The MAKE IT Podcast

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

Hello, 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 employees

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Screen Engine/ASI

BBMG Entertainment — kevingoetz360.com

How to Score in Hollywood

Audienceology

Producers Guild of America

American Cinematheque

Nashville Film Festival

News & Media Services

Ground News

Semafor 

The Media Line

People

Derek Guy (menswear writer)

Joan Rivers

Nicole Kidman

Charles Roven (producer)

Lauren Shuler Donner  

Richard Donner

Stephanie Allain 

Donald De Line (PGA)

Ben Fritz (Wall Street Journal)

Barbara Jarrett

Brooke Shields

Jared Leto

Travis Knight

Films & TV

Ghost

Sinners

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Hacks (HBO Max)

Masters of the Universe (He-Man movie)

Backrooms (A24)

Iron Lung

Places & Institutions

Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

East Brunswick, New Jersey

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University

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

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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 cinema

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Spider-Noir

Nicolas Cage

Harry Bradbeer (director)

Oren Uziel (writer)

Ben Reilly (character)

Fleabag

Enola Holmes

Raymond Chandler

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Peter Parker

1930s New York

Great Depression

Marvel

Spider-Man

Ebook: "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. #MAKEIT

www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness discuss the career of actress Danielle Vega, who transitioned from childhood stardom in "Barney and Friends" to adult success. Vega's journey is highlighted as a case study in resilience, detailing her early audition process, the demanding physical conditions for performers, and the supportive environment at Katie Studios. The conversation explores Vega's transition to adult professionalism, her humbling experiences on the red carpet, and her eventual success in roles like "East Los High" and "Chicago Med." The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparation, learning from failures, and the impact of early experiences on professional growth.

We also talk about:

• What it meant to be a mixed‑race child actor on a 1990s non‑union set that was paradoxically safer and more protective than many mainstream productions.
• The brutal physical reality behind the Barney suit and how witnessing that sacrifice shaped Danielle’s understanding of professionalism and dedication.
• How the “illusion of competence” and the credential trap led her to repeat the same mistake at age 22 that she learned to avoid at age 9.
• Her return to acting with East Los High, a pioneering transmedia teen drama that secretly delivered critical sex‑ed and abuse‑prevention resources to its audience.
• How all of this culminated in work on network television (including Chicago Med, directed by Carl Weathers) and a “closed‑loop” career that echoes the educational mission of Barney & Friends in a more mature form.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Danielle Vega 

David Joyner (Barney suit performer)

Bob West (Barney's voice)

Penny Wilson (choreographer) 

Carl Weathers

Apollo Creed (fictional character)

Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show 

Barney & Friends 

Barney's Sense-Sational Day 

East Los High 

Chicago Med 

Rocky

Barney (the purple dinosaur)

Kim — Danielle's character on Barney & Friends;

Ceci Camayo — Danielle's character on East Los High

Mima & Pop Pop — Kim's fictional grandparents on Barney & Friends

SAG-AFTRA 

Southern Methodist University (SMU) 

Dallas, Texas 

Hulu

Transmedia storytelling 

Beginner's mind (Shoshin)

Illusion of competence (Dunning–Kruger effect) 

Credential trap — a discussed concept, no single authoritative source

Very Special Episode

Trojan horse (as an education-delivery strategy)

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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://allthingsmakeit.com/collections/learn

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

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, veteran line producer Stephen Marinaccio shares his 35+ years of experience managing productions across 30+ countries, from working with James Cameron to developing Line Budgeter, a revolutionary budgeting platform created by actual line producers. He discusses the essential skills needed for production management, the art of problem-solving on complex international shoots, and how his military upbringing shaped his detail-oriented approach to filmmaking. Stephen reveals the reality of managing multi-million dollar budgets and provides invaluable advice for aspiring production managers.

We also talk about:

• The development of Line Budgeter and why existing production software falls short

• How to read scripts like a line producer and identify all hidden costs

• The importance of communication and relationship management on set

• Breaking down scenes to understand the true scope of production requirements

• The role of AI in future film production and maintaining human creativity

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

People

1. Stephen Marinaccio
2. James Cameron
3. Emily Best (Seed&Spark)
4. Sarah Childress (NPT Creative Director) NPT itself is here
5. Earl Woods 
6. Tiger Woods
7. Ezekiel "Zeke" Emanuel (Rahm Emanuel's brother, author of Eat Your Ice Cream)
8. Rob Schneider
9. Mark Magidson (producer of Samsara)
10. Ron Fricke (director of Samsara)
11. Bix Beiderbecke (subject of the film Bix)

Films & TV 

12. Ghosts of the Abyss 

13. The Abyss 

14. Anora 

15. The Blair Witch Project 

16. Napoleon Dynamite 

17. The Devil Wears Prada 

18. Materialists 

19. Citizen Kane 

20. Cloud Atlas 

21. Star Wars 

22. Coming to America 

23. Psycho 

24. Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo 

25. The Fall (2006) 

26. Bix (1991) 

27. Planet Earth 

28. Samsara (2011) 

29. Baraka (1992) 

30. Marco Polo (Netflix) 

31. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan

Media, Tech & Institutions 

32. CBS 

33. ABC News 

34. Claude (and Claude Pro)

35. Gemini 

36. Ableton 

37. Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, etc.)

38. Line Budgeter (Stephen's platform)

39. Movie Magic Budgeting 

40. Final Draft 

41. Kickstarter 

42. Seed&Spark 

43. AllThingsMakeIt.com 

44. Nashville Film Festival 

45. NPT (Nashville Public Television) 

46. r/FilmTVBudgeting

Places 

47. San Rafael, California 

48. Budapest, Hungary 

49. Cambodia 

50. Morocco 

51. Thrilla in Manila 

52. Novato, California 

53. Fremont, California 

54. Quad Cities / Davenport, Iowa 

55. Skywalker Ranch 

56. DGA Theater (part of the DGA)

Wrestling & Guilds 

57. WCW 

58. WWE 

59. WWF (World Wrestling Federation, now WWE)

60. DGA – Directors Guild of America 

61. PGA – Producers Guild of America

Industry Roles & Concepts

62. Line Producer 

63. Unit Production Manager (UPM) 

64. Second Unit Director 

65. Executive Producer 

66. Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) 

67. Grip 

68. Prints and Advertising (P&A) 

69. Crowdfunding 

70. Fiscal sponsorship

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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, AI hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore the unconventional career journey of indie filmmaker Jennica Schwartzman, examining how she built a successful multi-hyphenate creative life without sacrificing family or integrity. They discuss her rejection of traditional linear career models in favor of a fluid, chapter-based approach that integrates multiple roles as actor, producer, writer, and parent. The conversation reveals how her background as a pastor's kid shaped her performance skills and fearless approach to grassroots filmmaking.

We also talk about:

• How growing up in the 1990s evangelical church culture provided unexpected creative training

• Practical strategies for making film sets parent-friendly through structural changes

• The psychology of grassroots fundraising and community relationship building

• Why filmmakers should never waste social capital on short films

• The importance of execution over talent in building trust within creative industries

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Jennica Schwartzman

Purpose Pictures Productions

TMDB (The Movie Database)

Parker's Anchor

Ridge Runners

Gordon Family Tree

XPK Podcast (Ex-Pastor-Kids, co-hosted with brother Marc Hampson)

Movie Baking: The Indie Work-At-Home-Parent Filmmaker

Behind the Screens

DCLA

Promise Keepers

Fayetteville Travel Center

Kickstarter

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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is brought to you by our e-book Mastering Film Marketing. Get your copy today at https://allthingsmakeit.com/collections/learn

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, entertainment lawyer Elsa Ramo joins us to discuss the critical role of legal strategy in filmmaking and the entertainment industry. Ramo shares her journey from printing business cards at Kinko's to becoming a trusted advisor for major studios like Imagine Entertainment and production companies working on projects with Ron Howard, Ridley Scott, and Jude Law. The conversation covers everything from contract negotiations and creative deal-making to the impact of AI on the film industry and the importance of building relationships in Hollywood.

We also talk about:

• The difference between hiring a lawyer and the cost of not hiring one for independent creators

• Whether filmmakers should hire an agent, manager, or lawyer first when starting their careers

• How AI is transforming both content creation and legal services in the entertainment industry

• The challenges of user-generated content versus traditional filmmaking in today's market

• Key decision points in the filmmaking process where creators need legal consultation

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Imagine Entertainment

Ron Howard

Scott Free Productions (Ridley Scott)

Universal Studios back lot

Max (HBO Max)

Cartoon Network

California Lawyers for the Arts

Film Independent

Sundance Film Festival

Cannes Film Festival

Marina del Rey

LA East Side vs. West Side

Lisa Frank

TMZ

Dianna Russini & Mike Vrabel

Chris Martin / Coldplay jumbotron incident

Don's Plum

Father's Office

The Counter

In-N-Out Burger

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Ramo Law PC

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

All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 dives deep into Mortal Kombat II, exploring how the sequel successfully delivers on fan expectations through authentic combat, expanded mythology, and commitment to the franchise's core identity. The discussion examines how the film embraces its video game origins rather than apologizing for them, creating a spectacle that rewards longtime fans while demonstrating the evolution of video game adaptations in modern cinema. Nick analyzes the film's approach to character development, visual design, and fight choreography as a blueprint for successful franchise filmmaking.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Karl Urban's portrayal of Johnny Cage and the character's journey from washed-up action star to genuine hero

• Martyn Ford's intimidating performance as Shao Kahn and the film's expanded character roster

• Simon McQuoid direction and how it serves the existing fanbase rather than courting new audiences

• The evolution of video game adaptations from niche entertainment to generational storytelling

• How the film's visual design embraces fantasy over realism to create authentic arcade-inspired environments

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Mortal Kombat II

Karl Urban (Johnny Cage)

Martyn Ford (Shao Kahn)

Simon McQuoid (director)

Jeremy Slater (screenwriter)

Ed Boon

John Tobias

Liu Kang

Sonya Blade

Jax

Raiden

Scorpion

Kitana

Jade

Baraka

Sindel

Quan Chi

Noob Saibot

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, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness explore the remarkable journey of writer, director, animator, and VFX artist Sevan Najarian, from his constrained upbringing in a strict Jehovah's Witness household in Modesto, California, to directing the crowdfunded animated feature film "Mars" for the legendary comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U Know. Through his story, we discover how limitations and community support can fuel extraordinary creative achievements, and examine the importance of human intention in an age of artificial intelligence. This deep dive reveals how a DIY spirit, honed through platforms like Channel 101, can lead to professional success while maintaining creative integrity.

We also talk about:

• The difference between SFX (practical special effects) and VFX (digital visual effects)

• Channel 101's brutal but effective feedback loop for creative development

• The toxic culture of big VFX houses versus television's constraint-driven efficiency

• How the pandemic forced the Mars project from live-action to animation

• The role of AI tools in creative work and why generative AI can't replace human intention

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Sevan Najarian

The Whitest Kids U' Know

Trevor Moore

Zach Cregger

Sam Brown

Timmy Williams

Darren Trumeter

Channel 101

Dan Harmon

Rob Schrab

Justin Roiland

Modesto Junior College

George Lucas

Adobe After Effects

Midnight Kid Studios

Hotel St. George, Brooklyn

Mars (animated film)

Tribeca Film Festival

Claude

The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti

Barbarian

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

All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs dive into current events ranging from recent political incidents to Kanye West's public apology, before exploring the massive success of the Michael Jackson biopic and what it reveals about Hollywood's "interest tent pole" strategy. They discuss how studios now greenlight films based on search trends and IP rather than storytelling merit, and examine the challenges facing independent filmmakers in today's market. The conversation concludes with insights from indie filmmakers Nick Corirossi and Armen Weitzman about their comedy "The Napa Boys" and how Hollywood has commoditized nostalgia at the expense of genuine storytelling.

We also talk about:

• The difference between what audiences want (horror) versus what they need (comedy) based on audience polling

• How modern filmmaking has lost essential storytelling elements that create lasting nostalgia

• The rise of "interest media" and how search algorithms influence film production decisions

• Why physical newsletters and tangible media create deeper fan connections than digital alternatives

• The challenge of maintaining artistic integrity while pursuing commercial success in independent filmmaking

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

People:

Nick Corirossi

Armen Weitzman

Kanye West / Ye

Joe Jackson

Taylor Swift

Jay Leno

Dana White

Joe Rogan

Tucker Carlson

Dick Gregory

Nia Long

Jaafar Jackson

Cheryl Hines

Henry Martínez 

BC (Brian Comer, Cards and Capes)

Nick Barnes

Nate Bargatze

Danielle Vega

Andrew Schulz

Companies, Platforms & Organizations:

Panini (trading cards)

Magnolia Pictures  

Lionsgate  

Netflix

A24

USPS.

Wall Street Journal

Sundance Film Festival 

Cannes Film Festival 

TIFF 

White House Secret Service

US Congress 

IMAX 

Dolby

Podcasts, Shows & Internal Series:

Mistakes in the Making (series on the MAKE IT Podcast)

Films, TV, IP & Characters:

The Napa Boys  

Michael (biopic)  

Project Hail Mary  

Enemy Mine  

Adult Interference

Tár  

Oppenheimer 

The Passion of the Christ  

Ghost  

Super Troopers  

American Pie  

Buffy the Vampire Slayer  

He-Man: Masters of the Universe  

Rambo  

RoboCop  

The Goonies  

Stand by Me  

The Princess Bride  

Snow White (2025 Disney remake)  

Cruella De Vil  

The Wicked Witch of the West  

Thanos 

Street Fighter II  

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (concert film)

Albums, Music & Artists:

 

Kanye West – "Bully" 

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Yeezus

Books & Concepts:

Mastering Film Marketing (ebook) 

Project Hail Mary (novel)

The Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell)

Documentaries & Upcoming Projects:

Age of Disclosure 

Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day 

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Games & Game-Based IP:

 

Resident Evil 

Five Nights at Freddy's 

Backrooms (A24 film) 

Backrooms (liminal-space concept) 

Exit 8

Concepts, Themes & Cultural References:

White House Correspondents' Dinner

DC Sniper

Serenity Prayer

Seinfeld – "Serenity Now"

MeToo Movement

Tourette Syndrome

The Manosphere

Overton Window

Four-quadrant film 

Interest tentpoles — Chris's coined concept

Liner notes

MAKE IT Shop

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

All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Film Brief, Nick explores a young Black man's journey through his Oakland neighborhood to a barbershop. The episode examines how this student film showcased Coogler's early mastery of visual storytelling and cultural representation, serving as a foundation for his later acclaimed works. Through detailed analysis, Buggs demonstrates how "Locks" proves that meaningful filmmaking doesn't require massive budgets, just precision, intention, and authentic storytelling.

TAKEAWAYS:

• The power of symbolism and visual narrative in short films

• How limited resources can strengthen rather than weaken a film's impact

• The importance of short films as training grounds for emerging filmmakers

• Community support and collaboration in independent filmmaking

• The connection between early student work and future Hollywood success

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ryan Coogler (director)

Locks (2009)

Oakland, California

University of Southern California

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Creed

Black Panther

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Grand Jury Prize

Sundance Audience Award

Ebook: "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. #MAKEIT

All Links: www.themakeitpodcast.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy