The MAKE IT Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Storyblocks! Storyblocks is a 100% human-made stock media library that’s essential for creators with millions of professionally curated assets — footage, music, sound effects, templates, and images. Everything is pre-licensed and ready to use under one subscription.Head to storyblocks.com/makeit to access the human-made stock media library that’s essential to our workflow. For a limited time, get 15% OFF any annual plan!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, 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 & FamilyMichael GierTerri GierPeople — 9/11Will JimenoScott Strauss (NYPD ESU)Sgt. John McLoughlinLauren Grandcolas & Jack GrandcolasWelles Crowther Jules and Gédéon NaudetPavel HlavaWolfgang StaehleJude KochPeople — Performers & FilmmakersGregory HinesSpike Jonze Sofia CoppolaFrancis Ford CoppolaWayne NewtonElton JohnDeidre HallLouie AndersonZach GalifianakisGary Sinise Sean PennChristopher NolanPaul Thomas AndersonMatt DamonNicolas CageMartin ShortJohn MaddenPeople — Other Public FiguresBurt ReynoldsClint EastwoodBrad PittTom CruiseJennifer AnistonJean-Claude Van DammeVin DieselParis HiltonJake PaulDaejon LoveOrson WellesAlfred HitchcockStevie Ray VaughanEddie Van HalenEric ClaptonPeter FramptonChris RockEminemRicky MartinWill SmithGroups & CharactersTorrance Community DancersGuns N’ RosesKornThe KardashiansPrince AkeemJiminy Glick ProjectsThe Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to TriumphWounded HeroesHealing the Heroes of 9-11 Gier ProductionsTorrance RisesFatboy Slim — “Praise You”Make It AcademyTV & FilmSunset BeachDays of Our LivesBasketsThe Princess BrideTombstoneThe MatrixThe Bourne IdentityThe OdysseyAvatarThe BrutalistOne Battle After AnotherMystic RiverWild Wild WestComing to AmericaPlacesSan DiegoBalboa Park Hollywood TorranceCoronadoBeverly HillsMalibuNew York CityManhattan World Trade CenterThe PentagonUS CapitolHudson RiverLas VegasNashvilleSan FranciscoJapanAustraliaScotlandIrelandParisBrnoStuttgartLamb’s Players TheatreAladdin HotelMetropolitan Opera HouseTCL Chinese TheatreVanderbilt UniversityHarvardZamunda (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. #MAKEIThttps://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletterAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 ArkE.T. the Extra-TerrestrialEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindJawsShort CircuitNapoleon DynamiteBarbieTenetThe Green KnightBlack KnightComing to AmericaFood & BrandsHunt Brothers PizzaDomino’sGabby’s Burgers & FriesEmmy SquaredBig MacSupericaPizookie PeopleAllison AlonzoEmElise KnappMartin LawrenceSteven SpielbergJordan ChateauConnor BaconSeth ShepardJones KolbinskiJake GilbertMariah KramerAlfonso RibeiroTia A. SmithSchoolsVanderbilt UniversityBelmont UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityFilm Events & OrganizationsNashville Film Festival48 Hour Film Project — NashvilleFilmapaloozaPoint of VU Film Festival (POVU) — Vanderbilt’s student festivalPlaces & VenuesDallas, TexasBurbank, CaliforniaMexico CityZanies NashvilleThe GulchGreen HillsFlamingo Cocktail ClubCledisWe 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. #MAKEIThttps://themakeitpodcast.store/newsletterAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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. #MAKEITSubscribe: https://themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportHello, 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 BurnsFilms & ProjectsThe Clinton 12 Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story The Belmont Reasons Companies & OrganizationsSecret City FilmsSecret City Film Festival Knoxville Film FestivalDogwood ArtsDiscoveryJupiter EntertainmenteBayMotel 6PlacesOak Ridge, TennesseeRoane County, TennesseeKnoxville, TennesseeRegal Downtown West Cinema 8History & ConceptsBrown v. Board of EducationManhattan ProjectVHSSlow-carb dietAdvertising 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 episode, Nick reviews Who Is Stan Smith?, Danny Lee’s documentary about the tennis champion whose name became attached to one of the world’s most recognizable sneakers. The film moves from athletic achievement and fashion history to Stan Smith’s friendship with Arthur Ashe, humanitarian work, and commitment to players’ rights. The conversation ultimately asks what kind of signature each person leaves behind when fame and branding are stripped away.TAKEAWAYS:Smith’s rise from Southern California and USC tennis to former world number one.His 1971 U.S. Open victory, 1972 Wimbledon victory, five U.S. Open titles across singles and doubles, and eight championship Davis Cup teams.The open era of professional tennis and the movement for greater player control.Smith’s 1973 Wimbledon boycott after Nikola Pilic was suspended.The sneaker’s adoption by musicians, artists, designers, and fashion communities.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The FilmWho Is Stan Smith?Danny LeeRebecca HalpernPeopleStan SmithArthur AsheJohn McEnroeDarryl "DMC" McDanielsPharrell WilliamsNiki Pilić Products & BrandsAdidas Stan SmithRun-DMCInstitutions & EventsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUS OpenWimbledonDavis CupEbook: "Mastering Film Marketing"The MAKE IT PodcastWe 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 us, or leaving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEITAll Links: www.themakeitpodcast.store/shop/supportAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy