Michael Jamin has been a professional television writer/showrunner since 1996. This podcast is meant to help aspiring writers learn the craft of storytelling from a working screenwriter.

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Learn about Michael&#39;s new labor of love and a live performance based on writing in his new book coming to LA and other cities in the USA.Show NotesSign Up For More Info About The Live Performance: <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/live" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/live</a>Michael&#39;s Online Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Join My Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>

Learn about Michael's new labor of love and a live performance based on writing in his new book coming to LA and other cities in the USA.

Show Notes

Sign Up For More Info About The Live Performance: https://michaeljamin.com/live

Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

028 - A Paper Orchestra: Stage Reading

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Ever wonder what it&#39;s like to run a TV Show? In this episode, Michael and Phil discuss the nuances of being a TV Showrunner.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Online Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Join My Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>

Ever wonder what it's like to run a TV Show? In this episode, Michael and Phil discuss the nuances of being a TV Showrunner.

Show Notes

Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

027 - What  It's Like To Run A Show

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In today&#39;s special episode, Phil Hudson is the show&#39;s star as we discuss his first real experience in the writer&#39;s room. The writer&#39;s assistant on Tacoma FD was out for a week, and Phil, our Writer&#39;s PA, filled in. If you&#39;ve ever wanted to know what the job of a TV Writer&#39;s Assistant or Writer&#39;s Production Assistant is, this episode is for you.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Online Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Join My Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>

In today's special episode, Phil Hudson is the show's star as we discuss his first real experience in the writer's room. The writer's assistant on Tacoma FD was out for a week, and Phil, our Writer's PA, filled in. If you've ever wanted to know what the job of a TV Writer's Assistant or Writer's Production Assistant is, this episode is for you.

Show Notes

Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

026 - Phil's First Day In The Writer's Room

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Another round of Q&amp;A with Michael Jamin. To get your questions answered, follow Michael on Instagram and leave your question on the Q&amp;A Tile when it is posted.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Online Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Join My Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>

Another round of Q&A with Michael Jamin. To get your questions answered, follow Michael on Instagram and leave your question on the Q&A Tile when it is posted.

Show Notes

Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

025 - Q&A with Michael Jamin - Part 3

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There are a lot of misconceptions about what it&#39;s like to be a screenwriter, and writers are to blame. This week Michael Jamin and Phil Hudson dive into what it&#39;s like and what TV and Film get wrong.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Online Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Join My Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>

There are a lot of misconceptions about what it's like to be a screenwriter, and writers are to blame. This week Michael Jamin and Phil Hudson dive into what it's like and what TV and Film get wrong.

Show Notes

Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

024 - Screenwriting Fallacies Depicted in Film and TV

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You are more than just your writing. In this week&#39;s episode, Michael Jamin and Phil Hudson discuss how to grow as a writer and become that professional. We promise this is a good one.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/courseFree Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/freeJoin My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

You are more than just your writing. In this week's episode, Michael Jamin and Phil Hudson discuss how to grow as a writer and become that professional. We promise this is a good one.

Show Notes

Michael's Online Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

023 - Creative People Need To Hear this

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In this episode, Michael Jamin and Phil Hudson discuss the emotional story: what your story is really about. This is fundamental to young writers so make sure you pay close attention to this one.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Join My Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

In this episode, Michael Jamin and Phil Hudson discuss the emotional story: what your story is really about. This is fundamental to young writers so make sure you pay close attention to this one.

Show Notes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Join My Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

022 - Changing The Emotional Story

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This year&#39;s Oscar nominees paint a clear picture of what the film marketplace actually looks like. Join us for our first Oscar podcast episode and learn what this year&#39;s trends mean for you as a screenwriter.

This year's Oscar nominees paint a clear picture of what the film marketplace actually looks like. Join us for our first Oscar podcast episode and learn what this year's trends mean for you as a screenwriter.

021 - The Oscars: Understanding The Film Marketplace

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What does it take to write a good show? If you have listened to this podcast or any of my social media, you know my answer to all young writers is: become a good writer. This episode explores what that means and how to level up your writing to stand out amidst the sea of bad scripts.<h3>Show Notes</h3>Michael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

What does it take to write a good show? If you have listened to this podcast or any of my social media, you know my answer to all young writers is: become a good writer. This episode explores what that means and how to level up your writing to stand out amidst the sea of bad scripts.

Show Notes
Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

020 - Writing A Smart Show

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Your screenwriting questions answered. Michael takes questions from followers on social media and we answer them in this recurring segment of our podcast.ShownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Join The Watchlist - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist</a>

Your screenwriting questions answered. Michael takes questions from followers on social media and we answer them in this recurring segment of our podcast.

Shownotes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course
Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free
Join The Watchlist - https://michaeljamin.com/watchlist

019 - Q&A with Michael Jamin - Part 2

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You&#39;ve finished your script, now Hollywood is ready to buy it, so you think. Here&#39;s the truth about how the industry is going to look at your finished project.ShownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

You've finished your script, now Hollywood is ready to buy it, so you think. Here's the truth about how the industry is going to look at your finished project.

Shownotes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

018 - Here's My Script... Make My Show

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Creativity is a muscle. We have to exercise that muscle to grow as individuals. The good news is you are in control of your own creativity.ShownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

Creativity is a muscle. We have to exercise that muscle to grow as individuals. The good news is you are in control of your own creativity.

Shownotes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

017 - Creativity

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If you&#39;re struggling to be creative, it might be because your identity is tied too closely to your writing. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of expanding oneself to become a better writer and live a full life.ShownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

If you're struggling to be creative, it might be because your identity is tied too closely to your writing. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of expanding oneself to become a better writer and live a full life.

Shownotes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

016 - Your Work Is Not Limited To Your Screenplays

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Should I hire a script reader? Boy does this make my blood boil. Let&#39;s get into it.ShownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

Should I hire a script reader? Boy does this make my blood boil. Let's get into it.

Shownotes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

015 - Should I Hire A Script Reader?

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Do I have to live in LA to work in TV? This week we tackle a common question I get on social media and discuss the shift to video writer&#39;s rooms instead of traditional in-person rooms.ShownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

Do I have to live in LA to work in TV? This week we tackle a common question I get on social media and discuss the shift to video writer's rooms instead of traditional in-person rooms.

Shownotes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

014 - Do You Have To Live in LA to Work in TV?

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Michael &amp; Phil discuss some of the common mistakes young staff writers make that ultimately lead to being fired: not being called back for the next season. Learn what to do and what not to do in the writer&#39;s room.

Michael & Phil discuss some of the common mistakes young staff writers make that ultimately lead to being fired: not being called back for the next season. Learn what to do and what not to do in the writer's room.

013 - How To Get Fired From Your First Job

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You&#39;ve got a pilot you want to sell, now the hard part begins. Dive into the topic of selling a pilot and why that might not be the best strategy for young writers in 2022.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

You've got a pilot you want to sell, now the hard part begins. Dive into the topic of selling a pilot and why that might not be the best strategy for young writers in 2022.

Show Notes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

012 - How Do I Sell My Pilot?

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Have you ever struggled with writer&#39;s block? Do you need your muse to guide you through the pages of your screenplay? You need to listen to this episode of Screenwriters Need To Hear This, Michael &amp; Phil tackle these two subjects and you probably won&#39;t see their answer coming.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

Have you ever struggled with writer's block? Do you need your muse to guide you through the pages of your screenplay? You need to listen to this episode of Screenwriters Need To Hear This, Michael & Phil tackle these two subjects and you probably won't see their answer coming.

Show Notes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

011 - Writer's Block and Inspiration

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Michael Jamin discusses the difference between an idea and the execution of an idea, why young writers are overly obsessed with people stealing their ideas, and how to really shine as a writer.shownotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>

Michael Jamin discusses the difference between an idea and the execution of an idea, why young writers are overly obsessed with people stealing their ideas, and how to really shine as a writer.

Show Notes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

010 - Idea vs Execution

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In this episode, Michael Jamin answers listener questions posted on Michael&#39;s Social Media.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Questions pulled from - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDtIJdpT-0/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDtIJdpT-0/</a>

In this episode, Michael Jamin answers listener questions posted on Michael's Social Media.

Show Notes

Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Questions pulled from - https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDtIJdpT-0/

009 – Q&A with Michael Jamin

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008 - Different Ways To Break Into Hollywood

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In this bonus episode, Michael Jamin shares a live reading of Merry Jewish Christmas, an essay from Michael&#39;s upcoming book A Paper Orchestra.Show NotesMichael&#39;s Screenwriting Course - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/course" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/course</a>Free Screenwriting Lesson - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/free" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/free</a>Learn More About A Paper Orchestra - <a href="https://michaeljamin.com/story" rel="nofollow">https://michaeljamin.com/story</a>Michael: (00:00)Hi, it&#39;s Michael Jamin. We have a bonus podcast episode for you today. Uh, as many of you know, I&#39;m working on a collection of personal essays called a paper orchestra, and I was recently invited to read one of them aloud at a public event called strong words. And so the story I wrote and read is called Merry Jewish Christmas. I hope you enjoy it. You&#39;re listening to screenwriters need to hear this for, with Michael JaminMichael: (00:27)Story called, uh, Mary Jewish Christmas. And it&#39;s AER from my upcoming book, a paper orchestra growing up Jewish. I learned early on that Christmas was the greatest party I&#39;d never be invited to. There were would be no Santa coming down. My chimney, no chestnuts. Roasting on an open fire, no house wrapped in twinkling lights. They made Christmas tantalizing. no wonder Joseph and Mary were camped out of the neighbor&#39;s lawn. They were hoping to get a ticket inside. Sadly, the Christmas rules were very clear. No Jews. Yeah. The best I could do was hunker down until January 1st. When baby new year would shove baby Jesus out of the way, a baby fight. That&#39;s what I was.Michael: (01:15)As a child, I recall going to the supermarket where a have yourself, a very Merry Christmas playing on a loudspeaker. Oh, that heartbreakingly beautiful song. My people were already predisposed to depression. Do we really need this as well? a chef with a pension for cookie-based architecture, the glorious gingerbread house, the size of a fire hydrant with its gumdrop tile, roof, and frosting frosted windows. This wasn&#39;t a mere representation of Christmas. It was Christmas itself. I wanted to live in it. if only I could shrink down to the size of a green army man and crawl inside. I&#39;d barricade the door by licking peppermints together, sticking like cement blocks. Anyone who dared poked their head in would get a sharpened candy, came to the, a warning to any would-be intruder that this Christmas Jew was here to stay.Michael: (02:08)I wasn&#39;t allowed to linger as my mother was in a hurry to ingredients for our upcoming holiday dinner comic grabbed and pulled me to the Jewish culinary destination, the potato band I&#39;m making LACAs in my mother. And she carefully hand-selected each bland lifeless rock that would roll downhill into our stomachs. somewhere along the way, my ancestors had managed to take a perfectly good breakfast. The pancake removes the delicious doughy part and replace it with an edible tube or fried and grease. And we&#39;re gonna top them with apple sauce sheet, half of the added apple sauce. What am I? 80 frosty the snowman standing on the checkout aisle. Wasn&#39;t making me any less jealous with his corn car pipe and his eyes of coal. He was scrappy and delightful. what religion wouldn&#39;t wanna claim him for our own is frosty Christian.Michael: (03:14)I asked my mother, are you kidding me? He probably dries a Camaro. And she went back to belt to be honest, this whole Hanukah thing needed rethinking. Part of the problem is that you couldn&#39;t hype its arrival because it never felt on the same day. The Jewish calendar is lunar. Not solar. Sometimes Hanukah would land near Christmas. Other times it came shockingly early. Hey, did you know Hanukah falls on November 30th this year, November over sake. as it stood, I&#39;d have to admire Christmas from afar until one Eve on foggy Christmas Eve. When I managed to experience Christmas as an insider, it happened while on vacation in the Amish country, Pennsylvania. It was my father&#39;s idea to introduce us to culture instead of taking us someplace good, like Disney world we checked in at a nearby resort. That was the vacation spot in 1958 once upscale and chic, the hotel had fall into disrepair. Yes, a fire roared in the lobby, but I can only imagine it was fueled by a mountain of status and safety violations. luckily, whatever money they saved in sprinkler upgrades that might save our lives was spent on Christmas decorations. That brought wonder to my Hebrew eyes flex of silver and gold were splayed everywhere, and they had a name for it. Tin learned other words too. The aging pianist in the lobby sang of magical creatures that were half reptile and half bird called turtles. They sounded tank .Michael: (05:06)There was a log called a U and an a bowl. There was a knock the pleasure was insane. On Christmas morning, we awoke to find fresh snowfall on the ground. Just let the movies promised my sister and I got quickly dressed and raced downstairs to so the Christmas tree like you&#39;re supposed to and they&#39;re handing out presents to a hoard of waiting. Children was a big man himself. Jo Saint Nick, go get one urge my mother, but we&#39;re Jewish he doesn&#39;t know that he&#39;s probably drunk go before my mother nudged me. I approached just as Santa was being handed a fresh stack of presence from one of the elves who I now recognized as our bus boy from last night&#39;s dinner. I said nothing though. We were both keeping secrets. admittedly, I took pleasure receiving a present from Santa Claus and the fact that I might be depriving a deserving Christian child, just because he was late getting to the lobby.Michael: (06:06)Didn&#39;t bother me in the slightest . Did that make me a bad person or had I already crossed that line? When I told Santa my name is Tim, I rushed to a quiet part of the lobby to unwrap my Christmas bounty. I was certain mine contained the perfect gift. The moment before unwrapping any gift is always magical because that&#39;s when the present is at its highest potential. It could be anything you wanted it to be. I suppose the same could be said about a Jewish child out to experience Christmas for the first time. Just imagine. And now imagine my disappointment. When I discovered what lie beneath the wrapping, it was a bargain rack board game that the hotel picked up at that thrift store. It was like Santa had known all along and he knifed me right in the Jewish gut.Michael: (06:58)And although I don&#39;t recall the exact name of this board game for the sake of things, let&#39;s just call it abject disappointment by Parker brothers. . I had betrayed my heritage by pretending to be Christian and for what a lousy board game to this day, Christmas morning holds an unsettling stillness for me when most of the population is inside unwrapping presents and spreading good cheer. We Jews wander the city, just like chase Joseph and Mary searching for a destination that will take us in. Usually it&#39;s a Chinese restaurant. So that&#39;s exactly what Cynthia and I did with our daughters. On Christmas day, it&#39;s strange to have a restaurant almost entirely to yourself. Even if you&#39;re with someone there&#39;s a loneliness to it, you can hear it in the silence. At least that&#39;s how I felt when our Mohu vegetables arrived. We sat at the window tables, staring outside where not even a mouse was stirring and closer to the door was an older couple who had grappled with a similar feeling, but ordered the noodles instead for a moment, the woman and I made eye contact on any other day, we may have both looked away, but this was Christmas, even though we were strangers, I think we wanted to share a feeling of connection or at least acknowledge our sense of isolation.Michael: (08:28)She gave me a smile that said, eh, what are you gonna do? When our meal was over, I ordered a serving of moon cake. Not much just a little sweetness to help enjoy the day as I ushered my family out the door. I set it down on the women&#39;s table, Merry Jewish Christmas. I said Merry Jewish ChristmasMichael: (08:55)To you too.Michael: (09:01)Hi, it&#39;s Michael. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoyed that story again. It&#39;s from my upcoming collection of personal essays called a paper orchestra. It&#39;s, uh, gonna be published soon and I hope you will consider joining my newsletter so that when it&#39;s you can go get it. I&#39;m not gonna spam you. I&#39;m not gonna sell you a bunch of stuff. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. It&#39;s just to be notified of my public events and, and things that I&#39;m working on. So to sign up, just go to MichaelJamin.com/story, enter your email address. And again, I&#39;m not gonna, I&#39;m not gonna sell it or trade it or do all this nasty stuff your email&#39;s safe with me. All right. Thank you so much for considering it and, uh, Merry Jewish Christmas.

In this bonus episode, Michael Jamin shares a live reading of Merry Jewish Christmas, an essay from Michael's upcoming book A Paper Orchestra.

Show Notes
Michael's Screenwriting Course - https://michaeljamin.com/course

Free Screenwriting Lesson - https://michaeljamin.com/free

Learn More About A Paper Orchestra - https://michaeljamin.com/story

Michael: (00:00)
Hi, it's Michael Jamin. We have a bonus podcast episode for you today. Uh, as many of you know, I'm working on a collection of personal essays called a paper orchestra, and I was recently invited to read one of them aloud at a public event called strong words. And so the story I wrote and read is called Merry Jewish Christmas. I hope you enjoy it. You're listening to screenwriters need to hear this for, with Michael Jamin

Michael: (00:27)
Story called, uh, Mary Jewish Christmas. And it's AER from my upcoming book, a paper orchestra growing up Jewish. I learned early on that Christmas was the greatest party I'd never be invited to. There were would be no Santa coming down. My chimney, no chestnuts. Roasting on an open fire, no house wrapped in twinkling lights. They made Christmas tantalizing. no wonder Joseph and Mary were camped out of the neighbor's lawn. They were hoping to get a ticket inside. Sadly, the Christmas rules were very clear. No Jews. Yeah. The best I could do was hunker down until January 1st. When baby new year would shove baby Jesus out of the way, a baby fight. That's what I was.

Michael: (01:15)
As a child, I recall going to the supermarket where a have yourself, a very Merry Christmas playing on a loudspeaker. Oh, that heartbreakingly beautiful song. My people were already predisposed to depression. Do we really need this as well? a chef with a pension for cookie-based architecture, the, the glorious gingerbread house, the size of a fire hydrant with its gumdrop tile, roof and frosting frosted windows. This wasn't a mere representation of Christmas. It was Christmas itself. I wanted to live in it. if only I could shrink down to the size of a green army man and crawl inside. I'd barricade the door by licking peppermints together, sticking like cement blocks. Anyone who dared poked their head in would get a sharpened candy, came to the, a warning to any would be intruder that this Christmas Jew was here to stay.

Michael: (02:08)
I wasn't allowed to linger as my mother was in a hurry to ingredients for our upcoming holiday dinner comic grabbed and pulled me to the Jewish culinary destination, the potato band I'm making LACAs in my mother. And she carefully hand-selected each bland lifeless rock that would roll downhill into our stomachs. somewhere along the way, my ancestors had managed to take a perfectly good breakfast. The pancake removes the delicious doughy part and replace it with an edible tube or fried and grease. And we're gonna top them with apple sauce sheet, half of the added apple sauce. What am I? 80 frosty the snowman standing on the checkout aisle. Wasn't making me any less jealous with his corn car pipe and his eyes of coal. He was scrappy and delightful. what religion wouldn't wanna claim him for our own is frosty Christian.

Michael: (03:14)
I asked my mother, are you kidding me? He probably dries a Camaro. And she went back to belt to be honest, this whole Hanukah thing needed rethinking. Part of the problem is that you couldn't hype its arrival because it never felt on the same day. The Jewish calendar is lunar. Not solar. Sometimes Hanukah would land near Christmas. Other times it came shockingly early. Hey, did you know Hanukah falls on November 30th this year, November over sake. as it stood, I'd have to admire Christmas from afar until one Eve on foggy Christmas Eve. When I managed to experience Christmas as an insider, it happened while on vacation in the Amish country, Pennsylvania. It was my father's idea to introduce us to culture instead of taking us someplace good, like Disney world we checked in at a nearby resort. That was the vacation spot in 1958 once upscale and chic, the hotel had fall into disrepair. Yes, a fire roared in the lobby, but I can only imagine it was fueled by a mountain of status and safety violations. luckily, whatever money they saved in sprinkler upgrades that might save our lives was spent on Christmas decorations. That brought wonder to my Hebrew eyes flex of silver and gold were splayed everywhere, and they had a name for it. Tin learned other words too. The aging pianist in the lobby sang of magical creatures that were half reptile and half bird called turtles. They sounded tank .

Michael: (05:06)
There was a log called a U and an a bowl. There was a knock the pleasure was insane. On Christmas morning, we awoke to find fresh snowfall on the ground. Just let the movies promised my sister and I got quickly dressed and raced downstairs to so the Christmas tree like you're supposed to and they're handing out presents to a hoard of waiting. Children was a big man himself. Jo Saint Nick, go get one urge my mother, but we're Jewish he doesn't know that he's probably drunk go before my mother nudged me. I approached just as Santa was being handed a fresh stack of presence from one of the elves who I now recognized as our bus boy from last night's dinner. I said nothing though. We were both keeping secrets. admittedly, I took pleasure receiving a present from Santa Claus and the fact that I might be depriving a deserving Christian child, just because he was late getting to the lobby.

Michael: (06:06)
Didn't bother me in the slightest . Did that make me a bad person or had I already crossed that line? When I told Santa my name is Tim, I rushed to a quiet part of the lobby to unwrap my Christmas bounty. I was certain mine contained the perfect gift. The moment before unwrapping any gift is always magical because that's when the present is at its highest potential. It could be anything you wanted it to be. I suppose the same could be said about a Jewish child out to experience Christmas for the first time. Just imagine. And now imagine my disappointment. When I discovered what lie beneath the wrapping, it was a bargain rack board game that the hotel picked up at that thrift store. It was like Santa had known all along and he knifed me right in the Jewish gut.

Michael: (06:58)
And although I don't recall the exact name of this board game for the sake of things, let's just call it abject disappointment by Parker brothers. . I had betrayed my heritage by pretending to be Christian and for what a lousy board game to this day, Christmas morning holds an unsettling stillness for me when most of the population is inside unwrapping presents and spreading good cheer. We Jews wander the city, just like chase Joseph and Mary searching for a destination that will take us in. Usually it's a Chinese restaurant. So that's exactly what Cynthia and I did with our daughters. On Christmas day, it's strange to have a restaurant almost entirely to yourself. Even if you're with someone there's a loneliness to it, you can hear it in the silence. At least that's how I felt when our Mohu vegetables arrived. We sat at the window tables, staring outside where not even a mouse was stirring and closer to the door was an older couple who had grappled with a similar feeling, but ordered the noodles instead for a moment, the woman and I made eye contact on any other day, we may have both looked away, but this was Christmas, even though we were strangers, I think we wanted to share a feeling of connection or at least acknowledge our sense of isolation.

Michael: (08:28)
She gave me a smile that said, eh, what are you gonna do? When our meal was over, I ordered a serving of moon cake. Not much just a little sweetness to help enjoy the day as I ushered my family out the door. I set it down on the women's table, Merry Jewish Christmas. I said Merry Jewish Christmas

Michael: (08:55)
To you too.

Michael: (09:01)
Hi, it's Michael. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoyed that story again. It's from my upcoming collection of personal essays called a paper orchestra. It's, uh, gonna be published soon and I hope you will consider joining my newsletter so that when it's you can go get it. I'm not gonna spam you. I'm not gonna sell you a bunch of stuff. You can unsubscribe whenever you want. It's just to be notified of my public events and, and things that I'm working on. So to sign up, just go to MichaelJamin.com/story, enter your email address. And again, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna sell it or trade it or do all this nasty stuff your email's safe with with me. All right. Thank you so much for considering it and, uh, Merry Jewish Christmas.

Bonus - Merry Jewish Christmas

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/12/15/11/767f34f8-a094-430a-bf60-fb2844be23c8_sntht_004_creativejobsinhollywood_v2_trimmed.mp3

007 - How Do TV Writer's Rooms Work?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/12/6/23/ca11c34b-8d85-40a3-806e-9f74f8066ffb_sntht_005_workingwithapartner_v4_trimmed.mp3

006 - Working With A Partner

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/12/1/5/0161ace2-6e6a-475f-9683-73973388bf11_sntht_003_agentsmanagers_v2_trimmed.mp3

005 - Agents & Managers

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/24/12/6b695451-f0e2-486d-ab43-35ceed96a272_sntht_006_gettinghired_v2_trimmed.mp3

All We Want Are Good Writers

004 - How TV Shows Are Staffed

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/24/14/192c9ac1-26e1-4288-a293-188fec49f173_sntht_002_sellingatvshow_v3_trimmed.mp3

Become A Good Writer

003 - How To Sell A TV Show

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/17/22/a516f002-1785-42f2-9ca2-b55336564c64_sntht_007_specvspilot_v2.mp3

Which one should you write?

002 - Spec vs Pilot TV Episodes

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/22/3/23bc8b5f-7784-4ec6-b105-652cd8ea23e7_sntht_001_breakingintothebusiness_v3_trimmed.mp3

Getting Started In LA

001 - Breaking Into Hollywood

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/11/17/16/977887b9-bcc2-453a-8148-2f59904bc692_sntht_000_introduction_v2.mp3

Michael Jamin has been a professional television writer/showrunner since 1996. This podcast is meant to help aspiring writers learn the craft of storytelling from a working screenwriter.

Introduction

Your Guide to Storytelling

Michael Jamin has been a professional television writer/showrunner since 1996. This podcast is meant to help aspiring writers learn the craft of storytelling from a working screenwriter.

Screenwriters Need To Hear This with Michael Jamin

Episodes

028 - A Paper Orchestra: Stage Reading

027 - What It's Like To Run A Show

026 - Phil's First Day In The Writer's Room

025 - Q&A with Michael Jamin - Part 3

024 - Screenwriting Fallacies Depicted in Film and TV

023 - Creative People Need To Hear this

022 - Changing The Emotional Story

021 - The Oscars: Understanding The Film Marketplace

020 - Writing A Smart Show

019 - Q&A with Michael Jamin - Part 2

018 - Here's My Script... Make My Show

017 - Creativity

016 - Your Work Is Not Limited To Your Screenplays

015 - Should I Hire A Script Reader?

014 - Do You Have To Live in LA to Work in TV?

013 - How To Get Fired From Your First Job

012 - How Do I Sell My Pilot?

011 - Writer's Block and Inspiration

010 - Idea vs Execution

009 – Q&A with Michael Jamin

008 - Different Ways To Break Into Hollywood

Bonus - Merry Jewish Christmas

007 - How Do TV Writer's Rooms Work?

006 - Working With A Partner

005 - Agents & Managers

004 - How TV Shows Are Staffed

003 - How To Sell A TV Show

002 - Spec vs Pilot TV Episodes

001 - Breaking Into Hollywood

Introduction