The original script for The Escapist was a feature written by Yonas Michael in 2008, in which Nathan witnesses a murder in one of his "dreams" that puts him at odds with the local sheriff. The characters of the sheriff and his childhood friend Avery were written out for the short film version.
Lea's line "Jesus Chris, Meg" was originally a typo by the writer, but was kept in the final draft as an inside joke amongst the producers.
The actors who play Young Nathan and Nathan's Mother, Rose and Zachary Opengart, are indeed real-life mother and son.