Howdy Steemit! I’m Jennifer Skyler, Writer & Actress - With Love From Portland

 Howdy fellow content creators and dream-builders! 

My name is Jennifer Skyler. I’ve written several other posts, then realized I never did an OFFICIAL (verified) introduction... still getting acquainted with Steemit culture. ;) 

So here it is. TA DA!

I live with my little boy in Portlandia. Ahem. Portland, Oregon. 

The City of Bridges, Roses, and The Weird. 

We lived in LA for several years, then returned to Portland recently when I decided all the writing doors I needed to open are already open to me - and quality of Life needed to come first again.

I started my artistic career as a classically trained actress, tumbled into film & TV, unexpectedly became a single mom, and then… realized I was a writer all along. I started writing in earnest eight years ago, when a friend - who was a show runner and executive producer of a TV show - offered to mentor me as I wrote a pilot comedy script for TV. From start to polished finish, I wrote that script in six weeks. It was then picked up by the big talent agency CAA. Together, we shopped it around Los Angeles. I remember (literally) pinching my arm as I walked through the halls of the Showtime offices. I was green at the time, and the show didn’t sell, but that was one heck of a ride. The script did, however, get me a development situation at the comedy production company Mosaic (Elf, Talledega Nights).

I’m currently ghostwriting a Young Adult novel while developing a comedy TV series for the production company Mosaic - which, if all goes well and I win the Netflix Lottery of Life, my show TINA AND NINA will be in shot in Portland - bringing greater abundance to a thriving community of extraordinarily talented artists.

TINA AND NINA is near and dear to my heart - as it’s about triumphing over fear in order to share one’s talents with the world. It’s also a coming of age story, for adults. Best friends, and talented comedic singer-songwriters, Tina and Nina are in their 30’s and still live at home. Crippled by social phobias, they never make it to the stage on open mic nights, or even  finish their community college classes. When Tina’s mother is diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and can no longer work, however, Tina and Nina must enter the Portland, Oregon workforce - to hilarious and sometimes disastrous results.

I’ve wrapped up work on what is called a “Show Bible” for TINA AND NINA, in which I describe the characters, and even the first season of episodes. I’m currently working on the pilot script. I’m a little further behind than I’d like to be, because I have to keep working in order to pay the bills as I’m writing the pilot. (Here’s the thing about Hollywood - they don’t pay you for scripts in development, unless you’re an established name.) I’m the Little Engine That Could, though, so I know if I keep working slowly and steadily, I’ll reach my destination… even if it takes a little time. Choo choo!

Once the pilot script is complete, Mosaic wants me to shoot a “digital pitch” - a two minute trailer giving a taste of what this show could be. As I wasn’t expecting to have to pay for a mini film - and I’m a freelancing single mom with a mortgage to pay, I’m a little daunted, but I trust and have faith that all will unfold perfectly. 

As time goes on, I’ll be sharing my process, progress, and original content with you all. 

Thank you for being here, thank you for supporting original content creators. Thank you Steemit, for this incredible opportunity to share, give, and receive support. Stay tuned and follow me, I’ll be sharing!

With Love From Portland, 

 @jenniferskyler
[email protected]

https://www.clippings.me/jenniferskyler