Barely Living The Dream

Barely Living The Dream episodes:

• 04.01.2024

  Fear The Walking Brittany

  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...

  
• 03.18.2024

  The Wolfeman

  On this episode of BLTD, writer/director Stephen Wolfe joins Mel and Chris to discuss his projects, his love for Universal Monsters, and that time he let Mel use his car while in Los Angeles. Stephen has written/directed the features DOLL...

  
• 02.26.2024

  Catchin' Up With Chris

  We're back with a new episode with Chris Warren, who brings us up to date on all the sets he's been working on for the past 3+ years! Chris has been making movie magic across varied states and genres...

  
• 02.12.2024

  IN THE BLOOD (aka DARK RITUAL aka IMAGO) Writer/Director/Interview - 2021

  Here's an interview that Chris Warren (Director/Co-Writer/Etc.) and I did with Derrick Fury (director of LION KILLER and head instructor at Axiom Jiu-Jitsu) just after we signed our distribution deal for IMAGO - which by then we had recut and...

  
• 07.03.2022

  Ep. 45 - INBETWEENING Sneak Peek...I mean "Sneak Listen"

  Earlier this week, I did this "sneak peek" of the movie via Zoom - it was part of the grant finalization process. I recorded it, so here's the audio! I play rough cuts from a few scenes I've...

  
• 05.09.2022

  Ep. 44 - In Between The Mystery Spots

  What's up everyone? Yep, been a while. Lots of stuff has happened...and we do mean LOTS. MYSTERY SPOT premiered, DARK RITUAL gained traction, the Burn video finally came out, AND we shot another feature (INBETWEENING). Mel catches you up...

  
• 07.28.2021

  Ep: 43 - Ritual Zombie Werewolf Mystery!

  Back from extended hibernation, to the delight of a couple people and the chagrin of many more! You'd think we'd have spent the lockdown cranking out content...alas, that was not to be. But that doesn't mean we weren't...

  
• 02.29.2020

  Ep. 42 - Workshopping the Workshop

  Our first foray into live-streaming wherein we ask the question: what would YOU think would be most valuable to focus on in a "filmmaking workshop" session? We have a couple that we've been asked to participate in, so we...

  
• 12.08.2019

  Ep. 41: MYSTERY Machines (MYSTERY SPOT Chronicles, Part 3)

  Once again, Mel House, Chris Warren, and Brittany Miles all find themselves in the same room to do a podcast. This time, we have a feature in the rearview to discuss: Mel's fifth feature film, MYSTERY SPOT, which was...

  
• 10.22.2019

  MYSTERY SPOT Chronicles, Part 2: "The Other Side"

  That's a wrap on MYSTERY SPOT! (Actually, we wrapped over a month ago, but I've been busy editing, handling wrap up stuff, and celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary). At any rate, I recorded some post-shoot reflections once I...

  
• 09.18.2019

  MYSTERY SPOT Chronicles, Part 1: "Curious Goods"

  We recently wrapped principal photography on my fifth feature, MYSTERY SPOT. It was a wonderfully harrowing experience - "wonderful" because of the amazing team of people I surrounded myself with, cast and crew alike, and "harrowing" because I didn't...

  
• 05.13.2019

  Ep. 38 - Now You See Me

  Another Barely Living The Dream podcast - now with video (which you can see at the Upstart Filmworks YouTube channel)! Bear with us as we expand/tweak this new component of our online presence. On this episode, Brittany and...

  
• 04.29.2019

  Ep. 37 - Back Again, Again. Again.

  Back after another semi-unintentional hiatus. Upstart Filmworks has a new office, a new lease on life, AND a new employee! Consider it a recharge / renewal / refocus / whatever "re" word you prefer. Anyway, Katelynn the Upstart...

  
• 12.19.2018

  Ep. 36 - Am I Black Enough To Say The "N-Word?"

  Complicated question, right? I figure if I've been called it more than 5 times in my life (I have, and with the hard "R" to boot) I can say it. Obama can say it, and we're both half...

  
• 10.31.2018

  Ep. 35 - SCARELY Living The SCREAM

  For this episode, we take a slight diversion in the spirit of the season (and our 13th wedding anniversary). Melanie joins Mel for a round of personal ghost stories - ones we've each told quite a bit over the...

  
• 10.11.2018

  Ep. 34 - You're Gonna Have To Cut That Out

  This one's kinda late and off of our normal upload time, but we've been busy working on stuff. Most of which we discuss on here. Chris has been working on a bunch of movies, Mel has been re-tooling...

  
• 09.25.2018

  Ep. 33 - On The Road: Kentucky FIRED Movie

  We do a little time travel on this one, as the bulk of it was recorded back in February while Chris and Mel were driving through Kentucky and Tennessee. There's some complaining, some catching up, some real talk, and...

  
• 09.04.2018

  Ep. 32 - DRo and MHo Talk S#%t (w/ Debbie Rochon)

  At long last, we have the lovely, wonderful, legendary Debbie Rochon on the podcast! Debbie and Mel have collaborated many times (with many more on the horizon). Deb takes the time to catch us up on her last...

  
• 08.27.2018

  Ep. 31 - Lazarus! (w/Yousef Abu-Taleb from WEST OF HELL)

  The BLTD podcast returns with our friend Yousef Abu-Taleb in the passenger car! We worked with Yousef on WEST OF HELL (formerly COLD DESCENT, and before that, LAZARUS), which is currently available in Redbox. We discuss everything from Yousef's...

  
• 05.04.2017

  Ep. 30 - Reset The Fun (w/ Jeff Caudill)

  Jeff Caudill (frontman for prominent Southern California rock band Gameface) joins us to discuss his latest solo EP, "Reset The Sun" and the five (!) videos that Mel/Upstart Filmworks produced to accompany the release. The relationship was definitely mutually...

  
• 03.20.2017

  Ep. 29 - A Lynx To The Past

  Quick update from Mel on what he's got going on (videos for Jeff Caudill's RESET THE SUN & the SEQUENCE BREAK World Premiere at the Chattanooga Film Festival on 4/6)and then we catch up with Brittany, Chris, and special guest...

  
• 03.02.2017

  Ep. 28 - What Doesn't Kill You...

  Remember that promo we cut where we (mostly me) read hatemail? Here's the uncut recording session, which makes a pretty compelling listen on its own. Beyond "bad reviews"...these selections are mainly personal attacks or fallout from bad deals,...

  
• 11.16.2016

  BLTD Promo

  Promo for the podcast. It will run on other B&E Network podcasts. http://www.bmoviesandebooks.com/

  
• 11.13.2016

  Ep. 27 - The Grounds Curse Too!

  This time, Chris and Brittany do an "on the road episode" while en route to Dallas to work on another production. Brittany gets to tell her side of the GROUNDS story, embellishing and filling in stuff mentioned on the...

  
• 10.28.2016

  Ep. 26 - On The Road, Again: The Curse of THE GROUNDS?

  Mel and Chris return to their roots and record another in-car installment which features: an invitation to those who didn't much care for our last podcast, a rundown of Death's latest attempt to claim Mel, a rundown of Death's latest...

  
• 10.18.2016

  Ep. 25 - Menagerie Of Bullshit

  In this feature-length episode, Mel is the sin-eater (for once) as Brittany, Chris, and guest Justin Powers spend an hour and a half going off about about their last "shitshow" experience. If you're wondering why we don't do much...

  
• 09.27.2016

  Ep. 24 - Fade To Black(ish)

  Nickie Morgan, Mandi LeBlanc, and William Basinger join Mel as they reminisce about his first movie, FADE TO BLACK (which they are all in). Well, as much as can be remembered, anyway. The discussion starts at FADE and covers everything...

  
• 09.12.2016

  Ep. 23 - Lance Myers Fever

  Lance "Fever" Myers has been a professional animator for over twenty years. His work can be seen in the feature films SPACE JAM, ANASTASIA, and Richard Linklater's A SCANNER DARKLY; as well as in over twenty-five successful video game titles,...

  
• 08.31.2016

  Ep. 22 - M-O-O-N...That Spells "Name Dropping"

  In which Mel discusses how Las Vegas, one of its most prominent magicians, rock supergroups, a Wayans brother, and horror genre illuminati have all recently been a huge part of his filmmaking landscape. It's basically a quick little update...

  
• 07.26.2016

  Ep. 20 - ReGrahaminator

  Mel welcomes guest (and recent on-set collaborator) Graham Skipper to the podcast. Graham is probably best known for essaying the role of Herbert West in REANIMATOR: THE MUSICAL…however, he's steadily been making a name for himself on the independent...

  
• 07.16.2016

  Ep. 19 - Full(ish) Disclosure

  Mel rolls solo on this one again, pulling back the curtain even further on how he's managed to "barely live the dream" for the last couple years. Lots of candid talk regarding movie gigs, pre-production gigs, side gigs, part...

  
• 06.20.2016

  Ep. 18 - Every Movie Like This Is Minus One Movie Of Mine

  Mel, Chris, and Brittany are all in the same room once again, and this episode basically is a "debriefing" of the past couple months of production work in California. Which essentially means that Brittany ends up being our cinematic...

  
• 06.20.2016

  Ep. 17 - Production Diaries: California In This Big Gray Sky

  This summer (technically spring/summer), Mel landed to back-to-back gigs on California-lensed genre features. Both were in the A.D. department…and if you're a fan of the podcast you might know that Mel has had some recent "issues" with that type...

  
• 05.26.2016

  Ep. 16 - The Script Supervising Warlock

  Tim Wrobel, script supervisor and one-time star of the longest running direct-to-video horror franchise ever, drops by and gives us some sage advice from the scripty side of the monitor. What does a Script Supervisor do? Do we...

  
• 05.16.2016

  Ep. 15 - Spider Mel(anie) No More

  Things get serious as we speak with our guest, actress Melanie Donihoo (Mel's wife) about performance anxiety, stage fright, and what to do when you hate doing something that you're really good at. Lately, Mel has found himself in...

  
• 05.11.2016

  Ep. 14 - Barely Living The Dream Child

  Lisa Wilcox returns in this installment (much like she did in the Nightmare series) to discuss the impact and usage of social media in today's independent filmmaking landscape. We also get to do a bit of "Viewer Mail" from...

  
• 05.01.2016

  Ep. 13 - Barely Living The Dream Master

  Lisa Wilcox from A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4 & 5 joins us on this episode to talk about her particular journey in the industry...from General Hospital to Springwood to the Enterprise to raising a family and back again. ...

  
• 03.05.2016

  BLTD Ep. 12 - Back In The (Hunter Pack)Saddle, Again

  This episode is more or less the Chris Warren show, as Chris relates his most recent on-set experiences. Basically , Chris turned a whole production around and got them back on track...again. Aspiring AD's, this one's for you....

  
• 02.27.2016

  BLTD Ep. 11 - Porno Banking, Racial Ostentation, & The Big Call Out

  Brittany and Mel discuss distribution issues, crowdfunding complaints, what happens when people who theoretically should support you don't....and the difficulties faced when attempting to deposit that paycheck you made working on an adult film. Also, Mel invites his enemies...

  
• 02.23.2016

  BLTD Ep. 10 - Living Outside

  This week, Mel takes the podcast in a different direction, talking "film fallout" with his oldest friend Domingo, and his wife Melanie. And his daughter, Regan, of course. (Also: I promise I only recorded in the car for...

  
• 02.06.2016

  BLTD Ep. 9 - Third Time Is Enemy Action

  Brittany gets ripped off! (probably) Mel gets ripped off! (two possibles, one definite) Chris says something about a time machine! We also talk about approaching investors and what to tell them if you want their money, but most importantly...what to tell them if...

  
• 01.31.2016

  BLTD Ep. 8 - Contemplate This On The Tree Of Woe/G.F.Y.

  Our final entry (for now) from "On The Road Filmmaking Diaries". Mel and Chris categorically go through most of the figurative ass-whippings they've taken in the name of cinema. Yes, Mel tells the Witchcraft 13 stories again, as...

  
• 01.23.2016

  BLTD Ep. 7 - "The Experience…of A Lifetime…?"

  We bring Brittany Miles (producer of the film 869) into the fold, and get her origin story, some on-set Charlie Foxtrot anecdotes, and discuss her writing and directing a Placeholders episode. Then Mel discusses his "lists" and Chris talks...

  
• 01.16.2016

  BLTD Ep. 6 - Tapping The Vein/Axel Foley Overdrive

  Jumping backwards in time with this super-sized (feature length!) episode: during the first, pre-Xmas return trip from the WICKED TRICKS shoot, Mel and Chris discussed their approaches to scriptwriting. We also dug into the collaborative process on the IMAGO/IN...

  
• 01.09.2016

  BLTD Ep. 5 - Placeholders and Glossary Terms

  Our comedy series PLACEHOLDERS has begun its multi-platform rollout! In honor of that milestone, we talk about the series' humble beginnings, the road to the syndication deal, the stuff we had to do to make the shows fit the...

  
• 01.01.2016

  BLTD Ep. 4 - Smooth Sailing (or: "We Saw A Unicorn")

  Recorded the week of Christmas, 2015, as Mel and Chris were returning back to Texas after the first leg of production for WICKED TRICKS. Things went really well...for once. We discuss our successes, challenges, and newfound allies. We also...

  
• 12.27.2015

  BLTD Ep. 2 - The A.D. Is Your Powerhouse Drummer

  Filmmakers Mel House and Chris Warren welcome you to their inaugural podcast, recorded straight from the trenches as they trek cross country to work on an independent feature. In this episode, Chris and Mel talk about their experiences in the Assistant...

  
• 12.27.2015

  BLTD Ep. 3 - Nothing Feels Good

  In our continuing efforts to "keep it real", Mel goes off on his own and gives an inside look into his situation, his current mental state, and other related items. No, it's not a cry for help. Follow us! Twitter: @upstartfilm...

  
• 12.24.2015

  BLTD Ep. 1 - Mission Statement/Walkies Are The Canary In Your Mineshaft

  Filmmakers Mel House and Chris Warren welcome you to their inaugural podcast, recorded straight from the trenches as they trek cross country to work on an independent feature. In this episode, we set the stage and mention a few touchstones and...