353 - Indie Talk - Marketing Really Works (especially in Film), Fun with the 48 Hour Film Festival, and How Much Power Should Social Media Influencers Have

The MAKE IT Podcast

Hello, Hello!

In this episode of The Make It Podcast, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs dive into the topic of social media influence and its potential downsides. They discuss two recent incidents where influencers were able to mobilize large crowds of young fans into risky or illegal situations. Chris and Nick debate the growing power of social media personalities and how it can be wielded responsibly or irresponsibly. They also discuss the 48 Hour Film Project, how to disagree civilly, how Barbie utilized the color pink and more.

Topics:

• The Oliver Anthony phenomenon
• Putting a period on the Alabama dock fight
• How Mattel flipped the status quo on Branding & Marketing for the Barbie Movie
• A discussion that asks, “Is Oppenheimer a good film?”
• Celebrating the upcoming 48 Hour Film Festival
• Producer Papa Bear stumps and educates us with an all-new48 Hour Film Fest version of Things We Should Know
• Chris and Nick discuss the reach and power if Social Media Influencers in the latest Culture Check
• and much more...

Questions answered in this episode:

• How were social media influencers able to gather hundreds of kids to loot a JD Sports store in Oxford and thousands of kids in New York who ended up clashing with police?
• What is the difference between how movies like Barbie were able to inspire positive behaviors vs how influencers are encouraging risky or illegal activities?
• How can social media influence be used for good causes but also encourage harmful activities if not wielded responsibly?
• What drives different types of young people to attend risky gatherings encouraged by influencers online?
• How can parents monitor what their kids are watching online to prevent negative influences?
• What role should social media platforms, influencers, and parents play in shaping social media culture responsibly?

Summary:

In this week's episode of The Make It Podcast, hosts Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs discussed the growing influence of social media and its potential negative impacts. They pointed to two recent incidents where social media was used to encourage large groups of young people to engage in risky or illegal behavior.

In one case, a TikTok video urged hundreds of kids to loot a JD Sports store in Oxford. In another, a Twitch streamer promised free PlayStation 5s, drawing over 1,000 people who ended up in a confrontation with police. The hosts argued this shows how social media "gods" or influencers, many of them children themselves, are able to move huge audiences to act in dangerous ways.

They contrasted this with how movies like Barbie were able to inspire positive behaviors like purchasing pink merchandise. The discussion highlighted the double-edged sword of social media - its ability to be used for good causes but also to encourage harmful activities if not wielded responsibly.

The hosts called on parents to monitor what their kids are watching online and advocated for more positive role models on social platforms. They also suggested that short films could explore what drives different types of young people to risky gatherings. Overall, the conversation raised important questions about the growing power of influencers and how to shape social media for the better.

Enjoy!

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The MAKE IT podcast amplifies the voice of the filmmaker by exploring the filmmaking journeys of actors, writers, directors, producers, and a host of other creatives from across the film industry. We provide a platform for filmmakers to provide advice, lessons learned, personal reflections, tips, tricks, and insights through our Filmmaker Conversations, Mistakes in the Making, Industry Insights, Indie Talks, and Film Investment Series. We are the go-to film podcast for independent creatives!

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