Hi, I’m Justin.
I’m a comedy writer who aims to create icons on TV that will help break conventionalized norms and inspire the next generation.
My Portfolio
Here’s a look at my portfolio. If you’d like to learn more, contact me at jhliang5@gmail.com.
Another Wei
Original Live Action (half-hour)
After traveling abroad, a mixed-race couple adapts back to the real world, while tackling each other’s families’ prejudices.
2018 Semifinalist to ABC Disney’s Writing Fellowship
2019 accepted into Breakthrough Reading Series
Loose Genes
Original multi-cam (half-hour)
An uptight thirty-three-year-old finds himself at odds with his newfound irresponsible father,
who suddenly parked on his doorstep, but his life gets further complicated when his newfound
half-sister, an aspiring UFC fighter, finds them both through an ancestry service.
(Accompanied with an 11 page pitch deck)
Currently being pitched by Headquarters Television.
Rent-A-Carl
Original Live Action (half-hour)
An out-of-work actor joins a company that hires people to act in unique real-life situations. If
you need a handsome wedding date or a fake international hitman, Carl is your guy.
7 rating on The Black List
Currently being pitched by Headquarters Television.
Derwood
Original Live Action (half-hour)
Being the first female at the Derwood Fire Department, Sammy struggles to fit in with her fratty coworkers, especially when she receives extra attention from the Women’s Coalition next door.
Quarterfinalist, Final Draft - Big Break 2019
Crunch
Original Kids’ Animation (15 pages)
Crunch, an intrepid eight-year-old girl born in the Paleolithic era unfrozen by global warming, is thrust into modern-day society, with her foster father, and timid tech wiz best friend, to help guide her through daily life.
Atlanta
Spec (half-hour)
Earn gets entangled in his dentist's “situationship.” Alfred struggles to keep his cool at a commercial shoot while being put in the same trailer with a young and entitled rapper.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Spec (half-hour)
Jake and Amy investigate a museum theft that develops into a murder investigation, meanwhile, Terry, Rosa, Gina, and Boyle work an undercover sting operation by learning the foreign language of millennials.
Superstore
Spec (half-hour)
Amy and Jonah run team-building exercises for the floor employees. Glenn tries to comfort Dina over the death of her birds. Meanwhile, Mateo and Cheyenne are tasked with assembling an overly helpful video display stand.
Who am I?
I was born in an adorably quaint suburb in Maryland. My upbringing was anything but normal being raised by a Japanese mother and Chinese father. My mom was loud, opinionated, and practically Tokyo-drifted to work every morning. My dad embraced his inner-red neck. He mowed the lawn wearing only American flag patterned boxers letting the neighbors know how patriotic he was. Being raised by such effervescent personalities has helped give me a deep appreciation for the comedy in life.
In my spare time, when I’m not trying to relive the glory days of my emo punk rock band in high school or being a brother in my Jewish fraternity at Syracuse, I like to box, surf, and cycle. I’ve also recently gotten into vegetables.
My Perspective
Being raised by a Chinese Republican father and a Japanese Liberal mother has enabled me to see the world through an Asian American lens and understand how people come together despite their diametrically opposite world and political views. I not only bring the sensitivity of a minority in a polarized nation, but I have a deep empathy for how people arrive at different beliefs. This most likely explains why I have a penchant for writing half-hour comedies about flawed characters in disparate families.
Education / Accolades
After graduating from Syracuse University, I started my career in entertainment as a local 600 camera assistant where I’ve worked as a freelancer for over ten years. My comedy training began at UCB, completing all the levels for both the improv and sketch classes, learning two of the most important words in comedy, “yes, and.” In 2015, I enrolled in a UCLA mentorship program and have been with my mentor, Barry Vigon, ever since. I was a semi-finalist for ABC-Disney’s writing fellowship in 2018 and my most recent half-hour multi-camera show is currently being pitched to companies through HeadquartersTV.
My Experience
Comedy Writer | Los Angeles, CA
Headquarters Television
I wrote two half-hour comedy scripts for the company helmed by Matthew Harrison (Sex in the City) and Barry Vigon (Martin). These scripts are currently being pitched to studios and companies.
Sept 2020 - Present
Assistant Camera for TV & Film | Santa Monica, CA
International Cinematographers Guild IATSE Local 600
I worked as a freelance camera assistant for a myriad of scripted and reality shows: Enlisted, Community, Mindy Project, Ghosted, CSI: Cyber, Forever, Dear White People, The Voice, American Idol, and Love is Blind.
Jan 2011 - Present
UCLA Extension | Los Angeles, CA
Comedy Mentorship Graduate Program
Jan 2020 - Jun 2021
Jan 2015 - Feb 2018
UCLA Extension | Los Angeles, CA
Half-Hour Television Mentorship Program
June 2014 - Feb 2016
Upright Citizens Brigade | Los Angeles, CA
Completed all Improv and Sketch Writing classes
Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY
Bachelor's degree, Playwriting and Screenwriting
Activities and societies: Alpha Epsilon Pi
2005 - 2009
