Natalie Aramendia and Kristyn Harris on The Art Box Podcast
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
A Conversation From the Heart of the West
Director Natalie Aramendia and lead actress, producer, and western music artist Kristyn Harris recently joined Steve Dudrow on The Art Box Podcast for a warm, funny, and heartfelt conversation about the making of A Ranch Musical.
Recorded in the spirit of Elko, Nevada and the western storytelling community, the interview offered a behind-the-scenes look at how this independent western musical came together — from magical sunsets and ranch horses to last-minute choreography, laughter on set, and the deep legacy of Jordan Wright, whose ranch and generosity helped make the film possible.
For anyone curious about how A Ranch Musical was made, this conversation captured exactly what makes the film so special: community, courage, music, friendship, and a whole lot of heart.
The Moment It Became Real
For Kristyn, the magic of the project began before cameras even started rolling. She arrived at the ranch the day before filming, met Director Natalie Aramendia and Producer Jordan Wright, and was introduced to her horse for the film, Annie.
That moment, she shared, made it clear that the project was going to be one of the coolest things she had ever done. From the location to the people to the horse that would become her on-screen companion, everything felt like it was falling into place.
For Natalie, the “this is really happening” moment came during the trip from Los Angeles to Elko. The team loaded a Cadillac Escalade — which was both a movie prop and their road-trip vehicle — with gear, props, food, and everything they needed to make the film. By the time they hit the road, the dream had turned into a real production.
But the truly magical moment came on the first day of filming during Kristyn’s performance of “Old Soul.” The scene was filmed at sunset with Kristyn singing from horseback while the camera rolled from the back of a moving truck. With the Nevada landscape glowing behind her, Natalie realized the film was becoming even more beautiful than she had imagined.
A Film Made Out of Order, With a Lot of Organization
One of the fun behind-the-scenes topics in the podcast was the reality of making a movie: scenes are almost never filmed in order.
For Kristyn, who was stepping into her first major acting role, that was one of the biggest surprises. She had studied the script from beginning to end, but once production began, the team jumped around based on locations, props, vehicles, animals, weather, and schedules.
Natalie explained that keeping track of everything required a lot of organization, spreadsheets, daily task sheets, and the filmmaking program StudioBinder. Some scenes needed Kristyn’s blue truck, which had to be brought in from Idaho. Other scenes depended on when horses or mules were available. Every day had to be planned carefully, and every missed shot had to be reshuffled into a new part of the schedule.
Kristyn joked that by the middle of the shoot, she could hardly remember where they were in the story — only that Natalie always knew which outfit she needed next.
Real Ranchers, Real Chemistry, Real Authenticity
One of the things that makes A Ranch Musical feel so authentic is that many of the people involved brought real ranching knowledge and lived experience to the story.
Kristyn helped Natalie connect with Tim and Jan, who play the grandparents in the film. They were not professional actors, but they brought something even more valuable: real chemistry, humor, and the kind of ranching authenticity that cannot be faked.
Natalie had spoken with Tim during the story development process, learning from him about the business and reality of ranching. Those conversations helped shape the script. Once Tim and Jan joined the cast, their natural relationship with Kristyn made the on-screen family dynamic feel warm and believable.
The podcast also touched on how much freedom Natalie gave the cast to adjust lines so they sounded true to the characters. As Natalie put it, she did not want the ranchers to sound like a city girl had written every word. That openness led to some wonderful unscripted moments, including Tim’s perfectly delivered ranch sayings and deadpan humor.
The Joy of Making Something Together
Both Natalie and Kristyn described the production as exhausting, but deeply joyful.
The cast and crew spent long days together, shared meals, traveled to and from the ranch, laughed between takes, and formed a close bond in a very short amount of time. Kristyn described it as one of the most fun experiences she had ever had.
Natalie shared that after wrapping production and returning home, she and her husband Guillermo — who became a producer on the project — felt the quiet. After days of constant energy, teamwork, and creativity, the stillness of home felt almost strange. They were tired, but they already missed the experience.
Remembering Jordan Wright
One of the most meaningful parts of the podcast came when Natalie spoke about Jordan Wright.
Jordan was a dear friend, a producer on the film, and a major reason A Ranch Musical exists. His family’s ranch became the film’s primary home, and his openness allowed Natalie and the team to dream big. He helped make the impossible feel possible.
Natalie shared that she and Guillermo had visited Jordan and his family for years before the film. Those visits sparked the idea: what if they made a movie there? What if they made a musical there?
Jordan said yes to the dream, then helped bring it to life.
After Jordan’s unexpected passing in February 2026, the film took on an even deeper meaning. Natalie shared that one of the great comforts was knowing that Jordan got to see the finished film in the hospital. He loved it and said he had never seen his ranch look so beautiful.
Now, A Ranch Musical carries his legacy forward. His spirit is part of the land, the story, the friendships, and the heart of the film.
What Audiences Are Saying
During the podcast, Natalie shared that early audience responses have been incredibly encouraging.
One of the biggest takeaways has been how family-friendly and joyful the film feels. Kids have gone home singing Kristyn’s songs, adults have connected with the humor and heart, and audiences have described the film as a feel-good story that leaves them smiling.
Natalie also shared one of her favorite responses: people who said they do not usually like musicals or country music ended up loving the film. For a western musical, that may be one of the best compliments possible.
What Comes Next for A Ranch Musical
A Ranch Musical will have its LA Premiere in Burbank on August 1, with Kristyn Harris performing live after the screening. The film will also travel to the Western Heritage and Film Festival in Payson, Arizona, later in August, and then to the EQUUS Film & Arts Festival in Kentucky.
The team is also in conversations about distribution, with the hope of making the film available to wider audiences in the near future.
For now, the trail continues — one screening, one audience, and one song at a time.
A Story Worth Riding Along For
The Art Box Podcast conversation was a beautiful reminder that A Ranch Musical is more than a movie. It is a story born from friendship, community, music, ranch life, and the belief that if you want to make something meaningful, sometimes you have to saddle up and make it happen yourself.
With Natalie’s vision, Kristyn’s voice and authenticity, Jordan’s generosity, and the support of a remarkable western community, A Ranch Musical has become a true love letter to the West.
And the ride is just beginning.