Mission to Zyxxmight bethe bestpodcast.
The cast improvises each episode with just a loose premise to guide them.
The end result is as fresh as any improv show, but as slick as anything scripted.
Theres lots to learn in here for comedians, actors, writers, editors, and sound professionals.
Were also all lifelong sci-fi geeks.
Ive always loved making high-concept genre stuff.
Ive worked atThis American Lifefor the same amount of time, 12 years, currently as director of operations.
WithMission to Zyxx, I love that I get to mix my audio and comedy experience together.
Im very thankful he did.
Its such a satisfying project.
I grew up mostly in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
When I was 8 we lived in Anchorage for a year.
I didnt hesitate and quickly replied back to his email with SOUNDS GOOD, YESSSS!!!
Allie Kokesh (actor, Dar):Really good people.
Who have collaborated with me.
That Ive worked for.
Who have helped me.
Came to NYC after graduation and started taking classes at UCB.
Winston Noel (actor):My background as it pertains toZyxxis with the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Ive been studying, performing and teaching improv there over the past 10 years.
Improv has opened doors for me in both my professional and personal life, and I love it.
Hear that, improv?
UntilMission to ZyxxI had never attempted sound design but had always been curious to try it out.
Take us through your process for an episode of the show.
Alden:Each episode begins with getting pitches from our guests.
Well often get two or three and pick the one that feels like the best fit for the show.
Then well start rolling and jump in.
Allie:Everyone gets to pitch and build together.
Its art by committee.
(Especially Jeremy Bents all-knowing droid C-53).
Thats where the edit comes in.
So our workflow in making the show is all about maximizing our ability to do both of those things.
Then well do a second pass, and occasionally a third or fourth.
Seth:An episode recording clocks in somewhere between 1 and 2 hours.
The finished episodes are between 25 and 45 minutes, so a lot comes out.
Its mostly streamlining, but sometimes the structure or meaning can change a lot in the edit.
The joke is, he explains the byzantine rules so fast that theres no way poor Pleck can follow.
Because Bargie and C-53 and other characters have vocal effects, background bleed would sound really weird.
Or all of us do.
That was Shanes idea on the very first episode, and I so love that he thought of that.
Listeners tell us they appreciate these clips because they show that were really making this up on the spot.
And they get to hear just how much Shane adds to the raw recording.
My only note was Maybe we add a stomach rumble to Pleck?
Shane:On average, it takes me 3040 hours to sound design and mix an episode.
These sequences are the most time-consuming so I jump into working on them right away.
Shane:The big sequence in the season 2 premiere was a particularly tricky one.
I ended up starting the scene in the pilots fighter.
How do you fit the show into the rest of your life?
Plus, it never feels like a burden because it always just feels like hanging out with my friends.
So this podcast fits in very easily!
Winston:It can be difficult!
Allie:Its my first priority.
I have no problem blocking off full nights to record.
Seth:Im really lucky in that my day job is 30 hours over 3 days.
So I have all day Mondays and Tuesdays to editMission to Zyxx.
And we always record episodes in the evenings or weekends, so it fits pretty well.
Its the first gig where Ive texted regularly with collaborators, and thats the hardest place to draw boundaries.
Jeremy:My time commitment to the podcast isnt so high as say Alden or Shane.
Its not so hard to slot all that in.
Shane:By not having a life while the show is in production.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
I also have aBlue Yetimic that comes in handy if I need to send a quick pickup.
Seth:Pro Tools for editing sound.
Patreon for keeping the lights on.
Discord for chatting with Patreon backers.
Skype for connecting to Moujan or guests in LA.
Shane:My littleTascamhandheld field recorder that I use to record foley and ambiances for the show.
My Beyer Dynamic 770 headphones that I use as my main mixing headphones for the show.
But at the moment, yes, very much so, iPhone 100000% BFF.
I always get so far behind I end up reading hundreds of messages debating plot points and dinner orders.
Also, GroupMe is theMission to Zyxxapp of choice for distributing hot goss.
Whats your workspace setup like?
Allie:We record in Shane OConnells apartment!
We circle up and capture it.
Alden:I work in my living room at my iMac, with a pair of small audio monitors.
Shane:I mix the show at a little desk in a corner of my apartment.
My computer sits on my oldTascam 388tape machine.
Whats your advice to anyone starting a comedy or drama podcast?
Jeremy:Do it!
Talking about it is great.
Planning it is even better.
But nothing happens until you actually make it.
We made two whole episodes ofZyxxeight months before it actually started, and we learned a ton.
One ended up being part of Season 1, and one didnt.
Alden:There are so many corners of the audio world that have yet to be explored.
Its so simple and beautiful.
Theres still a lot of room for ideas and great execution.
The only other piece of advice I have is to edit!
Then, find fun people to make it with.
Seth:If you’re free to at all avoid it, dont read scripts from a page.
Unfortunately, acting in fiction podcasts is largely dreadful.
Also, check out whats been done before and verify your idea is specific.
Im not angry, just disappointed and angry.
(I very much do this with theZyxxcrew.
Sometimes too much.)
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place.
Winston:The first episode of season 2 was difficult to get right.
Meaning, changed the number that a person said in an improv scene.
For example, someone referenced a show in a club that has a seventy drink minimum.
But a seven drink minimum is actually funnier, because its plausible.
So we snipped the ty in seventy.
In another episode, The Grower Mind of the Khekk said a process had happened over x million years.
But to make sense (ha), it actually should be billions.
So I snagged a B from another word.
This has the effect of making the space feel small and dull sounding.
Great example: in episode 102, C-53 claps and no one joins him.
Alden:We all lean on each other heavily throughout every step of the process, which is amazing.
Allie:I mean.
I have the luxury of just contributing my time.
And never having to worry that it will become something perfect.
Seth:I mean, this cast is fucking amazing.
I think that really led to them gelling and their games having longevity.
Because we all believe our own characters.
Shane:I really love the working relationship I have with Seth and Alden.
My girlfriend Diana is also a queen for asking, Whatre you gonna do today?
when she leaves for work, because it puts the heat on me.
What are your (other) side projects?
Allie:Im A Doctor Now!at Caveat.
I may or may not also be working on a text-based adventure game forMission to Zyxx.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
Winston:Im reading some old school sci-fi right now:War of the Worlds.
For another fun sci-fi read, Id recommendHyperionby Dan Simmons.
Seth:CurrentlyStern, a 1962 novel by Bruce Jay Friedman.
Its pretty good, not sure Id recommend it.
If I had to recommend one book, itd probably beTree of Smokeby Denis Johnson.
Its so patiently written.
It feels like hes just describing what hes seeing.
Theres no false urgency to make it fascinating.
I dont read very much.
Allie:The Girl Who Never Read Noam Chomsky.
Im reading it right now and keep highlighting these moments that resonate with my early twenties.
Jeremy:Currently readingAcceptanceby Jeff VanderMeer from his very goodSouthern Reach trilogy.
As for other recs, youve got to read Ursula LeGuin.
EitherThe DispossessedorThe Left Hand of Darknesswill do you right.
Moujan:I love sci-fi but my education and references are more from TV and movies.
I just started readingThe Dispossessedand IT.
What podcasts do you recommend?
Allie:My Favorite Murder.
Seth:Song Exploder.WTF.
The first season ofHomecoming.Reply All.
Shane:Mystery Show.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
Seth:Ehh, dont be a teacher.
Go to New York and write for SNL or something.
Moujan:Be kind and persevere.
Allie:Be kind.
Jeremy:You are not the hero of the story of your life.
It helps to keep things in perspective.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Seth:Paul Reubens.
Jeremy:David Byrne.
Whats your best shortcut or life hack?
Seth:Whatever you call the opposite of Inbox Zero.
Right now I have 34,780 unread emails.
People see that on my phone and freak out.
But it takes more time to delete a message than to ignore it.
Also, I dont carry a bag to work.
I realized I was carrying a bag for weeks and never put anything in it.
So now: wallet, keys, phone, thats it.
Yes, this means I never go to the gym or pack a lunch.
Shane:I make a habit of checking the first half-page ofCraigslist freeonce or twice a day.
I got speakers that usually sell for $1500 on eBay the other day!
Allie:If you fold the bottom of the family size chip bag inward it becomes its own bowl.
Jeremy:I used to drink a ton of juice, which is not great.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
Winston:Living a creative life in an expensive city.
These clothes end up an expanding clothes mountain on top of my dresser.
But I dont want to mistake that shirt for one that is truly unworn.
Its a different category.
I dont think this problem will ever be solved.
The earth is warming too quickly.
Allie:I need to remember to drink more water.
Jeremy:I love my apartment but I need like one more closet.
Or an extra set of cabinets in the kitchen.
Ill figure it out.
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