On the Mic with Tim Drake

Episode 197 - Daina Reid

On today's episode, I have actress and Emmy nominated director, Daina Reid!

Daina and I first crossed paths a few years ago through the Sundance Film Festival with her film, "Run Rabbit Run". My Sundance 2023 coverage was limited given my own filming schedule, but Daina was somebody I had really wanted to talk to about this film and I am so glad we were finally able to make this happen. The day we recorded this the new Elizabeth Moss led Hulu show "The Veil" premiered their first two episodes which Daina directed!

On the episode we talked about how Daina got her start, acting on the hit Austrailan sketch show "Full Frontal", getting back to directing, working with comedy heroes like Greg Daniels and Steve Carrell on "Space Force", getting her Emmy nomination for "The Handmaid's Tale", directing for TV vs. directing for film, working with Sarah Snook and Lily LaTorre on "Run Rabbit Run", how the film came together, and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Daina Reid for taking the time to join me. It took some coordination to make this episode happen since Daina was back home in Melbourne, 17 hours ahead of me here in Los Angeles, but we had such a great time chatting! You can watch "Run Rabbit Run" on Netflix NOW, as well as the first two episodes of "The Veil" on Hulu! Make sure to follow Daina on all of the links on our website: www.onthemicpodcast.com 

Thank you, Daina!

Enjoy the episode. 

Episode 196 - Joshua Gillespie of Muppet History

On today's episode of the podcast, I have the creator of the hit social media sites, "Muppet History", Joshua Gillespie!

I was so thrilled to finally get Joshua on the show. I have followed Muppet History on every social media platform for years, as I'm sure many of you have, and was so intrigued by the man who brings so many people so much joy from just a simple post. I originally reached out to Joshua a few years back to be a guest on one of our SDCC shows, only to learn that he lived on the other side of the country and wouldn't be able to attend. So, this episode has been a long time coming. 

On the episode Joshua and I talked about him growing up in North Carolina, discovering the Muppets as a kid and sharing that love with his older brothers, introducing is wife to the Muppets when they were dating, which Muppet we'd love to hear curse, battling the negativity of the internet, creating joy, his favorite Muppet movie, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Joshua for taking the time to join me on the show. Joshua was getting ready to leave on vacation and still took the time to be on the show. I really appreciate it! Make sure to follow him on all of the links below and enjoy all of his Muppet goodness. 

Thanks, Joshua!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 195 - Mike Masilotti Returns!

On today's episode comedian Mike Masilotti returns to the show!

Mike first came on the show alongside comedian Billy Anderson back in 2017 when they were on tour for The Gateway Show. None of us lived in Los Angeles yet but were all on the precipice of moving. In the 7 years since Mike was on the show so much has changed, including opening a hit comedy venue here in Los Angeles and writing book!

On the episode I talked with Mike about growing up in an immigrant family in Upstate New York, finding is comedic voice, moving to Seattle and his most embarrassing comedy moment, navigating comedy in a pandemic, putting together his Dry Bar Comedy special, open Third Wheel Comedy here in Los Angeles, writing his book "Comedy is for Dummies" and so much more!

A huge Thank You to Mike for taking the time to join me on the show. It was so good to catch up with him after all these years. Make sure to follow him on all of the links on our website www.onthemicpodcast.com. Please watch his Dry Bar Comedy special, "Outside Cat", and make sure to buy his new book "Comedy is for Dummies". If you're here in Los Angeles, stop by Third Wheel Comedy and catch a show!

Thanks, Mike!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 194 - Danny Taylor

On today's episode of the podcast, I have Broadway percussionist and conductor, Danny Taylor!

Danny is a unique guest to the show as he's not only an incredible Broadway performing musician, but he's also my cousin. Now, I may not completely understand the genealogical math behind it, but he's either my third cousin, or my second cousin once removed. If you understand it, feel free to explain it me, but know I probably still won't get it. Danny and had never met each other until a few years ago, and much to our family's chagrin, this was a crime that needed to be rectified. We finally met in the most cliche, Hollywood way possible, on the Warner Brothers lot at the Eastwood Scoring Stage. 

I talked to Danny about growing up playing the drums and learning his technique, learning the dynamics of playing in a band, putting in the work to prepare for the future, getting his first Broadway show, playing in studio sessions for movies, playing in the "In the Heights" orchestra, softball with Lin-Manuel Miranda, touring with "Aladdin", becoming a conductor on Broadway, and so much more. 

A big Thank You to Danny for taking the time to join me on the show. He had just returned from playing some shows on the road with his band and I was thrilled we were able to get him on the show. It's not a family reunion if it isn't recorded, right? Make sure to follow Danny on all of the links on our website: www.onthemicpodcast.com

Thanks, Danny!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 193 - Sarah Hamilton

Bonus episode time! On today's episode I have actress and author, Sarah Hamilton!

I've known Sarah for a few years now as we have worked together at Warner Brothers. She also was the star of one the episodes of our horror series "Screams from the Dark" last year. I've always known Sarah as an actress, but was blown away to learn that she was an author as well. Sarah has a big book signing coming up this weekend at the Barnes and Noble at The Grove and I wanted to make sure I had her on to help promote the signing. 

On the episode we talked about Sarah growing up in Rochester, New York, what inspired her to become and actress, moving across the country to follow her dream, becoming a published author at just 17 years old, working on the HBO Max show "Winning Time", her books "The Enchantress", "The Lies We Tell", and "L.A. Mermaids", balancing a busy work life, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Sarah for taking the time in her busy schedule to jump on for a last minute episode to talk about her ever growing career. Make sure to join her this Saturday, April 13th from 12:00PM-2:00PM at the Barnes and Noble at The Grove for her book signing. Also please make sure to follow Sarah on all of the links on our website www.onthemicpodcast.com to see all of the cool things she always has going on. 

Thanks, Sarah!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 192 - Janine Hogan

On today's episode of the podcast, I have writer, producer, actress, comedian, and beatboxer, Janine Hogan. 

Currently, Janine and I are working together on the feature horror film, "Demonetize" that we will be filming later this year. Janine is the co-writer and one of the stars of "Demonetize", yet we've only ever met in passing over brief Zoom meetings. 

I talked with Janine about growing up in Florida, being the class clown, making the move to Los Angeles and going all in on film and comedy, working on Expedition Bigfoot, working as the head writer of The Substitute, The Floor is Lava, comedic inspirations, beatboxing and so much more.

A huge thank you to Janine for taking the time to join me on the show. It was great to get to know more about her and her career. Please make sure to follow here on all of the links on our website, www.onthemicpodcast.com and go see her perform live if you're here in Los Angeles! Also, make sure to follow our links for Demonetize so you can see Janine star in our new horror feature filming later this year. 

Thanks, Janine!

Enjoy the episode. 

Episode 191 - Elisa Jordan

 On today’s episode of the podcast I am joined by writer and author, Elisa Jordan! 

I’ve had the pleasure getting to know Elisa over the past few years as co-workers at Warner Brothers, and she just had a new book come out about Marilyn Monroe entitled “Hello, Norma Jeane”. 

On the episode we talked about Elisa growing up in Orange County, discovering her love of Hollywood, working for Henry Rollins, her book and the lasting impact of Marilyn Monroe, Rockhaven Sanitarium, preserving history, and so much more. 

A huge Thank You to Elisa Jordan for taking the time to join me on the show. I had such a great time learning more about her story and career. Make sure to pick up her books, “Hello, Norma Jeane” and “Rockhaven Sanitarium: The Legacy of Agnes Richards” on the links below. 

Thank you, Elisa! 

Enjoy the episode! 

Episode190 - LIVE from SDCC 2023 w/ Alex Watson, Clyde Ratliff, and Christian Martin (J-WAT Productions)

On today's episode we are coming to you LIVE from San Diego Comic-Con!

This year I decided to bring my producing partners at J-WAT Production, Alex Watson, Clyde Ratliff, and one of our crew members, and comic book writer, Christian Martin!

I was excited to officially introduce J-WAT Productions to San Diego. Sadly, Terrence Kiriokos couldn't make it as he had a prior commitment. We had two big announcements for San Diego Comic-Con this year. We announced our feature horror film Bundy Manor would be released September 8th, as well as the new comic book we are working on called, The Cleaning Club! 

Thank you so much to Alex, Clyde, and Christian for making the trek down to San Diego. You can watch our official trailer for Bundy Manor on our website as well as YouTube, and keep your eyes out for The Cleaning Club late this year. 

Thanks for having us, San Diego!

Enjoy the episode. 

Episode 189 - Rob Kutner Returns!

On today's episode of the podcast, comedy writer Rob Kutner returns!

Rob is a former writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Conan, and Teen Titans Go! Rob's new comic book, "Snot Goblins" is out now and Rob will be at San Diego Comic-Con this week signing the new comic! It was great to catch up with Rob on this episode. We haven't had a real chance to talk since Pre-Covid!

On the episode we talked about making the transition from writing late night, to animation, and now to comic books, his favorite character to write on Teen Titan's Go!, the inspiration behind Snot Goblins, and so much more!

A huge thanks to Rob Kutner. Don't miss Rob signing Snot Goblins at the First Second Publishing booth, Friday, July 21st from 12-2PM at San Diego Comic-Con. And don't miss our live show, Thursday, July 20th at the Neil Morgan Auditorium. 

Thanks, Rob!

Enjoy the episode!

Episode 188 - LIVE from WonderCon 2023 w/ Andrew Bowser

On today's episode we are coming to you LIVE from WonderCon 2023 with special guest, writer, director, Andrew Bowser!

Andrew's film Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year and was one of my favorite films. I had only recently become familiar with Andrew's character Onyx but absolutely had to know more. I was also joined by my good friends and producing partner, Alex Watson on this episode as my co-host. 

We talked with Andrew about his background and how he got started in filmmaking with directing music videos,  how the character of Onyx was developed, the impact Onyx has had on so many people, creating the film, his Sundance experience, and so much more. It's crazy that this was the was the first time Andrew and I have ever met as we worked in many of the same circles for the past 20 years. 

A huge Thank You to Andrew Bowser for taking the time to come down to Anaheim and join us for the podcast. Thank you as well to Alex Watson for joining me and co-hosting this episode. And of course, thank you to those of you who stuck around after the exhibit floor closed to join us for this live podcast. Make sure to follow Andrew on all of the links on the website (www.onthemicpodcast.com) so you know when and where you'll be able to watch "Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls" and find out what he's doing next. 

Thanks, Andrew! 

Enjoy the episode.