Screenwriting : Medical Script Consultant by Randy Gross

Thanks for the advice, Peter ... I'll pass this on to him.

I am currently struggling with a medical issue (!) I wonder if he'd give me a free quick consult?

From a "Hollywood" perspective, typically, projects have to be in relatively advanced development stages to require and have the budget to support a consultant. I've been able to hire two consultants over the last 5 years. One was a retired FBI agent who was hired as an FBI consultant on a pilot we sold to Starz. One was a Washington, DC political consultant who co-hosts a podcast and used to write for Time, among other distinguished credentials. I'd listened to the political podcast for years, and I reached out to meet the political consultant when he was in Los Angeles covering a Presidential debate. I found the retired FBI agent by Googling agents with expertise in the specific FBI case of my show. He was in a Nevada newspaper article, and that's how I found him. He also teaches college classes in Nevada. Thus, if the Doctor is looking for Hollywood opportunities, I'd suggest making himself as "Google-able" as possible in his areas of expertise. If the producer/studio/network/director doesn't already have a consultant in mind for their projects, they're going to Google.

He can also network with established medical consultants. His peers may help make intros for him, or maybe if they're stuck on Grey's Anatomy, they can recommend him for Chicago Fire.

Also connect with: http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/

Thanks for all the advice, Regina! I'll pass the info on.

No worries. Just this week, I reached out to a DC lawyer to ask if I could put her in my rolodex for possible future consulting services. She is highly "Google-able," and I am very aware of her accomplishments. I'm dying to work with her. If I can advance my project far enough along to bring her on, I would gladly do so. But it's on me to get my project farther down the road first.

It's quite the process, Regina! Good luck with everything!

One last thing - the studio/network/financier will likely have approval over the consultant they pay for. So the potential consultant has to have credentials that make a financier say, "Yep, that's the guy." That can mean any number of qualifying characteristics. Again, all this is only from my "Hollywoody" perspective.

Thanks, Randy. If your friend wants more specific help, I might be able to consult on his consulting. Rimshot. Off the top of my head, I think I've hired or helped hire 4 technical or subject area consultants in my career in the areas of law enforcement, politics, sports, and foreign affairs.

I've also spoken to a theoretical physicist, but that project didn't come together.

You've been a huge help, Regina! THANKS!