MNN Diaries: Sharon Jamilkowski

If anyone knows how to take advantage of the freedom that comes with producing a show on MNN, it’s Sharon Jamilkowski, creator and star of the hilarious sketch-comedy-meets-puppets-meets-cooking show, “I've Got Munchies.” The program is—by the comedic actress’s description—weird, in the most wonderful, joyful, only-in-New-York kind of way. For the nine years over which the show has been on the air, Sharon’s been creating bizarre characters and collaborating with other local talent, offering her growing audience an exclusive window into the New York comedy scene at root-level. Sharon’s is the story of an MNN experience that truly helped develop and launch a career, so we were excited when she agreed to write this installment of MNN Diaries. Here the funny gal is:

What led you to MNN?

Right as I was finishing up my bachelor’s degree in acting at Pace University, a friend of mine mentioned that MNN was free to use for all residents of Manhattan. Scared silly that I was soon to be “just another actress that works in a restaurant,” and remembering a seminar I took with Steve Buscemi about “creating your own acting work,” I immediately signed up for MNN classes in the hopes of being more than just THAT actress. After one class, I knew this was a community that would give me tools and encouragement to let my creative freak flag fly. From that point on I worked hard creating “I've Got Munchies,” which combines my two loves: comedy and cooking. I spent hours editing our 28-minute show, doing the old editing by pressing record on my VCR with a VHS tape, highlighting the S'mores in a Bowl recipe and my funny shenanigans on Spring Break at Yankee Spring Training in Tampa. I submitted it to MNN, and “I’ve Got Munchies” first aired right after I graduated from college and entered the “real world.” Instead of graduating with no prospects, I had a new show on MNN to put my creative juices into!

What have you learned—about the craft, about yourself—while creating a TV show at MNN?

Honestly, I learned EVERYTHING about creating and making a show over the nine years of producing “I’ve Got Munchies.” Except for filming my guy friends do ‘N Sync routines in high school, I had no knowledge of how to use a camera or how to write, film or edit a show. Most people learn these things before they have a show, but I learned as I went along while the whole world was watching—or at the very least Manhattan. Especially with comedy, there are certain trails and errors that you go through to make yourself excel. The quicker you get to the joke, the better. Back in the beginning of “I’ve Got Munchies,” we had sketches that ran eight minutes long, but now I know no one wants to a watch a sketch longer than four minutes. I remember one of our producing milestones about five years ago was working with a local rapper, Manifest, on a song he wrote for us called “Nasty Girl,” which is about washing your hands. We planned EVERY shot and created a filming schedule for it. Needless to say, it worked, and from that point on we wrote out and planned everything on the show. Personally, as an artist/actress/comedian, I discovered my voice and learned to push my own limits with my creativity. I’m not afraid to perform as a scrawny redneck man named Ricky who likes to do Top 5 lists, or a Nun who teaches Zumba, or even Bob Ross’ fictional daughter Diana Ross—all weird characters I’ve created for the show. The best part is that MNN lets me be as weird as I want and allows me to try new things.

How would you like your show to impact your audience?

I realize my show isn’t something you should watch if you want a deep philosophical discussion about life. I aim for “I’ve Got Munchies” to be 28 minutes of good solid laughs, weirdness and instruction on a recipe that ANYONE could make. I’ve received fan emails from viewers who visited New York City and happened upon “I’ve Got Munchies” in their hotel rooms, and they love that they’ve never seen anything like it on TV. I’ve even got some sweet high fives on the subway from local fans who watch “I’ve Got Munchies” for all the stellar talent we have on the show. I perform throughout New York City, and I come across some amazingly funny people like Jenn Dodd, Squirm and Germ, Firecracker Duo, Papaya Brothers etc., and I put them on the show. I want to expose my audience to new hilarious comedians that they might not have experienced before.

How has MNN changed your life, present and future?

I wouldn’t have any of the producing, writing or editing skills that I have today without MNN and their classes and tools. I didn’t pay a lot of money to go to film school to become a snobby pretentious filmmaker; my film school was MNN with down to earth/real people of the community around me and that in itself is, as MasterCard puts it, PRICELESS. Besides the amazing staff and community support, MNN gives me the ability to reach an audience I wouldn’t normally reach in a comedy club or even on YouTube. I’m constantly telling comedians about the wonderfulness of MNN and cable access and how it’s ridiculous NOT to do it. It’s funny; I took a couple classes at Upright Citizens Brigade back in 2006-2008 with Chris Gethard. At one point, I brought up “I’ve Got Munchies,” MNN and the free classes they offer. Now, Chris Gethard, a super funny guy, has The Chris Gethard Show on MNN and is rocking it out with his own brand of humor. I love that! Comedians doing what they want to do, instead of a network telling them what to do! I’m serious when I say, MNN allows me to let me as funny-bizarre-weird-freaky as I want to be… shoot, we even had a sketch about a woman who had a baby on her toe (Baby Toe), and a parody of Burt’s Bees called Burt's Butt Chap!

In three words, why do you love the work you do at MNN?

I push limits (and get weird)!

Watch “I’ve Got Munchies” every other Monday at 11pm on MNN4 and MNN.org. Check the show out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Vimeo and the official website, ivegotmunchies.com. Find Sharon on Twitter, YouTube, sharonjamilkowski.com and on her daily face blog, Face Time With Sharon.