The Make Method
A human-first approach to story, strategy, and indie brand building.
My process is rooted in one belief:
Every great story starts with a good question.
I work with artists and creative brands to design meaningful experiences that build real audience connection. The Make Method is an iterative, collaborative framework built on 15+ years of multidisciplinary storytelling—from theatre and documentary film to UX research and creative strategy.
Phase 1: Ask Good Questions
Listen & Define
We start with curiosity. In our earliest sessions, I focus on active listening—not just to your story, but to what it’s trying to become.
Together, we map out:
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Where you are in your artistic or brand journey
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The cultural context you’re creating in
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Where you want to go—and why
From there, we co-create a strategic roadmap. Your voice leads the process, and every decision is grounded in your truth.
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Phase 2: Shape Bold Ideas
Create & Ideate
This is where vision meets experimentation.
We turn insights into content, campaigns, or experiences through an iterative cycle of:
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Concept development
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Rapid prototyping (design, narrative, or creative assets)
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Small-audience testing
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Strategic pivots based on feedback
It’s not just about making things—it’s about making the right things for the right audience, at the right time.
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Phase 3: Build Deep Connection
Activate & Campaign
When your creative direction and story strategy are ready, we launch what I call a long-form campaign—a sustained rollout across the channels that matter most to your audience.
This might include:
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Social & traditional media
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Live or remote performances
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Podcast guesting or editorial features
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Community activations or strategic collaborations
The goal isn’t just visibility—it’s resonance. To build the kind of audience that not only listens, but stays.
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This Process Is For You If:
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You're an indie artist ready to grow your audience with intention
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You’re a creative entrepreneur with a message worth amplifying
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You believe your story can shape the culture around you​
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📣 Ready to make something real?
Let’s talk about your story, your brand, and where it’s meant to go.
👉 [Book a free discovery call] or [Start your project →]
Hi, I'm Efe Mike-Ifeta
I’ve spent the last two decades learning how stories move people. My journey began in the theatre — I studied Directing at Delta State University in Nigeria from 2003 to 2006, where I staged productions like The Midnight Blackout by Femi Osofisan. That early experience taught me the power of presence, collaboration, and emotional truth — and it’s stayed with me ever since.
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A few years later, my path took me into film. In 2010, I enrolled in the Documentary Production program at Algonquin College in Ottawa. There, I developed my visual storytelling voice — learning how to shape raw footage into stories that resonate. That work led me to Theatre Wakefield in Québec, where I spent two summers (2012–2013) as a Guest Director, mentoring youth and producing short films and creative workshops rooted in real-life expression.
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At the same time, I became increasingly curious about how people interact with media and technology — not just as viewers, but as participants. That curiosity led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction at Carleton University (2011–2013). UX design gave me a new lens: storytelling as experience. I learned to design for emotion, accessibility, and co-authorship — skills that now shape every piece of content I build.
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In 2014, I released my first original short film, Daddy’s Boy, a project I began developing during my time in grad school. It was a turning point — my craft was catching up to my vision.
But it wasn’t until 2019 that everything came together. While performing at open mics around the Greater Toronto Area, I found myself surrounded by indie musicians, poets, and artists with stories that deserved more space. That same year, I launched The Talent Next Door, a podcast dedicated to amplifying their work. A spontaneous detour led me to a café in Milton, Ontario, where I started The Open Mic at MAKE — an intimate space for creativity and connection.
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These experiences became the foundation of The Make Studios, a content and strategy company focused on helping indie artists and cultural brands tell their stories with impact. When the pandemic hit, I pivoted again — launching Pop Up Conversations, a video series spotlighting emerging Canadian talent like Shopé, Drew Brown, and David Boyd Janes.
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Today, I lead The Make Studios with the same core belief that’s guided me from the very beginning: that great storytelling is human-first, emotionally intelligent, and co-created with the people it’s meant to serve. I also contribute to brand strategy as part of IABC Edmonton, using the tools of theatre, film, and UX to help creative communities — especially indie artists — thrive.
Whether I’m behind the camera, mapping out a campaign, or building a content ecosystem, I show up with a mission: to make stories that connect — and make space for the voices we don’t hear enough.
