The Make It Podcast with Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs

448 - 25 Years After 9/11: The Doc Narrated by Gary Sinise | Michael Gier on Losing Everything and Starting Over at 40

October 16, 2026

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Hello, Hello!

In this episode, filmmaker and former performer Michael Gier explains how he made his documentary The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph. He shares stories of first responders, civilians, Flight 93, the boat lift, and rare footage from the Pentagon. The conversation also explores creative careers, rejection, film school, entrepreneurship, and what it means to MAKE IT.

We also talk about:

The personal stories behind the documentary, including Will Jimeno’s rescue, the “Man in the Red Bandana,” and Lauren Grankolus’s voicemail.
Michael’s journey from theater and television to building Geier Productions after losing his real-estate business in the 2008 crash.
Lessons from Wounded Heroes, including Michael’s search for treatments that help people living with post-traumatic stress.
The “Praise You” video, the Torrance Community Dancers, Spike Jonze’s Richard Koufey persona, and the group’s three MTV Video Music Awards.
Michael’s advice on versatility, business skills, collaboration, learning by doing, and staying grounded through career setbacks.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

People — Show & Family

Michael Gier

Terri Gier

People — 9/11

Will Jimeno

Scott Strauss (NYPD ESU)

Sgt. John McLoughlin

Lauren Grandcolas & Jack Grandcolas

Welles Crowther

Jules and Gédéon Naudet

Pavel Hlava

Wolfgang Staehle

Jude Koch

People — Performers & Filmmakers

People — Other Public Figures

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Groups & Characters

Torrance Community Dancers

Projects

The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph

Wounded Heroes

Healing the Heroes of 9-11

Gier Productions

Torrance Rises

Fatboy Slim — “Praise You”

TV & Film

The Bourne Identity

The Odyssey

Avatar

The Brutalist

One Battle After Another

Places

Lamb’s Players Theatre

Aladdin Hotel

Metropolitan Opera House

TCL Chinese Theatre

Vanderbilt University

Harvard

Zamunda (fictional)

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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SUMMARIES - Julius Ritter - The Permissionless Revolution & When Zero Dollars Isn’t Zero Vision

October 13, 2026

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 Julius Ritter’s evolution from biracial child and working actor to independent writer-director. The conversation examines permissionless work, zero-budget filmmaking, creative solitude, and the search for timeless artistic themes. It is essential listening for filmmakers who want to build original work without waiting for industry approval.

We also talk about:

How being labeled can lead an artist to invent new worlds and identities.
Why Ritter paused Sock and Buskin to pursue a $100,000 GoFundMe.
The relationship between casting debates, colorism, representation, and working artists’ livelihoods.
Why internet slang can date a screenplay while universal themes remain accessible.
How solitude prepares a creative blueprint before collaboration brings it to life.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

People

Julius Charles Ritter (also on TMDB)

Acting Credits

Gap (Gap Kids)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Like Mike

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

The Master of Disguise

His Own Films

Sock & Buskin

Sock and Buskin Film Fund (GoFundMe)

Mr. Misery

Americana, White Sheets

What Did Deborah Do?

Organizations & Platforms

Ford Models

GoFundMe

Mammoth Film Festival

References & Places

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Bonus Episode: 48 Hour Film Project Winner Allison Alonzo on How to Make a Film in 48 Hours

October 9, 2026

This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year!

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Allison Alonso explains how she led her first 48 Hour Film Project as a director and won with Falling Short. She breaks down the competition’s strict rules, the creative decisions behind the film, and the practical realities of making a short film in 48 hours. The conversation also explores filmmaking careers, crew leadership, food on set, film influences, and what it means to make it.

We also talk about:

How the 48 Hour Film Project assigns the same prop, required phrase, and character details to every team.
Why Allison chose fantasy over dystopia/utopia and how the team made a tomato work at a gas station location.
The importance of feeding a crew, from Mexican bowls at lunch to Hunts Brothers pizza at 2 a.m.
How a production team can protect a story’s twist by listening to actors and department heads during shooting.
Why Allison sees the project as a return to film after taking a job at Vanderbilt University for stability, health insurance, paid time off, and a break from the industry.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Falling Short

Raiders of the Lost Ark

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Food & Brands

Gabby’s Burgers & Fries

People

Jordan Chateau

Connor Bacon

Seth Shepard

Jones Kolbinski

Jake Gilbert

Mariah Kramer

Alfonso Ribeiro

Tia A. Smith

Schools

Vanderbilt University

Belmont University

Carnegie Mellon University

Film Events & Organizations

Nashville Film Festival

48 Hour Film Project — Nashville

Filmapalooza

Point of VU Film Festival (POVU) — Vanderbilt’s student festival

Places & Venues

Flamingo Cocktail Club

Cledis

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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447 - What Money Can’t Fix on a Film Set, Why People Need People, and Creative Sets, AI, and Staying Weird - Nichole Marie Lim

October 2, 2026

This episode is brought to you by MAKE IT Academy. Get access to 200+ courses today at https://themakeitpodcast.com/pages/academy and use code: ACADEMY50 for 50% off the Academy for a year!

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we speak with Nashville filmmaker Nicole Marie Lim about building a career across makeup, writing, producing, and directing. Nicole explains how supportive relationships, practical set skills, and respectful leadership shape better creative work. The conversation also examines AI, vertical video, mid-budget filmmaking, actor chemistry, and what it means to make it without losing the joy of creating.

We also talk about:

How makeup artists can prepare for their first professional set.
Why continuity, schedules, and department-specific language matter.
The limits of glamour, fame, and money in filmmaking.
Why directors should trust department heads and communicate according to individual needs.
How chemistry reads can reveal unexpected casting choices.

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

People

Nichole Marie Lim (also IMDb)

Joy Todd

David Lim

Michelle Lim

Brands & Products

Her Projects

Checkmate, The Way Back Down, Mom Cult, American Quilt Contest

Films

Holland (2025)

Blade

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The Migrant

Places & Institutions

Nashville Film Festival

Frist Art Museum

MAKE IT

Make It Academy

Mastering Film Marketing (e-book)

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

www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/support

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SUMMARIES - Keith McDaniel - How he made "The Clinton 12," Cast James Earl Jones, and Why Local Beats Bigger

September 29, 2026

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

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, AI Hosts Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness examine Keith McDaniel’s path from singer, designer, and scriptwriter to documentary filmmaker and community leader. They explore how he learned filmmaking without formal training, documented complex Tennessee history, and built a sustainable local film festival. The conversation also connects creative independence with health, discipline, and the possibility that starting late can mean starting prepared.

We also talk about:

How a poor first documentary can still reveal the right creative medium.
Why interviewing original Oakridgers preserved primary historical testimony.
How James Earl Jones added credibility and distribution power to The Clinton 12.
Why Keith treated 40 film festivals as research laboratories rather than applause tours.
How the seven-day shootout created audience ownership through participation.

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:

Keith McDaniel (also IMDb)

James Earl Jones

Ken Burns

Films & Projects

The Clinton 12

Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story

The Belmont Reasons

Companies & Organizations

Secret City Films

Secret City Film Festival

Knoxville Film Festival

Dogwood Arts

Discovery

Jupiter Entertainment

eBay

Motel 6

Places

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Roane County, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Regal Downtown West Cinema 8

History & Concepts

Brown v. Board of Education

Manhattan Project

VHS

Slow-carb diet

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Latest Episodes

448 - 25 Years After 9/11: The Doc Narrated by Gary Sinise | Michael Gier on Losing Everything and Starting Over at 40

SUMMARIES - Julius Ritter - The Permissionless Revolution & When Zero Dollars Isn’t Zero Vision

Bonus Episode: 48 Hour Film Project Winner Allison Alonzo on How to Make a Film in 48 Hours

447 - What Money Can’t Fix on a Film Set, Why People Need People, and Creative Sets, AI, and Staying Weird - Nichole Marie Lim

SUMMARIES - Keith McDaniel - How he made "The Clinton 12," Cast James Earl Jones, and Why Local Beats Bigger