Catching the Show-Biz Bug in a Childhood Production to Becoming the Creator of a Hit Series
Mike Heslin
In this profile series, Revry is highlighting authentic contributors to the LGBTQ media and entertainment community. We ask questions to find out who they are and where they are going in the future. The questions remain the same but the answers tell their unique story. It’s time to explore and celebrate true representation beyond the limits of Hollywood.
Mike Heslin is an actor, writer, director and producer, as well as the co-founder of a production company called Well-Versed Entertainment. His most recent series, THE INFLUENCERS, is a scripted mockumentary that follows the lives of six fame-hungry social media stars battling for a dream brand deal. Mike has appeared on screens all around the country such as festivals like SXSW and on television channels TVLand and Lifetime. You can follow Mike’s journey through his Instagram account @MikeHeslin and watch THE INFLUENCERS on Revry.
What are you best known for?
I’m best known as the creator of the new comedy series THE INFLUENCERS. In addition to writing and directing it, I also appear as Taylor, one-half of the obnoxious #instacouple in the show. I’m also known known for playing Rupert in Boy•Friends, a new digital comedy based on the popular and acclaimed web series MY GAY ROOMMATE, and for documenting my adventures with my boyfriend Scotty Dynamo on YouTube.
What is the first production you acted in?
The first production I ever acted in was The Wizard of Oz when I was six years old. My mom had taken me to a local children’s theater when I was five and I was instantly smitten/caught the show biz bug. I was devastated to find out that I was too young to audition, so I spent a whole year preparing my audition song (I believe it was “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”?) for when I turned six. I auditioned as soon as I was of age and was cast as one of the munchkin’s in the Lollipop Guild. To this day, The Wizard of Oz is still one of my top favorite movies of all time that I can watch over and over again.
What are you working on that no one knows about yet?
My business parter Noam Ash (creator of MY GAY ROOMMATE) and I have a ton of exciting projects on our slate right now at our production company Well-Versed Entertainment. These include the second season of THE INFLUENCERS, a few feature films, a workplace comedy and a super sexy hour-long drama. We are also super excited about a stage to screen adaptation we are producing of THE F#@%ing WRIGHT BROTHERS alongside director Gordon Greenberg and writer David Zellnik!
