On the Mic with Tim Drake

Episode 232 - The Berkowitz Brothers

On today's episode I have comic book writers and filmmakers, Ben and Max Berkowitz! 

I first came across the Berkowtiz Brothers almost a year ago when I briefly met them at a signing for their comic book, "The Writer". I'll be honest, I wasn't at the signing for them, but for another comic and decided to pick theirs up while I was there. As soon as I dove in I was hooked!

I talked with Max and Ben about growing up on the East Coast, their first introduction to comic books, getting involved with entertainment, earliest influences and the first comics they bought, developing "The Writer" and bringing Josh Gadd on board, pitching to Dark Horse Comics, their social marketing company Not A Billionaire, and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Max and Ben for taking the time to join me on the show. I've been wanting to have them on the show for a while now and was thrilled we were able to make it happen. You can pick up the paperback of "The Writer" now, which includes the full story and all of the issues in one book simply by clicking on the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com Make sure to follow the Berkowitz Brothers on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com as well. 

Thanks, Ben and Max!

Enjoy the episode!

 

Episode 231 - Allison Pittel

On today's episode of the podcast, I have actress Allison Pittel!

I got to know Allison a little bit over the past few weeks while moderating the Q&A's for "Screamboat" at AMC. Allison is the star of the film, playing the "final girl" Selena! I was excited to have Allison join me on the show to get to know more about her and her career. 

I talked with Allison about growing up in Michigan, her early love for acting and performing, taking a break and studying economics and considering going to law school, moving to New York and finding her way back to acting, getting cast in "Stream" and “Screamboat”, making the move to Los Angeles, and so much more! 

A huge Thank You to Allison for taking the time to join me on the show. Make sure to follow her on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com And make sure to pick up your copy of “Screamboat” this Friday, May 2nd and stream it as well! 

Thanks, Allison! 

Enjoy the episode! 

Episode 230 - Nathan Hamill and Erick Filipkowski - 2 Dumb Dinos

On today's episode I have artist and writer Nathan Hamill and Filipkowski!

 

I first found Nathan's work at DesignerCon back in 2019, which eventually led me to the comic strip that he and Eric started making called "2 Dumb Dinos". After over 295 comic strips, they released a "2 Dumb Dino's" book back in October, and I have absolutely loved it!

 

I talked with Nathan and Eric about how they got their start, what led to them creating "2 Dumb Dinos", Nathan working at Bongo Comics on "The Simpsons", Eric working on "Drunk History" where he played Abraham Lincoln, getting to work on South Park and Sponge Bob, their mutual bonding over The Simpsons and the Chris Elliot sitcom, "Get A Life", and so much more. 

 

A huge Thank You to Nathan and Eric for taking the time to join me on the show. Make sure to follow them on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com and pick up a copy of "2 Dumb Dinos" online or at. your local comic book shop!

 

Thanks, Nathan and Eric!

 

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 229 - Sadie Ingan

On today's episode of the podcast, I have podcaster and content creator, Sadie Ingan!

Sadie and I got to know each other on the set of "Demonetize", as she was filming all of our upcoming social media content and making some very fun videos with our cast. Sadie has such a great, fun energy that is infectious as soon as she walks in the room, and I couldn't wait to have her on the show!

I talked with Sadie about how she started podcasting, her fascination with telling peoples stories, our shared joy of red-carpet events, how she met our "Demonetize" team at a premier that led to her joining our team, what inspired her to create Real Talk with Sadie, her love for "The Last of Us", and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Sadie for taking the time to join me on the show. Even though she was a friend that I knew, it was so good to get to know more about her and what inspires her to keep creating. Make sure to follow Sadie on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com ! 

Thanks, Sadie!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 228 - LIVE from WonderCon w/ Trevor Newlin

On today's episode we are LIVE from WonderCon with creature actor, Trevor Newlin!

Trevor is best known for his work as the Xenomorph in "Alien: Romulus", The Monstrosity in "Smile 2", a Wookie in The Mandalorian, and most recently the Chip (in demon form) in the 2025 Slamdance hit, "Portal to Hell"! I've become more and more familiar with Trevor's work and was thrilled to have him on the live WonderCon show. 

I talked with Trevor about growing up in Texas and his early ambitions of being a paleontologist, what dinosaur he would want to play in Jurassic Park, his fascination with being a voice actor, how he got into creature acting, our mutual love for Doug Jones, getting cast as the Xenomorph, the crazy costume for The Monstrosity, playing demon Richard Kind in Portal to Hell, your Q&A, and more!

A huge Thank You to Trevor Newlin for taking the time to make the drive to Anaheim to join me at WonderCon! Also, a huge thank you to everybody who came out to the show and asked questions. All of you had such great questions and it really made it a lot of fun! Make sure to follow Trevor on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com so you can find out what creature he is playing next!

Thank you for having us, WonderCon! 

Thank you, Trevor! 

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 227 - Steven LaMorte and Amy Schumacher of "Screamboat"

On today's episode, I have writer/director Steven LaMorte and producer/actress Amy Schumacher from the new horror/comedy, "Screamboat"!

On January 1, 2024 the beloved Steamboat Willie became public domain, and Steven and Amy knew exactly what they were going to do when the clock struck midnight, turn it into a horror film! I was shocked at just how fast this was announced after the property became public, but Steve and Amy already had a plan in the works! After watching the movie this past week, I can say firsthand, it paid off. 

I talked with Steven and Amy about how they managed to turn the film around so quickly, finding the balance between being true to the Willie character while also making him a killing maniac, bringing Amy's character in the film to life, the hidden Disney homages, favorite scenes to film, and so much more! 

A huge Thank You to Steven and Amy for taking the time to join me on this episode to talk all things "Screamboat". Please get out and see the film as it hits theaters THIS WEDNESDAY, April 2nd. Support independent horror in theaters so fun movies like "Screamboat" can continue to be made. If you're in Burbank, join the cast and filmmakers on April 2nd at the AMC Burbank 16 for two Q&A's after the 7PM and 9PM screenings. Tickets are almost Sold Out, so get them while you can! Follow "Screamboat" on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com as well!

Thanks, Steven and Amy!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 226 - Sean Forney Returns!

On today's episode of the podcast, comic book artist Sean Forney returns to the show!

Sean first came on the show last summer ahead of San Diego Comic-Con, and returns to talk about the new Kickstarter that he's launching TODAY for his hit comic series "Scarlett Huntress Meets Mothman"! This is Sean's 7th Kickstarter campaign, and I anticipate it will be another great success. 

I talked with Sean about all that he has been up to since we spoke last July, as well as a bunch of new variant covers he's done for the "Do You Pooh" series, the phenomenon that has taken SDCC artist alley by storm, the longevity of Scarlett Huntress since making her debut appearance in 2004, some of the cool perks to donating to their kickstarter, WonderCon 2025 prep, and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Sean Forney for joining me on the show. Make sure you check out the links for the Kickstarter at www.onthemicpodcast.com as well as all of Sean's social links to follow all of the incredible projects that he's part of. You also won't want to miss him if you are in Anaheim this weekend at WonderCon! Sean's booth will be E-23 in Artists Alley. Come out and support him, especially on his birthday weekend!

Thanks, Sean!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 225 - Jordan Morris

On today's episode I have comedy writer and comic book writer, Jordan Morris!

I have been following Jordan's career for a number of years now since I first saw him on @midnight and became a fan of his comedy, and have been intrigued with his career as I followed along. It was great to finally have Jordan join me on the show to talk about how he got his start writing comedy and built his career. 

I talked with Jordan about growing up and discovering comedy and the likes of Kids in the Hall and MST3K, finding community with other genre fans, getting his start into writing comedy, working on @midnight, working on the Jim Henson Company show Earth to Ned as well as Great Mythical Morning, getting his start in writing comics with his graphic novel "Bubble", which was nominated for 2 Eisner Awards, his graphic novel "Youth Group", the evolution of Archie comics and writing Chilling Adventures, writing the new "Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood", and the new "Godzilla vs. LA" comic that releases next month to support LA fire relief. 

A huge Thank You to Jordan for taking the time to join me on the show. He has such a busy schedule with all of these projects and I was honored he would take the time to join me on the show. Please make sure to follow him on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com Get out to you local comic book stores and pick up "Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood", and pick up Jordan's other work on the links below. 

Thanks, Jordan!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 224 - Carter Pilcher

On today's episode I have the founder and presenter of SHORTS and the Oscar nominated ShortsTV program, Carter Pilcher!

SHORTS is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year, and prior to SHORTS presenting the Oscar nominated short film screenings, there was no way for the general public to view the nominated short films. Since the series was launched, it has become a massive hit, selling out theaters across the country before the nominees are even announced. 

On top of celebrating 20 years of SHORTS, I also had Carter on the show to talk about an issue at hand as two of the nominated filmmakers are currently not allowed to travel to the US for the ceremony due to the fact that they are from Iran. Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, the filmmakers behind "In the Shadow of the Cypress" have struggled to obtain Visas from the State Department. 

I talked with Carter about how SHORTS came about, the demand around the world for the program, the impact short films have on the viewing communities, and how all of us can try and help make it possible for Hossein and Shirin from "In the Shadow of the Cypress" to attend the Oscars and celebrate their incredible achievement. 

A huge Thank You to Carter for taking the time to join me. Please follow SHORTS on www.onthemicpodcast.com and most importantly, please click on the links to contact your Congressional representatives and Senators and encourage them to allow the Hossein and Shirin to attend the ceremony. 

Thank You, Carter!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 223- Loïc Espuche

On today's episode I have Oscar nominated filmmaker, Loïc Espuche!

Loïc's animated short film "YUCK!" is nominated in this years Academy Awards. This is such a sweet film following a group of kids on vacation seeing all of the adults around them showing affection and kissing. Of course kissing is gross to kids, so they all squirm and of course exclaim, "YUCK!". 

I talked with Loïc about how the film came about, how he got into animation, what inspired the film, working with his girlfriend who produced the film, find the work relationship balance, the unique animation styles to the film, attending the Oscars, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Loïc for taking the time to join me on the podcast to talk about "YUCK!". Check out the ShortsTV link at www.onthemicpodcast.com to get your tickets to see "YUCK!" and all of the other Oscar nominated short films in theaters. You can also follow Loïc on Instagram as well!

Thanks, Loïc!

Enjoy the episode!