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.

Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

The title of Producer in the Film industry gets thrown around so much that, over the years, it’s lost some meaning despite being essential to the filmmaking process and ecosystem.

Why? Because a Producer credit is valuable in the industry but doesn’t cost anything against the budget (and sometimes the backend revenues). So, studios and other Producers can use these credits as leverage with financiers, location owners, executives, consultants, and more.

But every film has a Producer who is truly running the show. This person herds the cats, pays the bills, makes key decisions, and is the Director’s and the financier’s trusted custodian and fiduciary.

A person can take a course or attend a school or read WikiHow to learn the craft of Producing, but the only way to really learn it is the fire hose method.

Thick skin, resourcefulness, and adaptability are key attributes to success as a Film producer.

Chris , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Storytelling has always been a big part of my life. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t quoting movies and television. Both of my parents worked a lot, so I used the characters in movies and television to understand the world — what made people tick, what made them happy or angry or inspired.

I love all the cool talk and costumes. I love the complexity of what makes a good character resonate. So, working in the film industry and talking about film on my podcast, MAKE IT, just feels like play to me.

Outside of being a fan and student of films and filmmaking, I think leveling up as a craftsperson or reaching a professional benchmark is about developing your taste and being convicted about the stuff you make.

It’s important for a Producer to know a little bit about everyone’s job. Know the difference between a “C” player and an “A” player. Discern the line between the quality of a script or shot and the style of those things.

And, oh, never take a note from an unearned opinion. This is tough because, as artists, we are self-conscious, and everyone believes their opinions are earned.

For examples of our work, check out the film Another Version of You on AppleTV or Amazon and our podcast on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@makeitpodcast).

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Last year, I was having a long conversation with my frequent collaborator Motke Dapp, and an important question arose — what do we want to do with the last great 20-30 years of our lives?

We both agreed that we wanted to make films, preferably with one another.

A lot of times, there’s a fuss within creative partnerships about roles within their braintrust. Our conversation was a capitulation of that fussiness — we both agreed that Motke’s the master storyteller, and I’m the master custodian of his creative (along with the rest of our team).

I would also love to make documentaries with my business partner (Bonsai Creative) and best friend Nick Buggs. We have a communication comfort and shorthand that’s second to none. I can be completely myself around him, too.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are few greater sins than being boring.

It’s rare to meet boring people in the creative arts. It’s the ultimate intellectual orgasm to pontificate with full seriousness the merits of an idea or the metaphor a film is trying to communicate with other creatives.

There’s never a boring moment, and there’s always an opportunity to learn. The best part? You’re never the smartest person in the room, and that’s an amazing feeling once you let go of the part of yourself that wants to be the smartest person in every room.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.themakeitpodcast.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_makeitpodcast
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-barkley-25998a219/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/flameinurheart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@makeitpodcast

Image Credits
Monica Murray