Hello

[ScriptNurse]

I would l ike to claim that this was my brilliant idea, but it is not. It was an assignment that the leaders of a class called FAST FORWARD gave to all of the members of a class I took at UCLA some years ago. Virtually everyone in the class of about 20 people ended up with a mentor who agreed to help them guide their career for one year.

[Aya]

Ohhh wow that iss an excellent advice head nurse, Thank you very much, it didn't cross my mind to do this.
I'll get right on it.

Thanks again

Aya

[ScriptNurse]

Aya,

It sounds to me like you need a mentor ... someone you can turn to for advice, suggestions and guidance. Someone who does what you want to do and is willing to spend a little time guiding you. Of course, you want tyhis guidance from the best in the business. Do you know someone who is a solid success at what you want to do? Make a list of such people. Write them an honest letter. Mention you are currently working in the industry and you are familiar with production from a technical perspective, but that you need guidance on the creative side of things and briefly explain why you are writing ... (1) you are NOT looking for a job and you will never ask for employment, (2) you seek creative guidance, (3) you know their time is valuable and would only use 30 minutes a month for their counsel. Make a contact schedule AND STICK TO IT. Do not chit-chat or waste their time or you'll suddenly find them "busy."

Keep the letter to one page. You might be very surprised at the responses you get. I know someone who got playright Mike Nichols as his mentor. You will find that show business people can be remarkably generous if asked properly and respectfully. If someone agrees, do not blab it to the whole world. Instead, let it empower you.

Good Luck!

[Aya]

Hi my name is Aya. I don't come from a script writing background, I am a camera assistant and worked on films, TV, commercials and pop promos. For many different reasons I have decided to write my own script and been working on it for the last year or so. I am hopping to eventually open my own production company and produce this film, but this is still long way away. I find writing on my own quite difficult and would have liked to work with someone. The thing is: 1. I am not sure where and how would I find someone to work with, I haven't really got the money to pay anyone at the moment for this but I think this is a great idea and have a good potential of becoming reasonably successful. 2. I really think the idea is good and original and therefore I tend to be protective over this script and get torn between wanting to show the script to as many people as possible to get feedback and advice and the need to protect my idea and the fear that someone might steal it.

I been living in London for over 5 years now, I am originaly from Israel. I work as a camera assistant on films and TV and I would like to become a steadicam operator and a DOP one day. I would also like to open my own production company idealy to create my own work.

This is me in short. I am very keen to get some advice.

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.