12 // Self-Distribute Or Surrender Your Film an Update.
Send a text What happens when you finish a labor-of-love sci‑fi thriller and the industry that’s supposed to elevate it feels cold to the touch? We open the curtain on The Dresden Sun’s release and share exactly how we took control: touring independent theaters, designing a smart digital window, and building momentum with creators who believed in the work. No middlemen manufacturing “marketing spend,” no vanishing receipts—just a focused plan to get a Christina Ricci–led indie in front of rea...
29 Aug 2025
11 // Steve Bridges // TikTok Star
Send us a text What happens when you stop chasing trends and create something only you can offer? Steve Bridges, the comedic genius behind viral TikTok characters like gamer kid, Junior, and Dirty Dan, has built an audience of over 2 million followers by tapping into authentic experiences from his life. In this revealing conversation, Steve shares how his challenging childhood—complete with family struggles that led to time in foster care—became the foundation for his comedy. Making his sibl...
19 Aug 2025
10 // Dir. Michael Ryan (The Dresden Sun)
Send us a text In a conversation that's as much about creative resilience as it is about filmmaking, director Michael Ryan takes us deep into the 15-year journey of bringing The Dresden Sun to life. This ambitious cyberpunk thriller wasn't just directed by Ryan – he served as writer, producer, DP, editor, visual effects artist, and post-production supervisor, literally embodying every facet of the creative process. The Dresden Sun throws viewers into a dystopian future where mercenaries are ...
8 Aug 2025
Ep. 9 // Jason Sperling
Send us a text Jason Sperling's fingerprints are all over modern television's visual language. With three Primetime Emmy nominations and two VES Award nominations, he's shaped shows like American Horror Story, The Walking Dead, and Bridgerton through his visual effects expertise. Yet his most profound creative achievement might be his wildly successful directorial debut – a short film that took nearly a decade to complete. "Crash Site," starring Steven Yeun and Sam Richardson, has exploded t...
21 Jul 2025
8 // Writer/Director - Max Klaiber
Send us a text What happens when you return to your hometown to make a movie about toxic masculinity set in a remote cabin? Filmmaker Max Kleiber reveals the fascinating journey behind his debut feature "Rattlin Bog" - a satirical horror-comedy born from a COVID-era short film experiment that evolved into something much bigger. Growing up in Northern California with no artists in his family, Kleiber initially pursued medicine before finally admitting his secret passion for filmmaking. After ...
19 Feb 2025
7 // Behind the Scenes of Film Festivals and Indie Filmmaking: My Journey with the Sundial Film Festival and "The Dresden Sun"
Send us a text This episode highlights the upcoming Sundial Film Festival and the completion of Tyler’s film, The Dresden Sun. Tyler shares details on community engagement, the significance of affordable arts access, and his personal journey through setbacks and creative resurgence. • Overview of the Sundial Film Festival details and ticket pricing • Excitement around the film, The Dresden Sun, and its Berlin showcase • Insights into the star-studded cast of The Dresden Sun...
21 Mar 2024
6 // Momentum Baby!
Embark on a theatrical odyssey with me, Tyler Lockamy, as I recount the transformative experience of becoming Frederick Treves in "The Elephant Man". The raw emotion and authentic performance that emerged on stage was a journey in itself, challenging me to navigate the complex landscape of a character's psyche. The conversation then shifts gears to the lighter tones of "Baskerville," where I don the deerstalker of the infamous Sherlock Holmes. And it doesn't stop there; I also delve into stimulating discussions with my colleague Daniel Hill on the "Redding Sound" podcast and shed light on the "Leaders Playground" podcast with neuroscientist Dr. Irene Salter, an endeavor close to my heart that aims to fuel creativity and personal development.
The narrative of this episode is one of perpetual motion—how the momentum of creativity can carry us through the peaks and valleys of artistic endeavors. I draw parallels to the indie filmmaking landscape, where perseverance and the luxury of time often go hand in hand, and share my joy in exploring various avenues of expression, from drumming to the serenity of farm life. Coupled with personal milestones like a significant health transformation, this episode is an invigorating mix of introspection and celebration. As I look forward to sharing more on my upcoming ventures, including a play project update, I extend an invitation to you to join this vibrant community and share in the excitement of these narratives unfolding.
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21 Nov 2023
5 // The Thrills and Challenges of Live Theater and The Impact of AI in Film Production
Ever wondered about the thrilling world of live theater? Buckle up, because we're taking you on a wild ride through our current production, Cascade Christmas, and the unexpected challenges that accompany the staging of such a grand spectacle. And oh, do we have an opinion or two on Netflix's film "The Killer"! Spoiler alert: It left us wanting.
Lift the curtain with us on the nitty-gritty reality of being a background actor. From waiting in hot tents for hours, to the hustle for a SAG voucher, we're sharing our personal trials and tribulations from the set of Las Vegas. Plus, we're dishing the details on the new contract rights for performers in the film industry - hello, 7% increase in minimum compensation and wage hikes for background actors, stand-ins, and photo doubles!
But the real star of our discussion is the impact of artificial intelligence in film and TV production. Get ready for a spirited debate on the use of digital replicas, CGI, and the controversial role of AI in creating synthetic performers. And, in the spirit of keeping it real, we’ll also be sharing our struggles with perfectionism in content creation. Remember, all that glitters is not gold in the world of Hollywood and theater, and we're here to shine a light on it all.
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7 Nov 2023
4 // Handling Performance Anxiety, Casting, Collaborations, and Creating Your Own Hollywood
Ever experienced anxiety before a big performance? Join me on this journey as I share my own tales of handling nerves ahead of a play, explore my reflections on the movie 'It Follows (https://boxd.it/87wo)', and unravel the self-created narratives of failure that may be holding us back.
What if you could collaborate with your admired directors? I share my aspirations of working with industry stalwarts like SpectreVision (https://instagram.com/spectrevision?igshid=MWdnYTFrMGd4cXlsZA==), Tyler Cornack (https://instagram.com/tyler_cornack?igshid=MWo3NGVvOGh6a2h0OQ==), Ryan Kruger (https://instagram.com/aryankrugerthing?igshid=b3J0bzh1a2k4NXZ3), and Jim Cummings (https://instagram.com/jimmycthatsme?igshid=YTlwaG40YjJ2aHM4). We'll also pull back the curtain on the intriguing process of casting, the overwhelming influx of submissions, and the thrill of selecting the perfect actor for each role. A discussion on my vision for future storytelling and roles I want to be part of leaves no stone unturned.
Lastly, ponder with me on the importance of mentorship and self-initiative. Hear about the guiding influence of my mother, my business partner Michael Ryan, and SpectreVision’s Daniel Noah, and why I urge all aspiring actors and filmmakers to create their own projects. Let's explore the future of the film industry together, understand the courage required to make something truly inspiring, and how you can create your own Hollywood in your backyard with the right tools and know-how. Buckle up for an inspiring journey into the world of cinema!
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27 Oct 2023
3 // An Actor's Passion and Pursuit
Ever sat around a campfire amazed by tales of dreams pursued and challenges conquered? That’s the journey we embark on this episode. Picture a young kid putting on Christmas plays with his brother, eyes sparkling with passion, morphing into an actor stepping onto the stage for the first time for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. From then on, it's all about chasing the dream, traversing the road to LA with merely a suitcase of dreams and a head full of dedication.
Unearth the magic hidden in scripts, the allure of roles, and the adrenaline rush of performing. Hear about the time I had the audience in stitches during the musical Spamalot, and how comedy in theater continues to be my favorite. There’s more than just reminiscing though - we delve into the nitty-gritty of acting and filmmaking, the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens. Get ready to hear about a recent film project that makes my heart swell with pride and my aspirations for the future.
Dive headfirst into the world of acting and filmmaking with us. Step into my shoes and walk down the memory lane, from my humble beginnings to the city of stars. Glimpse into the future, where new merch, projects, and more await. Don't forget to connect with me on Instagram and check out the Hollywood is Dead YouTube page for a video of this episode. Let's roll!
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19 Oct 2023
2 // Movies, Plays & Updates!
12 Oct 2023
1 // The Comeback Episode
Hollywood is Dead is...NOT DEAD! New episodes every week with bonus episodes thrown in for funzies! Thanks for sticking around!
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
4.2 / 5
5 ratings
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