423 - Indie Talk - Decoding the $8 Billion Vertical Video Craze, Filmmaking in the Age of Micro-Drama and the Real ROI of Streaming for Indies

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. Sign up for Claude today and get 50% off your first three months of Claude Pro when you use our link – www.claude.ai/ makeit 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, we delve into the evolving landscape of the film and entertainment industry, spotlighting the rise of vertical micro-dramas and questioning the true meaning behind headline metrics like "market value" and "audience excitement." They challenge traditional production and distribution models, explore marketing costs and streaming ROI for independent filmmakers, and examine the shift of audience attention—and star power—from Hollywood to social platforms. Along the way, the hosts offer candid advice for creators navigating these industry changes and reflect on how personal branding, marketing, and resilience contribute to ongoing creative careers. We also talk about: The history and impact of vertical video platforms, with a quiz on which app first pioneered vertical video shorts. A candid, humorous discussion about generational differences in content consumption and the evolving definition of "stars." The challenges and nuances of film financing, including crowdfunding, family support, and strategies for paying back investors or supporters. Reflections on the cultural and social implications of social media, from platforms' impact on children to trust in e-commerce. Personal asides and trivia about movies, actors, and the process of finding correct titles and show names under pressure. People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned: Claude Pro (Anthropic’s AI model) Gusto (payroll and HR software) GitHub JIRA HubSpot Notion Google Workspace Galatea (vertical micro-drama platform) Quibi (short-lived streaming platform) Tubi (streaming platform) Roku Channel Indiegogo (crowdfunding platform) Vine Periscope Musically (predecessor to TikTok) BetterHelp (referenced as a sponsor) “The Wrap” (entertainment news website) Poor Things (movie) Wicked for Good (TV/film title) Stranger Things (Netflix series) Landman (TV series) Superman Tron Wednesday (Netflix Show) The Fantastic Four The Black Phone 2 Welcome to Derry (various movie and TV titles) Ariana Grande Cynthia Erivo Mark Ruffalo Emma Stone Jared Leto Margot Robbie Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) Reggie Roby Andrew Tate Aiden Ross Kai Cenat Druski Kevin Hart Shaquille O’Neal Wes Anderson Yorgos Lanthimos Emma Toner (Galatea) Tristan Harris (The Social Dilemma) Miami Dolphins (as NFL/football team location) “Task” show with Mark Ruffalo 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