Sheepdog: Matt Dallas on the Power and Importance of Independent Filmmaking
Mon Dec 01 2025
In episode 168 of Veteran Made, I sit down with actor and indie film producer Matt Dallas to dig into what it really means to commit more than a decade of your life to one movie and one story. We talk about how Sheepdog grew over a 10-year journey across the country, sitting with veterans, Gold Star families, and mental health professionals in living rooms, dive bars, and VA clinics . Matt opens up about breaking out of typecasting, transforming himself physically and emotionally for the role of Daryl, and learning to trust his craft as an actor while juggling the chaos of being a hands-on filmmaker responsible for casting, background, and logistics. If you care about movies, cinema, and honest performances that come from real human connection, this conversation shows what it looks like when an actor and producer refuses to phone it in and instead builds a character from years of direct engagement with the veteran community.
We also get unapologetic about why independent film — especially adult dramas like Sheepdog — has to exist in theaters and why audiences have to show up if they want better movies. Matt and I talk about getting laughed out of rooms and the pressure to swap out the director or cast a bigger name just to unlock financing. We break down how hard it is for a small, veteran-centered drama to secure a 500-screen theatrical run, why dumping these films straight to streaming buries them, and how voting with your ticket — by actually going to the theater — directly decides which stories actors, producers, and filmmakers get to tell next.
If you’re a veteran, a movie lover, or someone who believes cinema still matters, this episode is a call to action: fund indie films, buy tickets, bring your friends, and help keep real, grounded stories on the big screen where they belong.
Episode Sponsors:
VM Merch
Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order.
True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order.
Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
https://www.instagram.com/mattdallas/
https://www.instagram.com/sheepdogthemovie/
https://www.instagram.com/teamhousestudios/
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In episode 168 of Veteran Made, I sit down with actor and indie film producer Matt Dallas to dig into what it really means to commit more than a decade of your life to one movie and one story. We talk about how Sheepdog grew over a 10-year journey across the country, sitting with veterans, Gold Star families, and mental health professionals in living rooms, dive bars, and VA clinics . Matt opens up about breaking out of typecasting, transforming himself physically and emotionally for the role of Daryl, and learning to trust his craft as an actor while juggling the chaos of being a hands-on filmmaker responsible for casting, background, and logistics. If you care about movies, cinema, and honest performances that come from real human connection, this conversation shows what it looks like when an actor and producer refuses to phone it in and instead builds a character from years of direct engagement with the veteran community. We also get unapologetic about why independent film — especially adult dramas like Sheepdog — has to exist in theaters and why audiences have to show up if they want better movies. Matt and I talk about getting laughed out of rooms and the pressure to swap out the director or cast a bigger name just to unlock financing. We break down how hard it is for a small, veteran-centered drama to secure a 500-screen theatrical run, why dumping these films straight to streaming buries them, and how voting with your ticket — by actually going to the theater — directly decides which stories actors, producers, and filmmakers get to tell next. If you’re a veteran, a movie lover, or someone who believes cinema still matters, this episode is a call to action: fund indie films, buy tickets, bring your friends, and help keep real, grounded stories on the big screen where they belong. Episode Sponsors: VM Merch Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order. BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order. True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order. Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order. Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order. Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9. SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/ https://www.instagram.com/mattdallas/ https://www.instagram.com/sheepdogthemovie/ https://www.instagram.com/teamhousestudios/