Uncle Bubba Productions
Inspiration Through Film
Illuminating The Human Journey
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At Uncle Bubba Productions, our mission is to bring inspirational messages that resonate with all audiences, which spark meaningful conversations, challenges perspectives and raises hope. Our aim is to encourage viewers to tap into their own potential to drive positive change and embrace a deeper understanding of all humanity.
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The Bridge Less Traveled
Today, the O'Brien Family Plans to Take Their Usual Route...
Then Fate Steps In
​The O’Briens are a typical suburban family; a mother, father, 2 teenagers
and a grandpa. They find themselves consumed with work, civic duties,
school studies, sports, a hard-to-escape feeling of loss and grief...their lives
are on auto-pilot with little time for each other.
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In an attempt to bring the family together while also nurturing a business relationship, Mom (Sharon) and Dad (Bob) plan a trip to their fishing camp.
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Joining them is Bob’s client, Ronald Farrin, his wife (Megan), and their socially awkward son (Edward). The O’Brien teens (Ashley and Jack) are not enthused about spending the weekend with Edward.
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Based on Ronald's suggestion, they take a different route where they are unexpectedly delayed at a bridge.
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Stranded, the families exit their vehicles. As the group disperses, events lead to surprising revelations and discoveries of one another in ways they never expected. ​
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When a shocking emergency occurs, Sharon, who is firmly set in her ways, is deeply affected.
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Everyone is impacted by the realization that we have more in common with one another than we truly understand.
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And we are all OK.
The Trailer
The Film
Dana Dunton
Producer / Director / Screenwriter
Role of "Sharon"
Dana Dunton was born and raised in Snyder, TX, the home of the White Buffalo! She studied under the renowned Jerry P. Worsham where she was a part of multiple State One Act Play championships. She had the privilege to sing for David Rockefeller Jr as part of the Arts and Education award. She attended Abilene Christian University and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
Coming from a long line of actors, singers, and directors, she is professionally trained and attended the American Conservatory Theater School in San Francisco as well as The Stella Adler Academy in Hollywood, CA. She has won numerous acting awards including the prestigious Samuel French Award for most outstanding actor in the state of Texas. She has appeared in television films and commercials including Barracuda, Earth Girls Are Easy with Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, and Pepsi-Cola.
She appeared on the daytime soap opera General Hospital. Her leading acting roles include Romeo and Juliet and The Crucible, Ondine, Grease, Hooters, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Ludlow Fair, Private Lives, My Fair Lady, and portrayed Elsie McClean in the acclaimed outdoor amphitheater production titled "Texas” in Palo Duro Canyon. She has worked in front of and behind the scenes on many shows and produced the theatrical show Death Trap.
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Dana is so appreciative to her parents, Marshall and Sue Parham, for her love, support and direction for which none of this would have been possible.
Brad Maule
Role of "Grandpa"
Brad Maule was graduated from Stephen F. Austin College cum laude with a B.F.A. in theater and English. He grew up on a farm in rural west Texas where he attended one of the few remaining country schools with an enrollment of 150 students in twelve grades.
Maule's theatre credits include Billy Barnes' musical revue, Movie Star. He then played Hamlet in Somethin's Rockin' in Denmark. He won the Drama-Logue Award for his performance in Stephen Sondheim's Marry Me A Little. Maule's television credits include guest starring roles in The White Shadow (1978), Three's Company (1976), Too Close for Comfort (1980), and Charlie's Angels (1976). He also appeared on the ABC miniseries Malibu (1983).
Brad Maule wrote and performed songs before he became an actor. He worked as backup singer for Bob Gentry, Jim Nabors, and Don Ho, among others, and has released a couple of albums.
Brittany Dunton
Music Composer
Brittany Dunton is a Los Angeles-based composer for film, television, and mixed media. Originally hailing from Charlotte, NC, Brittany received a B.A. in Music Composition from Appalachian State University, where she studied under Dr. Scott Meister and was a Kent scholar. She continued her academic pursuits at Columbia College Chicago, where she was a Follett Fellowship recipient and received an M.F.A. in Music Composition for the Screen.
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Brittany has spent the last six years working closely with composer Jake Monaco, moving from a technical assistant to lead additional writer. She has contributed music for a number of projects, including Pixar’s Lamp Life, Netflix’s critically acclaimed film Dumplin’, Amazon’s animated series Do, Re, & Mi, and Disney’s Flora & Ulysses.
Most recently, Brittany composed music for National Geographic's Incredible Animal Journeys, wrote songs for Netflix's Cocomelon Lane, and is currently writing music for The Real Housewives franchise and an upcoming Netflix animation series.
Manny Greenfield
Line Producer
Manny Greenfield's multifaceted career spans a large spectrum of the entertainment industry. As a member of SAG/AFTRA, the Directors Guild and NARAS, as a Grammy Award nominee, he transitions between roles both in front of and behind the camera.
As an industry veteran he has graced the screen alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names, Margot Robbie in "Dreamland", Morgan Freeman in "Just Getting Started," "Woman Walks Ahead" along side Jessica Chastain and Sam Rockwell and Angel and the Badman with Tommy Lee Jones. He has also appeared in "Better Call Saul", "Midnight Texas," "Get Shorty," "Waco," "Badland Doves," "Justice," "Neon Cactus," "Deadman Walking," "Christmas Journey," and “Pulse.”
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Behind the scenes Manny wears multiple hats, as a writer, line producer, production manager and assistant director. He has a keen eye for creative detail and organizational skills in writing, producing, script breakdown, budgeting, crew negotiations, scheduling, and on-set management
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Behind The Scenes
On Location with "The Bridge Less Traveled"
The Cast
Grandpa. Brad Maule
Jack. Tucker James
Sharon Dana Dunton
Ashley. Mia Kiihnl
Bob. Mickey Broach
Ronald Mike Pontius
Megan. Jamie Baremore
Edward. Nate Bokenfohr
Esperanza Daniela Gutierrez
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Young Grandma Anna Maria Wright
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Young Grandpa Bailey O'Byrne
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Concerned Motorist Pete Hawboldt
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Man in Car Jeremy Pellegrin
Teen in Car Anthony Longoria
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Child in Car Dani Free
The Production Team
Producer / Director Dana Dunton
​Producer Jeff Dunton
Line Producer / 1st AD Manny Greenfield
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Screenplay Dana Dunton​ / Manny Greenfield
Cinematographer Rob Senska
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Editor Melissa Goslin
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Music - Original Score Brittany Dunton
First Assistant Camera Jeremy Enis
Second Assistant Camera Clayton Henderson
Gaffer Rich Hansil
Sound Paul Petersen
Grip / Electronic Tim Starr
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Hair / Makeup April Vandagriff
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2nd Assistant Director Felicia Kay
Set Decorator / Props Angie Hughes
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Grip Equipment Windhorn Productions Brian Horn
Reviews
The Bridge Less Traveled
Review by Brian Lutes
What can one say about Dana Dunton? She's pretty much done it all. As a seasoned
and trained actor with a lifetime of experience, she's appeared on stage, in television
and film... both in front of and behind the camera. So, when I saw her new project, The
Bridge Less Traveled, heading my way, I was eager to see what she'd come up with.
This is a project she wrote, directed and starred in, so it had me curious.
Dunton knows how to put together a solid project and give it a good polish. She's
ambitious in her approach and doesn't forget the details. The Bridge Less Traveled is
about a family getaway for a weekend of fishing. We quickly realize the family is
struggling after the death of their grandmother. Sharon (played by Dunton) tries to
convince her dad (played by Brad Maule) not to lose himself to the grief and that he still
has a family who needs him. Though hesitant, the crew eventually hops in the car,
along with business clients and friends, Ronald and Megan Ferrin and their son Edward
(played by Mike Pontius, Jamie Baremore Kiihnl and Nate Bokenfohr). Ron suggests a
shortcut they all agree to take and they end up in gridlock on a bridge. Hopping out to
investigate, Ron and Bob (played by Mickey Broach) discover there's been an accident.
With people out milling about, Sharon spots a family she assumes to be immigrants and
starts ranting about low-income housing, welfare... her having to pay for the free
lunches their kids are probably getting at school. Megan objects and the two start
getting into it.
Grandpa grabs the fishing poles, jumps out and takes the kids to a nearby spot along
the water. There they begin talking about his life with Grandma. He shares the
hardships they faced and how their faith was the glue that held them together.
The two boys, Jack (Tucker James) and Edward develop a mutual respect and
connection. Ashley (Mia Kiihnl) has a moment with Grandpa.
There is no doubt, this is a good looking ‘feel good’ film that flows well and hits the mark
with some life lessons. The acting is solid and Dunton has made sure all the boxes are
checked. The camera work is smooth and crisp. Rob Senska provided some great shot
choices and beautiful cinematography. Melissa Goslin cut a nicely paced and easy to
watch film. Rich Hansil did a great job lighting everything and keeping things looking
natural and Paul Peterson provided clean and unaffected sound. Even the VFX engine
fire was nicely done. It's a good-looking film.
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So, what did I think? Honestly... well, I think Dana Dunton is a force. She's an excellent
actor who's done it all and she and partner Manny Greenfield wrote a nice script... but
that's just it. It was nice and safe, but really, I would've expected more from the
dialogue... more in the way of tension or drama. There's no question, there's not a lot of
time to generate suspense in a short.
To me this had the feel of Hallmark or an after school special. It felt more like Christian
entertainment, lacking the edge of some of the work Dunton has done in the past. It was
good and hit the mark, but not as good as I think it could have been. This is not a bad
thing. I believe with every project you know your audience and The Bridge Less
Traveled definitely has an audience.
Brian Lutes
https://www.facebook.com/brian.lutes/ or Instagram @lutes492