The MAKE IT Podcast

Happy New Year - Full Episode Drops Friday

Hello, Hello! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Chris provides a short update on episodes and content for this month and a hint at 2024. How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content: Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe. The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, and insights through our _Filmmaker Conversations_, _Mistakes in the Making_, _Industry Insights_, _Indie Talks_, and _Film Investment Series_ playlists. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives! #film #interview #podcast

363 - An Unlikely Journey to the Top of the Film Festival World | Brian Owens, CIFF Artistic Director

Hello, Hello!    In this episode of the MAKE IT Podcast we are joined by Brian Owens, Artistic Director Calgary International Film Festival [\"https://www.ciffcalgary.ca/\"]. He provides his film festival tips, advice, and insights on the MAKE IT podcast. Brian has been at the helm of some of North America\'s top film festivals, helping launch countless careers along the way. In this interview, Brian shares stories from his unlikely path from small town kid to festival kingpin, offering invaluable advice to aspiring programmers and filmmakers. He also pulls back the curtain on what it takes to run major festivals while maintaining a passion for cinema, treating listeners to insightful perspectives on curation and what makes certain films resonate.   *Originally released September 13, 2022*   Follow Brian https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-owens-06648577 [\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-owens-06648577\"]   Calgary International Film Festival https://www.ciffcalgary.ca/ [\"https://www.ciffcalgary.ca/\"]   * Introduction. (0:00) * Handling film festivals during COVID-19 pandemic. (1:11) * Movies, childhood memories, and film appreciation. (6:22) * Film festival creation and growth. (12:02) * Filmmaking production skills and sound quality. (19:47) * Film festival growth and local talent. (23:36) * Film programming and fostering a film community. (28:57) * Film grants and industry support in Canada vs. U.S. (34:44) * Film industry, inclusivity, and career advice. (40:34) * Creativity and inspiration. (49:37) * Starting a film festival with a focus on marketing and networking. (54:39) * Filmmaking and storytelling insights. (1:00:23) * Creativity and career goals. (1:05:50) * Networking and Al Gore\'s involvement in a documentary. (1:10:19)   Questions answered in this conversation:   * What are the minimum production skills festivals look for when accepting a film? * How does grant funding differ between Canada and the US? - How do you start your own film festival? *  When a film is close to being good or great but not quite, what is it typically missing? * Who are some of the creatives Brian most admires and wants to emulate from a technical or skill standpoint?    *How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:*   Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe [\"https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe\"].   The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry.

362 - Navigating Strikes and Incentives and Getting Films Made in New Orleans with Full Armor Films\' Frank Monteleone | Indie Talk

Hello, Hello!    In this episode of the Make It Podcast, independent filmmaker Frank Monteleone joins Chris and Nick to talk about his company, Full Armor Films [\"https://fullarmorfilms.com/team\"], his career, and the film industry in New Orleans and beyond.   We also talk about:   - Frank discusses starting Full Armor Films in New Orleans and how the city\'s film tax incentives have helped grow the local industry. - The group talks about acting techniques, pitching projects to studios vs. independently, and how recent strikes have impacted the business.  - Frank shares his experience getting an exception during the WGA strike to continue production. - Acting exercises like being assigned random characters at parties are discussed as ways to improve skills. - And a brand new Things You Should Know — inspired by Frank!      Enjoy!   How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:   Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube [\"http://youtube.com/@makeitpodcast\"] channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast [\"https://link.chtbl.com/makeit\"] wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe [\"https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe\"].

361 - The Billion Dollar Tax Loophole: How Studios Legally Pay Zero, Pivoting Your Art to Find Success Later in Life, and The Financial Impact of WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes | Indie Talk

Hello, Hello!    In this edition of the MAKE IT Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss artist Jelly Roll\'s inspirational acceptance speech for Best New Artist at the CMA Awards. They contemplate the ability to pivot genres throughout a career, using Darius Rucker\'s transition from rock to country, the SAG Strike is over (right?), Coyote Vs. Acme drama, and an all-new Things We Should Know and Culture Check.    We also talk about:   * Chris shares the secret of why his hair and skin glisten * Jelly Roll’s Hip-Hop career before pivoting to Country * SAG-AFTRA Strike - Did the actors win?  * Why studios aren’t concerned with taking a budget loss when shelving a film * Advocating understanding of complex issues before making judgments   Enjoy!   How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:   Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube [\"http://youtube.com/@makeitpodcast\"] channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast [\"https://link.chtbl.com/makeit\"] wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe [\"https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe\"]. How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:   Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube [\"http://youtube.com/@makeitpodcast\"] channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast [\"https://link.chtbl.com/makeit\"] wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe [\"https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe\"].

360 - Five Night\'s Box Office Success, Manipulating Criticism and Can Indies Replicate Taylor Swift\'s AMC Deal? | Indie Talk

Hello, Hello!    This week on The Make It Podcast, Chris and Nick discuss the success of Five Nights at Freddy\'s [\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4589218/\"] and how it was able to capitalize on existing IP in a way that worked. They also analyze Taylor Swift\'s deal with AMC to distribute her concert film and whether others can replicate her success. Nick provides a culture check on a controversy involving the head of HBO being caught creating fake X (formerly Twitter) accounts to troll critics of its content.   We also talk about: * Debate around whether people can \"cash in\" on Taylor Swift\'s lottery ticket deal or if her level of fame and experience is unique. * Consideration of whether Troll behavior is commonplace or if the HBO executive was wrong to attempt to manipulate feedback. * Comments on the importance of artists receiving genuine criticism to improve their work.   Enjoy!   How you can continue to enjoy MAKE IT content:   Subscribe to the MAKE IT YouTube [\"http://youtube.com/@makeitpodcast\"] channel. Subscribe to the MAKE IT Podcast [\"https://link.chtbl.com/makeit\"] wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe [\"https://www.bonsai.film/subscribe\"].