PopHorror Interviews The Incredible Team Behind ‘Make Cool Sh!t’ Podcast!

The MAKE COOL SH!T podcast is a non-fiction podcast that is recorded in docu-series style capturing the process of all the grit and nuance of filmmaking in the modern age. Season 1 of MAKE COOL SH!T: Make a Movie, documents the making of the horror/comedy feature film, Scare Me (read our review – HERE) directed by award-winning actor and writer, Josh Ruben (College Humor), starring Aya Cash (The Boys), Chris Redd (SNL), Becky Drysdale (Key & Peele). Season 1 is hosted by Aaron Kheifets (CollegeHumor/Comedy Central). MCS Media premiered new episodes every Tuesday and they’re now all available HERE.

Check out our hilarious and entertaining interview with Josh Ruben, Aaron Kheifets, Donny Dykowsky and learn details about the podcast, what to expect from it, how many episodes, and much more!

PopHorror – Hi there. How is 2021 treating you so far? 

Aaron Kheifets – I love that 2021 has the vibe of hope being on the horizon; because it’s either a real turning point or a huge cosmic joke on us for getting our hopes up. Can’t wait to find out which!

Josh Ruben – Oh, just wishing I could become Batman, throw racist cops into Arkham, and make the streets safe for my marginalized friends and family, but otherwise fantastic.

PopHorror – You guys are hilarious. Josh, what inspired you to become a filmmaker?

Josh Ruben – I never put it this way, but it happened out of necessity. I was an actor who couldn’t get an agent for the life of me. I teamed up with some buddies (including Sam Reich and Elaine Carroll) to make a sketch group where we made our own videos. That was the garage band film school where I caught the bug. Rest is history. 

I think what inspired me to become a filmmaker was growing up on all things Speilberg, Carpenter, and schlocky 80s horror. I re-watch the same movies. Some of them are dark, violent, and weird, but they’re all like a warm blanket. My mom used to say when I’d be glued to the screen watching Jaws 4: The Revenge, or the dude in Robocop getting his dick blown off, “Don’t worry, it’s just ketchup.” 

PopHorror – Haha nice! Your new podcast is about your film Scare Me. Can you tell our readers what that film is about? 

Josh Ruben – Aaron, what IS it about?!

Aaron Kheifets – Scare Me is about two people trapped in a cabin telling each other scary stories and one of them revealing a monstrous nature they never knew they had.

PopHorror – Great description! Donnie, what made you decide to create a podcast?

Donny Dykowsky – Everyone’s creative process is different, and realizing an idea can be a story worth telling whether it succeeds or falls flat. Mike Bulger (co-founder of MCS Media) and I set out to tell stories about that creative process. I have a background in audio production, so podcasting is the ideal platform for storytelling and maintaining quality control.

PopHorror – What made you decide to host the Make Cool Sh!t podcast?

Aaron Kheifets – When lockdown started, I set up a nice VO booth for myself because I figured a lot of the industry would be moving that way for a bit (me and every other actor on Earth). The first thought for a host was someone funny and famous. I think I suggested Michael Ian Black about thirty times. But they offered it to me, so I guess I’m officially better than Michael Ian Black.

PopHorror – Well I’ll admit… you are pretty funny. Aaron, can you give readers an overview of what to expect to hear when listening to the podcast?

Aaron Kheifets – Most of the time, when people tell you how things happen after the fact, they are lying to you and/or themselves. They have an agenda. That isn’t their fault: being a human brings out the worst in all of us. 

Make Cool Sh!t is a rare glimpse into the messy, unglamorous process of how these projects really happen that’s recorded in the thick of it; before everyone’s memories can spin what happened. Season 1 is the making of indie horror darling Scare Me. We follow director/star/writer/producer Josh Ruben from writing to pitching, shooting, editing, and playing the festival circuit. It’s insane.

 

PopHorror – I highly appreciate the honesty. It’s refreshing. Do you enjoy sharing your experiences with others and maybe motivating others to create films as well?

Josh Ruben – Absolutely. My buddy Sharai said the other day, she holds dear films with a black final girl, or even killer, “because they’re such a unicorn.” I want to keep making “rewatchable” warm blanket fun genre films, but I’m also motivated as hell to help people get behind and in front of the camera and do what they hadn’t had the opportunity to do before. 

PopHorror – YES!!! PLEASE DO! Are you happy with the overall outcome of your first season? 

Aaron Kheifets – I couldn’t be happier. We really put more time and effort into this baby than was rational or reasonable but I think it turned out really well in the end. I also have to say that the real heroes of this podcast are Donny, Dan, and Mike. Those guys are wizards.

Josh Ruben – Blown away. 

PopHorror – Do you plan on having more seasons?

Donny Dykowsky – Absolutely! We’re actively looking for the right project(s) and creatives to follow for season 2. If you have any ideas, please be in touch.

PopHorror – Good! I look forward to them! Anything else you’d like to talk about? 

Aaron Kheifets – What the fuck is with particle/wave duality? Sometimes light is a particle and sometimes it’s a wave? And we’re all just ok with that?? We fundamentally do not understand what’s going on with the building blocks of the universe and we’re just supposed to go to work and not think about it? Honestly, if anyone wants to talk about this, let’s do it. I’ve been having trouble focusing on other stuff since I learned about this back in college. Also, we’re figuring out season 2 as we speak. If someone you know is trying to make something cool, good for the world, and damn near impossible, tell us about it. @mCS_media on Instagram or [email protected]

Donny Dykowsky – Be kind, call your mom, and whatever you do – do it completely. Be fair to yourself by giving it 100% of your effort, and you’ll find your voice.

Josh Ruben – Nah, I’m gonna get back in my big pants and stare at the wall until the next thing. Thanks for having us.

PopHorror – Thanks for talking with me guys! You truly made my day with your humor and silliness. MAKE COOL SH!T is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else you enjoy podcasts. Link to listen and follow: https://linktr.ee/makecoolshit, be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!