Making Media Now

Host Michael Azevedo welcomes back Tim Molloy, editor in chief of Moviemaker. MovieMaker is a magazine, website and podcast network focused on the art and business of filmmaking, with a special emphasis on independent film. The publication, in all its forms, offers profiles, advice, insider tips, and product reviews that readers can use to make informed decisions about what they watch..and create!   The magazine has featured pretty much every prominent moviemaker you can think of on its cover. Its print edition is published quarterly, while its digital home, MovieMaker.com is continually updating its features and late-breaking content. Tim and Michael had a wide-ranging chat where we discussed the 2025 Oscar winners, the pros and cons of watching movies in movie theaters, what movies Tim is looking forward to in 2025 and what makes for the perfect movie trailer! Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Alexi Cohan, news producer from Boston’s PBS station, ‘GBH. Alexi joined me to talk about a new video series, "Politics IRL."    "Politics IRL" is a video series produced by GBH News that engages young voters from all over the region. Each video in the series features young people meeting to discuss their different perspectives on important political and cultural issues. The project is driven by video participants and seeks to promote voter confidence and engagement.  The lightly moderated videos are then posted to the GBH News YouTube channel.   Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is former television journalist and documentary producer turned digital media entrepreneur Bob Bowdon. Bob is the founder of VidaFair, a video streaming platform that is disrupting subscription models by giving creators a new way to monetize — think pay-per-view, but for videos.    Before VidaFair, Bob built an impressive career as a journalist, documentary producer, and television commentator for outlets like PBS and Bloomberg, where he became passionate about giving people a platform to share their voices. He also directed The Cartel, an award-winning documentary exposing what he saw as corruption in public education. Bob also appeared in satirical sketches for the Onion News Network. Bob’s journey touches on everything from idea conception to execution in a crowded market.    Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

Unidentified Flying Objects have long captivated the imagination of the public, but for decades most scientists treated the subject as taboo. Now, these mysterious phenomena are moving out of the shadows and into the light, as NASA pledges to study them scientifically. So, what exactly does science have to say on the matter?   Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Terri Randall, the writer and director of a new science documentary called “What Are UFOs” which will premiere on the award-winning PBS science series NOVA on January 22. This new NOVA investigation looks at the evidence from every angle, marshaling expert opinions from physicists, engineers, cosmologists, and others who are bringing new technologies and heightened rigor to solving these mysteries.   “What Are UFOs?” features interviews with several of the distinguished scientists that NASA brought together to examine the UFO mystery and goes on to examine why the US government continued to be so elusive about rumored UFO sightings for many decades.   Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

Host Michael Azevedo is joined on this episode by Nicholas Bruckman the writer, producer, and director of a new documentary called Minted, which provides an insider’s look at the rise and fall of the NFT (non-fungible token) phenomenon and how technology transformed the traditional art world, for better and worse. Featuring verité footage and candid interviews with groundbreaking artists at the center of this phenomenon, Minted delves into the complex world of the $40 billion NFT digital art market. Minted will have its broadcast premiere as part of the PBS Independent Lens series on January 6 and will be available to stream via the PBS app for 90 days thereafter. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

We’re using this episode of the podcast to promote a special event sponsored by the Boston International Kids Film Festival taking place on December 27, 2024 at 1pm at the Capitol Theatre in Arlington, MA with a FREE screening of a delightful and entertaining feature film called Magnetosphere, written and directed by our guest Nicola Rose.    In Magnetosphere, Maggie Campion, a shy and imaginative 12-year-old, discovers that her unique ability to see sounds and hear colors is called synesthesia. As she navigates her new life, Maggie finds friends, love, and self-acceptance — all while her quirky family gets involved in a local theatre production. This charming, feel-good film explores what makes us different and how those differences are what make us special.   Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.   About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/      

On the eve of Black Friday and the holiday shopping season, host Michael Azevedo is joined by Nic Stacey and Flora Bagenal, the filmmakers behind a new Netflix documentary called Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy.   The film explores how targeted advertising, one-click purchase options, and mass production from some of the world’s largest companies are driving a new era of overconsumption, rapidly leading to a world choked in waste of all sorts.   The documentary, which was directed by Nic Stacey, unveils the behind-the-scenes world of influential big brands, with insider sources exposing the manipulative tactics that keep consumers constantly buying. The documentary explores the environmental and human impact of the insidious practices of fast fashion, big tech, and the planned obsolescence of items like cell phones and laptops.   Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.   About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Amy Schatz the Emmy and Peabody award-winning director of a soul-stirring musical documentary called "Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School." The film, which is now streaming on Max, tells the tale of an annual music program in the city’s Hill-Freedman World Academy. The 54-minute documentary, which was executive produced by the award-winning team at Get Lifted Film Co. and the music superstar John Legend features 10th-grade students learning to write, compose, produce, and perform original songs. Together with local musicians, the students pitch concepts, work out arrangements, and eventually create an album that captures the challenges they are living through and the joy music brings to their respective lives. Folks in the Greater Boston area have the chance to see this infectiously joyful film on the big screen, with big sound at the kick-off of the 2024 Boston International Kids Film Festival on November 22 at 7pm at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown, MA. For more information about the full line-up of films and activities at this year’s BIKFF, visit bikff.org.   Amy Schatz is an award-winning director and producer of children's shows and documentaries. Her work -- a mix of animation, documentary, performances, music videos, and heartfelt interviews with kids -- has earned 8 Emmy Awards, 8 Directors Guild of America Awards, 3 Peabody Awards, Parents' Choice Awards, and others.    Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.   About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

The underpinnings of maneuvers and machinations by aggrieved white citizens and business owners of the south reached a boiling point in North Carolina in 1898 and culminated in the events depicted in "American Coup: Wilmington 1898," an American Experience film that will be broadcast on November 12. Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode are the film’s co-directors Yoruba Richen and Brad Lichtenstein. Their film tells the story of how “self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington's democratically-elected, multi-racial, Reconstruction era government. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.   About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

Does this sound familiar to you: you settle in for the night hoping to find something to watch on one of the half dozen streaming services you somehow subscribe to and can’t seem to find something that appeals to you?     Or you’re chatting with friends about what they’re watching but no one can seem to remember exactly what their new favorite program is on? Deciphering viewing options among various streaming services can certainly feel like a chore. And that’s a challenge for viewers and streaming companies alike.    That’s why host Michael Azevedo invited Brandon Katz, senior entertainment industry strategist at Parrot Analytics, on to the podcast to discuss this vexing issues for streaming channels and audiences alike: why do the services have such a difficult time helping people find more things on their services to watch?  Michael's chat is based in part a recent column of his in the Observer, titled Steamers Have Figured Out How to Get Sign-Up—The Real Question is How to Keep Them. It was an informative and fun conversation.   Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey.   About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead