How To Write Funny Episode 39 | Jen Kirkman
Mar 25, 2020
Jen Kirkman, a stand-up comic, TV writer, and actress, discusses her comedy, social media, pitching TV shows, and weathering the ups and downs of the business. They also delve into the challenges of the TV writing industry, the potential for diverse content in cartoons, the importance of exploring character complexity in TV shows, and the emotional impact of personal stories in comedy.
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Long Climb To Steady Work
- Jen Kirkman spent over a decade before landing a steady writing job, starting comedy in 1997 and getting steady work in 2008.
- She balances ups and downs and still feels insecure despite visible successes like Netflix specials.
Platform Success Is Driven By Numbers
- Netflix decisions are driven by numbers and algorithms, not personal judgments about a comedian's talent.
- High visibility platforms help discoverability, but platform math can still bury successful work.
Treat Pilot Sales As Career Currency
- Don't expect every sold pilot to get made; treat selling a script as a positive career step even if it never airs.
- Use sales as currency to return to meetings and get more opportunities in the industry.