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The MAKE IT PodcastAuthor: Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs
The MAKE IT podcast salutes the Indie Film Creative. Join us weekly for candid conversations with seasoned pros, offering advice, knowledge, and industry insights to fast-track the journey for aspiring film professionals. Discover inspiration and guidance tailored for your cinematic path. Enjoy the journey? Dive deeper at www.themakeitpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram and X @_makeitpodcast. Language: en Genres: Documentary, Film Interviews, Society & Culture, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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435 - Kanye Deserves More Credit, Jaafar Jackson’s “Michael” Performance, “Interest Tentpoles” and a Chat with The Napa Boys, Nick Corirossi & Armen Weitzman
Friday, 1 May, 2026
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/makeitHello, 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 filmmakingPeople, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:People:Nick CorirossiArmen WeitzmanKanye West / YeJoe JacksonTaylor SwiftJay LenoDana WhiteJoe RoganTucker CarlsonDick GregoryNia LongJaafar JacksonCheryl HinesHenry Martínez BC (Brian Comer, Cards and Capes)Nick BarnesNate BargatzeDanielle VegaAndrew SchulzCompanies, Platforms & Organizations:Panini (trading cards)Magnolia Pictures Lionsgate NetflixA24USPS.Wall Street JournalSundance Film Festival Cannes Film Festival TIFF White House Secret ServiceUS Congress IMAX DolbyPodcasts, 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 InterferenceTár 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 FantasyYeezusBooks & 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 OdysseyGames & Game-Based IP: Resident Evil Five Nights at Freddy's Backrooms (A24 film) Backrooms (liminal-space concept) Exit 8Concepts, Themes & Cultural References:White House Correspondents' DinnerDC SniperSerenity PrayerSeinfeld – "Serenity Now"MeToo MovementTourette SyndromeThe ManosphereOverton WindowFour-quadrant film Interest tentpoles — Chris's coined conceptLiner notesMAKE IT ShopWe 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.storeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
