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Barely Living The Dream

Barely Living The Dream

Written by: Mel House
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Filmmakers Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles share their unfiltered, true stories about making their way through the independent film landscape.Copyright Mel House Art
Episodes
  • How They Made an EPIC Zombie Western Sequel on a Tiny Budget | BLTD 55 with The Undead End!

    How They Made an EPIC Zombie Western Sequel on a Tiny Budget | BLTD 55 with The Undead End!
    May 29 2026
    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 spent nearly 3 years creating an ambitious post-apocalyptic feature with a tiny crew, limited resources, and a whole lot of passion. We talk about: * Making a sequel nearly 20 years later * Shooting a feature with a 4-person core crew * DIY filmmaking and building massive sets on a budget * Shooting in the California desert * Practical effects, virtual backgrounds, and indie VFX * Creating an original language for the film * Indie filmmaking during the Hollywood strikes * Festival plans and the future of the franchise * And the classic story of a bull nearly charging through set If you love indie filmmaking, post-apocalyptic movies, zombie westerns, practical effects, and hearing how ambitious movies actually get made — this episode is for you. For more info on the film, visit https://undeadend.com! #IndieFilm #ZombieMovie #Filmmaking #TheUndeadEnd #Podcast #BehindTheScenes #IndependentFilm #HorrorMovies #PostApocalyptic #DIYFilmmaking #ZombieWestern #FilmPodcast
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    1 hr
  • From $0 Indies to Prestige Series and Netflix Movies | BLTD 54 with Brittany Miles and Chris Warren

    From $0 Indies to Prestige Series and Netflix Movies | BLTD 54 with Brittany Miles and Chris Warren
    May 15 2026
    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, this episode is a deep dive into the reality of modern filmmaking. Brittany shares stories from working with Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson on Unholy Trinity, creating large-scale practical effects for Netflix films, and transitioning fully into the world of special effects. Chris talks about bouncing between indie films and larger productions across Oklahoma and beyond, stepping behind the camera unexpectedly, and rediscovering the passion to direct his own projects again. This is a raw, funny, and honest conversation about: Working on major productions Practical effects vs CGI * Indie filmmaking survival * Hollywood actors on set * Building a career in film * Burnout, creativity, and staying motivated If you love filmmaking, behind-the-scenes stories, practical effects, or indie cinema, this episode is packed with insight and real industry experiences. - Check out our film INBETWEENING (I wrote/directed, they produced), available on streaming right now! #Filmmaking #BehindTheScenes #TaylorSheridan #Lioness #Landman #IndieFilm #MoviePodcast #PracticalEffects #Hollywood #SamuelLJackson #PierceBrosnan #NetflixMovies
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Her Short Films Are Making Audiences Speak Out! - BLTD 53 with Sara Gaston

    Her Short Films Are Making Audiences Speak Out! - BLTD 53 with Sara Gaston
    Apr 30 2026
    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 powerful short film that’s now resonating with audiences across the country. What started as a single story quickly became something much bigger: a reflection of experiences many people carry but rarely talk about. We cover: * Her origin story in acting and theater * The leap from actor to director * How her film I WAS GONE FOR AWHILE came together * Why “small moments” aren’t actually small * Real audience reactions that stopped her in her tracks * The challenges of indie filmmaking (grants, casting, production) * Behind-the-scenes stories from filming COYOTE * What it takes to tell meaningful, uncomfortable stories This conversation isn’t just about filmmaking—it’s about storytelling that sparks real conversations. 🎬 If you’re a filmmaker, actor, or storyteller, this episode is packed with insight on turning personal experiences into impactful art. 📍 Follow Sara for updates on screenings and new projects:Instagram: @sara_gaston_actor
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    55 mins
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