We recently connected with Sean McBride and have shared our conversation below.
Sean, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Having low self-esteem is pretty commonplace for most artists, considering we are always seeking validation in some form. It might not necessarily feel like that here in LA, but I think that is more due to people outwardly projecting extreme confidence, to the point of being cocky, but it’s because they’re masking their low self-esteem.
On a personal level, I have always suffered from a lack of confidence and self-esteem, and it’s never not there, but I’ve managed to come out of it, or at least raise my confidence and self-esteem, by staying locked in and focusing on the work in front of me. As hard as it might be, I still try my best to maintain a glass half full approach, and respect every project for the hard journey that it is. Yes, it may be difficult, and chip away at my mental health in the process, but I’m still able to note the progress, and that, in turn, helps keep me moving forward, confidently, until realizing the final goal of completion. I think folks could really help themselves out a lot, simply by accepting the fact that making great art is not easy and you are going to experience challenges, but overcoming those challenges is part of what defines a person.
Over time, if you complete enough projects, whatever they may be, and even if they aren’t necessarily leading to widespread fame, being able to personally outlast the process and seeing it all the way through until the end, inherently builds confidence.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 and it’s hard to believe that I’ve managed to last 18 years out here. While it hasn’t been easy, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s easy to take the west coast for granted after you’ve been out here for a while though, but I know for a fact, I would not be able to accomplish any of the things I want to do, if not for the people, resources and industry’s that we have here in Los Angeles.
When I first came out this way, it was for a job with the NFL Network, but that same week, I did my first open mic at the Haha Cafe in North Hollywood, which essentially catapulted me onto this journey of always having one foot in the stand up world, and one foot in the production world. Despite many times where I felt like I was spreading myself too thin, by not committing to one or the other, here we are 18 years later, and being a strong writer-producer, and solid stand up comic has become my entire identity. I’m not just another comic with ideas in my head, I’m a comic with the aptitude, resources and connections to talent, to help make my crazy ideas come to life.
My writing and producing partner, Michael v. Greene and I, started our production company, “Everyone Can Eat”, several years ago, but it was during the pandemic when things started to really take off. We produced public health content for USC, UCLA, and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, which then led to us producing an award-winning short film, “Vaccinate Watts.”
Beyond that, I’m very happy to say that this past summer and fall (2023), we received our first opportunity to produce a feature film that Michael and I wrote. It is due out, IN THEATERS, this Spring and was funded by the LA-based record label / production company, Rancho Humilde. It stars Eric Roberts (“King of Gypsies”, “Runaway Train), Peter Greene (“Training Day”, “The Mask”), and Master P (“I Got the Hook-Up”, “Hollywood Homicide”), and I still can’t even believe it is real and is happening. The only thing I do know is that this dream of an opportunity would not have been possible if not for the network of amazing people I’ve assembled these last 18 years out here. You cannot put a price on having real, positive relationships with people, and them always being just a phone call away and quick to answer.
Growing up, my mother’s favorite movie was always, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and the film’s final line has pretty much become my motto… “No man is a failure who has friends.”
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’ve been fortunate to be around many individuals, who started their own journey’s in LA’s entertainment industry, literally decades before me, and they have blessed me with countless amounts of wisdom over the years. Here are the three best pieces of advice I’ve ever been given.
1.) “Every time you have a big meeting, you should make a point to get in the Pacific Ocean water early that morning and catch some waves. Regardless of the outcome of the meeting, you’ll at least be able to look across the desk at the person you’re talking to, knowing you are literally cooler than they are.” ~Charles Rosin (“Beverly Hills, 90210”, “Northern Exposure”)
2.) “You never finish writing anything. You re-write until you get a shoot date, and when that time comes, you put your pencil down, throw your hands in the air, and surrender, knowing you did the best you could. So, let it go, and start on the next one.” ~Danny Mora (“McFarland, USA”, “Lethal Weapon”)
3.) “There are only 2 rules in comedy… Screw them if they can’t take a joke, and, take the money and run.” ~Vic Dunlop (“The Richard Pryor Show”, “Harper Valley PTA”)
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I don’t think anything that is great for the masses can be accomplished without collaboration. The feature film I just produced, that is due out this Spring, “CLIKA”, was the greatest collaboration I’ve ever been a part of. While it was Michael and I who wrote the script, it was based on the life of one of the top artists on the Rancho Humilde record label, as well as the lived experiences of other top members of the record label. It was a story that we would not have been able to write, had they not already lived the life. We were the ones simply tasked with recreating it in a way that would be enjoyable for everybody, while staying true to the Chicano experience.
When it came time to shoot the film, our production team was as true a reflection of LA’s population as you’ll ever see on a film set. We had members Mexican, Black, White, Asian, and LGBTQ+ communities working together with one common goal. Everyone played vital roles on this project and had a different perspectives, but they all owned what they were in charge of, and that’s what made it work. The end result was a beautiful movie, that is further brought to life by Rancho Humilde’s amazing music catalogue. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to be a part of such a great collaboration again, but I certainly hope so.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.everyonecaneat.com
- Instagram: @seansmcbride / @thecosmiccomedyshow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mcbride-a3140b3/
- Twitter: @seansmcbride
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laughbureau
Image Credits
I, Sean McBride, is the owner of all photos
