The MAKE IT Podcast

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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
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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 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

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content

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

Hello, Hello!

In this episode, Alex Ivey and Allison Inverness unpack a masterclass interview with independent filmmaker Derek Estlin Purvis, exploring the hidden mechanics of film financing and the entrepreneurial strategies behind successful indie filmmaking. They dive deep into Derek's three-pillar funding framework using equity, debt, and soft money, while examining his "skyscraper approach" to pre-selling films before production begins. The discussion reveals how Derek's early experiences on the set of "On Golden Pond" and his chance encounter with a Paramount executive shaped his revolutionary approach to filmmaking as extreme problem-solving.

We also talk about:
• Derek's career journey from bartending in New Orleans to working with major studios
• The "59-cent pencil" philosophy of finding simple solutions to complex filmmaking problems
• Creative problem-solving examples from Star Trek and MTV music videos
• The Sistine Chapel metric for measuring artistic success and cultural impact
• The evolving media landscape and how data is becoming the true commodity in entertainment

People, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:
Derek Estlin Purvis (filmmaker, producer, writer, director)
The Kids Are All Right
The 10
Savage Lands - The Ballad of Davy Crockett
On Golden Pond
Henry Fonda
Mike Basik (finance banker/mentor)
Paramount Pictures
Star Trek reboot (JJ Abrams)
Michelangelo
Sistine Chapel
Raging Bull
Forrest Gump
Oculus
New Orleans, LA
New Hampshire
MTV
Golden Globe Awards

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

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content

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

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

Learn more about Jefferson White here:

Hello, Hello!

Jefferson White discusses his evolving definition of success in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of having control over creative choices and working with people you care about. He reflects on how his goals have changed from wanting to get on a show like Yellowstone to now prioritizing creative fulfillment and collaborative energy on projects of any size. White shares his perspective that "making it" is an ongoing process rather than a destination, requiring continuous growth and openness to change.

We also talk about: 
• The feeling of helplessness that actors can experience in the entertainment industry
• How definitions of success evolve throughout an actor's career
• The value of independent filmmaking and creative collaboration
• Behind-the-scenes photography as a way to document the creative process
• The importance of supporting independent films financially, not just verbally

Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: 
Jefferson White (actor)
Yellowstone (TV show)
Drink and Be Merry (independent film)

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

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content

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

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

Learn more about Jefferson White here:

Hello, Hello!

Jefferson White discusses his top three films, including The Matrix Reloaded, In the Mood for Love, and three recent foreign language films that impressed him. The conversation covers his commitment to film education, particularly international cinema, and his honest admission about pretending to have seen films he hasn't watched. White also shares insights about the challenges of being an actor, including industry pressures around diet and the difficulty of finding consistent work.

We also talk about: 
• Nashville hot chicken spots and the origin story of Prince's restaurant
• Christmas movies and why Miracle on 34th Street doesn't work for him
• His upcoming film, Caravan about medical tourism for insulin
• The reality of spending most of an acting career waiting to work rather than actually working
• How independent filmmaking requires learning multiple skills, from editing to financing

Products, Software, Websites, People, or Places Mentioned: 
The Matrix Reloaded
In the Mood for Love
It Was Just an Accident
The Secret Agent
No Other Choice
I'm Still Here
Miracle on 34th Street
It's a Wonderful Life
After the Hunt
Wong Kar-Wai
Julia Roberts
Jim Carrey
Sundance Film Festival
Sarasota, Florida
Bedford Park
Toronto, Canada
Hattie B's
Prince's Hot Chicken
Bishop's Restaurant (Franklin, TN)
Drink and Be Merry
Caravan
Nashville Film Festival

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

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-content

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

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