PODCAST · tv
Barely Living The Dream
by Mel House
Filmmakers Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles share their unfiltered, true stories about making their way through the independent film landscape.
Episodes
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How We Shot a Movie at 11,000 Feet With a Real Grizzly Bear | Jesse Stewart on Indie Filmmaking
What does it take to make a feature film when you have just 11 days to shoot, no power or cell service, a location at 11,000 feet—and a real grizzly bear? In this conversation, filmmaker Jesse Stewart goes behind the scenes of Piggy Duster and breaks down the creative and logistical challenges of...
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Made in 16 Days: How Chris Hartwell Pulled Off Do No Harm With Harry Shum Jr.
In this episode of Barely Living The Dream, filmmaker Chris Hartwell takes us behind the scenes of his first feature film, Do No Harm—a deeply personal project inspired by years of stories from his wife, a home health nurse, and his father, a doctor. Chris reveals how an eight-year journey turned...
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From Prison Break to Sinners: Dave Maldonado's Incredible Acting Journey | BLTD Episode 60
What does it actually take to build a successful acting career in Hollywood? In this episode of Barely Living the Dream, actor Dave Maldonado shares the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments from a career that's taken him from independent films to major Hollywood productions. Dave discusses how…
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From Gaffer to Director: Ken Whiting on Making Rich Interior Lives | BLTD 59
What does it really take to go from cinematographer to directing your first feature film? In this episode of **Barely Living the Dream**, filmmaker **Ken Whiting** shares the incredible journey behind his directorial debut, RICH INTERIOR LIVES. From working as a still photographer and gaffer to...
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We Pitched Jackie Chan... and It Actually Worked! | BLTD 58 with Lee Anthony Smith & Gregory Bradley
What does it really take to break into Hollywood? In this episode of **Barely Living the Dream**, filmmakers and screenwriters **Lee Anthony Smith** and **Gregory J. Bradley** share the incredible true story of how two aspiring writers from Chicago went from film school and late-night writing...
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He Lost His Father to Suicide—Then Ran 250 Miles Heal | BLTD 57 with Daniel Herzog
What happens when unimaginable loss becomes the catalyst for transformation? In this episode, filmmaker Daniel Herzog joins the show to discuss his powerful documentary Beautifully Broken, which follows ultramarathon runner Jared as he confronts the trauma of losing his father to suicide and...
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Francis Ford Coppola Was His Mentor—Now He’s Making His First Feature Film!
What does it really take to become a filmmaker? In this episode of Barely Living the Dream, filmmaker Jayson Johnson shares his incredible journey from growing up in Illinois to working for legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, making award-winning short films, and developing his first…
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How They Made an EPIC Zombie Western Sequel on a Tiny Budget | BLTD 55 with The Undead End!
This week on the podcast, we sit down with the filmmaking team behind The Undead End — the long-awaited spiritual sequel to the cult indie zombie western The Quick and the Undead. Director/writer Gerald Nott, actor/producer Clint Hummel, and cinematographer Jonathan Stromberg break down how they...
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From $0 Indies to Prestige Series and Netflix Movies | BLTD 54 with Brittany Miles and Chris Warren
After a long break, Chris and Brittany return to catch everyone up on the wild last two years working in the film industry. From working on Taylor Sheridan shows like Lioness and Landman, to coordinating practical explosions, filming massive action sequences, and surviving 100-hour work weeks…
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Her Short Films Are Making Audiences Speak Out! - BLTD 53 with Sara Gaston
In this episode of Barely Living the Dream, we sit down with Houston-based filmmaker and actress Sara Gaston to dive deep into her journey from stage actor to award-winning director. Sara shares how a deeply personal realization—sparked during the rise of the Me Too movement—led her to create a...
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He Made Feature Films for $5,000… and They Became Cult Classics! - BLTD Episode 52
Houston filmmaker and actor Joe Grisaffi joins the podcast to talk about 30+ years of independent filmmaking, from shooting his first feature on 16mm film and maxing out credit cards, to making cult horror films for under $5,000, creating Atari video games based on his movies, and launching his...
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My Film WON… Then I Almost Died (Again) - Barely Living The Dream Ep. 51
After a long break, the podcast is back—and there’s a LOT to catch up on. In this episode, I dive into everything that’s happened since the premiere of *INBETWEENING*—from an incredible film festival debut and award win… to the harsh realities of indie distribution, missed opportunities, and a...
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INBETWEENING Dazed
Making this grant presentation from last year public now (with some minor edits) in anticipation of our world premiere next month at Amazing Fantasy Fest! Details are here: https://www.amazingfantasyfest.com and new trailer is here: https://youtu.be/pRheZpXsBpQ For the video version of this…
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Fear The Walking Brittany
A Very Special Homecoming Episode! Brittany (re) joins Mel and Chris to discuss all the stuff she's been working on/doing over the last couple years, ranging from FEAR THE WALKING DEAD to PANIC to WALKER and beyond! She'll also talk about becoming a licensed special effects...
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The Wolfeman
On this episode of BLTD, writer/director Stephen Wolfe joins Mel and Chris to discuss his projects, his love for Universal Monsters, and that time he let Mel use his car while in Los Angeles. Stephen has written/directed the features DOLL FACTORY (currently on Amazon Prime, Crackle, Plex, and...
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Catchin' Up With Chris
We're back with a new episode with Chris Warren, who brings us up to date on all the sets he's been working on for the past 3+ years! Chris has been making movie magic across varied states and genres with folks like Ron Perlman, Danny Trejo, Esai Morales, Eden Brolin, and the late Tom Sizemore.…
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IN THE BLOOD (aka DARK RITUAL aka IMAGO) Writer/Director/Interview - 2021
Here's an interview that Chris Warren (Director/Co-Writer/Etc.) and I did with Derrick Fury (director of LION KILLER and head instructor at Axiom Jiu-Jitsu) just after we signed our distribution deal for IMAGO - which by then we had recut and retitled IN THE BLOOD...which then got retitled into...
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Ep. 45 - INBETWEENING Sneak Peek...I mean "Sneak Listen"
Earlier this week, I did this "sneak peek" of the movie via Zoom - it was part of the grant finalization process. I recorded it, so here's the audio! I play rough cuts from a few scenes I've edited thus far, plus a early sneak peek (listen) to "S**tshow", the song from the musical number in the...
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Ep. 44 - In Between The Mystery Spots
What's up everyone? Yep, been a while. Lots of stuff has happened...and we do mean LOTS. MYSTERY SPOT premiered, DARK RITUAL gained traction, the Burn video finally came out, AND we shot another feature (INBETWEENING). Mel catches you up on ALL of it. INBETWEENING post production crowdfunding...
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Ep: 43 - Ritual Zombie Werewolf Mystery!
Back from extended hibernation, to the delight of a couple people and the chagrin of many more! You'd think we'd have spent the lockdown cranking out content...alas, that was not to be. But that doesn't mean we weren't busy! To wit: - First off, MYSTERY SPOT is having it's World Premiere at Arrow...
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Ep. 42 - Workshopping the Workshop
Our first foray into live-streaming wherein we ask the question: what would YOU think would be most valuable to focus on in a "filmmaking workshop" session? We have a couple that we've been asked to participate in, so we decided to brainstorm some ideas. Info on the Houston area screening of IN…
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Ep. 41: MYSTERY Machines (MYSTERY SPOT Chronicles, Part 3)
Once again, Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles all find themselves in the same room to do a podcast. This time, we have a feature in the rearview to discuss: Mel's fifth feature film, MYSTERY SPOT, which was shot in September 2019. Unfortunately/fortunately - there's literally nothing to...
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MYSTERY SPOT Chronicles, Part 2: "The Other Side"
That's a wrap on MYSTERY SPOT! (Actually, we wrapped over a month ago, but I've been busy editing, handling wrap up stuff, and celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary). At any rate, I recorded some post-shoot reflections once I got my wits back about me and with the benefit of hindsight. This...
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MYSTERY SPOT Chronicles, Part 1: "Curious Goods"
We recently wrapped principal photography on my fifth feature, MYSTERY SPOT. It was a wonderfully harrowing experience - "wonderful" because of the amazing team of people I surrounded myself with, cast and crew alike, and "harrowing" because I didn't realize exactly how damaged and broken I'd...
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Ep. 38 - Now You See Me
Another Barely Living The Dream podcast - now with video (which you can see at the Upstart Filmworks YouTube channel)! Bear with us as we expand/tweak this new component of our online presence. On this episode, Brittany and Katelynn join Mel as he decompresses after Texas Frightmare Weekend and...
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Ep. 37 - Back Again, Again. Again.
Back after another semi-unintentional hiatus. Upstart Filmworks has a new office, a new lease on life, AND a new employee! Consider it a recharge / renewal / refocus / whatever "re" word you prefer. Anyway, Katelynn the Upstart Assistant joins Mel and Brittany for a recap and rundown of the last...
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Ep. 36 - Am I Black Enough To Say The "N-Word?"
Complicated question, right? I figure if I've been called it more than 5 times in my life (I have, and with the hard "R" to boot) I can say it. Obama can say it, and we're both half Black, right? (Wait, he got in trouble, didn't he?) Anyway, the whole episode isn't about that. But it DOES talk...
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Ep. 35 - SCARELY Living The SCREAM
For this episode, we take a slight diversion in the spirit of the season (and our 13th wedding anniversary). Melanie joins Mel for a round of personal ghost stories - ones we've each told quite a bit over the years. These are all personal paranormal experience that we saw with our own two eyes....
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Ep. 34 - You're Gonna Have To Cut That Out
This one's kinda late and off of our normal upload time, but we've been busy working on stuff. Most of which we discuss on here. Chris has been working on a bunch of movies, Mel has been re-tooling Chris' movie, as well as laying the groundwork for feature number 5 (among other things). Work work...
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Ep. 33 - On The Road: Kentucky FIRED Movie
We do a little time travel on this one, as the bulk of it was recorded back in February while Chris and Mel were driving through Kentucky and Tennessee. There's some complaining, some catching up, some real talk, and some staring into the abyss (which of course, also stares back into us)....
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Ep. 32 - DRo and MHo Talk S#%t (w/ Debbie Rochon)
At long last, we have the lovely, wonderful, legendary Debbie Rochon on the podcast! Debbie and Mel have collaborated many times (with many more on the horizon). Deb takes the time to catch us up on her last few projects, including her directorial debut MODEL HUNGER, her upcoming second film as...
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Ep. 31 - Lazarus! (w/Yousef Abu-Taleb from WEST OF HELL)
The BLTD podcast returns with our friend Yousef Abu-Taleb in the passenger car! We worked with Yousef on WEST OF HELL (formerly COLD DESCENT, and before that, LAZARUS), which is currently available in Redbox. We discuss everything from Yousef's beginnings as one of the first YouTube stars on...
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Ep. 30 - Reset The Fun (w/ Jeff Caudill)
Jeff Caudill (frontman for prominent Southern California rock band Gameface) joins us to discuss his latest solo EP, "Reset The Sun" and the five (!) videos that Mel/Upstart Filmworks produced to accompany the release. The relationship was definitely mutually beneficial, as you'll soon hear (note...
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Ep. 29 - A Lynx To The Past
Quick update from Mel on what he's got going on (videos for Jeff Caudill's RESET THE SUN & the SEQUENCE BREAK World Premiere at the Chattanooga Film Festival on 4/6)and then we catch up with Brittany, Chris, and special guest Ken Whiting "The Gaffing Wizard" who are all currently on-set in Colorado.
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Ep. 28 - What Doesn't Kill You...
Remember that promo we cut where we (mostly me) read hatemail? Here's the uncut recording session, which makes a pretty compelling listen on its own. Beyond "bad reviews"...these selections are mainly personal attacks or fallout from bad deals, shadiness, etc. It was actually kind of fun to…
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BLTD Promo
Promo for the podcast. It will run on other B&E Network podcasts. http://www.bmoviesandebooks.com/
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Ep. 27 - The Grounds Curse Too!
This time, Chris and Brittany do an "on the road episode" while en route to Dallas to work on another production. Brittany gets to tell her side of the GROUNDS story, embellishing and filling in stuff mentioned on the previous episode. She and Chris discuss caring too much, justifying things on…
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Ep. 26 - On The Road, Again: The Curse of THE GROUNDS?
Mel and Chris return to their roots and record another in-car installment which features: an invitation to those who didn't much care for our last podcast, a rundown of Death's latest attempt to claim Mel, a rundown of Death's latest attempt to claim not only Mel, but Chris, Brittany, AND Justin...
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Ep. 25 - Menagerie Of Bullshit
In this feature-length episode, Mel is the sin-eater (for once) as Brittany, Chris, and guest Justin Powers spend an hour and a half going off about about their last "shitshow" experience. If you're wondering why we don't do much "local" work anymore, this pretty much sums it up, as the issues…
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Ep. 24 - Fade To Black(ish)
Nickie Morgan, Mandi LeBlanc, and William Basinger join Mel as they reminisce about his first movie, FADE TO BLACK (which they are all in). Well, as much as can be remembered, anyway. The discussion starts at FADE and covers everything from PLACEHOLDERS to the Muskogee Castle to Nickie having to...
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Ep. 23 - Lance Myers Fever
Lance "Fever" Myers has been a professional animator for over twenty years. His work can be seen in the feature films SPACE JAM, ANASTASIA, and Richard Linklater's A SCANNER DARKLY; as well as in over twenty-five successful video game titles, including Turok Evolution, NBA Jam, and Star Wars: The...
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Ep. 22 - M-O-O-N...That Spells "Name Dropping"
In which Mel discusses how Las Vegas, one of its most prominent magicians, rock supergroups, a Wayans brother, and horror genre illuminati have all recently been a huge part of his filmmaking landscape. It's basically a quick little update episode to let you all know what's going on in Upstart...
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Ep. 20 - ReGrahaminator
Mel welcomes guest (and recent on-set collaborator) Graham Skipper to the podcast. Graham is probably best known for essaying the role of Herbert West in REANIMATOR: THE MUSICAL…however, he's steadily been making a name for himself on the independent horror circuit with acclaimed turns in…
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Ep. 19 - Full(ish) Disclosure
Mel rolls solo on this one again, pulling back the curtain even further on how he's managed to "barely live the dream" for the last couple years. Lots of candid talk regarding movie gigs, pre-production gigs, side gigs, part time jobs, being bi-coastal (or perhaps just bi-coastally curious), and...
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Ep. 18 - Every Movie Like This Is Minus One Movie Of Mine
Mel, Chris, and Brittany are all in the same room once again, and this episode basically is a "debriefing" of the past couple months of production work in California. Which essentially means that Brittany ends up being our cinematic sin-eater. The upside is that, for once, Chris is WAY more...
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Ep. 17 - Production Diaries: California In This Big Gray Sky
This summer (technically spring/summer), Mel landed to back-to-back gigs on California-lensed genre features. Both were in the A.D. department…and if you're a fan of the podcast you might know that Mel has had some recent "issues" with that type of work. As such, it was definitely poised to be an...
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Ep. 16 - The Script Supervising Warlock
Tim Wrobel, script supervisor and one-time star of the longest running direct-to-video horror franchise ever, drops by and gives us some sage advice from the scripty side of the monitor. What does a Script Supervisor do? Do we really need one on set? Should you listen to them because you're…
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Ep. 15 - Spider Mel(anie) No More
Things get serious as we speak with our guest, actress Melanie Donihoo (Mel's wife) about performance anxiety, stage fright, and what to do when you hate doing something that you're really good at. Lately, Mel has found himself in that situation amidst a bunch of Assistant Director gig offers, so...
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Ep. 14 - Barely Living The Dream Child
Lisa Wilcox returns in this installment (much like she did in the Nightmare series) to discuss the impact and usage of social media in today's independent filmmaking landscape. We also get to do a bit of "Viewer Mail" from folks that checked out the previous episode with Lisa. Lisa Wilcox on the...
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Ep. 13 - Barely Living The Dream Master
Lisa Wilcox from A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4 & 5 joins us on this episode to talk about her particular journey in the industry...from General Hospital to Springwood to the Enterprise to raising a family and back again. Mel tries not to sound like a 12 year old fanboy. We also debut a new…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Barely Living The Dream have?
Barely Living The Dream currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Barely Living The Dream about?
Filmmakers Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles share their unfiltered, true stories about making their way through the independent film landscape.
How often does Barely Living The Dream release new episodes?
Barely Living The Dream has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Barely Living The Dream?
You can listen to Barely Living The Dream on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Barely Living The Dream?
Barely Living The Dream is created and hosted by Mel House.
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