Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Barroga.
Hi Mike, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Ever since I was a kid, I have loved telling stories. My parents often remind me (embarrassingly so and usually amongst company) that even as an infant, I would make baby noises (“googoo gaga,” “boojuju”), to which they would encourage me to keep going, “Uh huh? And then what happened?” As far back as I can remember, I have vague recollections of, “Oh, I have their attention. How else can I entertain them?” From baby noises, my skillset evolved into scribbles on paper to which I would regale to anyone willing to listen – friends, family, teachers, neighbors – and at the same time, as I was developing my skills as a budding writer, the other activity that gave me just as much joy was taking in the cinema. At an early age, I quickly noticed the “Written By” title as the credits rolled over. Then it dawned on me, “Oh! Movies start off as a written document… I can write a movie!” That revelation eventually landed me in the film program at Towson University in Maryland. While attending the small liberal arts school just outside of my stomping grounds of Baltimore, I came to realize none of the film students wanted to direct the scripts I was writing. So, I learned the tough lesson that every filmmaker must come to terms with: if you want something done, do it yourself. I started cutting my directing teeth on short films, episodic television on the campus’ public access channel, and even a few on-stage plays for the theater department. When the college days ended, my roommate (who was an aspiring actor himself) made the official announcement that any aspiring actor worth his weight eventually makes – he would be making the long trek to Hollywood as soon as possible. Me, being uninspired with really nothing better to do, said, “Well, I still need a roommate, so why don’t I just tag along?” 3000 miles, 6 days, 2 bad hangovers, and 1 broken radiator later, we finally coasted into Hollywood on fumes. We settled in Los Angeles, where I still reside to this day, still doing what I can to entertain others with my stories and scribbles.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
F*ck no! (Am I allowed to cuss on this thing?) In some ways, I’d say I’m still struggling. But I feel like being creative is a constant struggle. You’re constantly struggling to get your work out there, get it in front of the right people, get the funding you need, the resources you need, struggling to find the right material that’s going to sit well with people who will say, “Yes! We want more of this! But also, give us something completely different!” – which, in turn, makes the next creative endeavor even more of a struggle. But isn’t that the point? If you’re not constantly struggling as a creative, then do you really have anything to say that’s worthwhile?
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I guess first and foremost, I consider myself a storyteller. It always comes back to writing for me, but I love seeing my writing come to life in a visual way, which is why I flocked to stage and screenwriting. Still, as I mentioned before, I couldn’t really find or dupe anyone into directing my projects, so learning to direct kind of became a byproduct of that. And, of course, along the way, I picked up other skills as well: editing, acting, cinematography. Pretty much a jack of all trades, master of none.
I don’t really know if I’m actually “known” for anything. I do know I created the first narrative TV show for my college campus’ cable access station when I was at Towson University. (God, I hope I didn’t peak in college…) I’ve made some lasting relationships in the North Hollywood theater district with some plays I’ve written and directed. I found out a short film I wrote and directed titled, “Give & Take”, was getting a lot of streaming play in Germany. I’ve often wondered if one day I go to Germany, I’ll find myself in a Sugar Man-type situation (look it up) where I’m a nobody here stateside, but I’m a small-time celebrity in some obscure German city, and I’m not even aware of it.
I’m proud of everything I’ve managed to produce. Everything I’ve created has had varying degrees of success, but I consider anything I’m able to get done a small achievement. They’re all my children; please don’t make me pick one.
What sets me apart? …Me. I can’t tell a story the way others can, but I guaran-f*cking-tee no one will tell you a story the way I can.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
100% my wife, Jen! I would absolutely not still be doing what I do if not for her constant encouragement and support. So many of my peers, I see the constant struggle of balancing creative endeavors vs. maintaining a relationship and for valid, justifiable reasons I see so many times they end up having to choose one over the other. With Jen, we’ve managed to carve out what I would consider a healthy relationship where we don’t have to make that distinction. We love and support each other, and the only thing we want to see is the other achieve their dreams.
And I would be remiss if I did not mention my Aunt Cindy, who was quite the artist and creative herself. She constantly encouraged and fostered my creativity as a kid. She would always request that I write her something every time I saw her or at least tell her a story. I lost her to cancer when I was 12 years old, which was one of the earliest traumas in my life, and in some ways, I feel like the reason I keep pursuing these creative endeavors is to keep her spirit alive. Rest in peace, Aunt Cindy. Much love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3281260/?ref_=nmmi_mi_nm
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troubadourmike/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mbtroubadour
