Barely Living The Dream

About Barely Living The Dream

Filmmakers Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles share their unfiltered, true stories about making their way through the independent film landscape.

Publisher

Mel House

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

24 Dec 2015

Latest episode

4 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

62 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Sept 2026

   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 making an ambitious indie feature on his own terms. Jesse shares how his filmmaking journey began at Colorado Film School, led to award-winning short films and work in China, and eventually resulted in Piggy Duster. We dive deep into: 🎥 Creating a cinematic look on an indie budget — Why Jesse wanted Piggy Duster to feel like a “live-action anime” and how extensive lighting tests and color work helped create its distinctive visual style. 🏔️ Filming at 11,000 feet — No power, no cell service, limited batteries and media, extreme sunlight, and difficult terrain made every production decision count. 🐻 Working with a REAL grizzly bear — Jesse explains how the production combined a live bear, practical elements, puppetry and VFX—and what happened when the bear actually entered the tent. 🎭 Getting great performances through rehearsal — Jesse discusses working with Julia Ma and Brian Landis Folkins, including an extraordinary 8–12 minute campfire scene filmed as a single take. 🎨 The influence of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli — Why Jesse believes filmmakers should trust audiences and allow them to sit with mystery instead of explaining everything. 🎬 The realities of indie filmmaking — From losing a third of the crew to COVID during an 11-day shoot to dealing with limited coverage and reshoots in post. 📣 Film festivals, marketing & distribution — Jesse offers candid advice about budgeting for festivals, marketing your own film, and why the Piggy Duster team ultimately chose to retain control of the movie rather than compromise its creative vision. This is a fascinating conversation about craft, risk, visual storytelling, collaboration, and what it really takes to make an independent film stand out. If you're a filmmaker, cinematographer, director, editor, or simply a fan of great independent movies, there's plenty here to learn from. For more information on the film/screenings visit http://piggyduster.com #IndieFilmmaking #Filmmaking #Cinematography #FilmProduction #JesseStewart #PiggyDuster #FilmmakingTips #IndependentFilm #Directing #BehindTheScenes

2. 

   19 Aug 2026

   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 into a 16-day feature film shoot in and around Houston, how he landed Harry Shum Jr. in the lead, and how Ronny Chieng joined the production on an incredible last-minute schedule. We also dive into: • The real-life healthcare experiences that inspired Do No Harm • How Chris and his team attracted major talent with a proof-of-concept film • The unbelievable story of getting Ronny Chieng into the movie with barely 48 hours to spare • Shooting a feature on Canon C70 cameras—and why knowing your camera matters more than having the most expensive gear • How a tiny indie crew created complex camera moves and lighting effects using DIY solutions • Why the film deliberately shifts between a documentary-like visual style and heightened, expressionistic imagery • The creative decision to have characters look directly into the camera during phone conversations • What Chris learned from watching dailies and listening to audience feedback • The long road from development and financing to Cannes, film festivals, and self-distribution • Why Do No Harm is ultimately about seeing both patients and healthcare workers as human beings who need compassion and care. Do No Harm went on to screen at Cannes, the Austin Film Festival, and other festivals before the team began pursuing a more direct distribution strategy. If you're a filmmaker, aspiring director, healthcare professional, or simply interested in how an ambitious independent feature gets made with limited resources, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what it takes to get a movie from an idea to the screen. For more information visit: https://donoharm-movie.com #DoNoHarm #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #HarryShumJr #RonnyChieng #IndependentFilm #FilmDirector #BehindTheScenes #HoustonFilmmaking #FilmProduction

3. 

   7 Aug 2026

   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 he broke into the industry, the reality of making a living as a working actor, and what it was like sharing the screen with some of the biggest names in film. You'll hear behind-the-scenes stories from: * 🎬 Sinners * 🎬 Deepwater Horizon * 🎬 True Detective * 🎬 Prison Break * 🎬 Free State of Jones * 🎬 Trespass * 🎬 His & Hers * and many more. Dave also talks about: * His journey from community theater to Hollywood * Auditioning for major productions * Working with Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan * Lessons learned from Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell * Why small roles can lead to big opportunities * Staying motivated through years of rejection * The mindset required to sustain a long acting career Whether you're an aspiring actor, filmmaker, or simply love hearing behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to succeed in one of the toughest industries in the world. If you enjoy conversations with actors, filmmakers, and other creative professionals, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a new episode. #Acting #Hollywood #Sinners #MichaelBJordan #RyanCoogler #TrueDetective #DeepwaterHorizon #Filmmaking #Actor #Podcast

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Apple Podcasts (US)

3.9 / 5

7 ratings

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