevie WonderTom HollandZendayaTobey MaguireTom HardyTom BradyCarlton Adkins Kane ParsonsMarkiplierKevin Goetz George LucasSteve JobsR. KellyJean-Claude Van DammeJason MomoaBruce WillisViggo MortensenEd HarrisWilliam HurtJohn HurtDavid CronenbergDwayne "The Rock" JohnsonSamuel L. JacksonBill MaherMartin ScorseseKiefer SutherlandKevin BaconChristopher ReeveJosh PlasseTom McCullough (PB's childhood friend)Nicholas Galitzine Sam HarrisCharlamagne tha God Immortal TechniqueChris Ferguson Arnold SchwarzeneggerFilms & DocumentariesI Am Not Your NegroBackroomsLonglegs The Invite The Odyssey Spider-Man: No Way HomeThe Fifth Element12 MonkeysMoana (live action)Moana 2Toy Story 5Toy Story 3Superman Supergirl The Mandalorian and GroguBarbieEverything Everywhere All at OnceA History of ViolenceInceptionIron LungJohn WickFlatlinersFatliners (NSFW)Masters of the Universe Snakes on a PlaneMad MenBe Kind RewindHeavy Metal Another Version of YouCompanies & OrganizationsA24Warner Bros.Paramount / SkydanceDisneyMarvelPixarNetflixOddfellows Pictures — THR profileNational Action NetworkEnlightenment Film AcademyNashville Film FestivalLetterboxdBlockbuster VideoMusicClipse – Let God Sort Em Out PlacesBelcourt Theatre Oakland, CASouth KoreaWashington, D.C.Jamaica / CaribbeanWebsites & PlatformsThe MAKE IT PodcastLetterboxdNashvilleFilmFestival.orgProducts & MiscellaneousCallwood Family Distillery (Caribbean)Mastering Film Marketing Make It Academy VHS / DVD / Blu-rayIMAXDolbyDisney Movie ClubWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Caroline Locorriere - Camera Appropriateness, Script Architecture, and the Three Pillars of Craft 21.07.2026 20min

  Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the remarkable journey of Caroline Locorriere, founder and lead coach of the Nashville Acting Studio, exploring how she walked away from a thriving commercial acting career in Los Angeles to discover her true calling as an acting teacher and coach. They unpack her empathy-driven teaching philosophy, which stands in direct opposition to the industry's notorious "whiplash method" of emotional terrorism, and examine how her three core pillars of acting craft — staying human on camera, accessing emotional life, and rigorous script analysis — create self-sufficient, sustainable artists. Drawing parallels far beyond the world of acting, this conversation serves as a masterclass in career self-awareness, psychological safety in creative environments, and the relentless tenacity required to survive in any subjective, competitive industry.We also talk about:Why getting a talent agent too early can permanently damage an actor's reputation with casting directors and how Caroline advises building craft first before seeking representationThe fascinating story of student Matt Williams, whose romantic performances lacked emotional depth because he had never been in love — and how Caroline's unconventional homework assignment (to go fall in love) led him to eventually get marriedThe brutal reality of casting subjectivity, illustrated through a heartbreaking story of a highly talented student who auditioned flawlessly for David Fincher's Mindhunter but lost the role to someone Caroline felt was objectively less impressive on screenThe role of tenacity over pure talent in sustaining a creative career, exemplified by former student Alan Powell, who wrote, produced, and starred in a film that reached number four on NetflixThe mystical and deeply personal story of Martha, an 80-year-old Episcopalian woman with the ability to see auras, whose unprompted words to Caroline at a crossroads moment gave her the validation she needed to trust her instincts and pursue teachingPeople, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleCaroline Locorriere Matt Williams Alan Powell Missy (Caroline's mother)Martha (Episcopalian aura reader) Toni MorrisonShelley DuvallBear BryantNick SabanMeryl StreepDavid FincherKonstantin StanislavskiShows / FilmsMindhunterThe ShiningInstitutions / PlacesNashville Acting StudioBelmont UniversityOhio State UniversityPlatformsNetflixConcepts / MethodsThe Whiplash Method Sunk Cost Fallacy"The three pillars of acting craft" — Caroline's framework"Camera appropriateness"Active listening/listening labsWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  440 - Nick (Goes Solo) on What Matt Damon and Oscar Boyson Can Teach Us About Making It 10.07.2026 42min

  This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketingHello, Hello! In this episode, Nick flies solo — without co-host Chris Barkley or Producer Papa Bear, who are both traveling in Italy — to discuss acclaimed independent filmmaker and producer Oscar Boyson and his feature directorial debut, Our Hero Balthazar, a darkly comedic psychological drama that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Nick shares his visceral, gut-punch reaction to watching the film, unpacking how its unflinching portrayal of online culture, performative activism, masculinity, and gun violence caught him completely off guard and forced him to confront uncomfortable realities facing young people in modern America. The episode weaves together Nick's personal reflections on the film, audience poll results about social media, Gen Z viewing habit data, filmmaker quotes from Oscar Boyson, and a closing definition of success borrowed from Matt Damon.We also talk about:How Our Hero Balthazar uses dark comedy and social satire to hold a mirror up to the uncomfortable realities of young people navigating social media, identity, and belongingNick's personal Instagram algorithm experiment — and what it revealed about how social media can trap users in a cycle of consuming the same content repeatedly, potentially shaping their identityGen Z viewing habits data from Deloitte's Digital Media Trends Study (2025–2026), including how much more time Gen Z spends on social platforms versus traditional TV and moviesWhy going to the theater is increasingly becoming an event-driven, culturally shared experience — and what independent filmmakers must do to get young audiences off their couches and into seatsMatt Damon's definition of success — "all we have as the people making it is the love of the doing it" — and how that philosophy connects directly to the spirit of the MAKE IT PodcastPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:PeopleOscar BoysonNoah BaumbachThe Safdie BrothersRicky Camilleri Jaeden Martell Noah CentineoAsa Butterfield Chris Bauer Matt DamonClaire HuxtableFilms & TVOur Hero BalthazarFrances HaUncut GemsStreet FighterFestivals & EventsTribeca Film FestivalPlatforms & Social MediaLetterboxdPostly.aiCanvaRiverside.fmResearch & StudiesDeloitte Digital Media TrendsFandango Moviegoing Study OrganizationsWater.org (Matt Damon's charity)We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  Film Brief - Toy Story 5 - Andrew Stanton's Return: Why Pixar's Boldest Creative Bet Is a Story About Growing Up 08.07.2026 9min

  WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.BRIEF:In this episode, Nick dives deep on Toy Story 5, the highly anticipated return of Pixar's beloved franchise directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, exploring how the film tackles the timely and thought-provoking theme of childhood imagination in a screen-saturated world. The episode examines how Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang face their most contemporary challenge yet — competing with a tablet named Lily Pad that promises endless digital entertainment — while unpacking the film's deeper philosophical questions about identity, connection, and what it means to truly grow up. Nicholas reflects on the emotional resonance of experiencing the film in a theater alongside family and community, ultimately framing Toy Story 5 as a love letter to imagination, collaboration, and the irreplaceable power of human connection.TAKEAWAYS:The directorial pairing of Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, and how their distinct backgrounds shape the film's artistic and emotional visionThe symbolic role of the Lily Pad tablet as a representation of digital culture's competition with imaginative play, rather than a traditional villainThe identity crisis sparked by an army of Buzz Lightyear action figures, and how the film uses their existence to explore what truly makes a person — or a toy — specialJessie's expanded emotional arc as she steps into the center of the story, discovering that leadership is about becoming who others need you to beThe film's connection to Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, and how Toy Story 5 quietly argues that no hero — and no healing — happens in isolationMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Films / ProjectsToy Story 5Toy Story (original)Toy Story 4Finding NemoWALL-ECiao Alberto PeopleAndrew Stanton Kenna Harris Randy Newman Joseph Campbell CharactersWoodyBuzz LightyearJessieBonnieTechnology / Products (Fictional)Lilypad (the tablet, voiced by Greta Lee)Organizations / BrandsPixarEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT PodcastWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating us, or leaving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.storeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Josh Bishop - Follow Your Heart, Not the Money: Jim Jarmusch's Advice That Changed Everything 07.07.2026 22min

  Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the archives of the MAKE IT Podcast (Episode 174) to extract the raw, unfiltered reality of indie filmmaker Josh Bishop's journey — from his punk rock-influenced teenage years in Europe to premiering his debut documentary at South by Southwest after an extraordinary 11-year production process. They explore how Josh's philosophy of film as "a window in a tunnel" shapes not only his creative vision but also the production company he co-founded with his wife, Keturah, and how advice from his idol Jim Jarmusch permanently redirected his career. The episode serves as a masterclass for any creative — filmmaker, writer, or entrepreneur — wrestling with the timeless tension between authentic artistic expression and the brutal financial realities of independent creation.We also talk about:The stark philosophical and structural differences between the European taxpayer-funded film system and the commercially driven American Hollywood machine, and what those differences mean for artistic freedomThe profound influence of old-school New York stop-motion animator and punk rock musician Jim Starace on Josh's creative DNA and his lifelong rejection of "selling out"The psychological and professional whiplash filmmakers experience when they transition from the creative grind of making an independent film to the cutthroat business reality of festival circuit sales and distribution pitchingThe radical democratization of filmmaking technology, including a local filmmaker named Kd Amond who shot an entire feature-length horror film called Faye using only an iPhone 8, and what that means for the "I don't have the right equipment" excuseJosh's deeply humble personal philosophy of holding up a mirror to society rather than preaching — including his decision to spend four straight days shooting raw documentary footage in the aftermath of a Nashville tornado without any commercial agendaPeople, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleJosh Bishop Jim Starace Jim Jarmusch Keturah BishopTomi Fujiyama Morgan Spurlock Elijah WoodStefan Pokorny Anthony BourdainKd AmondMartin Scorsese Bands & MusicPuny Human Norman Bates & The Showerheads — limited web presence; best found via DiscogsThe Ramones Films & ProjectsDown by Law Coffee and Cigarettes Made in JapanThe DwarvenautDestination Fantastic Faye Companies, Organizations & PlatformsA Window in a Tunnel Grand Ole OprySouth by Southwest (SXSW)Dwarven ForgeKickstarterDungeons & DragonsLegion M iPhone 8 Cotton BureauPlacesIceland Netherlands (Holland) BelgiumNew York City We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  439 - Daril Fannin - The Wild Story Behind A24's Acquisition of Undertone and the New Rules of Independent Film in 2026 26.06.2026 1t 48min

  This episode is brought to you by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don’t stop at good enough—it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks WITH you, not for you. Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitThis episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketingHello, Hello! In this episode, we welcome back Daril Fannin, founder and CEO of Kino Studios, to celebrate the major milestone of his horror film Undertone being acquired by A24 and its theatrical run, which generated over $9 million in opening weekend box office on a $500,000 budget. Daril shares the journey of bringing Undertone from the Fantasia International Film Festival to Sundance and ultimately to wide release, while discussing A24's unique and authentic marketing approach that helped the film connect with audiences in a meaningful way. The conversation also dives deep into the independent film ecosystem, the economics of filmmaking, the role of social media and AI tools in modern content creation, and what it truly means to "make it" in Hollywood.We also talk about:The debate around Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic and how much critical scores actually influence moviegoers' choices, including an audience poll revealing that 56% of viewers say critics don't influence their decisions at allThe viral social media post by an art director on the film Obsession, who expressed frustration about her low pay despite the film's massive financial success, and what that reveals about systemic economic inequity in the independent film industryThe rise of Neuralink and the broader philosophical conversation about AI integration into human life, including comparisons to Brave New World, social media data harvesting, and the future of human creativity and autonomyWhy horror is the new comedy in 2026, and how films like Undertone, Obsession, Iron Lung, and Backrooms are proving that audience-first, word-of-mouth driven indie horror is the most viable path for independent filmmakers todayThe power of resilience in the creative journey, with Daril sharing personal reflections on bouncing back from failure, surrounding yourself with the right people, and the importance of not sharing your biggest ambitions with those who can't understand the artist's pathPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Platforms, Tools & ServicesClaude / Claude Pro (Anthropic)Cowork (Claude's agentic desktop app)Rotten TomatoesMetacriticIMDbLetterboxdNeuralinkGeminiCollection Account Management Agreement (CAMA) FilmChain Films Undertone (Kino Studios / A24) Obsession (Curry Barker) Iron Lung Backrooms (Kane Parsons / A24) The Matrix Raiders of the Lost Ark Gladiator Dumb and Dumber The Mask Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Malcolm & Marie High School Musical Sinners Oppenheimer Hamnet The Deer Hunter Nuremberg (Russell Crowe)Wedding CrashersStar Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episodes I–III)Creed IIIAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaHow to Train Your Dragon (2025)Black Phone 2Regretting YouAvengers: EndgameSpider-Man: No Way HomeProject Hail MaryThe TerminatorWeapons (Zach Cregger)The Drama (Zendaya / Robert Pattinson)The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonMeet Joe BlackPeople — Industry & Public FiguresDaril Fannin (Kino CEO)Ian Tuason (director of Undertone) (see note)Nina Kiri (lead, Undertone)Rick RubinRainer Maria RilkeJordan PeeleMarkiplierCurry Barker (Obsession)Kane Parsons (Backrooms)Sally Choi (art director, Obsession)Kevin GoetzJim CarreyMason ThamesZendayaRobert PattinsonHayden ChristensenRussell CroweHarrison FordBrad PittTom CruiseJonathan MajorsForest WhitakerTyler PerryBen StillerWill FerrellAdam SandlerSteve MartinSiskel and EbertPeter TraversLon Harris Cinema Joe Christopher NolanElon MuskMark ZuckerbergDick GregoryKevin HartShow Team (internal — no public links)Joey "Bags" von HaegerBooksThe Creative Act: A Way of Being (Rick Rubin)Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)Nineteen Eighty-Four (George Orwell)The Crossroads of Should and Must (Elle Luna) Companies & OrganizationsKino StudiosA24NeonBlumhouseVillage RoadshowOrion PicturesArtists Equity (see note)AnthropicDGASAG-AFTRAIATSERolling StoneFantasia International Film FestivalSundance Film FestivalSXSWAlamo DrafthouseCannes Film FestivalWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  SUMMARIES - Magali Barbe - How a Visual Effects Hoax Became a Philosophical Masterpiece 23.06.2026 24min

  Hello, Hello!In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness dive deep into the remarkable career of London-based filmmaker and visual effects artist Magali Barbe, whose passion project short film Strange Beasts went viral overnight and landed her offers from 20th Century Fox and top Hollywood talent agencies. They explore how her 13 years as a pre-visualization artist on blockbuster films like Wonder Woman, Avengers: Endgame, and Fantastic Beasts gave her the technical foundation to create an independently produced short film so polished that Hollywood executives assumed it was a multi-million dollar studio production. The conversation broadens into a sweeping philosophical examination of how digital technology — from augmented reality and deepfakes to social media algorithms and genetic manipulation — is fundamentally reshaping human connection, perception, and society itself.We also talk about:The psychological toll of spending over a decade executing someone else's creative vision as a pre-visualization artist, and how that frustration became the fuel for Magali's creative pivot into independent filmmakingThe deliberate design philosophy behind the robot Max in This Time Away — specifically, why giving a futuristic robot the texture and finish of a 1970s kitchen appliance was a calculated psychological choice rooted in the uncanny valley theoryThe structural and cultural differences between the French and British film industries, including how France's government-subsidized CNC system creates institutional bureaucracy, while the UK's scarcity of funding forces a passionate, grassroots DIY filmmaking cultureThe concept of a "water bottle tour" in Hollywood — the grueling marathon of studio meetings that newly signed talent must endure, which functions less as a pitch session and more as a high-stakes personality and temperament auditThe piano chord metaphor shared by Chris Barkley in the original interview, which equates the musical necessity of space between notes to the human need for distance and breathing room in relationships, and how modern technology's relentless drive to eliminate friction may be destroying the beautiful music of genuine human connectionPeople, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:PeopleMagali Barbe (filmmaker/VFX artist)David Heyman (producer)Timothy Spall (stars in This Time Away)Tom Cruise (deepfake example)Films & ProjectsStrange Beasts (her viral short)This Time Away (her second short)Wonder Woman (previs)Kingsman: The Golden Circle (previs)Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (previs)Avengers: Endgame (previs)WALL-E (robot design reference)Companies, Organizations & PlatformsVimeo20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox)United Talent Agency (UTA)CNC (Centre National du Cinéma)Silicon ValleyConcepts & TechnologiesPre-visualization (Previz)Augmented Reality (AR)The Uncanny ValleyDeepfakesCRISPRBully Whippets (myostatin / double-muscling)The Marketplace of Ideas"Move Fast and Break Things"Water Bottle Tour — industry-ritual slang for a series of back-to-back Studio meetingsThe Piano / F♯ and F♮ Metaphor — Chris Barkley's original analogy about conflict when one note (or person) smothers anotherWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  438 - Kevin Goetz - On Audience Testing 5,000+ Films, How He Became Hollywood's Most Powerful Audience Whisperer, and How to Use Audience Testing to Enhance Your Film (Not Destroy Your Vision) 12.06.2026 1t 26min

  This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/products/mastering-film-marketingHello, Hello! In this episode, we sit down with legendary audience research expert Kevin Goetz, the CEO of Screen Engine, who has tested over 5,000 film and television titles for major studios over three decades. Kevin shares his journey from aspiring Broadway performer to becoming Hollywood's most trusted voice on audience testing, discussing how filmmakers can use audience feedback to enhance rather than compromise their creative vision. The conversation explores the evolution of audience expectations in the streaming era, the importance of knowing your deficits as an entrepreneur, and Kevin's philosophy on following passion over profit.We also talk about:• Kevin's childhood in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and the family dynamics that shaped his drive for success • The misconceptions filmmakers have about audience testing and how it actually enhances creative vision • How streaming platforms have changed viewer behavior, and the need for compelling cold opens • The importance of self-awareness in leadership and surrounding yourself with people better than you at specific skills • Kevin's approach to delegation, team building, and scaling a business with 320 employeesPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:Screen Engine/ASIBBMG Entertainment — kevingoetz360.comHow to Score in HollywoodAudienceologyProducers Guild of AmericaAmerican CinemathequeNashville Film FestivalNews & Media ServicesGround NewsSemafor The Media LinePeopleDerek Guy (menswear writer)Joan RiversNicole KidmanCharles Roven (producer)Lauren Shuler Donner  Richard DonnerStephanie Allain Donald De Line (PGA)Ben Fritz (Wall Street Journal)Barbara JarrettBrooke ShieldsJared LetoTravis KnightFilms & TVGhostSinnersEverything Everywhere All at OnceHacks (HBO Max)Masters of the Universe (He-Man movie)Backrooms (A24)Iron LungPlaces & InstitutionsBensonhurst, BrooklynEast Brunswick, New JerseyNashville, TennesseeVanderbilt UniversityWe are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• 
  Spider-Noir | Is Nicolas Cage's Spider Noir the Most Vulnerable Superhero Ever Created? 11.06.2026 11min

  Hello, Hello!WHAT IS FILM BRIEF?Blending journalism with artistry, Film Brief transforms film analysis into an engaging and informative listening experience. The goal is to reveal what makes each movie or series resonate—on screen and behind the scenes. For listeners, it’s not just a review; it’s an exploration of the art of filmmaking.BRIEF:In this episode, host Nick explores Spider Noir, a groundbreaking superhero series that transforms Marvel mythology into a Depression-era noir meditation on aging, regret, and redemption. The show stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a worn-down private investigator and former masked vigilante navigating the rain-soaked streets of 1930s New York. This isn't your typical superhero story—it's a slow-burn character study that prioritizes atmosphere and emotional depth over explosive action sequences.TAKEAWAYS:• Harry Bradbeer's directorial approach and the creative decision to use four different directors across eight episodes • The series' bold aesthetic choice offering both color and authentic black-and-white viewing options • How the multiverse concept allows superhero storytelling to age alongside audiences • The evolution from the animated Spider-Verse version to this more emotionally grounded live-action adaptation • Why prioritizing older heroes and mature themes represents an important shift in superhero cinemaMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Spider-NoirNicolas CageHarry Bradbeer (director)Oren Uziel (writer)Ben Reilly (character)FleabagEnola HolmesRaymond ChandlerSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VersePeter Parker1930s New YorkGreat DepressionMarvelSpider-ManEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITwww.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy