Julio Torres

No, at least not in the time when I was growing up there.

I wasn't.

So I came to the US wanting to be a writer, wanting to be specifically a writer for TV and film.

But very much like in the movie, my visa was running out and I didn't know how long I'd be able to stay here.

And I kept aspiring to find a day job that would make me so that I was able to stay here.

And then I remember being...

at one of these day jobs one day, like working a coat check and like thinking, well, why am I here?

Am I in New York just so that I can afford being in New York?

Is the goal of living in New York to make rent in New York?

Is that all there is?

And then I remember the original goal that brought me here, the wanting to be a writer.

And I had no idea how to write a script that would ever get made.

And then it just popped into my head that stand-up comedy...

was something that was available to me in New York City for free, meaning I didn't have to take any classes.

I didn't have to know anyone in the business.

And I could just Google New York City open mic tonight.

And lo and behold, there was this website that had an inventory of every single open mic in New York City for free.

So I started going to them as a way of showcasing my writing.

And the very first time I did it was sort of like means to an end.

The end being being a professional TV and film writer.