The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello!In this episode, Alex and Allison discuss the unexpected career pivot of Toronto talent agent Teri Ritter, who transitioned from a 30-year career in corporate accounting to managing actors. Inspired by her daughter Maya's success in film, Ritter applied her strategic planning skills to build a profitable roster. They highlight the importance of professionalism in the industry, the risks of a poor digital footprint, and the strategic timing of joining unions. They also touch on the challenges of representing child actors and the evolving roles within the agency, exemplified by Maya's return to the industry as an agent. The conversation underscores the balance between artistic talent and business strategy in the entertainment industry.We also talk about:• The myth that talent alone guarantees success in the entertainment industry • How digital footprints can permanently derail acting careers decades later • Strategic timing for union membership and why joining too early can be career suicide • The toxic dynamics of pushy stage parents and child actors • Maya Ritter's full-circle journey from child star to talent agentPeople, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Teri Ritter (Toronto Talent Agent) Ritter Talent Agency Maya Ritter (Child actor turned agent) Amy HinesHines Management Mike Lummis (Agent) ACTRA (Canadian actors' union) Julia Roberts Molly Ringwald Toronto Casting CommunityWe 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.storeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is brought to you by Factor. No prep, no cooking. Just dietitian-approved, chef-prepared meals delivered to your door and ready to eat in 2 minutes.Go to https://factormeals.com/makeit50off and use the code MAKEIT50OFF to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year.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 today and get 50% off Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/makeitHello, 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 DakotaSeattle, WashingtonSan Francisco, CaliforniaTokyo, JapanNashville, TennesseeGaithersburg, MarylandHonolulu, HawaiiMerida, Yucatan, MexicoCarnegie Mellon UniversityAsian American Theater Company (San Francisco)Philippine AirlinesThe Gong ShowAll American Girl (TV show)Just Add Magic (TV show)Ballard (Amazon Prime series)Bosch (TV series)I Love LucyGolden GirlsNancy KwanBetty WhiteMarie OsmondCraig FergusonMike MyersMaggie QYolonda RossMargaret ChoTéa LeoniMark RobertsHolland TaylorThe 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 WongThe Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong (1951 TV series)DuMont Television NetworkAmy Hill Actor websiteInstagram: Amy HillWe 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.storeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 entertainmentMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You (2025)Mary BronsteinRose ByrneYeast (2008)BridesmaidsNeighborsStar WarsDead 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcastSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & 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 entertainmentPeople, Places, Products, and References Mentioned:Derek Estlin Purvis (filmmaker, producer, writer, director)The Kids Are All RightThe 10Savage Lands - The Ballad of Davy CrockettOn Golden PondHenry FondaMike Basik (finance banker/mentor)Paramount PicturesStar Trek reboot (JJ Abrams)MichelangeloSistine ChapelRaging BullForrest GumpOculusNew Orleans, LANew HampshireMTVGolden Globe AwardsWe 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://themakeitpodcast.storeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & 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 verballyProducts, 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. #MAKEITAll Links: https://beacons.ai/themakeitpodcastSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-make-it-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy