420 - Director Jonathan Bowen on Building Community and Legacy in Las Vegas, His Film “The Comic Shop,” and the Realities of Making It in Film

This episode is brought to you by Insta360 , (the trailblazing camera brand renowned for its innovative 360 and action cameras) and their brand-new pocket-sized marvel, the GO Ultra 4K . Compact like an Oreo and weighing in at just 53 grams, this little powerhouse is not just designed to fit in your pocket—it's crafted to deliver stunning, super-smooth 4K footage at 60 frames per second. And here’s a special treat for you: With your purchase of the Insta360 GO Ultra, snag a free set of Sticky Tabs, perfect for mounting your camera to everything from winter jackets to backpacks. Simply visit https://store.insta360.com and enter the promo code MAKEIT - good for the first 30 purchases only. This episode is brought to you by Gusto . Gusto is online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. It’s all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use—so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere. Try Gusto today at gusto.com/makeit , and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Hello, Hello! In this episode, filmmaker Jonathan Bowen joins us to share his journey from running fan sites to directing movies in Las Vegas, offering a candid look at the realities of independent film, including his feature film (streaming now), The Comic Shop . We dive into the challenges of building an authentic audience, balancing creative passion with financial sustainability, and making a lasting impact through film. We hope to provide some practical advice on grassroots marketing, community building, and the importance of staying true to your vision as a filmmaker. We also talk about: The parallels between running an indie comic shop and navigating the world of independent filmmaking. How daily creative habits and perseverance can keep your filmmaking dreams alive. The significance of audience polls and data in shaping creative and marketing decisions. The history and trivia of films shot in Las Vegas, including the first feature filmed entirely in the city. Personal stories about creative inspiration, favorite films, and the role of risk-taking in artistic careers. People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned: Amy Allison Fans (film) Las Vegas Shakedown (film) El Rancho Vegas Hotel (Las Vegas) Quiver (film distributor) YouTube Red Tubi (streaming/podcast platforms) PG County Film Festival (Maryland) Nashville Film Festival (Tennessee) Senior Living Tours (video production reference) Fantasy Flight Games Marvel Game of Thrones Joni Mitchell (musician) Kevin Kelly (author, “1000 True Fans”) David Fincher (director) Daniel Day-Lewis (actor) Emerald Fennell (director) Michael Mann (director) Michael Madsen (actor) Jesse Metcalf (actor) Joe Ligo (guest/episode reference) John Tucker Must Die (film) Saltburn (film) Fight Club The Game Star Wars Lou Malnati’s Chicago (deep dish pizza reference) Bakersfield, California New York City Las Vegas, Nevada Jonathan Bowen (guest) JLB Media Productions 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