Jamie Mackinlay
Jamie is a trainee Script Editor and the host and founder of ‘Just Get a Real Job’ Podcast. He grew up in Glenrothes, Fife and was fortunate to have very supportive parents, family and friends (his words not ours)…
“I have been based in Edinburgh now for over seven years and studied a BA in Film and Theatre at QMU between 2014-2018. After a year out, working full time as a support worker, I went back to uni to study an MA in Screenwriting at Screen Academy Scotland. After graduating in 2020 I was involved in several creative projects and worked as a Runner and Covid Supervisor on several TV and short film productions.
I launched 'Just Get a Real Job' and have been hosting and producing it. After years of hard work and many setbacks I was lucky enough to be accepted for a Script Editor traineeship in Sep 2021 with STV Drama and I’ve been loving every minute of it. I am also a proud Dyslexic.”
How would you describe yourself?
This is a very difficult question to answer but I would probably describe myself as very enthusiastic, caring, and emotional in the best and worst sense. I am also really outgoing and love to be around people.
What motivates you?
I am without sounding too self-indulgent and motivated to try and be the best version of myself I can be, like everyone I don’t always manage this everyday but I’m very driven to improve and grow. In regard to being a creative person, I am very driven to make my work and my podcast as good as it can be and I have always had to be very motivated in order to make a career in the arts. I am also very motivated by the people around me; family and friends….
If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose and why?
Definitely Invisibility. I would love to be a fly on the wall to so conversations and meetings we normally never get to be part of. I’ve never been a fan of flying tbh.
Was the “Just Get a Real Job” Podcast concept a light bulb moment…?
Yes 100%. I had always wanted a creative outlet and had always been interested in starting a podcast as an avid podcast listener and had tried and failed many times at starting one. I remember seeing the `` Fatma should retrain in cyber” advert the government put out and being very riled up. I had a lot of interesting friends in the arts and always thought they would be cool people to interview, and the 2 things just came together perfectly. The podcast was sort of my rebellion against this social attitude that the creative arts isn’t a valid career choice. I never expected it to turn into what it has, and I still pinch myself at what we’ve achieved with it.
What has the process of developing and delivering the podcast taught you?
It's hard to put into words what I’ve learned from doing this podcast, it’s been crazy how I’ve learned and got out of it on a professional and personal level. Whether that be small practical things like how to use a microphone. How to market things, social media and writing questions etc…
The biggest thing I’ve learned from it is not to worry about the numbers too much, it's easy to get sucked into how many downloads or listens each week but it’s about the quality. First and foremost, if I’m happy with the content we are putting out, the numbers are secondary. Also, I’ve learned how much celebrating other people’s success not only feels good, but it takes you so far.
What advice would you give others considering launching a podcast?
As I said above, don't get obsessed with the numbers but first and foremost you need to find a niche and think about why and what you want to do with a podcast. I think a lot of people start a podcast where it's just them and their friends talking about what they had for tea or what films they like and that’s fine but it's probably not going to stand out. Think about what it is you want to say? And can you stick to it? I think consistency is crucial, often people start a podcast and stop after 3 weeks but you must try to make it consistent.
How do you choose podcast guests?
We have a very wide remit as our guests just need to be creative so I’ll often try and contact a wide range of people who I’m interested in talking to, for example I might like their work or know of them. Often people will get in touch with me which is nice and sometimes I’ll get recommendations. It just depends really.
How do you approach podcast guests?
I’ll normally just send an email or a message saying what the podcast is about and what I like about their work and why I think they would be a good guest. Sometimes you can feel weird emailing someone you don’t know but most people are really responsive and more so than not it’ll be a yes opposed to a no.
Was there a moment or a person or a place that significantly influenced you or you feel set you on the journey to where you are now?
I don’t think there is one particular moment or one person or one place that’s influenced my journey but more a series of people, places or moments. I think one of the most significant things and a question I ask all my guests on my podcast is about how where they are from has influenced them as creatives and people. Growing up in a working-class town like Glenrothes has a huge impact. There wasn’t a lot going on there, so we had to make our own fun so me and friends growing up were always doing creative things, whether that was dressing up as a kid, imaging far away worlds, playing in bands in our teen years or getting lost in films and tv shows together. Growing up no one in Glenrothes really worked in the creative industries, maybe a few but there wasn’t really that path, so I think the fact I’ve had to go get it myself has always driven me on. My friends and family though have been key and have really pushed me and supported me my whole life.
Please could you describe a typical day and what makes a good day.... And conversely what makes a bad day?
A typical day atm in the week is working from home with STV, so I normally work about half 9-half 5 and then in the evenings I’ll do stuff for the podcast or watch a film or a show. I’ve only recently become a mon-fri worker, so I’ve really been enjoying having weekends off to socialise and catch up with friends and family etc… I’d say a good day for me is one where I can be present and feel that I’m getting the most out of what I’m doing. Whether that’d be with a creative project or a conversation with a friend. A bad day is when I feel distracted and anxious. I’ve always been a bad worrier and I put a lot of pressure on myself so sometimes I have days where I’m not really “on it” and I can be quite hard on myself if I don’t feel I’ve been productive. On a good day I’m able to relax and not feel guilty about it.
What types of books do you like to read?
I love books like Sally Ronney’s “Normal People”, I’m a sucker for a novel about love and friendship. I also really like autobiographies of people I admire or find interesting.
What work of art would you most like to own?
Café Terrace at Night
Vincent van Gogh
Which person (alive or dead) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
A really tough one but probably Sir Billy Connolly. I’ve just read his new autobiographies and it was an utter joy. He is just a genius, and he just gives off such warmth. I would love to speak to him about his incredible life.
What is the most important thing to know about you?
That’ll I’ll never say no to a karaoke sesh! And I always try to remember the little things!
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
Again, it’s a hard one but often people are very surprised that I’m really into football. Watching of course, I’m terrible at playing it.
What are your aspirations for 2022?
Professionally I’ve had a brilliant 2021 and I’ve really pushed on, but it's not always been easy, and it can take it out of you mentally. I’d like to continue to keep this momentum going with my career as a script editor and with the podcast, but I’d like to try and be a bit kinder to myself about it. I’d like to try and relax a bit more and have more fun, be sillier, not always take it too seriously. Maybe even travel a bit also.