Meet Amanda Layne Miller | comedy writer, filmmaker & performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Layne Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda Layne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My sister Amber and I recently co-founded a fandom-themed comedy events banner called Fangirl Central. Our first event was a One Direction-themed variety show at Junior High LA where we performed a drag routine and screened our short film THE DAY I DIDN’T MEET ONE DIRECTION that I wrote/directed and we both starred in as ourselves. We also had Addie Weyrich and Tom McGovern do an improvised musical number inspired by boy bands like 1D. It was a ton of fun, and we sold out the space.

But we actually created Fangirl Central in such a roundabout way—we outlined the story for TDIDM1D during Thanksgiving 2020 at our mom’s house, on a whim, while drinking wine, and rehashing the story of that day for the millionth time. We shot it in Tennessee in July 2021, and released it online April 2022. I was just trying to come up with a fun event to screen the film, had recently gotten into producing live comedy, and have always wanted to do drag, so I just sort of combined all of those things.

But so many people were responding to the film, in ways that I hadn’t predicted. It seemed pretty universal among huge fans of ANYTHING, not just One Direction. So I just mentioned to Amber, what if we keep doing fangirl nights, with different fandoms each month? It seems like a no-brainer but it was such a winding road to get there. Fangirl Central was really born out of a desire to bring the joy of fandom into our real world community, to at least try to materialize some of the magic we’ve felt simply by belonging to different fandoms our entire lives—scrolling on Tumblr, or going to San Diego Comic-Con, or bonding with fellow fans in line for a concert—and somehow not feeling like the weirdest, most obsessive, unhinged person in the room. But also that magic of learning that being the weirdest, most obsessive, unhinged person in the room is okay and actually really cool and fun.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I write and direct comedy, fantasy, sci-fi, and a mix of those genres. Basically everything I write has to be both comedic and meaningful, not just one or the other. I personally think comedy is the best (and most fun) lens through which to view the human experience. I’m most excited about some TV projects I’m developing—but also future Fangirl Central shows with Amber, and our autobiographic music revue BREAK OUT OF THE DISNEY VORTEX! that we’re writing/starring in as part of The Elysian Theater’s Forget About Spaghetti Festival about what it means to be Black fangirls who grew up on white Disney Channel media (it’s on October 21st at 9:30pm—get tickets at https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/disneyvortex). I’ve faced a lot of challenges, but the most recent one I overcame was just a limiting belief I had on myself that I can’t do certain things. Once I embraced doing whatever I want creatively, things just started to fall into place.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely walk along the LA River through Atwater Village/Frogtown and birdwatch. I love water birds. Also go to The Elysian for any comedy show–I’m partial, but I always leave there feeling inspired and refreshed. In terms of going out/drinking–Them Fatale Drag Kings and Gayasstrology parties at Oracle Tavern–Them Fatale always throws amazing drag king shows and both those parties usually have AMAZING music. Any playlist with Lose Control by Missy Elliot will bring me back. I’m also frequently at Akbar for dancing and Zebulon for running into every single person I know on the Eastside. And finally HiHo Karaoke every Sunday at Highland Park Bowl. I recommend it to everyone I know. They have an amazing list of songs and has such a cool vibe–it was hosted by Kristin Lynne Wallace, who just ended her run but she’s so hilarious and vibrant (and also has a show in The Elysian’s Forget About Spaghetti Festival!).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family – my sister Amber who is my best friend and primary creative collaborator, my mom Veronica, and my dad Andre who have both endlessly supported me in every dream/goal I’ve had, and have been passionate creative mentors and cheerleaders my whole life

Website: https://www.amandalaynemiller.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandalaynemiller/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandalaynemill

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/amandalaynemiller

Other: Fangirl Central – https://linktr.ee/fangirlcentral Break Out of the Disney Vortex tickets – https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/disneyvortex Amanda’s Linktree – https://linktr.ee/amandalaynemiller

Image Credits
Sadie Jean Spezzano Lauren Lamboy