エピソード

  • Francis Ford Coppola Was His Mentor—Now He’s Making His First Feature Film!

    Francis Ford Coppola Was His Mentor—Now He’s Making His First Feature Film!
    2026/06/12
    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
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    52 分
  • 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!
    2026/05/29
    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 時間
  • 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
    2026/05/15
    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 時間 8 分
  • 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
    2026/04/30
    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 分
  • He Made Feature Films for $5,000… and They Became Cult Classics! - BLTD Episode 52

    He Made Feature Films for $5,000… and They Became Cult Classics! - BLTD Episode 52
    2026/04/24
    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 newest feature, *Slugger*. We dive into: ⚾ The genesis of *SLUGGER* — a murderous baseball player horror film 🎬 How Joe made features like *LAUGHING BOY*, *DEAD OF KNIGHT*, *LARS THE EMO KID*, and *CONJOINED* on almost no budget 📼 DIY VHS and DVD distribution in the video store era 🕹 Turning indie horror films into Atari games 🎭 Acting, casting, and surviving in indie film for decades 💀 Why “bad” low-budget filmmaking sometimes becomes cult magic If you love indie horror, DIY filmmaking, cult cinema, and behind-the-scenes stories about making movies against all odds, this episode is for you. Support Joe’s *Slugger* campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joegrisaffi/slugger-a-baseball-themed-horror-feature-film Let us know in the comments: What’s your favorite no-budget cult film of all time? #IndieFilm #JoeGrisaffi #FilmmakingPodcast #CultHorror #DIYFilmmaking #Slugger #IndependentFilm #LowBudgetHorror #Atari2600 #HoustonFilm
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    1 時間 2 分
  • My Film WON… Then I Almost Died (Again) - Barely Living The Dream Ep. 51

    My Film WON… Then I Almost Died (Again) - Barely Living The Dream Ep. 51
    2026/04/17
    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 life-threatening health scare that stopped everything.

    This is the real story behind indie filmmaking:
    🎬 The highs of a packed premiere and audience connection
    🏆 Winning “Amazing Fantasy Feature” right out of the gate
    📉 The brutal silence and rejection that followed
    🎥 Self-distributing across platforms like Amazon Prime & Tubi
    ⚠️ And the unexpected health crisis that nearly took me out If you're a filmmaker, creative, or just someone chasing something big—this is a raw, unfiltered look at what it actually takes.
    👉 *INBETWEENING* is now streaming: *

    * Amazon Prime (US): https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F3TCB4H2/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
    * Amazon Prime (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0F3TCR8H3/?autoplay=0&t=0
    * Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/100036097/inbetweening
    * IndiePix: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F3TCB4H2/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
    * Relay: https://pickrelay.com/app/t/dhfa-wxat
    * Fawesome: https://fawesome.tv/movies/10695161/inbetweening?utm_source=justwatch&utm_medium=feed
    * Coming soon to YouTube Movies (ad-supported) More episodes coming soon with guests, collaborators, and real stories from the indie film world.

    Check out my interview regarding FADE TO BLACK with Derrick on Worst Movies Ever Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/posts/worst-movies-25-148571196?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=web_share

    Stream my first movie FADE TO BLACK at Anhedenia Films Unlimited! https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fadetoblack3

    While you're here, don't forget to like, comment, subscribe...you know the drill!
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    1 時間 1 分
  • INBETWEENING Dazed

    INBETWEENING Dazed
    2024/08/07
    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 podcast episode, go HERE: https://youtu.be/w3m6ZF-TOpM On 12.27.23 (my birthday) I did a livestream update on the film via Zoom (while I was still in the clutches of the 'Rona - 1/10 do not recommend). I showed a couple completed clips from the film, and even the first trailer! All this stuff will be exclusive and for your eyes only until probably Spring 2024 (at least), so you're definitely getting an advance look behind the curtain! EDITS: I trimmed off the beginning part of the stream where we were waiting for folks to join the Zoom, as well as the last 2/3 of the musical number so that it's still a surprise at the upcoming screenings! Left the first verse until the big guitars come in though. Also the clips aren't fully foley-ed or mixed, etc. and the score is all temp stuff. Basically...the movie is pretty much done now, this was when it was still a work in progress. INBETWEENING stars Brandon Cole, Tye Blue, Debbie Rochon, Chelsea McCurdy, Jill Brumer, Dillon DeWitt, Seán Patrick Judge, and Angelo Moore (the frontman/singer/saxophonist of Black Rock pioneers Fishbone). Eric Linson is a struggling multiracial filmmaker with a few credits to his name and absolutely nothing to show for it. Inbetweening follows his journey trying to remain afloat and healthy in the liminal space between projects...while the voices in his head steadily become louder. Some are helpful, but most aren't...especially the Zombie Guy. Fortunately, the lead singer of Eric's favorite band (Angelo Moore, from the legendary Fishbone, playing himself) is on Eric's side. Inbetweening melds live action, animation, puppets, and even a musical number to reveal Eric's increasingly fractured journey. This particular work is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
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    41 分
  • Fear The Walking Brittany

    Fear The Walking Brittany
    2024/04/01
    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 technician/pyrotechnician and leaving an impression by (fake) burning down a church! For pyro/spfx/script supervision inquiries, email brittany@bmilesmedia.com IN THE BLOOD commentary https://youtu.be/WRtIMSVR490 INBETWEENING teaser https://youtube.com/shorts/WJ_ku90NGTc 👉 This is episode 49 - meaning that the next episode is a milestone one! I figured it would be fun to do a Q&A/reflection type show for our 50th, so if you have any questions for Brittany, Chris or myself, feel free to leave them in the comments here, on IG, on Soundcloud, or email to upstartfilm.assistant@gmail.com. They can range from the general (“Who is your favorite director?”) to the granular (“What camera did you shoot Mystery Spot with and why was it 5 different cameras?”). Consider it our version of an AMA. Also, be sure to like and subscribe to help the channel grow! Chris Warren on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3479843/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr Watch DARK RITUAL: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B099P69816/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Watch MYSTERY SPOT: https://www.terrorfilms.net/film/mystery-spot
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    1 時間 10 分