Life in the Credits

Jillian Maryonovich, Creative Director, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Rushmore , a 1998 comedy. Jillian shares what it’s like having a career on the entertainment side of politics. She discusses her role as the Creative Director in the Obama White House, the role that storytelling plays in politics, and her time as a Graphic Designer on Tooning Out the News . She also talks about running the offi...

Adam Abramson, Digital Executive Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Sandlot , a 1993 comedy. Adam shares what it’s like having a career as a Digital Executive Producer for The Late Late Show with James Corden . He discusses building the digital identity of The Late Late Show With James Corden from start to finish. He also talks about creating his own company, Row Z, and performing live b...

Bay Dariz and Phil Earnest, Directors, join Susan and Ben to discuss Pencils vs. Pixels , a 2023 documentary. Bay and Phil share what it’s like having a career as the directors and producers of Pencils vs. Pixels . They discuss the film's inspiration, sharing directing duties, meeting their animation heroes, and filming the interviews in Walt Disney’s former Los Angeles home. Bay and Phil play...

Alisha Zafar, Digital and Social Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Shrek 2 , a 2004 animated comedy. Alisha shares what it’s like having a career as a producer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . She discusses the experience and network she gained while in the NBCUniversal Page Program, how the digital team maintains the voice of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert across social media pl...

Brendan Bradley, Actor and SAG-AFTRA Strike Captain, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Young Frankenstein , a 1974 comedy. Brendan shares what it’s like having a career as “America’s Scrappy Storyteller." He discusses being Staples spokesperson, creating his live virtual reality theater productions, and establishing The Integrative Technology Lab with NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, his alma mat...

Alyssa Feller, Writer and Script Coordinator, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Devil Wears Prada , a 2006 comedy-drama. Alyssa shares what it’s like having a career as a script coordinator and freelance writer for Frog and Toad on Apple TV+. She discusses how her role evolved during the show, creating the world of Frog and Toad , finding career inspiration in Tina Fey’s Bossypants , and working...

Craig Erpelding, Director of Indiana University's BFA in Cinematic Arts, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou , a 2004 comedy. Craig shares what it’s like having a career teaching at The Media School at Indiana University Bloomington. He discusses working in media management for Mind Games and Empire , what a “daily” is, and helping Indiana legislators create a fil...

David Sokoler, Senior Footage Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Look Who’s Back , a 2015 satirical comedy. David shares what it’s like having a career as a senior footage producer at The Problem with Jon Stewart . He discusses where his role fits into the show’s production process, how selling vegetables on Cape Cod led to him working for Meredith Vieira, and creating his own video storytel...

Meridian Gray Culpepper, Storyboard Artist, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Prince of Egypt , a 1998 animated film. Meridian shares what it’s like having a career as a storyboard artist at Skydance Animation. She discusses her mother encouraging her to apply for a Pixar job, jumpstarting her career in the WIA Mentorship Program, and speaking up in a development meeting at Pixar. She explains te...

Evan Lovett, host of L.A. in a Minute , joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Big Lebowski , a 1998 comedy. Evan shares what it’s like creating L.A. in a Minute , a show highlighting the history and culture of Los Angeles in three minutes or less. He discusses creating special episodes for organizations like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Ralph’s supermarkets, visiting schools to teach students...

Julianne Turkel, Writer and Showrunner’s Assistant, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Best In Show , a 2000 comedy. Julianne shares what it’s like having a career as a showrunner’s assistant on shows like Night Court and The Three of Us . She discusses the process of co-writing a TV episode, her time as a social producer for The Late Late Show with James Corden as well as The Late Show with Stephen C...

Erin Conley, Jackie Penn, and Aaron Harberts, Writers and WGA Strike Captains, join Susan and Ben to discuss Modern Times , a 1936 comedy. Erin, Jackie, and Aaron break down why the WGA is on strike, the responsibilities of a strike captain on the picket line, how social media has made it easier to garner support through public awareness, and favorite solidarity moments on the picket line. Erin, J...

Brad Oman, Ben Konowitz, and Nate Loucks, hosts of the podcasts Go Flix Yourself and The Ten to One , join Susan and Ben to discuss three films: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Superbad, and Predator . Brad, Ben and Nate discuss launching Go Flix Yourself as well as The Ten to One, which showcases their mutual love of SNL . They describe how to build culture among the hosts and listeners. T...

Laura Terruso, Director, Writer, Producer joins Susan and Ben to discuss About My Father , a 2023 comedy. Laura shares what it’s like having a career as a director of feature films. She discusses enrolling at NYU's graduate film program at the Tisch School of the Arts at 28 years old, writing Hello, My Name Is Doris with Michael Showalter, connecting personally with About My Father ’s script,...

Cat Youell and Brad Crowe, Writers and Directors, join Susan and Ben to discuss The Thin Man, a 1934 mystery-comedy. Cat and Brad share what it’s like pursuing careers as writers while working as stand-ins for TV. They share their experience meeting at USC's MFA program, standing-in for Kaitlin Olson on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and learning about stunts and effects on the CW’s Superg...

Joseph Mwamba, Writer’s Assistant and Freelance Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Edge of Seventeen , a 2016 comedy-drama. Joseph shares what it’s like having a career as a writer’s assistant for Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell on Netflix. He discusses his time as a writer’s PA on You and The Afterparty , how his parents taught him to “be undeniable,” and his experience writing a Splinter Cell...

David Hopping, Executive Assistant at Team Coco, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Mr. Deeds, a 2002 comedy. David shares what it’s like having a career as an executive assistant for Conan O’Brien and Jeff Ross. He discusses interning at Lighthearted Entertainment in LA, speaking with Kimmy Gibbler’s dad while leading a Warner Bros. Studio Tour, launching Back to the Best, a ‘90s pop culture podcast,...

Ed Cunningham, Voice Actor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss My Name Is Joe , a 1998 romantic drama. Ed shares what it’s like having a career as an actor, voice actor, and teacher within the theatrical, commercial, and gaming industries. He discusses narrating the Discovery Channel's Surgery Saved My Life and voicing an action sequence for Mark Wahlberg’s character in Lone Survivor . He describe...

Scott Rogers, Stunt Coordinator and 2nd Unit Director, joins Susan and Ben to discuss John Wick 4, a 2023 neo-noir action thriller. Scott shares a stunt coordinator's responsibilities, how he designed and directed the Arc de Triomphe sequence, how Director Chad Stahelski’s background in stunts elevates the John Wick franchise, and shooting an historic driving scene with Keanu Reeves. Scott pla...

Kat Reeder, Artist and Illustrator, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Licorice Pizza, a 2021 comedy-drama. Kat shares what it’s like having a career as an illustrator and portrait artist. She discusses how her Peruvian background and life in Hawaii inspire her work, booking Licorice Pizza based off her Instagram, designing the movie poster without knowing the title or cast, and winning a CLIO award....

Lesly Kahn, Artistic Director, joins Susan and Ben to discuss 1923, a 2022 drama series. Lesly shares what it’s like having a career as an acting teacher and coach in Los Angeles and globally. She discusses how her first teaching job drastically changed her life, the differences between teaching and coaching actors, how a well crafted TV show can transport the viewer to another time and place, and...

Tom Kramer, Music Editor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss his work on The Queen’s Gambit, a 2020 television series. Tom shares what it’s like having a career editing music for Avengers: Endgame, Ladder 49, and Mulan (1998). He discusses how music editing fits into the production schedule, how to experiment when “temping a film,” some of the more unique edits he’s done, and traveling globally with t...

Jeanette Moreno King, Supervising Director and President of the Animation Guild, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio , a 2022 animated film. Jeanette shares what it’s like having a career working on animated shows like Little Demon with Danny Devito and Aubrey Plaza. She discusses starting in an Austin, TX animation studio as a key assistant animator on Space Jam , the mo...

Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg, Composers, join Susan and Ben to discuss Weird: The Al Yankovic Story , a 2022 biographical comedy. Zach and Leo share what it’s like writing and performing music for film and TV. They discuss starting their career working with Christophe Beck on films like Frozen , Ant-Man , and The Peanuts Movie , how they compose music together, what it means to write a music sp...

David Zayas, Actor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss SNAG , a 2023 action thriller. David shares what it’s like having a career and preparing for roles as an actor in theater, TV, and film. He discusses his experience on the set of SNAG , the great camaraderie between the cast and crew, and the challenges of filming 9,000 feet above sea level. David also talks about starting his career at New York&#...