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This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year!
Hello, Hello!
In this episode, filmmaker and former performer Michael Gier explains how he made his documentary The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph. He shares stories of first responders, civilians, Flight 93, the boat lift, and rare footage from the Pentagon. The conversation also explores creative careers, rejection, film school, entrepreneurship, and what it means to MAKE IT.
We also talk about:
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
People — Show & Family
Michael Gier
Terri Gier
People — 9/11
Will Jimeno
Scott Strauss (NYPD ESU)
Sgt. John McLoughlin
Lauren Grandcolas & Jack Grandcolas
Welles Crowther
Jules and Gédéon Naudet
Pavel Hlava
Wolfgang Staehle
Jude Koch
People — Performers & Filmmakers
Gregory Hines
Spike Jonze
Sofia Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Wayne Newton
Elton John
Deidre Hall
Louie Anderson
Zach Galifianakis
Gary Sinise
Sean Penn
Christopher Nolan
Paul Thomas Anderson
Matt Damon
Nicolas Cage
Martin Short
John Madden
People — Other Public Figures
Burt Reynolds
Clint Eastwood
Brad Pitt
Tom Cruise
Jennifer Aniston
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Vin Diesel
Paris Hilton
Jake Paul
Daejon Love
Orson Welles
Alfred Hitchcock
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eddie Van Halen
Eric Clapton
Peter Frampton
Chris Rock
Eminem
Ricky Martin
Will Smith
Groups & Characters
Torrance Community Dancers
Guns N’ Roses
Korn
The Kardashians
Prince Akeem
Jiminy Glick
Projects
The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph
Wounded Heroes
Healing the Heroes of 9-11
Gier Productions
Torrance Rises
Fatboy Slim — “Praise You”
Make It Academy
TV & Film
Sunset Beach
Days of Our Lives
Baskets
The Princess Bride
Tombstone
The Matrix
The Bourne Identity
The Odyssey
Avatar
The Brutalist
One Battle After Another
Mystic River
Wild Wild West
Coming to America
Places
San Diego
Balboa Park
Hollywood
Torrance
Coronado
Beverly Hills
Malibu
New York City
Manhattan
World Trade Center
The Pentagon
US Capitol
Hudson River
Las Vegas
Nashville
San Francisco
Japan
Australia
Scotland
Ireland
Paris
Brno
Stuttgart
Lamb’s Players Theatre
Aladdin Hotel
Metropolitan Opera House
TCL Chinese Theatre
Vanderbilt University
Harvard
Zamunda (fictional)
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. #MAKEIT
https://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletter
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. #MAKEIT
https://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletter
Hello, Hello!
In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore Julius Ritter’s evolution from biracial child and working actor to independent writer-director. The conversation examines permissionless work, zero-budget filmmaking, creative solitude, and the search for timeless artistic themes. It is essential listening for filmmakers who want to build original work without waiting for industry approval.
We also talk about:
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
People
Julius Charles Ritter (also on TMDB)
Terry Jingles
Rob Reiner
Quentin Tarantino
William Shakespeare
Soulja Boy
Acting Credits
Gap (Gap Kids)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Like Mike
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
The Master of Disguise
His Own Films
Sock & Buskin
Sock and Buskin Film Fund (GoFundMe)
Mr. Misery
Americana, White Sheets
What Did Deborah Do?
Organizations & Platforms
Ford Models
GoFundMe
Mammoth Film Festival
References & Places
Looney Tunes
Sock and buskin
Hollywood
Los Angeles
This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year!
Hello, Hello!
In this episode, Allison Alonso explains how she led her first 48 Hour Film Project as a director and won with Falling Short. She breaks down the competition’s strict rules, the creative decisions behind the film, and the practical realities of making a short film in 48 hours. The conversation also explores filmmaking careers, crew leadership, food on set, film influences, and what it means to make it.
We also talk about:
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
Falling Short
Raiders of the Lost Ark
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jaws
Short Circuit
Napoleon Dynamite
Barbie
Tenet
The Green Knight
Black Knight
Coming to America
Food & Brands
Hunt Brothers Pizza
Domino’s
Gabby’s Burgers & Fries
Emmy Squared
Big Mac
Superica
Pizookie
People
Allison Alonzo
EmElise Knapp
Martin Lawrence
Steven Spielberg
Jordan Chateau
Connor Bacon
Seth Shepard
Jones Kolbinski
Jake Gilbert
Mariah Kramer
Alfonso Ribeiro
Tia A. Smith
Schools
Vanderbilt University
Belmont University
Carnegie Mellon University
Film Events & Organizations
Nashville Film Festival
48 Hour Film Project — Nashville
Filmapalooza
Point of VU Film Festival (POVU) — Vanderbilt’s student festival
Places & Venues
Dallas, Texas
Burbank, California
Mexico City
Zanies Nashville
The Gulch
Green Hills
Flamingo Cocktail Club
Cledis
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. #MAKEIT
https://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletter
This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year!
Hello, Hello!
In this episode, we speak with Nashville filmmaker Nicole Marie Lim about building a career across makeup, writing, producing, and directing. Nicole explains how supportive relationships, practical set skills, and respectful leadership shape better creative work. The conversation also examines AI, vertical video, mid-budget filmmaking, actor chemistry, and what it means to make it without losing the joy of creating.
We also talk about:
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
People
Nichole Marie Lim (also IMDb)
Joy Todd
David Lim
Michelle Lim
John August
Craig Mazin
Jim Henson
J.K. Simmons
Brad Pitt
David Ayer
Stephen Norrington
Tim Burton
Christopher Nolan
Zendaya
Robert Pattinson
Milla Jovovich
Viola Davis
Brands & Products
My Kit Co
RCMA Makeup
Senna Cosmetics
Listerine
Altoids
Her Projects
Checkmate, The Way Back Down, Mom Cult, American Quilt Contest
Films
Holland (2025)
Blade
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The Migrant
Marie Antoinette
Amélie
Romeo + Juliet
The Sound of Music
The Expendables 2
Sinners
The 'Burbs
Poor Things
The Odyssey
Oppenheimer
Grizzly Man
Jaws
Alien
A Week Away
Places & Institutions
Nashville
Ohio
New York
Amsterdam
Mumbai
Nashville Film Festival
Frist Art Museum
MAKE IT
Make It Academy
Mastering Film Marketing (e-book)
The MAKE IT Podcast
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. #MAKEIT
www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
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. #MAKEIT
Subscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
Hello, Hello!
In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness examine Keith McDaniel’s path from singer, designer, and scriptwriter to documentary filmmaker and community leader. They explore how he learned filmmaking without formal training, documented complex Tennessee history, and built a sustainable local film festival. The conversation also connects creative independence with health, discipline, and the possibility that starting late can mean starting prepared.
We also talk about:
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Keith McDaniel (also IMDb)
James Earl Jones
Ken Burns
Films & Projects
The Clinton 12
Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story
The Belmont Reasons
Companies & Organizations
Secret City Films
Secret City Film Festival
Knoxville Film Festival
Dogwood Arts
Discovery
Jupiter Entertainment
eBay
Motel 6
Places
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Roane County, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Regal Downtown West Cinema 8
History & Concepts
Brown v. Board of Education
Manhattan Project
VHS
Slow-carb diet
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/makeit
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.com
Hello, 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:
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
People
Isabel Hagen (isabelhagen.com)
Brandon Tamburri
William Primrose
Paul Thomas Anderson
Maria Bamford
Marina Abramović
Lana Del Rey
Films & TV
On a String
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
One Battle After Another
Phantom Thread
Happiness
The Omen
The Parent Trap
Goodfellas
Challengers
Saltburn
It's a Wonderful Life
The Princess Bride
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The NeverEnding Story
The Dukes of Hazzard
Companies & Organizations
Joke Zero
Tribeca Film Festival
The Juilliard School
NBC Symphony Orchestra
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Nashville Film Festival
Substack
Soho House
Music
Guns N' Roses
"Welcome to the Jungle"
Food & Places
LaGuardia Airport
Seattle
7th Street Burger
Shake Shack
Beecher's Handmade Cheese
The Capital Grille
MAKE IT
Make It Academy
Mastering 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. #MAKEIT
www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
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:
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Film
Who Is Stan Smith?
Danny Lee
Rebecca Halpern
People
Stan Smith
Arthur Ashe
John McEnroe
Darryl "DMC" McDaniels
Pharrell Williams
Niki Pilić
Products & Brands
Adidas Stan Smith
Run-DMC
Institutions & Events
University of Southern California
US Open
Wimbledon
Davis Cup
Ebook: "Mastering Film Marketing"
The MAKE IT Podcast
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 us, or leaving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT
All Links: www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
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. #MAKEIT
Subscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
Hello, 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:
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Alexis Gambis
Spike Lee
James Franco
Jessica Chastain
Tenoch Huerta
Kurt Andersen
Thomas Hunt Morgan
Films & Projects
The Fly Room (2014)
Son of Monarchs (2020/21)
The Next Jaguar
Disposable
The Color of Time
Institutions & Platforms
The Rockefeller University
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Columbia University
Labocine
Imagine Science Films
Science New Wave — Labocine
Sundance Film Festival
Alfred P. Sloan Prize
Science & Concepts
Symbiosis
CRISPR
Cas9
Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger)
Woolly mammoth
Asian elephant
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.com
Hello, 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:
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
Products / Software / Technology
PlayStation
Xbox
Spotify / Apple Music
iTunes
Netflix
HP
Funko
Atari 2600
Sega Genesis
ChatGPT
Flock Safety
Films / Shows / Music
Mastering Film Marketing (ebook)
On a String
Black Zombie
Anthony Bourdain
Digger (Tom Cruise)
A Different World
Bel-Air
Good Times
The Five Heartbeats
Blonde
"Jolene"
"Coat of Many Colors"
"9 to 5"
"I Will Always Love You"
Boys Don't Cry (Frank Ocean magazine) — Blonde page
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Annie
The Transformers
Smosh
"Chocolate Rain"
Charlie Bit My Finger
Iron Lung
Obsession
Backrooms
Peter Frampton
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Sapiens
People
Dolly Parton
Tim Curry
Peter Cullen
Hayden Panettiere
Michael Wright
Chris Johnson (CJ2K)
Frank Ocean
Whitney Houston
Elvis Presley
Porter Wagoner
Eminem
Steve Jobs
Yuval Noah Harari
Kadeem Hardison
Markiplier
Kane Parsons
Curry Barker
Isabel Hagen
Anthony Padilla & Ian Hecox
Tay Zonday
Paul Kuharsky
Bill Cosby
Places / Events / Organizations
Nashville Film Festival
Nashville, Tennessee
Dollywood
Telluride Film Festival
New York Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
TIFF
Sundance Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
HBCUs
University of Michigan
Make It Academy
themakeitpodcast.com
Target
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. #MAKEIT
www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
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. #MAKEIT
Subscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support
Hello, 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:
People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Jeffrey Pittle
Will Eisner
Bill Murray
Caroll Spinney
Chaka Khan
Jim Krupa (NY puppet company)
Daniel Alcheh
Leonardo da Vinci
Isaac Newton
Steven Spielberg
Films & Shows
Pete's Dragon
Winnie the Pooh
Star Wars (1977)
Scrooged (1988)
Eureeka's Castle
Deal or No Deal
Wipeout
The Tattooed Torah
Companies & Organizations
Nickelodeon
Universal Pictures
Nick Jr.
School of Visual Arts
QB (vertical video startup)
Quibi
Fish Eggs (Venice, CA)
USC Shoah Foundation
11 Dollar Bill
Platforms & Tools
Adobe After Effects
Fitbit
Google Images
MTV
Places
South Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
New York City
Queens, New York
Venice, California
Los Angeles, California
Moscow, Russia
Concepts & Awards
Eisner Awards
Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Motion capture
Chroma key (green screen)
Steampunk
Jack of all trades, master of none
Star Trek vs. Star Wars
From the publisher's feed
MAKE IT is the film podcast that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process. We dive into indie gems, massive blockbusters, cinema history, and everything in…
Stay Inspired, Chris + Nick

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