The MAKE IT Podcast

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 Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at www.shopify.com/makeit
---
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
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, 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

All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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