DiscoverThe MAKE IT Podcast425 - Michael Mendelsohn - Financier and Producer of True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, and The Matrix on Making Cinema: Lessons from Hollywood’s Top Indie Financier
425 - Michael Mendelsohn - Financier and Producer of True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, and The Matrix on Making Cinema: Lessons from Hollywood’s Top Indie Financier

425 - Michael Mendelsohn - Financier and Producer of True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, and The Matrix on Making Cinema: Lessons from Hollywood’s Top Indie Financier

Update: 2025-12-12
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This episode is brought to you by Notion Agent, the AI that doesn’t just help with work – it finishes it. Try Notion, now with Notion Agent, at notion.com/makeit to support your work and ours!


This episode is brought to you by Surfshark VPN. Go to surfshark.com/makeit or use code makeit at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!"


This episode is brought to you by Gusto. Save time with automated tools built right in: offer letters, onboarding materials, direct deposit, and don’t pay a cent until you run your first payroll. Go to www.gusto.com/makeit, and get three months free when you run your first payroll. 


Hello, Hello!

In this episode, we welcome film producer Michael Mendelsohn ("Lord of War," "Air Force One," “Reservoir Dogs,” and "The Matrix.”) to the Make It Podcast. The conversation explores Mendelsohn's expansive career—including recent projects, Dream Quill and California Scheming, and his dedication to training the next generation of filmmakers—while delving into shifts within the movie industry. Listeners also get personal stories from the guests and hosts, and a behind-the-scenes look at cinema’s evolving landscape


We also talk about:

  • The impact of family background and immigration on creative ambition and career journeys.
  • The transformation of audience viewing habits due to streaming services and subscriptions.
  • Favorite cheat day meals, musical preferences, and rapid-fire personal anecdotes.
  • The role of naming, legacy, and values within the arts and entertainment industries.
  • Fun fact segments, including the influence of classic films like The Wizard of Oz and unique film-watching challenges (e.g., watching with Pink Floyd's The Wall).


People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:

Surfshark VPN

Notion (software)

Michael Mendelsohn (guest, producer)

James McAvoy (actor, director)

Alex Prager (director)

Quentin Tarantino (director)

Sean Evans ("Hot Ones" host)

Johnny Carson (late night host, mentioned)

Lawrence Bender (producer, mentioned)

Soho House (Nashville)

Urban Market (Franklin)

Toronto Film Festival

Nashville, TN (city)

Franklin, TN (city)

Paramount (studio)

Warner Brothers (studio)

Sony (studio)

Miramax (studio)

Lord of War

Air Force One

The Matrix

What Women Want

True Romance

Reservoir Dogs

Dream Quill

California Scheming

The Hurricane

Pulp Fiction

The Princess Bride

Last King of Scotland

Top Gun

Mission Impossible

Batman

Superman

Wonder Woman

William Goldman (author of The Princess Bride)

Iocaine powder (fictional poison from The Princess Bride)

Gusto (payroll and HR software)

Patriot Pictures

Union Patriot Capital

Patriot Pictures Instagram

Herban Market (Franklin, TN)

Honey’s Kettle (Culver City, LA)

Apollo Capital

Egyptian Theater

Toronto Film Festival

Pink Floyd (The Wall album)

The Godfather

What Women Want

Red Sparrow

Nikita

When Harry Met Sally

The Other Side of the Wind

Apocalypse Now

Out of Africa

Platoon

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

The Fugitive

Black Barbie (Documentary)

Palm Springs

Megalopolis

Magic Mike

Chocolate City

Wild Pitch

Little Mermaid

The Professional/Leon

Battlefield Earth

Jay Leno

Jimmy Kimmel

Keanu Reeves

John Travolta

Avi Arad

Joel Silver

Wachowski siblings

Francis Ford Coppola

Chris Evans

Bill Murray

Taylor Sheridan

Mel Gibson

Alex Prager

Mark Rowan

Max (director of Palm Spring

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425 - Michael Mendelsohn - Financier and Producer of True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, and The Matrix on Making Cinema: Lessons from Hollywood’s Top Indie Financier

425 - Michael Mendelsohn - Financier and Producer of True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Lord of War, and The Matrix on Making Cinema: Lessons from Hollywood’s Top Indie Financier

Chris Barkley & Nicholas Buggs