The Make It Podcast with Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs

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 (see note)

Chris Martin / Coldplay jumbotron incident (see note)

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

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

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

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Hello, 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 filmmaking

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

People:

Nick Corirossi

Armen Weitzman

Kanye West / Ye

Joe Jackson

Taylor Swift

Jay Leno

Dana White

Joe Rogan

Tucker Carlson

Dick Gregory

Nia Long

Jaafar Jackson

Cheryl Hines

Henry Martínez 

BC (Brian Comer, Cards and Capes)

Nick Barnes

Nate Bargatze

Danielle Vega

Andrew Schulz

Companies, Platforms & Organizations:

Panini (trading cards)

Magnolia Pictures  

Lionsgate  

Netflix

A24

USPS.

Wall Street Journal

Sundance Film Festival 

Cannes Film Festival 

TIFF 

White House Secret Service

US Congress 

IMAX 

Dolby

Podcasts, 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 Interference

Tár  

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 Fantasy

Yeezus

Books & 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 Odyssey

Games & Game-Based IP:

Resident Evil 

Five Nights at Freddy's 

Backrooms (A24 film) 

Backrooms (liminal-space concept) 

Exit 8

Concepts, Themes & Cultural References:

White House Correspondents' Dinner

DC Sniper

Serenity Prayer

Seinfeld – "Serenity Now"

MeToo Movement

Tourette Syndrome

The Manosphere

Overton Window

Four-quadrant film 

Interest tentpoles — Chris's coined concept

Liner notes

MAKE IT Shop

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

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 Film Brief, Nick explores a young Black man's journey through his Oakland neighborhood to a barbershop. The episode examines how this student film showcased Coogler's early mastery of visual storytelling and cultural representation, serving as a foundation for his later acclaimed works. Through detailed analysis, Buggs demonstrates how "Locks" proves that meaningful filmmaking doesn't require massive budgets, just precision, intention, and authentic storytelling.

TAKEAWAYS:

• The power of symbolism and visual narrative in short films

• How limited resources can strengthen rather than weaken a film's impact

• The importance of short films as training grounds for emerging filmmakers

• Community support and collaboration in independent filmmaking

• The connection between early student work and future Hollywood success

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ryan Coogler (director)

Locks (2009)

Oakland, California

University of Southern California

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Creed

Black Panther

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Grand Jury Prize

Sundance Audience Award

Ebook: "Mastering Film Marketing"

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: www.themakeitpodcast.com