Life in the Credits

LeLe Park, Screenwriter, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, a 2019 drama comedy. LeLe shares what it’s like having a career as an emerging screenwriter. She discusses developing a limited series with Jim Vendiola for WB Discovery’s OneFifty program, her process for getting into character when writing, the value of having a mentor, and finding out she got representation w...

Matt D’Auteuil, Co-Host and Producer, and Stefano Sodano, Co-Host, of ‘In The Points’ Podcast, join Susan and Ben to discuss Rush, a 2013 action drama. Matt and Stefano share what it’s like creating their podcast “In The Points.” They get us up to speed on the world of Formula 1 racing, discuss how adding a third host helped the dynamic of the show, and how they divide up the workload of a weekly...

Timothy Davis, Actor & Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Do The Right Thing, a 1989 comedy-drama. Tim shares what it’s like having a career as an actor and writer in theater, film, and television. He discusses originating the role of Del in the play Cowboy Versus Samurai, navigating nudity in a theatrical performance, and his first day playing Chef Ryan on Billions. Tim plays our “Filmago...

Abbi Crutchfield, Comedian, joins Susan and Ben to discuss When Harry Met Sally, a 1989 romantic comedy. Abbi shares what it’s like having a career as a comedian, host, and writer in New York. She discusses getting her start at College Humor, interviewing celebrities for People, developing and hosting Up Early Tonight, and opening for Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall. Abbi plays our “When...

Bryce Read, Entertainer, and Ian Vytlacil, Creator & Joy Bringer, join Susan and Ben to discuss Dumb and Dumber , a 1994 comedy. Bryce and Ian share their TikTok series, “Bryce and Ian watch a Movie and Discuss while Eating Fish and Chips.” They discuss coming up with the series idea, the TikTok creation process, Ian’s acting in the play Kitties in Space , and Bryce’s directing in Portal-Prov...

This special episode is available in video form with captions on our YouTube channel . Andrea Lytle Peet and Director Brian Beckman join Susan and Ben to discuss Minding the Gap , a 2018 documentary. Andrea and Brian share what it’s like creating the independent documentary, “Go On Be Brave.” Andrea discusses her experience as the documentary’s subject, her contributions to the film’s story, and t...

Ana Breton, Assistant Associate Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Minions: The Rise of Gru, a 2022 animated film. Ana shares what it’s like having a career as an assistant associate producer on The Kelly Clarkson Show . She discusses getting her big break on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee , filming a Full Frontal segment in her hometown of Mexico City, and making a reality show about women...

Cindy Begel, Writer and Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Way We Were , a 1973 Romantic Drama. Cindy shares what it’s like having a career as a tv comedy writer for Laverne and Shirley , Happy Days and Married with Children . She discusses writing her first Lavern and Shirley script for a graduate school assignment, how to capture an established character’s voice, and making Robin Willi...

John L. Roberts, Editor and Producer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Hana-bi (Fireworks), a 1997 crime drama. John shares what it’s like having a career as an editor in TV and film. He discusses how much of a show is written in the editing room, mentorship from Tom Rolf and Carol Littleton, joining the Star Trek universe, and the high demand for editors in Hollywood. John plays our “Silver Screen...

Jack Merrill, Actor and Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss A Place in the Sun, a 1952 romantic drama. Jack shares what it’s like having a career as an actor in film, television, and theater. He discusses meeting and working for David Mamet shortly after graduating from NYU, co-founding the legendary NYC theater company Naked Angels, and his passion for performing live on stage. Jack plays our...

Liv Senghor, Graphic Designer and Animator, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse, a 2018 animated film. Liv shares what it’s like having a career as a graphic designer on late night tv with Seth Meyers, Amber Ruffin, and Hasan Minhaj. She also describes helping build the Amber Ruffin show from the ground up, working on daily versus weekly shows, and becoming extremely f...

Mike Farah, CEO, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Hoop Dreams, a 1994 documentary. Mike shares what it’s like having a career as the Chief Executive Officer at Funny or Die. He discusses Will Ferrell and Adam McKay hiring him as a Producer at Funny or Die, making internet videos with Jerry O’Connell during the writer’s strike, how the pitch experience can remain positive even when getting rejected,...

Daphne Gómez-Mena, Editor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss After Hours, a 1985 dark comedy. Daphne shares what it’s like having a career working as an editor on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. She discusses moving to New York City and faxing her resume to every production house she could find, becoming an accidental rockstar as a member of Avenue D, transitioning from editing to post production whi...

Devin Das, Writer, Producer, and Actor and Josh Wallace, Writer and Director, join Susan and Ben to discuss Keeping Company, a 2021 horror comedy. Devin and Josh share what it’s like having a career in the independent film industry. They discuss working in comedy production at Funny or Die, how to get started making an indie film, the importance of finding your process when writing as a team, and...

Lance Sawyers, Master Framer and Owner, and Janet Sawyers, Office and Event Coordinator, of Studio 71 Frame Shop, join Susan and Ben to discuss two films: The Thing, a 1983 horror, and The American, a 2010 action drama. Lance and Janet share what it’s like having a career in the “gifts and mementos” domain of the entertainment industry. They discuss taking framing to the next level by focusing on...

Kerry Frances, Actress and Singer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss The Proposal, a 2009 romantic comedy. Kerry shares what it’s like having a career as an actress and singer in theater, commercials, and film. She discusses touring with Fiddler on the Roof, working with Rian Johnson on the set of Knives Out and playing The Movie Game with Chris Evans. Kerry plays our “Matching Leads” game. Follow Ke...

Dana Quercioli, writer and actor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Clue, a 1985 mystery comedy. Dana shares what it’s like having a career as an improviser and TV writer. She discusses touring the world with Second City, the fully functioning city that exists underneath Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, starting her own podcast ‘Those Who Aunt’, and driving Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Ma...

Jonterri Gadson, Writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Slumdog Millionaire, a 2008 drama. Jonterri shares what it’s like having a career as a writer for comedy and reality TV, as well as feature films. She discusses being inspired to become a TV writer after watching Malcolm in the Middle as a kid, her first writing job for Adult Swim’s Birdgirl, the process of writing for a reality show versus a...

Amy Eicher, Social Strategy Director, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, a 1985 comedy. Amy shares what it’s like having a career in social media marketing in film and TV. She discusses how a show’s social media presence can have an authentic voice, launching Tig Notaro’s twitter account, and crafting a community of fans for CBS’s Ghosts. She also shares attending Drunk Histor...

Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone, Directors, join Susan and Ben to discuss Vinyl Nation, a 2020 documentary. Kevin and Chris share what it was like co-directing Vinyl Nation. They discuss their love of film from an early age, the filmmaking process in post-production, and what a documentary on vinyl uncovers about human connection. Kevin and Chris play our “Finding the Reel: Documentary Edition...

Matt Neuman, writer, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Duck Soup, a 1933 comedy. Matt shares what it’s like having a career as a comedy writer on Saturday Night Live and Not Necessarily the News . He discusses getting his big break on writing for Lily Tomlin in 1975, passing up Lorne Michaels’ offer to join a new show he was developing only to get hired anyway on the 5th season of SNL, the breakneck...

Jessica Petelle, Producer, Director, and Comic Book Editor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Sliding Doors, a 1998 romance. Jessica shares what it’s like having a career in television and film production and directing. She discusses getting started as an executive assistant on the Simpsons, starting the new Hollywood Hoosiers scholarship at the IU Media School, working as a 2nd unit director on Trig...

Khadjiah Johnson, Writer and Production Assistant, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, a 2020 action adventure anime. Khadjiah shares what it’s like having a career as a production assistant in late night tv, a freelance writer for Funimation, and a staff writer for Black Nerd Problems. She discusses being inspired to pursue a career in late night...

Jen Hollingsworth, COO of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Remember the Titans, a 2000 drama. Jen shares what it’s like managing multiple teams behind the scenes to get movies made. She discusses getting her start at Sony, how La La Land almost didn’t make it to the big screen, co-founding Female Executives in Media and Entertainment (FEME), and the excitement of watc...

Keon Mitchell, Actor, joins Susan and Ben to discuss Normal, a 2020 romantic drama. Keon shares what it’s like having a career as an actor in film, tv, commercials and theater. He discusses booking his first role in an ESPN commercial in Charlotte, NC; playing a young Danny Glover in Almost Christmas, and filming with Jonathan Majors and Jurnee Smollett on Lovecraft Country. He also shares his exp...