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How do you seek out local Retired/Pro Screenwriters as potential mentors?

12 years, 5 months ago - Matthew Prince

Hi,
I would like to know if there is a correct or smart way to find and reach out to local Retired or Pro Screenwriters in your home town?

I'm hoping that I can ask them to be potential mentors. It would benefit me greatly to talk to and gain the experience of someone who's been in "the industry". I've seen US scriptwriters who offer mentoring online, through e-mails and Skype, but they quote anything from $50 to $500! Even websites like Industrial Scripts and Script Factory seem to be out of my price range!

It's kind of a tricky question to ask! So bear with me!


Matthew P

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12 years, 5 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc

You mean you're not willing to invest even as little as $50 in your own project? I put $98 into IMDbPro and $60 into InkTip and that's the minimum you should be doing. I'll have a QUICK look at it as a .pdf to franz@imperialfilmproductions.com but don't expect TOO much for free!

Response from 12 years, 5 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc SHOW

12 years, 5 months ago - Brendan Foley

Hi Matthew,
It's a good question with no easy answer. One suggestion might be to join the Writers Guild as a candidate member and then ask if you can post a request in their weekly bulletin.

As a writer-producer I get an average of a dozen read requests a week and just have to say no or I would never actually have time to write a word or produce a movie. On the very rare occasions I am able to read outside work, it tends to be for someone with whom I've already built up a relationship. If you do get someone who spends several hours of their time helping you, please do appreciate their advice (you don't have to take it, just be open minded). I'm always amazed by those people who say they want constructive criticism from a professional, but who really just want someone to say "Your script was perfect, in fact let me produce it for you. Here is your big bag of money and swimming pool". Those tend to be the same people who want to respond to every note or point by arguing for what they previous wrote being "correct". It's good experience for taking notes from a producer to learn to smile and nod, then go away and do what you think is right, not attempt to debate every suggestion in the room.

Good luck with the hunt - and your instincts for connecting with people who already do this for a living are spot-on.

Brendan Foley
http://www.filmfoley.com/?page_id=461

Response from 12 years, 5 months ago - Brendan Foley SHOW

12 years, 5 months ago - Shoaib Vali

Beg!!

Response from 12 years, 5 months ago - Shoaib Vali SHOW