Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Jamin.
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a TV writer/showrunner for 26 years. My credits include King of the Hill, Just Shoot Me, Beavis & Butthead, Maron, Wilfred, Rules of Engagement, Brickleberry, Out of Practice, Tacoma FD and numerous pilots and features. As much as I enjoy writing for television, I recently decided to try something different.
I’m a huge fan of David Sedaris. He writes personal essays and his work is so beautiful and honest. As a writer, I’m incredibly inspired by him. I thought, what would be my version of that? So that’s been my passion project for the past few years — writing personal essays.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Even though I’ve had a lot of success as a TV writer, outside professional circles, I was completely unknown. If I wanted people to buy my book and see my shows, I’d have to first build an audience. So I started posting daily tips for aspiring screenwriters on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. I quickly grew a pretty massive following — especially on TikTok. My daughter says I’m TikTok famous.
Thanks to my social media audience, I was able to sell out the initial run of my one-man show. And now we’re touring with it!
And there was so much demand for my daily screenwriting tips that I turned them into an online screenwriting course. Things kind of fed into each other.
I’m reaching people all over the world, showing them what working in Hollywood is really like, and teaching them the craft of screenwriting. This is something that couldn’t have been done just a few years ago.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The project that I’m most proud of is my forthcoming collection of personal essays called “A Paper Orchestra.” It’s also the basis of my one-man show that premiered in Atwater Village this summer. Even though the TV shows I’ve written have been seen by millions of people, there’s something so gratifying about writing and performing live theater. You can feel the energy in the room change as the audience goes on an emotional journey with me. I don’t get to experience that when I write for TV.
So many people have asked if I’d live stream my performances, but that would negate what I find so special about theater. It wouldn’t be nearly as intimate or vulnerable.
For future performances, please visit MichaelJamin.com
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
As a writer, I think about the moments that change our lives. People often say they’re giant opportunities or tragic accidents — events that we either chase or try to hide from. But when I finished my collection of personal essays, I realized that wasn’t the case for me.
In my experience, it’s the smallest, almost forgotten moments that shape us most.
Contact Info:
- Website: michaeljamin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeljaminwriter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelJaminWriter/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MJaminWriter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelJaminWriter?sub_confirmation=1
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeljaminwriter
Image Credits
Louis Felix
