Conversations with Chris Barkley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Barkley. 

Hi Chris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The story of Bonsai Creative (in part) begins with the success of the Pet Rock and the Chia Pet. 

Back in 2014, it became increasingly difficult for me and my business partner (and best friend) Nick Buggs, to be bystanders to the types of businesses that the market was rewarding. 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. We were privileged to see the entertainment business from the inside out during that trip. 

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 the following week and haven’t looked back since. Seven years, three feature films, and 250-plus podcast episodes later, we are still going strong. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are no smooth roads to entrepreneurial success. Every day presents an opportunity to learn and grow. The number one obstacle for us is finding product-market fit. 

It’s difficult to discover how to best serve a market. It’s even more difficult in an opaque industry like film. For Bonsai, that means asking questions like, “How do we improve the odds of success for Indie Filmmakers with our solutions?” “What partnerships should we pursue to increase funding to filmmakers?” and “Who in the filmmaking community is open to consuming education and resources if the commitment level is near zero?” 

There are also systematic roadblocks. In the movie business, the processes that might hold one back are the same things that keep creatives and executives employed, adequately paid and protected, and help to make incredible entertainment. 

Things like shrouded accounting practices, unions, and studio debt-financing. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, Bonsai is focused on putting our client’s films in a position to be seen by their audience and ultimately be profitable. We create bespoke branding and marketing strategies and link arms with our industry partners to execute those strategies. 

That includes social media placements, public relations, Key art development, photo and video promotions, and more. 

We also support and advocate for the Indie filmmaking community through our five-star podcast, MAKE IT, festival panels, workshops, and keynote speeches. 

What am I most proud of? 

Professionally, although I’m floored that we have three features films in distribution and a weekly podcast that has grown by a factor of 100 since its inception, I’m most proud of how the independent film community has embraced us and what we are trying to accomplish. 

There are so many people that opened doors for us when no one would have noticed or cared if they’d left them closed. We’ll always be thankful and humbled for the beautiful creatives that have helped and supported us along this journey. 

In terms of what sets us apart, I believe that being straightforward and honest intentioned is big in Indie films. Also, bringing intense creative value will always be one of our differentiators. 

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I love the memories of my dad sitting on the couch with me, past my bedtime, and us watching David Letterman. Sometimes he’d let me stay up and watch ‘Three’s Company,’ even though he hated it, just because I thought it was funny. 

The small living room would be lit only by the t.v. and he’d have his arm around me. We’d be sitting there like best buddies. Fast-forward thirty-five years, and we still are best friends. 

Pricing:

• 0.01 per impression for Branding and Marketing work
• approx. $10 per ad placement on our podcast (MAKE IT) and other content products. We can place 406 ads for clients per month
• Keynotes – $5,000
• Consults and Script Notes: $200 per session

Contact Info:

• Email: contact@bonsai.film
• Website: www.bonsai.film
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bonsaicreative
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_bonsaicreative and @flameinurheart 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0NlDHvRm9xKLOrJ3nkUyFg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/FQJpDDPZkoJKniAH6
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-it/id1406156285

Image Credits
Monica Murray