Life in the Credits

Jim Vendiola, Writer and Director, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Seconds , a 1966 psychological thriller film. Jim shares what it’s like having a career as a writer, director, and producer for independent short films. He discusses his love for the horror genre, developing his neo-noir limited series Argus with co-creator LeLe Park as part of the NewNarratives Initiative from NewFilmmakers LA and...

Fred North, Stunt Film Pilot and Aerial Coordinator, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Extraction II , a 2023 action film. Fred shares what it’s like having a career as a stunt pilot and aerial coordinator for action movies. He discusses designing the train stunt sequence for Extraction II , setting the Guinness World Record for “Altitude with a Helicopter,” and writing his memoir, Flying Sideways, w...

Eric Nenninger, Actor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Forrest Gump , a 1994 comedy-drama film. Eric shares what it’s like having a career as an actor for film, television, and theater. He discusses landing his role on ⁠ Malcolm in the Middle ⁠ , teaching acting at ⁠Lesly Kahn & Co.⁠ in Los Angeles, and filming ⁠ Generation Kill ⁠ in South Africa. Eric plays our “Box of Chocolates” game. Follow...

Ben Rekhi, Filmmaker, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Children of Men , a 2019 sci-fi thriller film. Ben shares what it’s like having a career as a writer, director, and producer of feature and documentary films. He discusses interning with Roger Deakins on O Brother, Where Art Thou? , working in film finance at IM Global, and winning Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor at the 2021 Gawad Urian A...

Wally Feresten, Professional Cue Card Handler, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Joker , a 2019 psychological thriller film. Wally shares what it’s like having a career as a professional cue card handler for Saturday Night Live , The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , and Late Night With Seth Meyers . He discusses the importance of good handwriting, founding New York City Cue Cards, and working wit...

Danny Giovannini, Staff Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Lu Over the Wall , a 2017 animated fantasy movie. Danny shares what it’s like having a career as a writer for the SpongeBob SquarePants Universe TV shows, movies, and video games. He discusses dropping out of college to write a puppet show, moving from production assistant to writer on SpongeBob SquarePants , and voice acting with Spon...

Sara Garth, Cinematographer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Black Barbie: A Documentary , a 2023 film. Sara shares what it’s like having a career as a cinematographer for documentary, independent, and short films. She discusses creating a film’s tone with the director, seeing her work featured in a German opera, and filming Maxine Waters for Black Barbie: A Documentary . Sara plays our “Movie Toys...

John Joseph Wiater, Composer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss I Think I’m Sick , a 2024 film. John shares what it’s like having a career as a composer for film and TV. He discusses honoring the film director’s vision, collaborating with fellow songwriter Matt Fell, and incorporating binaural beats into the music for I Think I’m Sick, one of the first feature films to come out of the YouTube creator...

Christina Wen, Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Presumed Innocent , a 2024 legal thriller TV show. Christina shares what it’s like having a career as a supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer for film, TV, and video games and being nominated for a Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing. She discusses the importance of h...

Benedict Nichols, Composer and Sound Designer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles , a 2024 video game. Benedict shares what it’s like having a career as a composer for independent video games. He discusses connecting with indie game developers, finding his unique voice as a composer, and crafting the music for Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles . Benedict plays our “Who Am I:...

DeWanda Wise, Actor, and Jeff Wadlow, Writer and Director, join Susan and Ben to discuss Imaginary , a 2024 horror movie. DeWanda shares what it’s like having a career as an actor for film, television, and theater. She discusses developing the character of Jessica, how she handles jump scare scenes, and the joy of working on Imaginary . DeWanda plays our “Killer Icons” game. Jeff shares what it’s...

Max Isaacson, Director, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Paradise , a 2024 action Western. Max shares what it’s like having a career as a writer and director of genre films. He discusses production design's influence on his directing, creating a postmodern take on the Western genre, and accidentally stealing the show at LCD Soundsystem’s final performance at Madison Square Garden. He also shares...

Rhys Frake Waterfield, Director and Producer and Scott Chambers, Actor and Producer, join Susan and Ben to discuss Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 , a 2024 horror film. Rhys and Scott share what it’s like having careers producing and directing indie horror films. They discuss turning their childhood stories into scary movies, designing big kills on indie budget, and dodging flaming chainsaws on...

Satu Majava, Filmmaker and Fixer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Close , a 2022 drama. Satu shares what it’s like having a career working as a fixer and producer in Finland. She discusses coordinating local resources for Somebody Feed Phil and Building Impossible , producing passion projects, and teaching international film crews how to brave Finland's environment. Satu plays our “Mad Props” g...

Phil Rosenthal, Showrunner, Producer, and Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Mary Poppins , a 1964 musical comedy. Phil shares what it’s like having a career as a showrunner, producer, and writer for sitcoms and travel shows. He discusses using his own life stories for Everybody Loves Raymond , working with his brother Richard on Somebody Feed Phil , and launching the Naked Lunch podcast with...

Nicholaus Goossen, Director and Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Drugstore June , a 2024 comedy. Nicholaus shares what it’s like having a career as a director and writer for film, TV, and music videos. He discusses creating Drugstore June with Esther Povitsky, working at Happy Madison Productions since it launched, and playing basketball with Adam Sandler on the set of The Wedding Singer . N...

Angel Parker, Actress, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Friday , a 1995 comedy. Angel shares what it’s like having a career as an actress in television, film, commercials, and video games. She discusses landing her first major role on the TV show LabRats , the importance of finding a community of fellow creatives, and filming Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas at Dollywood in Tennessee. Angel p...

Alex Roa, Director, Producer, and Fixer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Cronos, a 1992 horror film. Alex shares what it’s like having a career as a director, producer, and fixer for documentaries and travel shows. He discusses highlighting Mexico’s culture on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and Somebody Feed Phil . He also describes starting his own production company, De Milagro Films. Alex plays...

Jane M. Wagner, Director, Producer, and Editor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Searching , a 2018 thriller. Jane shares what it’s like having a career as a documentary filmmaker and reality TV producer. She discusses her first job with filmmaker Marc H. Simon, creating Break the Game with American gamer and speedrunner Narcissa Wright, and premiering her documentary at the Tribeca Festival. Jane p...

Britta von Schoeler, President of Broadway Video Enterprises (BVE) at Broadway Video, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Promising Young Woman , a 2020 thriller. Britta shares what it’s like having a career leading global strategy for Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video Enterprises. She discusses reuniting the cast of Kids in the Hall , developing Kate McKinnon’s audio comedy, Heads Will Roll , creating in...

Christian Becker, Writer and Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Zodiac , a 2007 drama. Christian shares what it’s like having a career as an Associate Producer for documentaries and talk shows. He discusses working as an associate field producer for The Drew Barrymore Show , being a CBS page for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and producing a field segment with Millie Bobby Brown. Christ...

Madeline Moitozo, Founder and CEO of Juniper Media, joins Susan and Ben to discuss A League of Their Own , a 1992 comedy. Madeline shares what it’s like having a career creating social impact through storytelling. She discusses producing Indeed's campaign for fair chance hiring, working on the team that started Daily Vice , and driving a Buddhist nun to the Hollywood sign. Madeline plays our “...

Bill Oakley, Writer, Producer, and Influencer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss American Graffiti , a 1973 comedy. Bill shares what it’s like having a career as a writer and showrunner for The Simpsons and Mission Hill , as well as a food influencer. He discusses transitioning from staff writer to showrunner on The Simpsons , writing Space 1969 , a retro sci-fi starring Natasha Lyonne, using social...

Hilary Young, Brand Strategist, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Royal Tenenbaums , a 2001 comedy. Hilary shares what it’s like having a career as a marketing consultant specializing in brand and content strategy. She discusses landing her first internship with Deborah Roberts at ABC News, working as Stephen Colbert’s assistant at the start of The Colbert Report , producing sponsored content at...

Rheanna Sorenson, Senior Development Coordinator, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Triangle of Sadness , a 2022 comedy drama. Rheanna shares what it’s like having a career as a Senior Development Coordinator in unscripted, reality television. She discusses working as a Paramount Studios Page, getting her foot in the door at The Late Late Show with James Corden , dealing with rejection in the pitch p...