# Episode 324: FRANK IPPOLITO IS HERE!

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2021-10-01
- Length: 1h 12m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here

## Summary

Frank Ippolito, a master prop builder known for his work on The Mandalorian and Umbrella Academy, discusses running a boutique shop in Burbank with a core crew of 10 people. He explains his decision to avoid the burnout of large-scale productions by maintaining a manageable team size and turning down emergency jobs, while also detailing the impact of the upcoming IATSE strike on his business. The hosts share their own recent projects, including Jimmy Diresta’s resin table disaster and David Picciuto’s FedEx shipping delays, highlighting the logistical challenges of independent making.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=1) Introduction and Frank's Career Highlights
- [1:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=97) Building Props for The Mandalorian and Theme Parks
- [7:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=445) Shop Management and Team Size
- [14:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=874) Union Strikes and Industry Labor Issues
- [30:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=1856) Jimmy's Resin Table Disaster and Recovery
- [43:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=2627) Shipping Delays and Maker Updates
- [50:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=3011) Prototyping Techniques and Shop Organization
- [53:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here#t=3212) Current Projects and Advice for Aspiring Makers

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- The Mandalorian (product)
- Umbrella Academy (product)
- Nord VPN (company)
- Simply Safe (company)
- McFarlane Toys (company)
- IATSE (other)
- Resin Printer (tool)
- Phenom (tool)
- Avid CNC (tool)
- Tormach (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [120: Imbue All of the Choices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-01-18-120-imbue-all-of-the-choices) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [24: Everybody Was on Probation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2017-02-16-24-everybody-was-on-probation) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [21: The Way it Goes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-12-08-21-the-way-it-goes) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [58: Nothing Can Stop Us Now](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2020-04-01-58-nothing-can-stop-us-now) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [70: Limited Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2021-06-30-70-limited-edition) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-10-01-episode-324-frank-ippolito-is-here. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Making It.