Michael Patrick Jann spent his Wonder Bread years in upstate New York before heading off to NYU to study film and annoying human behaviour. While at NYU, Jann and a few of his lollipop-hating pals formed The State, a comedy troupe which later became the eponymous MTV show. From writing, directing, and performing on The State – the complete series collection is set for DVD release this July – Jann honed his now-signature slap-in-the-knee-to-the-groin comedic style, segueing to producing and directing for HBO and Comedy Central. His irreverent humour lights up Reno 911, Little Britain USA, Flight of the Conchords and more. Jann’s feature film directorial debut, the beauty contest comedy Drop Dead Gorgeous (Kirsten Dunst, Kirsty Alley, Denise Richards, Brittany Murphy, Amy Adams) opened to significant box office, as did his recent writing effort, Let’s Go To Prison (Dax Shepard, Will Arnett).
In the commercial world, Jann has helmed noted campaigns for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Starburst, Budweiser, Pets.com, WebTV, Got Milk? and Brooklyn Gum, amoung others. The director believes sponteneity is the key to making an idea truly funny. He says of himself, “Jann continues to stun the drapery world with his offbeat collection of brocade and tulle grommet-less valances. What’s next from the LA based fabric wunderkid’s atalier? If you say ‘taffeta’ you wouldn’t be half wrong!” Watch this space for details.