Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Jansing.
Hi Jake, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I originally grew up in the Silicon Valley. I’m from a small town called Los Gatos, which is most known as the birthplace of Netflix. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to work in entertainment. At 2 years old, I would put on shows for my family. As the years went on, I found myself getting into magic, music, and comedy. From elementary school to college, and even today, the way I spark new friendships has always been via performing.
I then went to film school in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At the end of my freshman year, that school was unfortunately shut down. With the closure of my High School in my senior year and the closure of my college in my freshman year, I decided I was not going to focus all of my energy into school. I decided to move to LA, where I would be surrounded by opportunities.
Since living in LA, I have met some of the most incredible people and have been lucky to achieve dream opportunities for myself. By the age of 22, I had the opportunity to pitch 3 projects to Disney. The projects I pitched were not picked up, but having the opportunity opened my eyes to what is possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been an easy road to this point, and I expect the road ahead to have its own unique challenges. I always look at my life as a board game. Every move I make for my career is a calculated step. I may get knocked back a few spaces but I always know what I have to do to get back in place.
For the comedy industry, you could not write a worse situation than the Covid 19 pandemic. Clubs were shuttered and comedy cannot survive without an audience. I loved seeing the creativity of comedians and club owners to create safe spaces to gather for comedy and now that clubs are re-opening, I am thrilled to be back on stage in the venues where comedy was born.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My comedy has always been observational and conversational. My goal with my material is to be so relatable that when you go home, you think of my material. If there’s a popular commercial or song at the moment, I will try my best to incorporate it into my set so that you think of me the next time you see or hear it. This year, I did what I never thought I’d do, I came out as bisexual. Now that I am publicly out, I hope to write more personal material and be a voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that a crucial key to success is knowing when to set ego aside. Success in this industry is a long journey and there is no shame in doing what is necessary to make ends meet along the way. Your day job does not define you and the path that works for others may not work for you.
I’ve also learned to not take advice from people who found success easily. The advice that will most benefit you is from people who have a similar story to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: JakeJansing.com
- Instagram: Jake.Jansing
- Twitter: JakeJansing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqxbeYOxpG9pMX5K8fvo_yw
Image Credits
Cameron McLeod
