In this special holiday episode of Until You Make It, Chris and Mike gather with longtime friend and visual effects artist Ryan Laux for a look back at a transformative year and a look forward into the creative landscape of 2026. From Ryan’s move to full-time freelance in Los Angeles to his strategic "rise" on social media, the crew explores the delicate balance between professional polish and the "scrappy" authenticity that actually drives engagement in the creator economy.

The conversation shifts from the technical to the theatrical as Chris recounts his first true Broadway experience seeing Wicked in New York, sparking a deep dive into the differences between stage spectacle and cinematic storytelling. The guys also tackle the "dumbed down" state of modern streaming, questioning if shows are now being written specifically for distracted viewers on their phones, favoring repetitive dialogue and shallow focus over nuanced "show, don't tell" artistry.

Whether it’s debating if Die Hard is a Christmas movie, pitching a Brendan Fraser-led "Christmas Planet" sci-fi epic, or critiquing the AI-generated "munchkins" at the Las Vegas Sphere, this episode is a blend of high-level industry insight and casual holiday shop talk.

• The Power of "Scrappy" Content: Why Ryan shifted from perfectionism to TikTok-style tutorials—and how it led to a 50,000-view spike and new client leads.

• The 2026 Freelance Blueprint: Ryan shares the realities of his first full year of independent work and the transition from studio roles to the creator economy.

• Wicked on Stage vs. Screen: A breakdown of vocal performances, character framing, and why some creatives struggle with the "campy" nature of musical theater.

• The "Distraction" Epidemic in Media: How modern cinematography and writing are evolving to accommodate viewers who are multi-tasking on mobile devices.

• AI and the Las Vegas Sphere: Ryan’s firsthand account of watching the Wizard of Oz enhanced by AI and rebuilt CG sets—and where the technology fell short.

• Defining a "Christmas Movie": The crew sets strict (and not-so-strict) criteria for what qualifies as a holiday classic.

• 2026 Creative Goals: From finishing "the movie" by NAB to finding a better balance between business growth and personal health.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by perfectionism or wondered where the line is between "content" and "art," this episode offers a transparent look at making it in the modern visual industry.