The MAKE IT Podcast

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In this Mistakes in the Making, Emmy-nominated actress Danielle Vega shares her hard-learned lessons about the critical importance of preparation in entertainment careers. She candidly discusses her early mistakes in red-carpet interviews in LA, where a lack of preparation led to embarrassing moments with guests she hadn't properly researched. Vega emphasizes that these failures served as stepping stones, motivating her to approach future opportunities with better preparation and professionalism. Enjoy!

We also talk about:
• The transition from journalism education to entertainment industry work
• How acting experience doesn't automatically translate to journalism success
• The bare minimum preparation requirements for actors on set
• Using embarrassing career moments as motivation for future excellence
• The ongoing psychological impact of professional mistakes

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
Southern Methodist University
Broadcast Journalism (major/field of study)
Los Angeles, CA
Barney & Friends
East Los High
@themsdaniv on Instagram

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, Colombian American writer-director Nick Lopez discusses his journey from an international upbringing to USC film school graduate, sharing insights about his award-winning short films, including "Milk Teeth" and "Sunshine Room." He opens up about the importance of representing queer and Latin American voices in cinema, his collaborative approach to filmmaking, and his current project, "West's Neighborhood," a web series exploring racism in American suburbia. Nick also provides practical advice for aspiring filmmakers about film school, budget constraints, and the creative process.

We also talk about:
• The challenges and benefits of attending film school versus independent learning
• Building compelling short films from "outside in" rather than character-first approaches
• The democratization of content through streaming platforms and its impact on diverse storytelling
• Working with limited budgets while maintaining high production values
• The importance of sound design and practical effects in low-budget filmmaking

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Nick Lopez
Tiffany Lin 
Felipe Vargas
University of Southern California (USC)
Milk Teeth
Sunshine Room
Flour Baby
Pan's Labyrinth
Guillermo del Toro
Ryan Murphy
Pose
Desperate Housewives
America's Next Top Model
Pluto TV
nicklopezfilms.com
nic.lopezz on Instagram

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

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In this episode, YouTube creator and filmmaker Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) joins us to discuss his journey from gaming content to theatrical filmmaking, particularly his successful horror film Iron Lung. The conversation explores his philosophy of continuous learning, the pivotal hospital moment that changed his career trajectory, and how he built an audience of 38+ million subscribers through authentic connection and creative risk-taking. Mark shares insights about wearing multiple filmmaking hats, the psychological pressure his crew felt making a feature film, and his experience attending the Academy Awards.

We also talk about:
• The importance of output over input when developing creative skills
• How interactive YouTube projects taught him about audience psychology
• Building crew relationships and knowing enough about each department to communicate effectively
• The stigma around video game adaptations and why many fail
• Why he'll continue making YouTube content alongside feature films

People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:
DaVinci Resolve
Blackmagic Design
Iron Lung
Academy Awards
YouTube Originals
A Heist with Markiplier
In Space with Markiplier
Unus Annus
McKenna Grace
Five Nights at Freddy's
Cincinnati, OH
Milford High School
Fischbach, Germany
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

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

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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 explores "Papillon," an animated short film by Florence MIAL that tells the powerful story of Olympic swimmer Alfred Nakash, a Jewish athlete whose life was forever changed by the Holocaust. The film uses hand-painted oil-on-glass animation to create a dreamlike visual experience that flows between memories of triumph and tragedy. Through water as a storytelling metaphor, the film captures themes of memory, resilience, and the quiet power of human dignity in the face of unimaginable loss.

TAKEAWAYS:
• Florence MIAL's unique oil paint on glass animation technique that creates living, breathing artwork
• Alfred Nakash's journey from childhood fear of water to Olympic competition at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
• The impact of the Vichy Regime and the Holocaust on Nakash's life and family
• The film's success on the international festival circuit and Academy Award nomination
• How minimalist storytelling can create maximum emotional impact

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Florence Miailhe (Director)
Marie Desplechin (Co-writer)
Alfred Nakache
Constantine, Algeria
Berlin Olympics (1936)
Auschwitz concentration camp
Berlin International Film Festival
Annecy Animation Festival
Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival
Academy Awards
César Awards
Crystal Bear Award
Paint-on-glass animation technique
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 actress Valerie Jane Parker's psychological toolkit for surviving the brutal entertainment industry, exploring how she built emotional armor through redefining success metrics and developing extraordinary empathy. They examine her unique upbringing with hippie-turned-pastor parents, her technical mastery of dialects, and her philosophy that struggle is mandatory for building resilience. The conversation reveals how true creatives adapt their drive across mediums, from acting in complex roles to running a bread speakeasy during the pandemic.

We also talk about:
• Her approach to auditions as personal wins rather than booking jobs
• The biological mechanisms behind vocal co-regulation and de-escalation
• Her intensive preparation methods for playing a blind character in "The Voices."
• How she transforms internet trolls through applied empathy
• The dangers of early success without struggle in creative careers

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Valerie Jane Parker
Greenleaf
Nashville
The Voices
Bobby Holland
Chick-fil-A
Blockbuster Video
La Vie Bakehouse
Five Daughters Bakery

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