DCOMmentaries

Join us as we chat with Disney Zombies' very own Principal Lee, Naomi Snieckus! We talk improv, paying kindness forward, and how to be cool with the teens on set!

We pivot from improv to Disney/Zombies at the 31min mark if you are only interested in one of the two main topics of conversation

Naomi Snieckus

DCOMs

The Swap (2016) - Jamie Karas & Ron Oliver

ZOMBIES (2018) - Paul Hoen

ZOMBIES 2 (2020) - Paul Hoen

ZOMBIES 3 (2022) - Paul Hoen

Other Notables

The Casting Room (2011-2014)

Playdate (2015)

Mr. D (2012-2018)

I’m Also Here (2026)

Firecracker Department

Al & Val invade Seabrook along with some blue-haired aliens for ZOMBIES 3! Listen to find out what the most precious thing is!

ZOMBIES 3 (July 15, 2022) 

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by  Paul Hoen (Luck of the Irish, Tru Confessions, You Wish!, Eddie’s Million Dollar Cookoff, Read it and Weep, Jump In!, CGOW, Dadnapped, Camp Rock 2, Let it Shine, How to Build a Better Boy, Cloud 9, Invisible Sister, ZOMBIES 1-4)

Written by David Light & Joseph Raso (Zombies 1-4, Sneakerella)

Starring: 

Milo Manheim as Zed (Zombies franchise, Prom Pact, School Spirits)

Meg Donnelly as Addison (Zombies franchise, Team Toon, American Housewife, The Winchesters, HSMTMTS, music videos)

Trevor Tordjman as Bucky (Zombies franchise, Lost & Found Music Studios, The Next Step, Bunk’d)

Kylee Russell as Eliza (Zombies franchise)

Carla Jeffery as Bree (Zombies franchise)

Chandler Kinney as Willa (Zombies franchise, Lethal Weapon, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin)

Pearce Joza as Wyatt (Zombies franchise, Mech-X4)

Ariel Martin as Wynter (Zombies franchise)

Terry Hu as A-Spen (Zombies Re-Animated Series, The Girls on the Bus)

Matt Cornett as A-Lan (HSMTMTS)

Kyra Tantao as A-Li (Goosebumps)

Kingston Foster as Zoey (Zombies franchise, Prom Pact)

James Godfrey as Bonzo (The Swap, Zombies franchise)

RuPaul as the voice of the Mothership (RuPaul’s Drag Race, AJ and the Queen) 

Emilia McCarthy as Lacey (Hemlock Grove, Zapped, Max & Shred, Zombies 1-3, SkyMed)

Noah Zulfikar as Jacey (Zombies 2 & 3, The Next Step)

Jasmine Renee Thomas as Stacey (Zombies franchise)

Naomi Snieckus as Ms. Lee (Wingin’ It, The Casting Room, Playdate, The Swap, Firecracker Department, Mr. D, Ollie’s Pack, Zombies 1-3)

Paul Hopkins as Dale (Vampire High, Zombies 1-3)

Marie Ward as Missy (Zombies 1-3, Murdoch Mysteries)

Sheila McCarthy as Angie (The Busy World of Richard Scary, Full Court Miracle, Cow Belles, Little Mosque on the Prairie, The Umbrella Academy, The Copenhagen Test)

Jonathan Langdon as Coach (Zombies franchise, Run the Burbs) 

Tony Nappo as Zevon (Fugget About It, Zombies 1-3, Strays, Murdoch Mysteries, Ginny & Georgia)

Synopsis: Zed anticipates an athletic scholarship while Addison gears up for Seabrook's first international cheer-off. Then suddenly, extraterrestrial beings arrive in Seabrook, provoking something other than friendly competition.

Fun Facts: 

Kylee Russell (Eliza) was pregnant whilst filming. This explains why Eliza is always sitting down via virtual tablet and started interning at Z-Corp.

Next Movie: Under Wraps 2

WE MADE IT TO 100 EPISODES!!!! AND IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! 

Christmas…Again?! (December 3, 2021) 

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by Andy Fickman (She’s the Man, The Game Plan, Race to Witch Mountain, You Again, Liv & Maddie, Kevin Can Wait, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place)

Written by Doan La (only notable credit)

Starring: 

Scarlett Estevez as Rowena Clybourne (Daddy’s Home, Daddy’s Home 2, Lucifer, Bunk’d)

Alexis Carra as Carolina (Mixology)

Beth Lacke as Diane (Happy Hour, Work It, HSMTMTS, Chicago Med) 

Ashlyn Jade Lopez as Gabby Clybourne (character actor)

Priscilla Lopez as Abuela Sofia (character actor - Kay O’Brien, B Positive, Theater Camp)

Tony Amendola as Abuelo Hector (character & voice actor - Stargate SG-1, Continuum, Once Upon a Time, World of Warcraft)

Gabriel Ruiz as Gerry (You’re So Talented, Chicago P.D.)

Sean Parris as Bruce (character actor)

Daniel Sunjata as Mike (Law & Order SVU, The Devil Wears Prada, Rescue Me, Graceland, High Potential)

Gary Anthony Williams as Santa (character & voice actor - Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Malcolm in the Middle, Boston Legal, Special Agent Oso, The Internship, The Boondocks, The Lion Guard, Doc McStuffins, Night Court)

Synopsis: After her Christmas celebration ends in a disaster, Rowena wishes for things to go back to the way they were in the past. However, it results in her getting stuck in an unusual situation.

Fun Facts: 

First DCOM to feature a queer kiss

They actually filmed in Chicago - the house is in North Center!

Next Movie: ZOMBIES 3

Al & Val revisit the story that started it all - We get wrapped up in Under Wraps once again! 

Under Wraps (October 1, 2021)

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by Alex Zamm (My Date with the President’s Daughter, A Christmas Prince, Under Wraps 2, The Baxters)

Written by William Robertson & Alex Zamm (My Date with the President’s Daughter, Little Rascals Save the Day, Jingle All the Way 2, Woody Woodpecker) and Don Rhymer (Valerie, Evening Shade, Under Wraps 1997, Big Momma’s House 1-3, Santa Clause 2, Agent Cody Banks 2, Deck the Halls, Rio 1 & 2, Ferdinand)

Starring: 

Malachi Barton as Marshall (Under Wraps 2, Stuck in the Middle, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Fancy Nancy, The Villains of Valley View, Zombies 4)

Christian J. Simon as Gilbert (Under Wraps 2, The Amazing World of Gumball, Disney Animals, Sydney to the Max, T.O.T.S.)

Sophia Hammons as Amy (Under Wraps 2, The Social Dilemma, Up Here, Freakier Friday)

Phil Wright as Harold (Under Wraps 2)

Melanie Brook as Buzzy (Under Wraps 2)

Brent Stait as Kubot (character actor - Andromeda, Snowpiercer, Heartland)

Jordana Largy as Diane (character actor - A Royal Christmas, A Royal Christmas Match)

Jaime M. Callica as Ted (Upside Down Magic, Ruthless, Christmas movies)

Karin Konoval as Ravensworth (Planet of the Apes, The Good Doctor, Snowpiercier, Wild Cards)

Synopsis: Three friends accidentally bring a mummy back to life. Soon, they grow fond of the mummy and help him return to his original state before midnight on Halloween.

Fun Facts: 

This is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to debut on Disney+ in North America one week after premiering on Disney Channel in North America.

This is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to take place around the time of Halloween since Invisible Sister (2015) 6 years prior.

This is the first Disney Channel Original Movie with since Let It Shine (2012) to have a solely male protagonist.

Next Movie: Christmas... Again?!

Al and Val are joined by the star of Upside Down Magic, Izabela Rose, for a chat about her journey to Disney Channel, her forays into producing, and her newest endeavor, musician. Listen to her latest release, Tipsy Truth, wherever you stream your music!

IG: @iamizabelarose
TikTok: @iamizabelarose

DCOMs

Upside-Down Magic (2020) - Joe Nussbaum

Other Notables

Secrets of Sulphur Springs (2021)

The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay (2022)

Al and Val spin some cool tracks in this cool and contemporary DJ movie!

Spin (August 13, 2021)

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by Manjari Makijany (Skater Girl)

Written by Josh A. Cagan (The Duff, Kim Possible movie, Upside Down Magic, Under Wraps 2, Zombies 4), Carley Steiner (no other credits)

Starring: 

Avantika Vandanapu as Rhea Kumar (Diary of a Future President, Mira: Royal Detective, Mean Girls 2024, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Tarot)

Meera Syal as Asha Kumar (character actor - Kinsey, The Real McCoy, The Kumars at No. 42, Beautiful People, Tinga Tinga Tales, Broadchurch, Goodness Gracious Me, Yesterday, The Split, The Wheel of Time)

Abhay Deol as Arvind Kumar (bollywood(?) character actor)

Aryan Simhadri as Rohan Kumar (Mira: Royal Detective, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Freakier Friday)

Michael Bishop as Max (Superman & Lois)

Anna Cathcart as Molly (Descendents 2&3, Odd Squad, Mistletoe Murders, XO Kitty)

Kerri Medders as Ginger (Alexa & Katie, Promised Land, SEAL Team)

Agam Darshi as Mira (character actor - Sanctuary, Sight Unseen)

Kyana Teresa as Naomi Eloi (X-mas TV movies, When Hope Calls)

Tyler Kyte as DJ Luka Cent (musician)

Synopsis: Rhea is an Indian-American teen who discovers her passion for creating DJ mixes that blend the rich textures of her South Asian culture and the world around her. Her life revolves around her eclectic group of friends, her after-school coding club, her family's Indian restaurant and her tightknit, multigenerational family. Everything changes when she falls for aspiring DJ Max, and her long-lost fervor for music is reignited.

Fun Fact: It was meant to premiere on Disney+ but ended up premiering on Disney Channel

Next Movie: Under Wraps (2021)

Creators & Guests

In a VERY VERY special episode, Al & Val are joined once again by prolific DCOM writer and all-around amazing person, Stu Krieger! We learned about what Stu is doing in retirement and chat about the writing process and how the modern industry does or doesn't affect his advice to aspiring screenwriters.

Stu's DCOMs:
Zenon (1999)

Smart House (1999)

Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

Rip Girls (2000 - Uncredited)

Zenon: The Zequel (2001) 

The Poof Point (2001)

Tru Confessions (2002)

Gotta Kick it Up (2002)

Going to the Mat (2004)

Zenon Z3 (2004)

Now You See It… (2005 - Uncredited)

Cow Belles (2006)

Stu's Ted Talk - Choose Joy

Stu's Novels

• That One Cigarette 
• RAFT (catch the upcoming audiobook on Audible December 1!)

STU SHOUTOUT Merch

Al & Val attend Sage Academy and even their best friendship can't save them from the hijinx that ensue! 

Upside Down Magic (July 31, 2020)

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by Joe Nussbaum (Sleepover, Sydney White, Just Add Magic, Gabby Duran & the Unsittables)

Written by Nick Pustay (Ramona & Beezus - this was his last writing credit), Josh A. Cagan (The Duff, Kim Possible movie, Spin, Under Wraps 2, Zombies 4), Sarah Mlynowski (wrote the novel)

Starring: 

Izabela Rose as Elinor "Nory" Boxwood-Horace (Secrets of Sulfur Springs, The Curious Case of Dolphin Bay)

Siena Agudong as Reina Carvajal (Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, Star Falls, No Good Nick, Resident Evil)

Kyle Howard as Budd Skriff (Love Boat: The Next Wave, Grosse Point, Orange County, Run of the House, The Drew Carey Show, My Boys, Royal Pains, Me)

Elie Samouhi as Elliot Cohen (Bizardvark, Team Kaylie)

Alison Fernandez as Pepper Paloma (Law & Order SVU, Orange is the New Black, Once Upon a Time, Team Kaylie)

Max Torina as Andres Padillo (Raven’s Home)

Vicki Lewis as Linda Knightslinger (character & voice actor - Den Brother, NewsRadio, Three Sisters, Finding Nemo & Finding Dory, Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures)

Yasmeen Fletcher as Chandra (Ms. Marvel)

Callum Seagram Airlie as Phillip (When Calls the Heart)

Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Professor Argon (character - The Lake House, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Prince of Peoria, Bosch, What If…?)

Synopsis: Nory, who can transform into unusual hybrid animals, is placed in the Upside-Down Magic program as she is a prime target for an evil force called the Shadow Magic.

Fun Facts: 

Based on a novel of the same name

Next Movie: Spin

Creators & Guests

Al & Val are back in Seabrook, but now there are WEREWOLVES! 

Zombies 2 (February 14, 2020)

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by  Paul Hoen (Luck of the Irish, Tru Confessions, You Wish!, Eddie’s Million Dollar Cookoff, Read it and Weep, Jump In!, CGOW, Dadnapped, Camp Rock 2, Let it Shine, How to Build a Better Boy, Cloud 9, Invisible Sister, ZOMBIES 1-4)

Written by David Light & Joseph Raso (Zombies 1-4, Sneakerella)

Starring: 

Milo Manheim as Zed (Zombies franchise, Prom Pact, School Spirits)

Meg Donnelly as Addison (Zombies franchise, Team Toon, American Housewife, The Winchesters, HSMTMTS, music videos)

Trevor Tordjman as Bucky (Zombies franchise, Lost & Found Music Studios, The Next Step, Bunk’d)

Kylee Russell as Eliza (Zombies franchise)

Carla Jeffery as Bree (Zombies franchise)

Kingston Foster as Zoey (Zombies franchise, Prom Pact)

James Godfrey as Bonzo (The Swap, Zombies franchise)

Chandler Kinney as Willa (Zombies franchise, Lethal Weapon, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin)

Pearce Joza as Wyatt (Zombies franchise, Mech-X4)

Ariel Martin as Wynter (Zombies franchise)

Naomi Snieckus as Ms. Lee (Wingin’ It, The Casting Room, Playdate, The Swap, Firecracker Department, Mr. D, Ollie’s Pack, Zombies 1-3)

Jonathan Langdon as Coach (Zombies franchise, Run the Burbs) 

Paul Hopkins as Dale (Vampire High, Zombies 1-3)

Marie Ward as Missy (Zombies 1-3, Murdoch Mysteries)

Tony Nappo as Zevon (Fugget About It, Zombies 1-3, Strays, Murdoch Mysteries, Ginny & Georgia)

Emilia McCarthy as Lacey (Zapped, Max & Shred, Zombies franchise, SkyMed)

Jasmine Renee Thomas as Stacey (Zombies franchise)

Noah Zulfikar as Jacey (Zombies 2 & 3, The Next Step)

Synopsis: Chronicling the continuing adventures of Seabrook High students Addison and Zed, whose budding romance is threatened by the arrival of werewolves.

Fun Facts: 

This is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to be Filmed in Panavision (anamorphic), in the wide 2.39:1 aspect ratio. All previous DCOMs were either filmed in 1.33:1 (4:3) or 1.78:1 (16:9) aspect ratios.

This is the first DCOM to not premiere on Disney Channel outside North America but much rather debut on Disney+, due to the closure of Disney Channel International in 2020.

Next Movie: Upside-Down Magic

Creators & Guests

Al and Val return to Auradon for the close of the OG VK trilogy. What a bittersweet journey!

Descendants 3 (August 2, 2019)

IMDB Wikipedia

Directed by Kenny Ortega (started as a music video director, Newsies, Hocus Pocus, Cheetah Girls 2, HSM 2&3, Descendants 1-3)

Written by Josann McGibbon & Sara Parriott (Runaway Bride, Descendents 1-5)

Starring: 

Dove Cameron as Mal (Cloud 9, Descendants 1-3, Liv & Maddie, Dumplin, Schmigadoon, Big Nate, music videos)

Cameron Boyce as Carlos (Grown Ups, Jessie, Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, Descendants 1-3, Mrs. Fletcher, Paradise City)

Booboo Stewart as Jay (Twilight, Descendants 1-3, Good Trouble)

Sofia Carson as Evie (Descendants 1-3, Adventures in Babysitting, Pretty Little Liars: Perfectionists)

Mitchell Hope as Ben (Descendants 1-3)

Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother (Happy Family, Notes from the Underbelly, Saving Mr. Banks, Descendants 1-5)

Brenna D'Amico as Jane (Descendants 1-3)

Zachary Gibson as Doug (Zapped, Descendants 1-3)

Sarah Jeffery as Audrey (Descendants 1-3, Wayward Pines, Rogue, Shades of Blue, Charmed, LEGO Dreamzzzz)

Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad Charming (Zapped, Descendants 1-4, The Originals, The Order, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Marry F*ck Kill, F*ck Marry Kill)

Bobby Moynihan as the Voice of Dude (SNL, The Awesomes, Sisters, We Bare Bears, Duck Tales, Mr. Mayor, Nature Cat, Pubstruction)

China Anne McClain as Uma (A.N.T. Farm, How to Build a Better Boy, Descendants-verse, Black Lightening, House of Payne)

Thomas Doherty as Harry Hook (Descendents 2&3, The Lodge, Gossip Girls)

Dylan Playfair as Gil (Some Assembly Required, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Letterkenny)

Anna Cathcart as Dizzy Tremaine (Descendents 2&3, Odd Squad, Mistletoe Murders, XO Kitty)

Dan Payne as King Beast (character actor - Stargate SG-1, R.L. Stine’s Haunting Hour, Descendants 1-3, Good Witch, Crank Yankers, Hallmark Christmas Movies)

Keegan Connor Tracy as Queen Belle (character actor - Final Destination 2, 40 Days & 40 Nights, Once Upon a Time, Descendants 1-3, The Magicians)

Jadah Marie as Celia (Mann and Wife, Julie and the Phantoms

Cheyenne Jackson as Hades (United 93, 30 Rock, American Horror Story, Call Me Kat)

Synopsis: Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos, the children of notorious supervillains, must return order in Auradon after Audrey, who is jealous of Mal, steals Maleficent's sceptre and terrorises the locals.

Next Movie: Zombies 2

Creators & Guests