Episode 049: TV

Making It · 11 Dec 2015 · 56m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss why they have no interest in returning to traditional television, citing a lack of creative control and the restrictive nature of network production. They contrast this with the freedom of YouTube, where they can pivot content instantly and build a genuine community, arguing that content quality matters more than high production values. The hosts also share updates on their current projects, including shop renovations, metalworking tool reviews, and educational collaborations, while pitching hypothetical TV show concepts that prioritize maker-centric content.

Mentioned

Companies
Discovery Channel
Also
Harbor Freight, Make magazine, Smoothcast, History Channel 2, What's Inside, Matthew Cremona, Maker Size

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Shop Talk Live · 57m

    STL354: Go and Do the Thing

    Erik Curtis, a furniture maker and YouTuber based in Philadelphia, joins Shop Talk Live to discuss the realities of running a woodworking business, teaching, and creating content. Curtis and hosts Amanda and Vic explore the myth of the solitary furniture maker, arguing that modern makers must diversify through teaching, writing, and media to sustain their craft. They debate the role of YouTube in woodworking, distinguishing between entertainment-focused channels and those that provide substantive technical education, while addressing the accessibility of high-end tools versus the necessity of skill. The conversation also covers design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of grain selection, proportion, and stripping away excessive ornamentation to achieve clear, functional aesthetics.

  • How I Built This · 37m

    HIBT Lab! Colin and Samir: Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry

    YouTubers Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry, known as Colin and Samir, discuss their 10-year journey from building a niche lacrosse network to becoming prominent voices in the creator economy. They detail their pivot from sports content to creator-focused media, the harsh realities of YouTube's monetization economics, and their strategic shift toward building owned audiences through their newsletter, The Published Press. The episode highlights their lessons on finding product-market fit, the importance of process, and the distinction between building a hobby and a sustainable business in the digital space.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 35m

    Theater, MMA, and Starting a Manufacturing Web Series with Eddie Saunders Jr. Of Flex Machine Tools

    Eddie Saunders Jr., Creative Director at Flex Machine Tools, explains how his background in theater and MMA influenced the creation of his web series, Flex & Friends, to humanize the manufacturing industry. He details the strategic decision to interview industry leaders rather than focus on self-promotion, aiming to elevate their stories and build brand relevance through authentic connection. Saunders shares actionable advice for manufacturers starting content, emphasizing the importance of defining intent, reverse-engineering successful models, and overcoming insecurity to achieve a return on effort. He highlights that while ROI is hard to quantify, the show generates tangible business opportunities by creating instant relevancy with prospects who recognize the content.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 26m

    Is This A Show?

    Chris Gammell and Dave Jones host Chris White and Alicia White of Embedded.fm to discuss the 256th episode milestone, the challenges of producing technical podcasts without visual aids, and the state of hardware conferences like Solid Con. The group debates the user experience of smartwatches, specifically the Pebble Time, focusing on the lack of out-of-the-box functionality and the industry trend of shipping incomplete firmware. They also touch on the importance of product management in ensuring quality and the frustrations engineers face when their technical concerns are ignored by management.

  • How I Built This · 19m

    How I Built Resilience: Samantha Bee of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

    Samantha Bee, host and co-creator of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, discusses how her team pivoted to remote production during the pandemic, filming from her backyard in upstate New York using an iPhone and natural light. She explains the operational challenges of managing a 70-person staff remotely, the loss of live audience feedback, and the technical adjustments required for editing and taping schedules. Bee also reflects on the future of television production, noting that while the shift revealed new efficiencies, the industry may face a shortage of high-quality scripted content as networks cut costs.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Making It. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.