Compton native Jamil Akim O’Quinn is a Black, queer, neurodivergent writer with a penchant for writing stories about characters in worlds where they don't fit in, but learn to adapt and eventually thrive. O’Quinn has earned bachelor’s degrees in integrative biology and sociology from UC Berkeley, a Master of Divinity from Princeton and an MFA in screenwriting from Loyola Marymount University. As a child, he was groomed to be a Pentecostal megachurch pastor, but O’Quinn always preferred empowering communities through performance art and storytelling – not preaching. As a classically trained opera singer, former Armani Exchange model and Broadway performer, O’Quinn has lots of life experiences that can help spark creative ideas in any writers’ room. As a researcher on THE EQUALIZER and writers' assistant on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Jamil co-wrote/produced his first episode of television, 1414 - "Shame". Jamil was most recently staffed on Season 8 of S.W.A.T. where he wrote and produced episode 810 - "The Heights", now streaming on Paramount+ and Netflix. He looks forward to the next phase of his career as a professional writer.
learn more at www.jamilakimoquinn.com
Let's Discuss:
- Surviving an ever changing business as a screenwriter
- Screenwriting as an entrepreneurial endeavor
- Embracing non-linear pathways as a screenwriter
- Relationship building in a relationship-based business
- My subjective responses for Do's and Don'ts as a baby writer
- From Script to Pitch -- strategic planning
Note: Please excuse typos and grammar flops in my responses. I'm tapping in to answer between work sessions.
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Do you have suggestions on how to find producers to pick up your projects or partner with them? I know my own skill set, and am aware I’ll need to collaborate with people who have the skills I lack, but I’m not entirely sure how to go about that?
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Hey, Jamil Akim O'Quinn. Great to meet you. Congratulations on all your success! Thanks for having an AMA! What's one non-linear pathway for screenwriters?
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Jamil Akim O'Quinn Thank you for the opportunity to ask you questions.How has your neurodivergence and LGBTQ identity helped and hindered you?
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What was your first day in a writers' room like? Any room etiquette you learned on the go?
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Jamil Akim O'Quinn, your path is incredibly inspiring, and a powerful example of how multidimensional life experience can enrich a writer’s voice. I’d love to know: What were some of the key business lessons you had to learn after getting staffed that you wish more emerging writers understood from the start?
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Yan Ju Zeng From my experience, how I've gotten on producer's radars is first by having projects that generate enough interest for them to take a general meeting with me. From that point, I take it upon myself to build a genuine relationship with authentic check-ins over time. Whether it be a congratulations on other projects of their's that are announced or sharing great updates on my own journey. Then when I have a project that I feel is right for them, then my reps and I circle back to share the project. Key thing is, is the project right for them? Knowing that takes intentional research, so that you aren't shooting arrows into the dark hoping that it lands. This is only one way, but this usually comes from nurturing genuine relationships over time. I like this version because you build genuine relationships with people that result in them wanting to pour into your journey as your work also pours into their journey as producers.
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Hey Maurice Vaughan. They are millions lol... but, one would be someone who started their life journey heading toward medical school, which didn't fulfill their true passion, so they pivoted and wrote a medical drama script using their knowledge of medicine to land them into the industry after living a lifetime of pursuing something completely different. Another could be someone who started out on in the mailroom of an agency and seeing how projects come to be fuels their desire to write a project and see it through to fruition as a creative.
but, all paths lead to one common ground... You have to do the work to learn the craft. Whether it is film school or self-educating. You have to do the work to fine tune craft and this work never stops. And the work doesn't mean just laboring at a desk. The work is also living a full life that gives you more story to write about. So take that crazy vacation. Jump out of a plane. Date. as a writer living a full life is some of the most important work you can do, because it fuels story.
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Hi Jamil! Thank you so much for spending some time with the Stage 32 community! We're so glad to have you! My question is about relationship-building. I grew up with friends and family in the industry and I went to high school not far from Hollywood (I grew up in Inglewood) and if there's a common theme among things that people have taught me about the Entertainment Industry all my life, it's what my mother used to say, which is "Hollywood is a world of who you know." What is the best advice you have been given about building relationships in this industry and what are some things that you know now that you would love to share with yourself when you were green? Basically, what's the best advice you can give so you can hip people to the game?
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Hi Antony, great question. My entire life helps! It shapes my POV into worlds. It creates nuanced points of view. My identity is the superpower that makes me, me in a room, which is the one thing that no one else can ever be. Identity only hinders when I look upon it as less than deserving and then limit myself from being the full version of myself, and if that happens then nobody wins. A writers' room loses out on being able to mine story from my life. I lose out on potential opportunity. And the scariest thing, is creating a prison for my own humanity that leads to challenges far greater than my writing career. So, I transform shame into superpower and go at life relentless, owning every aspect of me, unapologetically. That's why on everything that I do, I use my full government as a constant reminder that all of me is worthy. OWN IT!!
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Great idea and great points, Jamil Akim O'Quinn! I've done different things in my past (selling clothes, drawing designs for a clothing line I was gonna start, fast food worker, etc.). I need to write a script about one of them. Thanks for the answer and idea!
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Jamil Akim O'Quinn Hi Jamil and thank you so much for taking questions, that really means a lot.
For a new writer outside of the industry would you suggest trying to obtain representation (manager or agent) OR pitching to Producers as a primary strategy for getting a TV Series project off the ground?
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Hey Ashley. Thanks for the kind words. From childhood, I've always embraced the fact that this is called show BUSINESS. There is no show without business and there is definitely no business with the show. So, I've always been one who has diagrams, charts, models, keys point indicators, tools of assessment... charts on charts on charts. Yes, I'm that guy! lol. But I've realized, in our current climate, that getting my second job is harder than getting my first, despite what feels like me working tirelessly. With fewer shows and smaller rooms, I've realized that to stay working in the business, my strategy has to be a living and breathing thing that I assess weekly and sometimes daily so that I'm able to stay in the mix. Stay in contact with whom people you've worked. Oh, and not because your goal is for them to do something for you (that is lecherous). Do honest assessments of how you've been navigating your business as a creative and see if there are any stones that are unturned that could be the open door to the next path. I'm a strong believer in "without a vision [things] perish". And part of the business of show is to have a vision for yourself in the form of a business plan that you relentlessly work.
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Hi Geoffroy! Honestly my first day of the writers' room... started before I got to the writers' room. I've only worked on shows that had multiple seasons, so it was watching all episodes, reading scripts, knowing the characters, working to gain an understanding of the showrunner's voice, assessing where my own skills could be a major asset whether that is my lived experience that connects to a specific character that I could mine more story out of, or whether it be my past experience of producing episodes that revealed my strengths in covering set, sound mix, etc. And reading Niceole Levy's book The Writers’ Room Survival Guide: Don’t Screw up the lunch order and other keys to a happy Writers' (not so shameless plus).
On the first day meeting everyone, I listened, took in personalities, tried to understand who the people were in real life, that I'd researched after receiving the welcome email blast. Every room has its own dynamics so my goal was to discern the culture. And when it was my turn to speak, I was prepared based on how my neurodivergent mind operates. I had my personal script of pitches written down so I was clear and concise. Most importantly, be a good person to be around. Be the breath of fresh air that also has input on how to solve problems. I think it was also important for me to remember that although in a room we meet some of the best people, this is my job and I'm being paid well to deliver. So, be kind, reliable, and find your superpower that makes you essential to the vision your showrunner has for the show.
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Hey Darrell, honestly, I don't think representation should be the first thing a new person outside of the industry should focus on. My thought is someone should first work on craft, craft, craft.... let the script be the calling card for representation and producers to then generate interest in meeting you. If the craft is not there then reps and producers have nothing to be excited about when meeting you.
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Hi, Jamil Akim O'Quinn. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! I’m new to screenwriting, coming from an accounting background. After several years, I finally realized that field was never the right path for me. So, I’ve committed to pursuing writing as a full-time career. It’s been extremely challenging without a close circle of support who understands first-hand what it’s like to start a career in this industry. I’m also neurodivergent, and that adds another layer. If you’re open to sharing, what advice would you offer to someone who’s new to the industry and navigating it with neurodivergence?
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Jamil Akim O'Quinn Makes a lot of sense. I will take that to heart for sure. I do have a Double Recommend Pilot that also has 2 sets of Consider Coverage feedback. For that project specifically would you identify a preferrable approach?
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Hi Jamil Akim O'Quinn ! Thank you for making time to share so much practical and inspiring insight. I love your Howard Thurman quote on your homepage. It speaks to a very defined energy and intent. Would you share who else or what else has been your inspiration or has likewise influenced your POV? cheers
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Hey Sebastian,
Shonda Rhimes is a huge inspiration. MY great-grandmother Melissa Jetter is the biggest influence in making me own my story. She’s the one that taught me the importance of falling in love with the sound of my voice.
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Hi Tiffany! My biggest advice is focus on building your craft. Writing and rewriting until your scripts are undeniable. Once you learn the process of what works for you, then Use that process to create undeniable work that you can submit to festivals like Austin Film Festival, things like this help gain traction. And find community with screenwriters even if it starts off virtual through IG, etc.
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that's beautiful Jamil Akim O'Quinn - thank you for sharing that :)