Jason Hellerman

Why did you choose the Screenwriting (MFA) program?

I'm from just south of Philadelphia and I wanted to be closer to home while still heading to a school that would set me up to succeed in Los Angeles.

How did your time at COM help prepare you for your life post-COM?

Most of Hollywood is hearing the word "no" over and over again especially when it comes to selling scripts, interviewing for jobs, and applying for apartments. COM was a safe space to pitch ideas that got killed and it helped me learn how to take and give critiques. I was able to develop a thick skin and also learn how to balance time to write with time spent in offices and meetings. That helped me move forward.

What have you been up to since you graduated?

Since graduating I have worked as an assistant, sold a script, had a movie debut at SXSW (“Shovel Buddies"), and written for television and digital series. I live in Los Angeles (Culver City) and I get to say that I pay the bills by writing full time. I recently finished an episode of the Go90 Show "The 5th Quarter" and I'm currently on an adventure movie feature assignment.

Can you talk about your current position? How did you choose it? What makes it exciting?

I've always loved telling stories from the time I was a kid through today. You get to be in control of the audience's emotions and take people on the ride of their lives. I spent a long time working as an assistant and learning how professional writers conduct themselves in terms of pitching, general meetings, and negotiating assignments. It was a long haul but also so important in helping me get paid to write today.

What advice would you give to graduating COM students?

Chances are you're not going to find success right away. Don't be afraid to pivot your expectations toward reality and also to leave some projects behind. The best thing you can do is keep creating new things that are true to yourself and unique for you. Don't try to follow the patterns of what's selling, tell a story that you think can only come from someone like you. People will find it.