435 - Kanye Deserves More Credit, Jaafar Jackson’s “Michael” Performance, “Interest Tentpoles” and a Chat with The Napa Boys, Nick Corirossi & Armen Weitzman

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 Pro when you use our link – Hello, Hello! In this episode, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs dive into current events ranging from recent political incidents to Kanye West's public apology, before exploring the massive success of the Michael Jackson biopic and what it reveals about Hollywood's "interest tent pole" strategy. They discuss how studios now greenlight films based on search trends and IP rather than storytelling merit, and examine the challenges facing independent filmmakers in today's market. The conversation concludes with insights from indie filmmakers Nick Corirossi and Armen Weitzman about their comedy "The Napa Boys" and how Hollywood has commoditized nostalgia at the expense of genuine storytelling. We also talk about: • The difference between what audiences want (horror) versus what they need (comedy) based on audience polling • How modern filmmaking has lost essential storytelling elements that create lasting nostalgia • The rise of "interest media" and how search algorithms influence film production decisions • Why physical newsletters and tangible media create deeper fan connections than digital alternatives • The challenge of maintaining artistic integrity while pursuing commercial success in independent filmmaking People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned: People: Nick Corirossi Armen Weitzman Kanye West / Ye Joe Jackson Taylor Swift Jay Leno Dana White Joe Rogan Tucker Carlson Dick Gregory Nia Long Jaafar Jackson Cheryl Hines Henry Martínez BC (Brian Comer, Cards and Capes) Nick Barnes Nate Bargatze Danielle Vega Andrew Schulz Companies, Platforms & Organizations : Panini (trading cards) Magnolia Pictures Lionsgate Netflix A24 USPS . Wall Street Journal Sundance Film Festival Cannes Film Festival TIFF White House Secret Service US Congress IMAX Dolby Podcasts, Shows & Internal Series : Mistakes in the Making (series on the MAKE IT Podcast) Films, TV, IP & Characters : The Napa Boys Michael (biopic) Project Hail Mary Enemy Mine Adult Interference Tár Oppenheimer The Passion of the Christ Ghost Super Troopers American Pie Buffy the Vampire Slayer He-Man: Masters of the Universe Rambo RoboCop The Goonies Stand by Me The Princess Bride Snow White (2025 Disney remake) Cruella De Vil The Wicked Witch of the West Thanos Street Fighter II Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (concert film) Albums, Music & Artists : Kanye West – "Bully" My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Yeezus Books & Concepts : Mastering Film Marketing (ebook) Project Hail Mary (novel) The Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell) Documentaries & Upcoming Projects : Age of Disclosure Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Games & Game-Based IP: Resident Evil Five Nights at Freddy's Backrooms (A24 film) Backrooms (liminal-space concept) Exit 8 Concepts, Themes & Cultural References : White House Correspondents' Dinner DC Sniper Serenity Prayer Seinfeld – "Serenity Now" MeToo Movement Tourette Syndrome The Manosphere Overton Window Four-quadrant film Interest tentpoles — Chris's coined concept Liner notes MAKE IT Shop 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. All Links: Advertising Inquiries: Privacy & Opt-Out:

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435 - Kanye Deserves More Credit, Jaafar Jackson’s “Michael” Performance, “Interest Tentpoles” and a Chat with The Napa Boys, Nick Corirossi & Armen Weitzman is an episode from MAKE IT by Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs.

This episode is 108:00 long.

This episode was published on May 1, 2026.

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