The MAKE IT Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Notion Agent, the AI that doesn’t just help with work – it finishes it. Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at www.notion.com/makeit to support your work and ours! 

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, actress and filmmaker Emma Parks joins the show to discuss her award-nominated short film "Dirty Towel," which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and has garnered over 1.1 million views on YouTube. Emma shares insights about transitioning from short films to feature development, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of creating your own opportunities in the entertainment industry. The conversation explores her journey from NYU Tisch graduate to rising filmmaker, offering practical advice for young creatives looking to break into the industry.

We also talk about:

• The reality of film school versus industry preparation and what should be taught

• New Year's traditions and the growing Nashville entertainment scene

• Theater subscription models and the future of movie-going experiences

• The collaborative nature of filmmaking and building creative relationships

• Coming-of-age storytelling and addressing shame and empowerment themes

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

NYU Tisch School of the Arts

Tribeca Film Festival

Film Shortage (YouTube platform)

Notion and Notion Agent (sponsor)

Nashville's New Year's celebration

Times Square New Year's Eve

AMC A-List subscription service

Maccabea Games (Jewish Olympics)

Almost Famous

Good Will Hunting

The Way Way Back

Coraline

Knives Out

Dune

The Godfather

Cameron Crowe

Greta Gerwig

Meryl Streep

Reese Witherspoon

Margot Robbie

Kobe Bryant

Olive Garden

Wendy's

Baskin-Robbins

Auntie Anne's

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 episode, Nick explores "Deep Faking Sam Altman," a documentary by filmmaker Adam Ballalo who set out to interview OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman but ended up creating an AI deepfake version when the real interview fell through. The film transforms from a straightforward tech documentary into a meta-exploration of creative failure, human-AI relationships, and the messy reality of independent filmmaking. What begins as a workaround becomes an unexpected journey into obsession, artistic vulnerability, and the blurred lines between human intention and artificial intelligence.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Adam Bhala Lough's background as an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and his previous work on HBO and Netflix
• The filmmaker's journey from New York to India to commission the AI deepfake "Sambot"
• Critical reception and audience reactions following the film's festival circuit and theatrical release
• The documentary's hybrid approach combining personal essay, experiment, and traditional documentary elements
• Lessons for independent filmmakers about embracing failure and finding unexpected narrative directions

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO)

Adam Bhala Lough (filmmaker/director)

"Deep Faking Sam Altman" (documentary film)

OpenAI

Sambot (AI deepfake persona)

NYU (New York University)

HBO

Netflix"Telemarketers" (2024 series)

Emmy Awards

South by Southwest 2025

Quad Cinema (New York City)

San Francisco

India

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://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 dive deep into the work and philosophy of filmmaker Kd Amond, exploring how she creates feature films on micro budgets that wouldn't even cover catering on major productions. They examine her journey from small-town Louisiana to becoming a multi-hyphenate filmmaker who writes, directs, produces, and edits her own psychological thrillers and horror films. The discussion reveals specific strategies for removing creative excuses and turning limitations into marketing advantages, including her strategic use of iPhones as cinema cameras.

We also talk about:

• The transition from dramedy to horror filmmaking and Kd's academic approach to the genre

• Specific directing techniques including the Colored Pencil Method and the importance of scene "hooks"

• On-set challenges of micro-budget productions, including a harrowing drowning scene with dish soap

• The partnership between Kd and actress Sarah Zanotti through their production company "AZ IF Productions"

• Creating supportive, nurturing film sets that prioritize emotional safety over traditional hierarchical structures

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Kd Amond (filmmaker)

Sarah Zanotti (actress/creative partner)

AZ IF Productions

Five Women in the End

Rattled

Faye

Trainspotting

El Mariachi

The Exorcist

iPhone 8

iPhone 10

Filmic Pro app

R80 Cinema Camera

Robert Rodriguez

Amanda Palmer

Dean Shortland

Emilia Clarke

Livingston, Louisiana

Nashville

Burbank

Weller whiskey

Nelson's Greenbrier

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, we share our favorite "Things You Should Know" trivia segment from their interview with documentarian Adam Schomer, who created a film about selling a $3 million Superman comic book. Producer Papa Bear presents a layered trivia question about the first known comic book printed in America, leading to an engaging discussion that reveals surprising historical connections. The conversation showcases our signature trivia format while exploring comic book history and its unexpected ties to journalism.

Products, software, websites, people, or places mentioned:

Adam Schomer (documentarian)

The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck (1842)

Rodolfo Töpffer (Swiss caricaturist)

Brother Jonathan magazine

Action Comics #1 (1938)

Superman

The Yellow Kid comic

Popeye

The Smurfs

Warren G. Harding

Mutual of Omaha

New York

London

Switzerland

World War I

World War II

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, Producer Papa Bear shares his favorite clip from the Make It Podcast featuring Dominic Hoffman, a multi-talented performer who transitioned from dancer to actor to voice actor and audiobook narrator. Hoffman delivers a deeply moving and original poem about love that explores the complex, often painful nature of romantic relationships through the metaphor of a man carrying his heart in a bag. The poem weaves together themes of love's beauty and brutality, examining how love can simultaneously elevate and devastate those who dare to experience it fully.

Products, software, websites, people, or places mentioned:

Dominic Hoffman (dancer, actor, voice actor, audiobook narrator)

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, Nick shares his favorite moment from a conversation with filmmaker Brad Starks, in which they explored Brad's family history and his father's professional football career. The segment features Nicholas surprising Brad with detailed statistics about his father, Marshall "The Bull" Starks' football achievements, creating an unexpectedly emotional moment. Brad opens up about how his father's belief in him shaped his creative journey from aspiring fashion photographer to filmmaker.

Products, software, websites, people, or places mentioned:

Brad Starks (filmmaker/guest)

Marshall "The Bull" Starks (Brad's father, professional football player)

New York Jets (NFL team)

Central States Football League

OJ Simpson

Harper's Bazaar magazine

GQ magazine

Vogue magazine

Italian Vogue magazine

Pop Warner football system

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, screenwriter Adam Tex Davis shares a career-defining moment when Leonardo DiCaprio was reading his dark comedy script "The Garden of Eden" in real-time. Davis describes the nerve-wracking experience of getting play-by-play updates as DiCaprio read through his screenplay, culminating in a meeting request from the A-list actor. The story takes a humorous turn when Davis nearly misses his big break because of a hotel's dress code that bans shorts. Enjoy!

Products, software, websites, people, or places mentioned:

Adam "Tex" Davis (screenwriter)

Leonardo DiCaprio (actor)

"Just Friends" (film)

"The Garden of Eden" (screenplay/film)

Leonardo DiCaprio's dad and manager

Russian pirate sites

PG-13 vs R-rated content

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, we share our favorite tropes of the year from our annual clip show! We celebrate their signature "Hello! Hello!" greeting tradition, with Producer Papa Bear joining them to reflect on recurring themes from the year. The episode showcases memorable segments, including discussions about Nicholas's name meaning, his Lego creations, and Papa Bear's challenging trivia questions.

Products, software, websites, people, or places mentioned:

Lego/Legos

Coco (Disney movie)

Marilyn Monroe

Sugar skulls

El Rancho Hotel

Hawaiian names (Kakane Omalu, Kai)

Major League Soccer

NBA

CIA

Jupiter

Bruce Valance

Greek language/culture

Chinese calendar

We are humbled by the community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. 

If you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or leaving 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 Notion Agent, the AI that doesn’t just help with work – it finishes it. Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at notion.com/makeit to support your work and ours! 

This episode is brought to you by Factor. No prep, no cooking. Just dietitian-approved, chef-prepared meals delivered to your door and ready to eat in 2 minutes.

Go to https://factormeals.com/makeit50off and use the code MAKEIT50OFF to get 50% off your first Factor box, PLUS free breakfast for 1 year.

Hello, Hello! 

In this episode, we share our annual clip show featuring the best moments, conversations, and segments from 2025. We reflect on our incredible guests throughout the year, showcasing memorable clips including Adam "Tex" Davis's Hollywood hotel story, Brad Starks's emotional backstory, and Dominic Hoffman's powerful love poem. We celebrate the year's highlights while looking ahead to exciting changes and partnerships coming in 2026.

We also talk about:

• Producer Papa Bear's increasingly difficult trivia questions in the "Things We Should Know" segment 

• Nicholas Buggs's custom Lego creations that serve as his podcast background 

• The evolution of their signature "Hello! Hello!" greeting throughout the year 

• Easter egg backgrounds that Producer Papa Bear creates specifically for each guest 

• The meaning behind Nicholas's name and how it relates to his life purpose of serving others

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Adam "Tex" Davis - screenwriter of "Just Friends"

Brad Starks - filmmaker and producer

Dominic Hoffman - voice actor and poet

Adam Schomer - documentarian ("Selling Superman")

Leonardo DiCaprio

The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck (1842 comic book)

The Yellow Kid comic

Blanton's bourbon

Belvedere vodka

We are humbled by the community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. 

If you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or leaving 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 episode, Nick provides an in-depth film brief on "Avatar: Fire and Ash," James Cameron's latest return to Pandora that explores themes of family, vengeance, and survival in a world on the brink of rebirth. The discussion covers the film's emotional core, focusing on finding one's place in the world while examining Cameron's continued exploration of the collision between technology and nature, empire and culture. Nick analyzes the performances of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Steven Lang, and Una Chaplin, and discusses the film's critical reception and potential for awards.

TAKEAWAYS:

• The evolution of Pandora as a setting from untouched Eden to a world in unrest

• Jake Sully and Neytiri's family dynamics as they transport their children to safety

• James Cameron's thematic philosophy centers on "the human heart in conflict with itself."

• The film's technical innovations in underwater performance capture and large format 3D imaging

• Critical reception patterns, including praise for world-building and debate over runtime and thematic ambition

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Avatar: Fire and Ash (film)

James Cameron (director)

Sam Worthington (actor - Jake Sully)

Zoe Saldana (actress - Neytiri)

Steven Lang (actor - Quaritch)

Una Chaplin (actress - Varang)

Avatar: The Way of Water (previous film)

Pandora (fictional world in Avatar)

Na'vi (fictional species in Avatar)

Ebook: "Mastering Film Marketing"

The MAKE IT Podcast

We are humbled by the community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. If you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or leaving 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