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

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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

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