The MAKE IT Podcast

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Hello, Hello!

In this Indie Talk, we dive deep into the latest film industry developments, including Netflix's multi-million dollar acquisition of Ben Affleck's AI startup and Google's expansion into micro dramas with Range Media Partners. We explore how AI is reshaping filmmaking workflows, debate whether film festivals should include children's programming, and discuss the growing trend of vertical video content in entertainment. We also break down the recent Oscar winners, share audience poll results about preferred film genres, and offer our insights on snubs and surprises from this year's Academy Awards ceremony.

We also talk about:

• The controversy surrounding Timothy Chalamet's comments about ballet and opera being "irrelevant art forms."

• How streaming has changed music structure and incentives, paralleling changes in film content

• The disconnect between what audiences watch most (action/adventure at 65%) versus what wins awards (drama/thriller)

• International film recommendations, including "No Other Choice" as a major snub

• The future of micro dramas and whether they'll follow Quibi's failed model or succeed globally

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Netflix

Ben Affleck

Range Media Partners

Quibi

New York International Children's Film Festival

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Hamnet

F1

The Bride

Frankenstein

Paul Thomas Anderson

Michael B. Jordan

Jessie Buckley

Conan O'Brien

Trevor Noah

Gaithersburg, Maryland

North Carolina

South Carolina

Australia

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, Nick explores "The Devil is Busy," a documentary that takes viewers inside America's reproductive health clinics to witness the quiet humanity of caregivers working in one of the most divisive areas of healthcare. The film, directed by Geeta Gandhir and Christolyn Hampton, uses observational storytelling to focus on the daily experiences of nurses, counselors, and staff members rather than political debates. Through its restrained approach, the documentary offers a humanizing portrait of healthcare workers who provide compassionate care in emotionally charged environments.

TAKEAWAYS:

• The filmmakers' deliberate choice to avoid narration and editorializing in favor of pure observation

• How the documentary serves as a companion piece to reality, showing the normal rhythm of a workday

• The emotional balancing act reproductive health workers must perform daily

• Critical reception praising the film's simplicity and compassion over sensationalism

• The broader lesson for independent filmmakers about the power of acknowledging human stories

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

"The Devil is Busy" documentary

Geeta Gandhir

Christolyn Hampton

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

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Alex and Allison discuss the unexpected career pivot of Toronto talent agent Teri Ritter, who transitioned from a 30-year career in corporate accounting to managing actors. Inspired by her daughter Maya's success in film, Ritter applied her strategic planning skills to build a profitable roster. They highlight the importance of professionalism in the industry, the risks of a poor digital footprint, and the strategic timing of joining unions. They also touch on the challenges of representing child actors and the evolving roles within the agency, exemplified by Maya's return to the industry as an agent. The conversation underscores the balance between artistic talent and business strategy in the entertainment industry.

We also talk about:

• The myth that talent alone guarantees success in the entertainment industry

• How digital footprints can permanently derail acting careers decades later

• Strategic timing for union membership and why joining too early can be career suicide

• The toxic dynamics of pushy stage parents and child actors

• Maya Ritter's full-circle journey from child star to talent agent

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Teri Ritter (Toronto Talent Agent)

Ritter Talent Agency

Maya Ritter (Child actor turned agent)

Amy Hines

Hines Management

Mike Lummis (Agent)

ACTRA (Canadian actors' union)

Julia Roberts

Molly Ringwald

Toronto Casting Community

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

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

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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 today and get 50% off Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeit

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, veteran character actress Amy Hill shares her incredible journey from growing up in a Finnish-Japanese household in Deadwood, South Dakota, to building a prolific career spanning over 230 television and film credits. Hill discusses her breakthrough roles, including the beloved grandmother in "All American Girl" and her current work on Amazon Prime's "Ballard," while emphasizing the power of saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities throughout her decades-long career. The conversation reveals how her multicultural background and improv training shaped her approach to acting, from voice work to memorable roles in shows like "Just Add Magic" and films such as "50 First Dates."

We also talk about:

• The challenges of being an Asian American actor in Hollywood and finding representation on screen

• Her experiences on toxic film and TV sets, including working with difficult personalities

• The importance of professionalism, preparation, and building genuine relationships in the industry

• Voice acting career development and the transition from San Francisco theater to Hollywood

• Current projects include "Ballard" Season 2 and the upcoming film "Flowers para los Muertos."

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Deadwood, South Dakota

Seattle, Washington

San Francisco, California

Tokyo, Japan

Nashville, Tennessee

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Honolulu, Hawaii

Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Carnegie Mellon University

Asian American Theater Company (San Francisco)

Philippine Airlines

The Gong Show

All American Girl (TV show)

Just Add Magic (TV show)

Ballard (Amazon Prime series)

Bosch (TV series)

I Love Lucy

Golden Girls

Nancy Kwan

Betty White

Marie Osmond

Craig Ferguson

Mike Myers

Maggie Q

Yolonda Ross

Margaret Cho

Téa Leoni

Mark Roberts

Holland Taylor

The Naked Truth (TV show)

Cat in the Hat (film)

50 First Dates (film)

Lilo and Stitch (animated film)

King of the Hill (animated series)

Everything Everywhere All at Once (film)

The Brutalist (film)

Anora (film)

Sinners (film)

Birdman (film)

Nomadland (film)

Anna May Wong

The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong (1951 TV series)

DuMont Television Network

Amy Hill Actor website

Instagram: Amy Hill

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 brief, host Nick explores Mary Bronstein's psychological drama "If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You," starring Rose Byrne in a raw portrayal of mental health struggles and emotional collapse. The film defies traditional narrative structures, instead offering an intimate look at a woman whose world slowly fractures under invisible pressures. Through Bronstein's unconventional storytelling approach, the movie forces viewers to confront discomfort and develop empathy for those experiencing quiet psychological crises.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Mary Bronstein's filmmaking approach and her previous work "Yeast" (2008)

• Rose Byrne's dramatic departure from her typical comedic roles

• The film's festival circuit premiere on October 10, 2025, and its critical reception

• How the ambiguous title serves as a metaphor for helplessness and lost agency

• The importance of cinema that prioritizes understanding over entertainment

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You (2025)

Mary Bronstein

Rose Byrne

Yeast (2008)

Bridesmaids

Neighbors

Star Wars

Dead Poets Society

"Mastering Film Marketing: A Filmmaker's Guide to Crafting Impactful Marketing Campaigns for Independent Films"

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://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

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

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

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness unpack a masterclass interview with independent filmmaker Derek Estlin Purvis, exploring the hidden mechanics of film financing and the entrepreneurial strategies behind successful indie filmmaking. They dive deep into Derek's three-pillar funding framework using equity, debt, and soft money, while examining his "skyscraper approach" to pre-selling films before production begins. The discussion reveals how Derek's early experiences on the set of "On Golden Pond" and his chance encounter with a Paramount executive shaped his revolutionary approach to filmmaking as extreme problem-solving.

We also talk about:

• Derek's career journey from bartending in New Orleans to working with major studios

• The "59-cent pencil" philosophy of finding simple solutions to complex filmmaking problems

• Creative problem-solving examples from Star Trek and MTV music videos

• The Sistine Chapel metric for measuring artistic success and cultural impact

• The evolving media landscape and how data is becoming the true commodity in entertainment

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Derek Estlin Purvis (filmmaker, producer, writer, director)

The Kids Are All Right

The 10

Savage Lands - The Ballad of Davy Crockett

On Golden Pond

Henry Fonda

Mike Basik (finance banker/mentor)

Paramount Pictures

Star Trek reboot (JJ Abrams)

Michelangelo

Sistine Chapel

Raging Bull

Forrest Gump

Oculus

New Orleans, LA

New Hampshire

MTV

Golden Globe Awards

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

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

Learn more about Jefferson White here:

Hello, Hello!

Jefferson White discusses his evolving definition of success in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of having control over creative choices and working with people you care about. He reflects on how his goals have changed from wanting to get on a show like Yellowstone to now prioritizing creative fulfillment and collaborative energy on projects of any size. White shares his perspective that "making it" is an ongoing process rather than a destination, requiring continuous growth and openness to change.

We also talk about: 

• The feeling of helplessness that actors can experience in the entertainment industry

• How definitions of success evolve throughout an actor's career

• The value of independent filmmaking and creative collaboration

• Behind-the-scenes photography as a way to document the creative process

• The importance of supporting independent films financially, not just verbally

Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: 

Jefferson White (actor)

Yellowstone (TV show)

Drink and Be Merry (independent film)

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://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

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

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

Learn more about Jefferson White here:

Hello, Hello!

Jefferson White discusses his top three films, including The Matrix Reloaded, In the Mood for Love, and three recent foreign language films that impressed him. The conversation covers his commitment to film education, particularly international cinema, and his honest admission about pretending to have seen films he hasn't watched. White also shares insights about the challenges of being an actor, including industry pressures around diet and the difficulty of finding consistent work.

We also talk about: 

• Nashville hot chicken spots and the origin story of Prince's restaurant

• Christmas movies and why Miracle on 34th Street doesn't work for him

• His upcoming film, Caravan about medical tourism for insulin

• The reality of spending most of an acting career waiting to work rather than actually working

• How independent filmmaking requires learning multiple skills, from editing to financing

Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: 

The Matrix Reloaded

In the Mood for Love

It Was Just an Accident

The Secret Agent

No Other Choice

I'm Still Here

Miracle on 34th Street

It's a Wonderful Life

After the Hunt

Wong Kar-Wai

Julia Roberts

Jim Carrey

Sundance Film Festival

Sarasota, Florida

Bedford Park

Toronto, Canada

Hattie B's

Prince's Hot Chicken

Bishop's Restaurant (Franklin, TN)

Drink and Be Merry

Caravan

Nashville Film Festival

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://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

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

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

Learn more about Jefferson White here:

Hello, Hello!

Jefferson joins Producer Papa Bear for our "Things We Should Know" segment. The discussion reveals surprising facts about Academy Award winners from Iowa, including the remarkable achievement of Cloris Leachman as the only Iowa-born actor to win a BAFTA, Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy. The conversation features guest Jefferson White and covers the rich acting heritage that has emerged from the Midwest state.

We also talk about:

• The challenge of identifying Iowa's most decorated actor among the limited Oscar winners from the state

• Comparisons between notable Iowa actors, including John Wayne, Elijah Wood, and Ashton Kutcher

• The impressive award collection of Cloris Leachman, with 24 wins and 53 nominations

• Historical television programming conventions like separate beds in classic shows

• An eerie coincidence involving the birth and death dates of Iowa actresses

People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

Jefferson White (guest)

Cloris Leachman

John Wayne

Elijah Wood

Ashton Kutcher

Jason Momoa

Donna Reed

Justin Timberlake

Iowa State

Des Moines, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

The Last Picture Show

True Grit

From Here to Eternity

The Donna Reed Show

That '70s Show

Punk'd

The Butterfly Effect

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Lord of the Rings

BAFTA Awards

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Golden Globe Awards

Emmy Awards

Chick-fil-A Polynesian sauce

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://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

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

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

Learn more about Jefferson White here:

Hello, Hello!

Jefferson White joins us to discuss the art of acting, exploring how empathy plays a crucial role in bringing both villains and heroes to life on screen. We delve into audience poll results about whether movie villains deserve empathy, with 94% of listeners saying yes, and examine what makes a great actor through the lens of trying new approaches versus sticking with proven methods. White shares insights about iconic performances like Heath Ledger's Joker and discusses how actors must balance technical proficiency with bold creative risks.

We also talk about: 

• The impact of legendary performances like Heath Ledger's Joker, James Dean, and Taxi Driver on future generations of actors

• How three-dimensional villains become more compelling when audiences can see themselves in the character

• The importance of learning technical skills before pushing creative boundaries

• Sean Penn's transformative performance in "I'm a Battle After Another."

• The balance between structure and spontaneity in artistic performance

Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: 

Heath Ledger's Joker (The Dark Knight)

Todd Phillips' Joker

Joaquin Phoenix

James Dean

East of Eden

Taxi Driver

Travis Bickle

Sean Penn

One Battle After Another

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Demi Moore

The Substance

Brady Corbet

The Brutalist

Chicago PD (TV Drama)

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://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcast

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

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