Michael Swaim
{{short description|American actor}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Michael Swaim
| image = File:Michael Swaim 2021 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Swaim in 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|06|07|mf=yes}}
| birth_place =
| nationality = American
| alma_mater = University of California, San Diego
| other_names =
| occupation = {{csv|Actor|comedian|filmmaker|humorist|podcaster|writer}}
| years_active = 2006-present
| known_for = Those Aren't Muskets, Cracked.com, Small Beans, IGN
| notable_works = {{csv|After Hours|Agents of Cracked|Kill Me Now|The Climb}}
}}
Michael Swaim (born June 7, 1985) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, podcaster, and writer. While attending the University of California, San Diego, he became a columnist for the humor website Cracked.com, and after graduating from college in 2007, he joined with Abe Epperson to co-found the internet sketch comedy troupe Those Aren't Muskets. Along with Epperson and another frequent collaborator, Daniel O'Brien, he spent the late 2000s establishing a video department for Cracked. His subsequent tenure as Head of Video for the website produced several viral web series that he and O'Brien often starred in; these include the Webby Award-winning After Hours and the Streamy Award-winning Agents of Cracked.
The 2010 independent horror-comedy film Kill Me Now was co-written by Swaim and features him in a starring role. Swaim and Epperson are currently in production on their second feature film, Papa Bear. Two audio collections of short stories and poems by Swaim have been released, and in 2023, Swaim self-published a novel, The Climb. In 2024, he self-published a comic book, One Last Job.
Through his affiliation with Cracked, Swaim contributed to the 2010 New York Times Best Seller You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News. He then served as a Senior Editor on a 2013 followup, The De-textbook. Until his departure from Cracked in October 2017, Swaim was a regular feature on podcasts produced by the website. At that time, he co-hosted the series Kurt Vonneguys with Alex Schmidt.
Currently, Swaim runs Small Beans, an online comedy network funded through Patreon. Small Beans was founded by Swaim and Epperson together in December 2017; the two were joined from the outset by a co-worker they had befriended at Cracked, Adam Ganser, and numerous Cracked alumni have since come to be involved in content produced by Small Beans. In October 2019, Swaim began producing video content for IGN while continuing to operate Small Beans. From 2022 through 2023, iHeartMedia distributed Swaim and Ganser's gaming-themed podcast series 1Upsmanship. The A.V. Club, Collider, The Nation, and Paste have all named Swaim's work at Small Beans as among the best in podcasting.
Early life
Michael Swaim was born on June 7, 1985{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1269785994326237185|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=June 7, 2020|accessdate=June 8, 2020}} and grew up in San Diego County, California.{{cite press release|url=https://cinema.usc.edu/events/event.cfm?id=13392|title=An Evening of Online Comedy|publisher=USC Cinematic Arts|location=Los Angeles|date=March 26, 2013|accessdate=December 11, 2019}} His parents divorced when he was seven.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/61-tales-from-me-18586416|title=61. Tales from the Pit: Jane, Get Me Off This Crazy Thing! (Feat. Tom Reimann)|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Michael Swaim|date=May 3, 2018|time=52:15-53:56|accessdate=December 16, 2019}} Swaim's uncle is folk singer and Waterbug Records founder Andrew Calhoun.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2008/05/folk-music-for-digital-age.html|author=Michael Swaim|title=Folk Music for the Digital Age|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|date=May 5, 2008|accessdate=December 16, 2019}}{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/210-waveformed-28630368|title=210. Waveformed: Michael Swaim|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Cristian Ramirez|date=July 24, 2019|time=4:00-5:44|accessdate=December 16, 2019}}
At age nine, Swaim and his younger brother, David, survived a car accident that occurred on Thanksgiving Day. Swaim sustained a brain injury from the crash and subsequently suffered from panic attacks as a child. Soon after the crash, he developed depression, which has reoccurred throughout his life.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/tales-from-pit-15877917|title=Tales from the Pit: Dungeon Crawl (Feat. Ellen Swaim)|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Michael Swaim|date=December 14, 2017|time=1:42-4:39, 15:52-16:50, 40:10-40:24|accessdate=December 16, 2019}}
Swaim attended a Montessori school for sixth grade and Standley Middle School for seventh grade. His family then moved to Ramona, California, where he finished his schooling.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/tales-from-pit-15877917|title=Tales from the Pit: Dungeon Crawl (Feat. Ellen Swaim)|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Michael Swaim|date=December 14, 2017|time=43:00-47:35|accessdate=December 16, 2019}}
In a 2011 interview with The Huffington Post, Swaim explained his artistic influences saying, "I'm sure The Simpsons is a big part of it, and I'd like to think there's some Vonnegut and even a little Shakespeare in there. Shakespeare for his appreciation of a good pun and his cavalier abuse of the language he so clearly loved, Vonnegut for his eye for truth and his brevity. I doubt anyone will see any of that in my writing, but I try, dammit."
Career
= Those Aren't Muskets and early writings =
Swaim attended the University of California, San Diego, where he majored in theatre with a minor in creative writing.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/talking-comedy-and-distur_b_426288?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHro_UgPQ0BNvPwOJ0GoCEX_l5SYDuqPvj0h9FKYQLEpEG1p8nbyiEt46eCalTZzAaXWkXNNs7jbAHWWqh2vXW20wN46rGLQ7ecuv9GBCz_7QivNF5Ff5qp3ksN9qwAVd08JFUekFj9cRqAGdchpTWqhi_02SGjeCoCOrt0PT9HD|author=Greg Boose|title=Talking Comedy and Disturbing YouTube Clips with Cracked.com's Michael Swaim|work=The Huffington Post|date=April 6, 2010|accessdate=December 11, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/food/midnight-snack-stout-with-the-makers-of-kill-me-now|author=Farley Elliott|title=Midnight Snack: Stout with The Makers of Kill Me Now|work=KCET|date=December 5, 2012|accessdate=December 10, 2019}} Before beginning his career in comedy, he contributed short stories to science fiction magazines.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/92-july-bonus-20204663|title=92. July Bonus Episode: Daniel O'Brien|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Michael Swaim|date=July 20, 2018|time=18:00-18:25|accessdate=December 13, 2019}} {{subscription required|via=Small Beans}} He also aspired to become a playwright.{{cite web|url=http://www.thosearentmuskets.com/bios.html|author=Michael Swaim|title=Bios|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223071936/http://www.thosearentmuskets.com/bios.html|archivedate=December 23, 2007}} While attending UCSD, he served as an editor of the university's satirical publication, the Muir Quarterly, commonly known as "the MQ". In 2006, he began writing comedy articles on a freelance basis for Cracked.com. The website gave him a blog, called "The Specious", and during Swaim's senior year of college, he became a columnist for Cracked.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2007/08/please-allow-me-disembodied-collective.html|author1=Michael Swaim|author2=Abe Epperson|title=And So Dawns a New Age|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|date=August 28, 2007|accessdate=December 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://thespecious.cracked.com/|author=Michael Swaim|title=The Specious|work=Cracked|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707071038/http://thespecious.cracked.com/|archivedate=July 7, 2007}} Around this time, he also contributed articles to McSweeney's{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=February 15, 2008 |title=The Sadomasochistic Fisherman Visits Pyramid Lake |url=http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2008/2/15swaim.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823051549/http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2008/2/15swaim.html |archive-date=August 23, 2010 |website=McSweeney's}} and Yankee Pot Roast.{{Cite web |title=Yankee Pot Roast - Michael Swaim |url=http://www.yankeepotroast.org/archives/michael_swaim/ |website=Yankeepotroast.org}} In September 2007, "The Specious" ceased publication.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 29, 2007 |title=I'm Like a MotherF***ing Phoenix |url=http://thespecious.cracked.com/2007/08/im_like_a_motherfing_phoenix.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911064737/http://thespecious.cracked.com/2007/08/im_like_a_motherfing_phoenix.php |archive-date=September 11, 2007 |website=Cracked |series=The Specious}}{{Cite web |title=Cracked.com Blogs |url=http://www.cracked.com/index.php?module=Blogs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010084649/http://www.cracked.com/index.php?module=Blogs |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |website=Cracked}} Swaim's columns for Cracked were later published as part of a separate blog called "S.W.A.I.M.".{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |title=S.W.A.I.M. |url=http://www.cracked.com/blog/author/MichaelSwaim/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826023429/http://www.cracked.com/blog/author/MichaelSwaim/ |archive-date=August 26, 2010 |website=Cracked}}{{Cite web |date= |title=Columnists Archive - S.W.A.I.M. |url=http://www.cracked.com/blog/author/MichaelSwaim/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206151053/http://www.cracked.com/blog/author/MichaelSwaim/ |archive-date=December 6, 2016 |website=Cracked}}
Fellow MQ editor Abe Epperson befriended Swaim when they were both UCSD sophomores, and the two have remained frequent collaborators throughout their careers. Together, shortly after graduating in 2007, they founded the internet sketch comedy troupe Those Aren't Muskets.{{cite news|url=https://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb5154844t/_1.pdf|author=Nicole Teixeira|title=Lights, Cameras, Muskets?|newspaper=UCSD Guardian|date=November 5, 2007|pages=8, 10|accessdate=December 10, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080414-9999-1c14sketch.html|author=Jenifer Goodwin|title=Aspiring local comedians take their act on the information superhighway|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=April 14, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717065628/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20080414-9999-1c14sketch.html|archivedate=July 17, 2008}} Swaim continued during this time to be involved with UCSD's theatre program, producing his own original comedy play, Olympus Inc,{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/olympus-inc-2005-15852140|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=Olympus, Inc. (circa 2005)|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}} from which cast members occasionally crossed over into Those Aren't Muskets videos.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kawillert/status/940722882396614657|title=@KatieWillert|author=Katie Willert|date=December 12, 2017|work=Twitter|accessdate=December 11, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mic.com/articles/36095/meet-comedian-katie-willert-viral-video-star-and-feminist|title=Meet Comedian Katie Willert: Viral Video Star and Feminist|author=Evan Almeida|date=April 22, 2013|work=Mic|accessdate=December 11, 2019}} Within months, the troupe's content had attained over 100,000 views. Videos produced by the troupe were posted to websites like YouTube, Revver, Cracked, CollegeHumor, and Funny or Die, in addition to the now-defunct thosearentmuskets.com.
Towards the end of 2007, Those Aren't Muskets began a partnership with Cracked. The first video produced through this collaboration, "Internet Party", found success on Digg and was featured on YouTube's homepage. The video quickly surpassed two million views.{{cite web|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2008/03/18/internet-parties-comedy-and-wait-a-minute-those-arent-muskets/|author=Greg Rock|title=Internet Parties, Comedy, and….Wait a Minute…Those Aren't Muskets!|work=Tubefilter|date=March 18, 2008|accessdate=December 14, 2019}} Gaining media attention,{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/people/2008/04/clevelands_next_top_model_the.html|author=Andrea Simakis|title=Cleveland's Next Top Model, the return of Asia, "Girls Gone Wild" for readers and more -- It's Pop 10 for April 14–20.|work=The Plain Dealer|date=April 14, 2008|accessdate=December 14, 2019}} it was identified by The San Diego Union-Tribune as Swaim and Epperson's "first bona fide hit". Years later, Cracked video producer Breandan Carter identified "Internet Party" as the "breakthrough video" that "put [Cracked.com] on the map as observational humorists."{{cite web|url=https://newmediarockstars.com/2013/04/cracked-from-mad-knockoff-to-youtube-humor-original-youtube-nextup-creator-profile-series/|author=Ed Carrasco|title=Cracked: From 'Mad' Knockoff to YouTube Humor Original [YouTube NextUp Creator Profile Series]|work=NewMediaRockstars|date=April 28, 2013|accessdate=December 16, 2019}}
According to Swaim, a "symbiosis" quickly developed between Those Aren't Muskets and Cracked, and from this came the web series Cracked TV - initially announced under the title S.W.A.I.M. and later rebranded as Does Not Compute.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2008/10/swaim-episode-1.html|title=S.W.A.I.M. Episode 1!|author=Michael Swaim|date=October 14, 2008|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|accessdate=December 15, 2019}}{{cite magazine|author=Adam Rosina|date=August–September 2010|title=In Swaim We Trust|url=http://auxiliarymagazine.com/issue11/AuxiliaryMagazineAugust10.pdf|magazine=Auxiliary|issue=11|pages=21–23|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516030315/http://auxiliarymagazine.com/issue11/AuxiliaryMagazineAugust10.pdf|archivedate=May 16, 2012}} By 2008, Those Aren't Muskets had grown to an official membership of six. Non-members were often cast in the troupe's videos as well, and among them was Katie Willert, a then-UCSD student, who, later in her career, would co-star alongside Swaim in numerous Cracked video productions. In 2008, Swaim's brother, David, guest-starred in "Chops", a Those Aren't Muskets video which placed fourth - over hundreds of submissions - in YouTube's Sketchies II competition.{{cite web|url=https://mustangnews.net/ucsdgradscreatefunnyvideosite/|title=UCSD grads create funny video site|author=Lauren Rabaino|date=August 28, 2008|work=Mustang News|accessdate=December 14, 2019}} That same year, Those Aren't Muskets was featured during the "Kings of Dot Comedy" segment on G4's series Attack of the Show.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2008/11/g4-features-muskets.html|title=G4 Features Muskets!|author=Michael Swaim|date=November 20, 2008|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|accessdate=December 13, 2019}} Over the summer of 2008, Swaim and Epperson moved to Los Angeles together.
= Cracked tenure and ''Kill Me Now'' =
When Cracked decided to start producing its own video content, Swaim was enlisted to lead the effort. He and Epperson teamed up with Daniel O'Brien to create the first official Cracked web series, Agents of Cracked.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/crackedcom-adding-two-web-series-22232|title=Cracked.com adding two Web series|author=Georg Szalai|date=April 1, 2010|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 11, 2019}} The series began airing in November 2009 and ran for three seasons.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2009/11/agents-of-cracked-is-go.html|author=Michael Swaim|title=Agents of Cracked Is Go|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|date=November 9, 2009|accessdate=December 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cracked.com/members/AgentsOfCracked/|title=Members: AgentsofCracked|work=Cracked.com|accessdate=December 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cracked.com/series/agents-cracked/|title=Series - Agents of Cracked|work=Cracked.com|accessdate=December 18, 2019}} Its first season won the "Audience choice award for best web series" at the Second Annual Streamy Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/streamys-honor-best-web-series-22515|author=Karen Nicoletti|title=Streamys Honor Best of Web Series|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 11, 2010|accessdate=December 18, 2019}} By 2011, the series had been viewed online over seven million times.{{cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110606005716/en/Award-Winning-Web-Comedy-Series-%E2%80%98Agents-Cracked%E2%80%99-Begins|title=Award-Winning Web Comedy Series 'Agents of Cracked' Begins Its Highly Anticipated Third Season on Cracked.com|publisher=Cracked (Business Wire)|location=Santa Monica|date=June 6, 2011|accessdate=February 15, 2020}}
Those Aren't Muskets remained active for a few more years, producing the web series 8-Bits for Cracked, and joining in 2009 with several other internet sketch troupes for a two-week collaboration known as Genius Camp.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2009/06/genius-camp-2k9.html|title=Genius Camp 2K9|author=Michael Swaim|date=June 7, 2009|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|accessdate=December 10, 2019}} One of the sketches resulting from this collaboration was featured on Comedy Central's series Tosh.0.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2009/10/muskets-on-comedy-central.html|title=Muskets! On Comedy Central!|author=Michael Swaim|date=October 30, 2009|work=Those Aren't Muskets -Blog|accessdate=December 10, 2019}} Swaim had a cameo role that year in the BriTANicK video "Epic Phone Fail".{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2009/06/briswaimick.html|author=Michael Swaim|title=BriSWAIMick|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|date=June 25, 2009|accessdate=December 21, 2019}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu6xnR9kuYE|title=Epic Phone Fail|medium=video|date=June 24, 2009|work=BriTANicK|accessdate=June 13, 2023}} He had a cameo role a year later in the MagicHugs video "Cover Me".{{cite AV media|url=https://funnyordie.com/2010/09/27/21012/cover-me/|title=Cover Me|medium=video|date=September 27, 2010|work=MagicHugs|accessdate=June 13, 2023}}
By 2010, Swaim had become Head of Video at Cracked.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2627399/interview-michael-swaim-on-slasher-comedy-kill-me-now/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211053839/http://www.mtv.com/news/2627399/interview-michael-swaim-on-slasher-comedy-kill-me-now/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 11, 2019|author=Charles Webb|title=Interview: The Slasher Just Might Be Right in Michael Swaim's 'Kill Me Now'|work=MTV.com|date=December 12, 2012|accessdate=December 11, 2019}} He continued starring in original video series produced by the website, among them After Hours,{{cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/11/08/comikaze-panel/|title=Behind The Scenes Of A Future Cracked: After Hours Episode|author=Hannah Means Shannon|date=November 8, 2014|work=Bleeding Cool|accessdate=December 11, 2019}} which won Best Writing at the 18th Annual Webby Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2014/online-film-video/performance-craft/best-writing/after-hours/|title=After Hours -- The Webby Awards|work=webbyawards.com|accessdate=May 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2014/online-film-video/performance-craft/best-writing/|title=2014 Online Film & VideoPerformance & Craft Best Writing|work=webbyawards.com|accessdate=May 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2014/04/28/2014-webby-award-winners-freddie-wong/|author=Sam Gutelle|title=Here Is A Full List Of Online Video Winners At The 2014 Webby Awards|work=Tubefilter|date=April 28, 2014|accessdate=May 15, 2020}} According to The Huffington Post, Swaim and his frequent co-star, O'Brien, came to be known as the collective "face of Cracked".
As Swaim became more involved with video production for Cracked, he wrote fewer columns for the website but took on supplementary work as a blogger for guyspeak.com.{{cite web|url=http://thosearentmuskets.blogspot.com/2009/10/do-what-i-tell-you-to-do-and-be-loved.html|author=Michael Swaim|title=Do What I Tell You To Do And Be Loved!|work=Those Aren't Muskets - Blog|date=October 12, 2009|accessdate=February 11, 2020}}{{cite press release|url=https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/we-tv-unveils-new-online-property-guyspeak-com-dedicated-to-providing-women-with-real-answers-from-real-guys/|title=WE tv Unveils New Online Property, GuySpeak.com, Dedicated to Providing Women With Real Answers from Real Guys|publisher=AMC Networks|location=New York City|date=November 12, 2009|accessdate=February 11, 2020}} Swaim's work for GuySpeak was occasionally featured in Glamour.{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/guyspeak-what-makes-a-guy-chea|author=Michael Swaim|title=GuySpeak: What Makes a Guy Cheat?|work=Glamour|date=March 8, 2010|accessdate=February 11, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/ask-a-guy-do-guys-value-their|author=Michael Swaim|title=Ask a Guy: "Do Guys Value Their Mothers' Opinions on Their Girlfriends?"|work=Glamour|date=October 5, 2010|accessdate=February 11, 2020}} Offering humor-based relationship advice, Swaim contributed to GuySpeak for about a year, starting in late 2009.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/25470327352|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=September 25, 2010|accessdate=February 12, 2020}}
In 2010, Swaim told The Huffington Post that he hoped his tenure at Cracked would be a step towards eventually making feature films. Later that year, Swaim and Epperson were contacted by filmmaker Travis Long, who expressed interest in working with the duo on a feature. Swaim and Epperson had already developed a story idea together, and with Long's help, this idea was turned into the horror-comedy film Kill Me Now.{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/64970/indie-horror-month-exclusive-writerco-star-michael-swaim-discusses-newly-released-horror-/|author=thehorrorchick|title=Indie Horror Month Exclusive: Writer/Co-Star Michael Swaim Discusses Newly Released Horror Comedy Kill Me Now|work=Dread Central|date=March 26, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329150426/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/64970/indie-horror-month-exclusive-writerco-star-michael-swaim-discusses-newly-released-horror-/|archivedate=March 29, 2013}} Swaim, who had a starring role in the film, wrote the screenplay and received a producer credit, while Long directed, and Epperson performed the cinematography. Kill Me Now was produced through Ketchup Media. It was shot in Effingham, Illinois. Filming occurred in October 2010 and lasted for twenty-one days.
Although Swaim was initially unsure about acting in Kill Me Now, he took a starring role due to the film's short production schedule. The film's cast and crew included several internet sketch comedians, among them, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney, who would both go on to join Saturday Night Live shortly after appearing in the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/effingham-grad-s-film-coming-to-town/article_5d319491-2653-5948-aafd-593f39b5a14c.html|author=Bill Grimes|title=Effingham grad's film coming to town|work=Effingham Daily News|date=December 21, 2012|accessdate=February 12, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/filmed-here-movie-premieres-in-effingham/article_2c014ea2-6260-599e-8c39-90cc819b36ee.html|author=Bill Grimes|title=Filmed here, movie premieres in Effingham|work=Effingham Daily News|date=August 14, 2016|accessdate=February 12, 2020}} Kill Me Now premiered in Los Angeles on December 5, 2012. It then had a limited theatrical release through Tugg, a service that allows people to bring screenings of films to their local city when enough tickets are pre-ordered.{{efn|Swaim later acted in Long's second feature film, B-Roll, which entered production in 2014 and premiered in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/684132191471706112|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=January 4, 2016|accessdate=May 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/effingham-grad-returns-to-make-film/article_ee4b7d7d-f84b-5dda-bad2-39ed0ecdfbe9.html|author=Bill Grimes|title=Effingham grad returns to make film|work=Effingham Daily News|date=July 29, 2014|accessdate=May 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/friday-premiere-for-movie-filmed-in-effingham/article_e0dfaec9-53d2-542d-9273-5af7122b9fd1.html|author=Effingham Daily News staff|title=Friday premiere for movie filmed in Effingham|work=Effingham Daily News|date=August 10, 2016|accessdate=May 15, 2020}} Long tweeted in 2017 that the film was still looking for a distributor.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/travisalanlong/status/926255745624170497|author=Travis Long|title=@travisalanlong|work=Twitter|date=November 2, 2017|accessdate=May 16, 2020}}}}
Swaim contributed to Cracked's 2010 New York Times Best Seller, You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News, and served as a Senior Editor on Cracked's 2013 release, The De-textbook.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6e9vDwAAQBAJ|author=Cracked.com staff|title=The De-textbook: The Stuff You Didn't Know about the Stuff You Thought You Knew|publisher=Penguin|location=City of Westminster|date=2013|isbn=9780452298200}} Throughout his tenure at Cracked, he often appeared on - and occasionally co-hosted - the Cracked podcast.{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/this-week-in-comedy-podcasts-58.html|author=Arielle Gordon|title=This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Colin Quinn, Michael Ian Black Eats Chips, & More!|work=Vulture|date=August 22, 2013|accessdate=February 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/718487769509564417|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=April 8, 2016|accessdate=February 15, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/913143305923321856|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=September 27, 2017|accessdate=February 15, 2020}} He also co-hosted the Cracked-produced podcast Kurt Vonneguys with Alex Schmidt. Kurt Vonneguys was hailed by The A.V. Club as "a must, both for those deeply familiar with Vonnegut’s work and those seeking an entry point."{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-women-of-feminasty-talk-courage-and-never-seen-bef-1819445435|author1=Rebecca Bulnes|author2=Zach Brooke|author3=Becca James|author4=Jose Nateras|author5=Mike Vanderbilt|title=The women of Feminasty talk courage, and Never Seen Before finally sees The Exorcist|work=The A.V. Club|date=October 16, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/766453270814466048|author=Michael Swaim|title=SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=August 18, 2016|accessdate=February 16, 2020}}
After the release of Kill Me Now, Swaim hoped to quickly continue on to more feature films and grew dissatisfied with his position at Cracked, once it became apparent to him that the company's corporate owners were unwilling to fund any large-scale projects.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/why-i-left-by-15727831|people=Michael Swaim|title=Why I Left Cracked (Enter the Gungeon)|medium=video|time=2:58-9:50|work=Small Beans|date=December 5, 2017|accessdate=February 15, 2020}} A lack of creative fulfillment eventually prompted Swaim to relinquish his role as the head of Cracked's video department.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/35-dan-and-mike-17176300|people=Dan O'Brien, Michael Swaim|title=35. Dan and Mike are Fighting|time=10:10-21:48|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|date=February 24, 2018|accessdate=February 18, 2020}} Swaim later recounted that his depression, which he had suffered from since childhood, gradually worsened during this stage of his life, and over time, he continued to reduce his role at Cracked. He resigned from the company in October 2017.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/why-i-left-by-15727831|people=Michael Swaim|title=Why I Left Cracked (Enter the Gungeon)|medium=video|time=2:05-2:58|work=Small Beans|date=December 5, 2017|accessdate=February 15, 2020}} A few weeks later, Cracked laid off much of its remaining staff.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/35-dan-and-mike-17176300|people=Dan O'Brien, Michael Swaim|title=35. Dan and Mike are Fighting|time=9:07-9:39|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|date=February 24, 2018|accessdate=February 18, 2020}} Speaking to the company's struggles, Swaim expressed his view that Cracked had squandered its "potential to become an SNL or a National Lampoon-type brand with feature films and so forth." Nonetheless, Swaim has spoken highly of the work that has been continued on by Cracked's current employees.
= Small Beans =
After Swaim's departure from Cracked, he and Epperson founded a new venture together, called Small Beans. Funded through Patreon, Small Beans is a podcasting network that also produces occasional sketch comedy videos. Swaim and Epperson were joined in the founding of Small Beans by Adam Ganser, who like Epperson, was a prolific director of videos at Cracked.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/why-i-left-by-15727831|people=Michael Swaim|title=Why I Left Cracked (Enter the Gungeon)|medium=video|time=9:10-13:41|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=December 5, 2017|accessdate=February 15, 2020}}{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/extree-extree-12-15840339|title=Extree! Extree! - 12/12/17|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Michael Swaim|date=December 12, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020|time=00:00-2:30}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/937870106696151040|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}} Several other former members of Cracked have since come to join Small Beans or have contributed to Small Beans content.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/35-dan-and-mike-17176300|people=Dan O'Brien, Michael Swaim|title=35. Dan and Mike are Fighting|time=50:51-51:40|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|date=February 24, 2018|accessdate=February 18, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1165105555209220096|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=August 23, 2019|accessdate=February 21, 2020}}
Small Beans was first announced by Swaim on December 4, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/937869595804758017|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}} The following day, Swaim posted a video online, explaining his decision to resign from Cracked and offering further details about Small Beans.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/938185966954541056|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 5, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}} The formal launch date for Small Beans was on December 11,{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/and-so-beans-is-15715525|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=And so...the Beans is a Die that is Cast|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=December 5, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/940323639290871808|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 11, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}} although the first Small Beans content debuted a week in advance.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/937884970693009409|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 4, 2017|accessdate=February 20, 2020}}
Small Beans launched with four podcast series: Frame Rate, a movie review series hosted by Swaim and Epperson; 1Upsmanship, a video game review series hosted by Swaim and Ganser;{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/940327440538206208|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 11, 2017|accessdate=February 22, 2020}} Extree! Extree!, a news-themed series that provides both Small Beans-related updates and comedic takes on current events; and Tales from the Pit, in which Swaim is joined by a guest each episode to discuss experiences with depression and other emotionally challenging issues.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/941134007533690881|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 13, 2017|accessdate=February 22, 2020}}
As Small Beans has grown, more podcast series have been added.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/refrying-beans-18066048|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=Refrying the Beans (New Posting Schedule)|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=April 9, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2020}} Additional content released through Small Beans includes Q&A podcast episodes,{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=July 3, 2018 |title=NEW: Monthly Q&A&CR&BS Session For Patrons! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-monthly-q-cr-19849866 |accessdate=March 29, 2020 |work=Small Beans}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=July 3, 2018 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1014334389415641089 |accessdate=March 29, 2020 |work=Twitter}} original rap songs written and performed by Swaim,{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=June 23, 2018 |title=Go Outside (Green Hill Zone Mix) |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/go-outside-green-19631791 |accessdate=April 1, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=January 13, 2020 |title=26 (The Alphabet Song) |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/26-alphabet-song-33108401 |accessdate=April 1, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=January 19, 2020 |title=E.L.B. (The D&D One) |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/e-l-b-d-d-one-33284401 |accessdate=April 1, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} access to various writings by Swaim{{cite web |author1=Michael Swaim |author2=Ellen Swaim |date=December 14, 2017 |title=On Love and Time Travel |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/on-love-and-time-15877958 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author1=Michael Swaim |author2=Griffin Rowell |author3=Luke McKinney |date=January 23, 2020 |title=Man vs. Nature: A Failed Book Proposal |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/man-vs-nature-33404932 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} (including screenplays and pitches for cancelled projects),{{cite web |author1=Abe Epperson |author2=Michael Swaim |date=July 5, 2018 |title=A Feast for Coyotes |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/feast-for-19887803 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=March 10, 2019 |title=Happy MAR10, Everybody! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-mar10-25285426 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=April 3, 2019 |title=Rejected Pitches # 847, 848, & 849: Hanna-Barberra |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/rejected-pitches-25853415 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} behind-the-scenes livestreams,{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=February 6, 2019 |title=Call Of Nature, Number 2 |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-of-nature-2-24519712 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/off-hours-stream-26323214 |title=Off Hours Writing Stream! |date=April 24, 2019 |medium=video |publisher=Patreon |people=David Christopher Bell, Abe Epperson, Adam Ganser, Tom Reimann, Michael Swaim |work=Small Beans |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/off-hours-shoot-28446177 |title=Off Hours Shoot! Part 1 (Pre-Lunch) |date=July 17, 2019 |medium=video |publisher=Patreon |people=Abe Epperson, Maggie Mae Fish, Katy Stoll, Michael Swaim, Damian Washington |work=Small Beans |accessdate=April 10, 2020}} and Twitch streams.{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=March 1, 2018 |title=What it Means to be a Bean (Membership Perks!) |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-it-means-to-17269095 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}
Small Beans collaborates with Showing Up for Racial Justice on the podcast Bold (sometimes referred to as Bold: Conversations About Race), which focuses on racial justice issues and is produced by White People 4 Black Lives.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1074724780031365122|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 17, 2018|accessdate=February 27, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1075471688941285376|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=December 19, 2018|accessdate=February 27, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WP4BL/status/1074735885118099459|author=White People 4 Black Lives|title=@WP4BL|work=Twitter|date=December 17, 2018|accessdate=February 27, 2020}} In December 2020, Small Beans began co-producing the podcast series Bewilderments & Scientifics with the Some More News media network.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/343-scientifics-45062437 |title=343. Bewilderments & Scientifics: How Sound Works (Feat. General MacTavish) |date=December 15, 2020 |type=Podcast |publisher=Patreon |series=Small Beans |people=Abe Epperson, Cody Johnston, Michael Swaim}} The following year, Small Beans began collaborating with the Gamefully Unemployed media network on two different podcast series: Star Trek: The Next Futurama, which began airing in April 2021,{{cite podcast |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/373-star-trek-49523682 |people=David Christopher Bell, Michael Swaim |title=373. Star Trek: The Next Futurama - Space Pilot 3000 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon |date=April 2, 2021}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=April 2, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1377992922260328450 |work=Twitter}} and Spielboys!, which began airing in October of that year.{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/429-spielboys-57571342 |title=429. Spielboys! - Hook |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon |host=Abe Epperson, Tom Reimann |date=October 19, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Reimann |first=Tom |date=October 7, 2021 |title=@StartTheMachine |url=https://twitter.com/startthemachine/status/1446167442242215940 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |last=Reimann |first=Tom |date=October 19, 2021 |title=@StartTheMachine |url=https://twitter.com/startthemachine/status/1450537182922346498 |website=Twitter}}
On March 7, 2020, Small Beans released a sketch comedy radio play titled Bean Town, which was written by Swaim, Epperson, and Greg Burke.{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=March 7, 2020 |title=263. Bean Town, A 23 Minute Radio Play (Early Access) |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/263-bean-town-23-34678687 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=December 2, 2019 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1201570010805735424 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Twitter}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=March 18, 2020 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1240383372058189824 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Twitter}} A sequel, Bean Town II, was released on August 6, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 6, 2021 |title=408. Bean Town II, A 26 Minute Radio Play |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/408-bean-town-ii-54588868 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 5, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1423320894005383171 |website=Twitter}} Swaim and Epperson both returned to write the script for Bean Town II. They also performed as voice actors in both installments of the series, as did Maggie Mae Fish, Cody Johnston, and Katie Willert. The first installment of Bean Town features additional voice acting from Burke, Tyler Brown, Noah Byrne, and Kelsey Hudgins,{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=March 18, 2020 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1240384009915359233 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Twitter}} while Bean Town II features additional voice acting from David Christopher Bell, Adam Tod Brown, Adam Ganser, Sarah Griffith, Nick Kocher, Mark Little, Jeff May, Jacquis Neal, Teresa Lee, and Tom Reimann.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 6, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1423666152178208773 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 14, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1426562881630347264 |website=Twitter}}
Both recurring video series and stand-alone videos have been produced by Small Beans.{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=May 3, 2019 |title=190. Who Fucked The Dishwasher? |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/190-who-fucked-26556759 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=November 5, 2019 |title=If Clue Were Twitter |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/if-clue-were-31333121 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} In February 2018, Small Beans premiered its first video series, LifeHax; each episode is a zero-budget improvised spoof of do-it-yourself YouTube tutorials.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/30-lifehax-no-17131481|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=30. LifeHax: No-Fuss Litter Cleanup|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=February 21, 2018|accessdate=April 16, 2020}}{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/92-july-bonus-20204663|title=92. July Bonus Episode: Daniel O'Brien|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|host=Michael Swaim|date=July 20, 2018|time=12:58-14:49|accessdate=December 13, 2019}} {{subscription required|via=Small Beans}} LifeHax was followed in April of that year by the more expensive and high-concept video series Disney Owns You, a sketch comedy series about corporate takeovers conducted by the Walt Disney Company.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/weve-reached-our-18060864|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=We've Reached Our Webseries Goal!|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=April 8, 2018|accessdate=April 16, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/53-disney-owns-18143882|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=53. Disney Owns You: Lucasfilm|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=April 12, 2018|accessdate=April 16, 2020}} Another low-budget series, Family Meeting, followed in August; it stars former-Cracked members Cody Johnston and Katy Stoll, alongside Swaim, as siblings who reconnect over webcam.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/104-family-e01-20988007|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=104. Family Meeting e01: Mandatoreunion|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=August 25, 2018|accessdate=April 16, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1103137766156558336|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=March 5, 2019|accessdate=April 16, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1103138385730789376|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=March 5, 2019|accessdate=April 16, 2020}}
In April 2019, Small Beans announced the web series, Off Hours, a spiritual successor to After Hours.{{efn|Swaim had considered a continuation of After Hours in some form since the beginnings of Small Beans and decided to follow through on the idea after discussing it with Ganser and Greg Burke on a March 2019 episode of the Small Beans Q&A podcast.{{cite podcast|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/march-q-beanus-25223304|title=March Q&A Beanus Module: Greg Burke|publisher=Patreon|work=Small Beans|date=March 8, 2019|time=46:18-53:45|accessdate=May 11, 2020}}}} To write Off Hours, Swaim, Epperson, and Ganser were joined by David Christopher Bell and Tom Reimann; the group of five had all been writers on After Hours. Swaim edited and Epperson directed each episode of Off Hours, reoccupying roles that they had respectively filled on After Hours. Veteran After Hours artists Anthony Clark and Starline Hodge were hired to contribute illustrations for Off Hours, as were Michael Vincent Bramley and Ben Shannon. Swaim is the only After Hours star to return as a main cast member in Off Hours. He is joined in each episode of Off Hours by a rotating series of guest stars. Cast members announced for Off Hours were Johnston, Stoll, Greg Burke, Maggie Mae Fish, Daniel Vincent Gordh, Teresa Lee, and Damian Washington.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-goal-off-25992500|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=NEW GOAL: Off Hours, The Show|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=April 9, 2019|accessdate=May 11, 2020}} Off Hours premiered on June 3, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/off-hours-shoot-27210160|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=Off Hours Shoot 001: The Debrief|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=May 29, 2019|accessdate=May 11, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/off-hours-if-got-27354363|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=Off Hours - If Your Life Got Rebooted, What Kind Would It Be?|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=June 3, 2019|accessdate=May 11, 2020}} It was placed on an indefinite hiatus in October 2019 when Swaim moved to San Francisco to begin a job with IGN.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/mike-has-new-gig-30612377 |title=Mike Has A New Gig! (AND HOW THAT AFFECTS YOU) |date=October 8, 2019 |medium=video |publisher=Patreon |people=Michael Swaim |work=Small Beans |accessdate=May 11, 2020}}
In January 2020, Small Beans premiered a video essay series on film criticism by Epperson called Small Beautiful Things.{{cite web|url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/251-small-things-32946195|author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim|title=251. Small Beautiful Things: How Spielberg Frames Fear|work=Small Beans|publisher=Patreon|date=January 7, 2020|accessdate=May 11, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1214593808790196224|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=January 7, 2020|accessdate=May 11, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty/status/1214550126380740608|author=Abe Epperson|title=@AbeTheMighty|work=Twitter|date=January 7, 2020|accessdate=May 11, 2020}} On October 10, 2023, Small Beans premiered a comedic film trailer recap video series hosted by Swaim, called Last Week's Trailers.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=October 10, 2023 |title=NEW WEEKLY VIDEO SHOW!! WHAT?! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-weekly-video-90691629 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}
Small Beans has attracted positive attention from several publications. In 2019, The A.V. Club, wrote that 1Upsmanship features "undeniable chemistry" between Swaim, Ganser, and their guests.{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/inside-conan-serves-up-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-comedy-for-1833156629|author=Kevin Cortez|title=Inside Conan serves up the nuts-and-bolts of comedy for true late-night dorks|work=The A.V. Club|date=March 11, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2020}} The A.V. Club later named Small Beans one of the best podcasting networks of 2019, singling out Small Beans for having "the most variety on a single feed" and writing, "What’s as impressive as the amount of podcasts Small Beans pumps out is the quality it maintains: each is insightful, fun, hilarious, and a breeze to listen to."{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-best-and-most-notable-podcasts-of-2019-1840456701|author=Kevin Cortez|title=The best and most notable podcasts of 2019|work=The A.V. Club|date=December 23, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2020}} Two years later, Paste named 1Upsmanship one of the best gaming-themed podcasts of 2021.{{Cite web |last=Fox Jr. |first=Kevin |date=2021-10-21 |title=The Best Gaming Podcasts in 2021 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/podcasts/best-videogame-podcasts/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=pastemagazine.com |language=en}} In 2022, Collider named Small Beans one of the best producers of pop-culture podcasts, praising Swaim's work for blending "silly quips and often childish humor" with "surprisingly profound introspection."{{Cite web |last=Bridie |first=Samuel |date=2022-06-13 |title=8 Awesome Pop-Culture Podcasts You Should Check Out |url=https://collider.com/awesome-pop-culture-podcasts/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=Collider |language=en-US}} In 2024, American Prestige, a culture podcast by The Nation, called 1Upsmanship "the best video game podcast today".{{Cite interview |interviewer1=Daniel Bessner|interviewer2=Derek Davison|subject1=Adam Ganser|subject2=Michael Swaim| title=Video Games, War, and Capitalism—With Adam Ganser and Michael Swaim|url=https://www.thenation.com/podcast/society/amprest-video-games-ganser-swaim/|series=American Prestige|work=The Nation|date=January 30, 2024|format=podcast}}
==List of Small Beans podcast series==
= IGN, iHeartMedia, and additional projects =
A few months after launching Small Beans, Swaim began a relationship with BunnyEars.com, a humor website founded by Macaulay Culkin.{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=March 1, 2018 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/969267807882891264 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Twitter}}{{cite web |title=About Macaulay Culkin and Bunny Ears |url=https://bunnyears.com/about-us/ |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=BunnyEars.com}} Swaim has appeared on the Bunny Ears podcast and has occasionally written articles for the website.{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=October 9, 2019 |title=Guest Beans: Mack n' Mike on Bunny Ears Pod! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/guest-beans-mack-30631685 |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite podcast |url=https://bunnyears.com/macaulay-culkin-talks-to-michael-swaim-bunny-ears-podcast/ |people=Macaulay Culkin, Michael Swaim |title=Episode 91: Michael Swaim Moves To San Francisco... |work=Bunny Ears |date=October 9, 2019 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |title=Author - Michael Swaim |url=https://bunnyears.com/author/michael-swaim/ |accessdate=April 10, 2020 |work=Bunny Ears}} Culkin has been featured as a guest on the Small Beans podcast series Frame Rate.{{cite podcast |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-for-31159299 |people=Macaulay Culkin, Michael Swaim |title=Early Access for Patrons - Frame Rate: Party Monster (Feat. Macaulay Culkin) |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon |date=October 30, 2019 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}} As further side-work while operating Small Beans, Swaim wrote for a 2019 installment of The Game Theorists{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=March 28, 2019 |title=Side of Beans: Which Video Game Character Is THE RICHEST?! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/side-of-beans-is-25706220 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} and teamed with Winston Rowntree in December 2021 to create a new video for Cracked,{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=2021-11-03 |title=6 Real Bible Verses We're Hoping God Gives Us A Pass On (Ft. Michael Swaim) (VIDEO) |url=https://www.cracked.com/article_31721_6-bonkers-bible-verses-that-should-have-been-cut-ft-michael-swaim-video.html |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Cracked.com |language=en}} which Swaim described as a "one-off" project.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=November 4, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1456274252026441731 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=December 28, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1475880679145570305 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}} In 2023, Swaim became a columnist for the comedy website 1-900-HOTDOG,{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2023 |title=@1900hotdog |url=https://twitter.com/1900hotdog/status/1709901255051710644 |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=October 5, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1709936878131273925 |website=Twitter}} began writing for the webseries Some More News,{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=October 10, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1711763060980105277 |website=Twitter}} and began performing voice-over work for Weird History.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=November 24, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1728097936184340914 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=February 8, 2024 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1755675617209749538 |website=Twitter}}
In October 2019, Swaim moved to San Francisco for a position at IGN,{{cite web |author=Abe Epperson, Michael Swaim |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Top 5 (Other) Gaming Marketing Stunts |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/top-5-other-30989607 |accessdate=May 12, 2020 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=October 8, 2019 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1181733451461840896 |accessdate=May 11, 2020 |work=Twitter}} serving as Manager of Video Programming until 2022.{{Cite web |title=Michael Swaim - @SwaimCorp - Manager of Video Programming |url=https://www.ign.com/person/swaim_corp |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=IGN}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/has-vr-finally-reached-a-tipping-point |title=Has VR Finally Reached a Tipping Point? - IGN |date=February 24, 2020 |type=Video |language=en |access-date=July 7, 2024 |via=www.ign.com |people=Bo Moore; Michael Swaim}} He filled this role while continuing to operate Small Beans. Through his involvement with IGN, he acted as a host at Gamescom in both 2020 and 2021.{{Cite web |last1=Wade |first1=Jessie |last2=Garcia |first2=Janet |last3=Miranda |first3=Felicia |date=2020-08-28 |title=IGN @ gamescom 2020: Schedule, How to Watch, and More |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/gamescom-2020-schedule-date-start-time-how-to-watch |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-07-07 |title=Gamescom reveals more details about online-only 2020 event |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/gaming-news/gamescom-reveals-more-details-about-online-only-2020-event-2702974 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=NME |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Majumdar |first=Rahul |date=2021-08-24 |title=How To Watch Gamescom 2021 – Schedule, India Live Stream Times and More |url=https://in.ign.com/gamescom/165191/guide/how-to-watch-gamescom-2021-india-schedule-live-stream |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=IGN India |language=en-in}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-23 |title=Gamescom live streams: Every event you need to watch this week |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/gamescom-live-streams-every-event-you-need-to-watch-this-week/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 28, 2020 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1299430543650516993 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 29, 2020 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1299750469850472451 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 22, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1429507039978397698 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}} In early 2022, he left his position at IGN for what he described as "a narrative design role" with a video game "dev team that's brand new and has not announced themselves."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/game-scoop-667-the-most-unforgivable-game-design-choices |title=Game Scoop! 667: The Most Unforgivable Game Design Choices - IGN |date=March 11, 2022 |type=Video |language=en |time=1:12 - 3:03 |access-date=July 7, 2024 |via=www.ign.com |people=Tina Amini; Sam Claiborn; Justin Davis; Michael Swaim}} He described the game as multiplayer "by definition" and "based on a novel".
On January 12, 2021, Swaim self-released NOSIDE, an audio collection of his own original short stories and poems.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/352-noside-short-46102488 |title=NOSIDE |date=January 12, 2021 |last=Swaim |first=Michael |type=Audio Book |publisher=Small Beans}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=January 12, 2021 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1349155184904007681 |website=Twitter}} A follow-up, Sad & Important, was self-released by Swaim on January 2, 2022.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/447-sad-short-by-60624556 |title=Sad & Important |date=January 2, 2022 |last=Swaim |first=Michael |type=Audio Book |publisher=Small Beans}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=January 2, 2022 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1477658797925560320 |website=Twitter}} Both collections feature original scores by Davey Francis. In 2023, two short stories by Swaim, "The Chosen One" and "Run || Time", were published in the science fiction and fantasy anthology Impossible Worlds.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=March 2, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1631323668222730241 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2023 |title=@ImpossWorlds |url=https://twitter.com/ImpossWorlds/status/1731313377828344177 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2023 |title=@ImpossWorlds |url=https://twitter.com/ImpossWorlds/status/1731313994751762673 |website=Twitter}}
In May 2022, 1Upsmanship ended its run on the Small Beans network so that it could become a part of iHeartMedia.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/491-1upsmanship-66769020 |title=491. 1Upsmanship: The Hard Drive Episode |date=May 23, 2022 |last= |type=Podcast |publisher=Patreon |people=Michael Swaim, Adam Ganser |work=Small Beans}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=May 23, 2022 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1528754833213095937 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=May 31, 2022 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1531699047957794816 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=May 31, 2022 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1531698062850002951 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}} The first episode of 1Upsmanship to be distributed by iHeartMedia premiered on June 6, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=June 6, 2022 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/swaim_corp/status/1533834646097539073 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=June 6, 2022 |title=New 1Upsmanship Episode Is Out! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-1upsmanship-67414240 |work=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} After one season at iHeartMedia, 1Upsmanship returned to Small Beans.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 17, 2023 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1692330285151719911 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/91071310 |title=637. 1Upsmanship: Tastemakers |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=October 16, 2023 |last2=Ganser |first2=Adam}}
The 2021 video game, Carve Snowboarding (released for the Oculus Quest 2), and its 2023 sequel, Carve Jr (released for Playdate), feature vocal performances by Swaim in the role of Carv Edgerton.{{Cite podcast |url=https://chuhailabs.libsyn.com/nasty-labs-4-wmark-holcomb-michael-swaim |people=Kinsey Burke, Mark Lentz, Mark Holcomb, Michael Swaim |title=Nasty Labs #4 w/Mark Holcomb & Michael Swaim |publisher=Chuhai Labs |date=May 28, 2021}}{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2021 |title=@ChuhaiLabs |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/ChuhaiLabs/status/1390450184233000963 |work=Twitter}}{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2023 |title=@ChuhaiLabs |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/ChuhaiLabs/status/1633306264943067136 |work=Twitter}} The character's likeness is based on Swaim.{{Cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=March 8, 2023 |title=@Swaim_Corp |url=https://mobile.twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1633499821956018177 |work=Twitter}}
In August 2023, Swaim announced plans to release his first novel, The Climb, and his first album, Tools of the Tirade.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=August 1, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1686390298488995840 |website=Twitter}} A month later, he announced plans to publish his first comic book, One Last Job.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=October 10, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1711763035197755540 |website=Twitter}} The Climb was self-published and released digitally through the Small Beans Patreon shop on November 27, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=November 27, 2023 |title=Michael Wrote a Novel |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/93623495 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}} Physical copies were released on March 18, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=February 14, 2024 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1757837810751713329 |website=Twitter}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=The Climb: An epic fantasy memoir by Michael Swaim.{{!}}Hardcover |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-climb-michael-swaim/1144889729?ean=9798881124311 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Barnes & Noble |language=en}} Swaim described the book as "a psychedelic magical realist sci-fi/fantasy epic self-help memoir."{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=November 27, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1729177285729894881 |website=Twitter}} Elaborating on his description of the book, he said, "It talks frankly about my alcoholism, mental health struggles, and time at Cracked, but...there's also magic and robots."{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=November 24, 2023 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1728117130359631936 |website=Twitter}} One Last Job was self-released digitally through the Small Beans Patreon shop on February 16, 2024 and is illustrated by Garth von Ahnen.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Michael Write a Comic Book! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/98604556?utm_campaign=postshare_fan |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=February 16, 2024 |title=@SWAIM_CORP |url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1758564890929999965 |website=Twitter}}
Throughout his time operating Small Beans, Swaim set a long-term goal of producing a short or feature film.{{cite podcast |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/92-july-bonus-20204663 |title=92. July Bonus Episode: Daniel O'Brien |publisher=Patreon |work=Small Beans |host=Michael Swaim |date=July 20, 2018 |time=15:50-16:08 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}} {{subscription required|via=Small Beans}}{{cite web |author=Michael Swaim |date=January 5, 2021 |title=2020 Sucked Butt, Let's Make A Movie |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/2020-sucked-butt-45737352 |accessdate=June 30, 2022 |work=Small Beans}} In 2023, Swaim and Epperson successfully raised money through crowdfunding to begin production on a feature film, Papa Bear.{{Cite web |title=Papa Bear - A new movie from Swaim & Epperson of CRACKED. - Film and Storytelling {{!}} Seed&Spark |url=https://seedandspark.com/fund/papa-bear#story |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=seedandspark.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=May 3, 2023 |title=The Small Beans are Making a Movie! [Papa Bear Funding Campaign is LIVE] |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/82453306 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=June 9, 2023 |title=Papa Bear Telethon LIVE Tomorrow! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/84300476 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Papa Bear is 100% Funded! |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/84530509 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}
Personal life
Swaim came out as queer in 2021, saying, "I'm in a monogamous relationship with a partner the world sees as female, but am sexually attracted to all sorts of folks. I never faced any special challenges as a result, which is why I've never felt 'Queer enough' to consider myself part of what I consider a special community. But after talking with friends, I've learned that 'not feeling Queer enough' and being afraid of appropriating that identity is common among Queer people, and not a reason to hide behind the myth of straightness."{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1375860071209443331|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=March 27, 2021|accessdate=March 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1375860206735790082|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=March 27, 2021|accessdate=April 27, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP/status/1375860354484367365|author=Michael Swaim|title=@SWAIM_CORP|work=Twitter|date=March 27, 2021|accessdate=April 27, 2022}}
Swaim married his partner on May 28, 2023. His partner is nonbinary.{{Cite web |last=Swaim |first=Michael |date=June 5, 2023 |title=jenn & Swaim Got Married! Here's a Bonus Sketch OK? |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/84109583 |website=Small Beans |publisher=Patreon}}
Footnotes
{{Notelist}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|3996056|Michael Swaim}}
- {{Twitter|SWAIM_CORP}}
- [https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans/posts Small Beans on Patreon]
- [https://www.cracked.com/members/MichaelSwaim Michael Swaim's profile on Cracked.com]
- [https://www.ign.com/person/swaim_corp Michael Swaim's profile on IGN.com]
{{Streamy Awards Audience Choice Winners}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swaim, Michael}}
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