The MAKE IT Podcast

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
Stephen Marinaccio
James Cameron
Emily Best (Seed&Spark)
Sarah Childress (NPT Creative Director) NPT itself is here
Earl Woods 
Tiger Woods
Ezekiel "Zeke" Emanuel (Rahm Emanuel's brother, author of Eat Your Ice Cream)
Rob Schneider
Mark Magidson (producer of Samsara)
Ron Fricke (director of Samsara)
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
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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