Emmy-nominated TV writer mentors SFSU students

Michael Poryes, co-creator of ‘Hannah Montana’ and ‘That’s So Raven,’ leads workshop in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department 

Michael Poryes has a vision — though he’s not a psychic like the main character from “That’s So Raven,” one of the hit television shows he helped create. Poryes is a guest instructor at San Francisco State University, where he coaches students on their creative, entrepreneurial projects. 

Poryes’ vision actualized looks like feedback in small groups, one-on-one mentorship, humor and positive energy. He cultivates a casual atmosphere inside the small room in Marcus Hall where his workshop is held. While he says the entertainment industry is more competitive than ever, he also wants to impart that success is achievable if you commit yourself. 

“The people that make it are tenacious, and they keep going back and back and back,” said Poryes, feet resting on the table in New Balance sneakers. “Anybody that keeps telling you, ‘Well, it’s so hard, it’s so impossible, blah blah.’ Get them out of your life. Because it is hard, but it is not impossible, and the thing that drives you is your belief in yourself and your passion. If you have that, nothing’s going to stop you.” 

Poryes came to SFSU through an alumni connection. His wife, Diane Poryes, earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science here in 1988. The Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department offers the workshop, which meets four hours a week. Students don’t receive course credit, and they have to find time in their schedules to attend. In other words, they have to want it. Poryes is very impressed with the talent, skills and passion at SFSU. 

Sarah Burke, who completed his workshop last spring, calls it “a college experience I will never forget.” 

“Michael took his time to understand my writing goals and style and understand the level of expertise I was at,” she said. “He encouraged me to continue practicing regardless of how scary the industry may look — and never cool down my creative fiery spirit.”  

Poryes knows a lot about the fire within required to make it. He waited tables in Beverly Hills, keeping a notepad in his apron to jot down jokes. One of his early breakthroughs came in 1982, selling a script for “The Jeffersons” to the executive story editor, SFSU alumnus Peter Casey (B.A., ’75). Poryes is also the co-creator of “Hannah Montana,” the Disney sensation that introduced Miley Cyrus. He continues to develop new shows and meets with networks and streaming services to pitch his ideas. He thrives off of an expectation that 90% of his pitches will be rejected. 

“The other 10% — when you’ve written something and you’re on stage and you hear that laugh exactly where you wanted it — that’s worth it,” he said. “You know, welcome to Hollywood. You’re working for the 10% because the 90% to get there is really hard.” 

Jessica Yeh, an actress and improv performer, applied to the workshop for help writing a film. Under Poryes’ mentorship, the MFA student in Cinema is now working on an original one-woman show.  

“I’m learning, in a lot of ways, to get out of my own way,” she said. “That has helped me to keep going when I’m hesitant about a certain idea, but that I know, deep down, is something I want to communicate and something that I want to put out in the world.” 

Madison Leone (B.A., ’25) is creating an audio app for telling bedtime stories to children. 

“He’s helped bring my ideas to life,” she said. “He’s given more modern twists on them to make them feasible to maybe sell in the future, which I wasn’t even thinking about. I was just thinking about making a fun project, but Michael has given us the lens of how to profit off of it.” 

Christopher Roberts, who worked with Poryes in the spring, describes him as the kind of grounded, generous and visionary leader he aspires to be himself. Poryes has changed the way that Roberts thinks, works and lives.  

“Under his guidance, I learned how to speak with precision, structure stories that resonate and turn raw imagination into focused, tangible results,” Roberts said. “These weren’t lessons that faded after the semester. They’ve become a permanent part of how I work, collaborate and navigate the world.” 

Learn more about the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department.