Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Barkley . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

There are several obstacles in front of Indie Film creatives and profitability.

Some are self-inflicted, and others are systemic, including, but not limited to:

– a lack of funding for creative work,

– the proliferation of free content online,

– the rise of social media influencers,

– the dominance of big studios/networks,

– the lack of Branding and Marketing awareness, and spending,

– Systematic restrictions preventing Indie Filmmakers from meaningful branding and marketing spend,

– the Industry’s focus on box office and “blockbusters” at the expense of smaller films that have more robust post-theatrical revenue streams,

– and Prominent players in distribution and streaming, like Amazon, Xfinity, and Sony, are creating unfair, one-sided contracts (e.g., – Indie Filmmakers are often forced to accept unfavorable terms).

The result is that Indie Filmmakers lose control of their content and the ability to maximize the value of their art.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The story of Bonsai Creative (in part) begins with the success of The Pet Rock and the Chia Pet.

In 2014, my business partner (and best friend) Nick Buggs and I were frustrated by the types of businesses the market was rewarding (like Pet Rock and Chia Pet). For the most part, companies that served no community and solved no problem.

We were fed up with resigning ourselves to the sidelines. So, we made a pact to start a business together or never speak of our frustration at the start-up founders getting rich from silly products again.

With Nick’s background in technology (Computer Science, Vanderbilt University) and my background in media (Journalism, Marketing, Middle Tennessee State University), we decided to form digital media and publishing company.

It wasn’t until 2015, when we traveled to L.A. to help facilitate the Walk-Of-Fame ceremony for the late great Dick Gregory that we became enamored with the film business. During that trip, we were privileged to see the entertainment business from the inside out.

Most importantly, we realized that thousands of film creatives lived as “starving artists” and didn’t have to if they had the right combination of funding, tools, and education.

We shifted our focus to Independent Film (specifically Branding & Marketing) the following week and haven’t looked back since. Seven years, three feature films, and 300-plus podcast episodes later, we are still going strong.

Ultimately, Bonsai Creative is a company that focuses on supporting independent filmmakers. We do this by providing studio-level branding and marketing mix, resources, insights, and consultations. We offer these services to support and enrich filmmaking communities.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

We are most proud of our grassroots approach to brand and reputation-building because it begins with genuine interactions and works with film creatives.

Those interactions could be as simple as a coffee meeting or as in-depth as building a go-to-market strategy for a film project.
The other important factor in building a brand and reputation in this fashion is that it’s meaningfully tricky to duplicate.

Because of this, we don’t have many competitors in our space and can focus on providing the best possible service. Our focus on building our brand and reputation also means we are always looking for ways to improve our service offerings.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

It’s not a universal truth, but, in large part, we have found that Indie Filmmakers don’t like to watch independently-made films (films not made by a studio). As a result, they don’t support those creatives financially and aspire to make their films like studio filmmakers.

Of course, most Indie filmmakers will deny this, but actions speak louder than words.

In turn, we had to change our approach. We have to hold two different ideas in our minds when working with our filmmaking clients. On the right side of our brains, we understand the creative and emotional desire to make something incredible in the present context of where that client is in their filmmaking journey. While on the left side of our brains, knowing that success to them likely means commercial success and future studio opportunities.

In short, Indies want to “level up” above all else even as they recognize that they are working in the Independent film space.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bonsai.film
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bonsaicreative/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bonsaicreativeenterprises/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-barkley-25998a219/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/flameinurheart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0NlDHvRm9xKLOrJ3nkUyFg

Image Credits
Monica Murray, Chris Barkley