Filmmakers Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles share their unfiltered, true stories about making their way through the independent film landscape.
Barely Living The Dream
Claim This Podcastby Mel House
3.9(7 reviews)
57 episodes
Updated Weekly
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Podcast Overview
Filmmakers Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles share their unfiltered, true stories about making their way through the independent film landscape.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/24/2015
1 verified contact email on file for Barely Living The Dream
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Recent Episodes
June 26, 2026
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 channels that pain into purpose through endurance running and mental health advocacy. Daniel shares his filmmaking journey—from shooting skate videos and weddings to directing feature-length documentaries—and reveals the challenges of capturing a deeply personal story while documenting one of the most grueling ultramarathon races in the world. We discuss: * The making of Beautifully Broken * Mental health, grief, and resilience * The impact of suicide on families * Documentary filmmaking and storytelling * Ultramarathon culture and endurance sports * Finding purpose after tragedy * The power of vulnerability and personal growth This is an inspiring conversation about healing, perseverance, and the stories that connect us all. If you've experienced loss, struggled with mental health, or simply love great documentaries, this episode is one you won't want to miss. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share to help spread awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. For more info, or to request a screening, visit: https://www.beautifullybrokendocumentary.com #BeautifullyBroken #DanielHerzog #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #DocumentaryFilm #Ultramarathon #Resilience #Healing #Filmmaking #Podcast
June 12, 2026
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 feature film, Roger and Me. Jayson discusses how a chance opportunity at Coppola’s winery changed the course of his life, the lessons he learned from crowdfunding, navigating film festivals, building a filmmaking career in the Bay Area, and why aspiring filmmakers should stop waiting for the perfect moment and just start creating. We also dive into: * Working with Francis Ford Coppola * Making short films on a shoestring budget * Film festival successes and failures * The realities of crowdfunding * Building a filmmaking network * Why Los Angeles wasn't the right fit * Creating films outside Hollywood * The inspiration behind his upcoming feature film Roger and Me * Advice for aspiring filmmakers in the age of AI Whether you're an indie filmmaker, screenwriter, content creator, or movie lover, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges and rewards of pursuing a creative career. 🎬 Guest: Jayson Johnson 🎬 Production Company: Strike Five Films If you enjoy conversations about filmmaking, independent cinema, storytelling, and creative careers, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the podcast. #filmmaking #indiefilm #FrancisFordCoppola #screenwriting #filmfestival #indiefilmmaker #moviemaking #director #cinematography #podcast #creativecareer #shortfilms #featurefilm #storytelling #filmindustry
May 29, 2026
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 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
57 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Barely Living The Dream?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
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This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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