ADVOCATES & CATALYSTS FOR
INDEPENDENT FILM
Bonsai Creative was founded in 2014 in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee by founders Christopher Barkley and Nicholas Buggs. As longtime creatives and storytellers, we recognize that the future of narrative film lives in the creative minds of independent filmmakers.
We started our journey by investing in and providing consulting for three award-winning feature films (All Light Will End, Adult Interference, Another Version of You) and an award-winning short film (Mr. Johnson's Julius Caesar). Since then, we have provided coverage on over a hundred screenplays and have consulted on numerous film projects in various stages of their lifecycle.
In 2018, we started the MAKE IT podcast through which we provide thought leadership on independent filmmaking and where we host guests from across the industry who have shared their experiences, advice, and lessons learned.
At Bonsai Creative, we live by three main principles:
Be BETTER. Be CREATIVE. Be ENGAGED.
Everything we do is in service to the creatives of this world whose voices deserve to be heard. Here's to the Voice of the Filmmaker!
The FOUNDERS
Nicholas BUGGS
Co-Founder
Twitter: @NicholasBuggs
Nicholas Buggs is an Executive and Advisory Producer specializing in independent films. As Co-Founder of Bonsai Creative Enterprises (Bonsai Creative), Nicholas has successfully leveraged a background in Management Consulting, Product Development, Project Management, and Strategic Planning to develop and implement strategic approaches to maximizing the potential in independent film projects.
Considering himself a "catalyst for creatives", Nicholas works alongside business partner and best friend Christopher Barkley to help filmmakers eliminate the obstacles to bringing great stories to life. Since 2014, Nick and Chris have earned film credits on three award-winning films that have all made their way to distribution. As Bonsai Creative, Chris and Nick now set their sights on changing the game for filmmakers by providing actionable insights that lead them on the path to success.
Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering where he also studied Communications, Management of Technology, and Mathematics.
Christopher BARKLEY
Co-Founder
Twitter: @FlameInUrHeart
Chris Barkley was born in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee, and fell in love with storytelling after seeing The Princess Bride (which he's enjoyed over fifty times) as a child. Taking a unique path to storytelling, Chris began as a songwriter, penning over 200 songs. The need to emote through the power of the story drove Chris to co-found Bonsai Creative in 2015, a boutique company whose goal is to help independent film creatives tell stories in a meaningful (and profitable) way.
Since then, Chris has worked as Executive Producer, Advisory Producer, Film Consultant, Story Consultant, and Brand Strategist on several feature films, including 'Another Version of You' (CJ Perry, Alan Powell), 'Adult Interference' (Kate Upton, Ted Welch, Mike Vogel), and 'All Light Will End' (Andy Buckley, Sarah Butler). Chris is also the host of the five-star podcast 'MAKE IT,' an audio platform for the Independent Film Creative that provides a variety of content options.
Bonsai Creative's films are distributed worldwide, including distribution on Netflix and Paramount+.
He brings over two decades of successful C-Suite sales, consultation, marketing, branding, and entrepreneurial experience across a wide range of industries, including Healthcare, Real Estate, Music, and Film.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science from Middle Tennessee State University with degrees in Journalism and Marketing and serves on the Boards of NPR/WPLN, the Nashville Film Festival, and the Nashville Women In Film and Television.
Our TESTIMONIALS
"It was of the utmost importance to have a home team here for me, and (together) we made an award-winning film that got distribution. That's a win! I would recommend Bonsai Creative to anyone. My experience has been wonderful. Thank you guys for everything!"
Ted WELCH / Actor
"I liked how hands off yet present Bonsai Creative was. They let me steer the ship and be a Creative, but they were there to support and collaborate if things needed to be worked out. I respect them as creatives as well, and I felt the respect was mutual. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone!"
Lesley POWERS / Producer, Writer, Director
"I was looking for someone to listen to my creative ideas and interact with them as if they were theirs. Bonsai Creative did that for me. Stories are important to Chris and Nick, even if the project isn't a good match. I can count on them to care. Bonsai invested in me and now my projects are award-nominated and winning films."
Kris WENTE / Actor
“Bonsai Creative has provided so much passion and support for our film through every phase. They have been springboards for ideas and they have offered their support through every step of the journey. As we moved through production and post-production, they had a light, but passionate touch on many of the moves we made. They provided feedback when asked, and they were very collaborative in their approach without being invasive. This is the kind of relationship every creative longs to have.”
Motke DAPP / Writer Director
Our FILMS
When a capricious young author hiding a dark secret returns home for her brother's graduation, she finds herself haunted by the past and tormented by grim night terrors.
Diggsy Ellston has been in love with Suzette Larking since he was a boy. When Suzette gets married to another man, Diggsy meets a stranger who offers him an unbelievable gift: the unusual possibility of finding another Suzette. This offering comes in the form of a key that opens doors into parallel universes. Universes where other versions of Suzette may not only exist, but where one of them could even possibly love him.
When he's sentenced to 90 days of house arrest, Bo meets Elliot, the awkward kid who lives across the street. While bonding over football, these unlikely friends teach each other a little bit about growing up and what it means to be a man.