Screenwriting : Other like-minded professionals by Scott Michael Kimball

All begins and ends with networking.

Scott – I took a peek at your profile and it looks to me that you want to follow the writer path above all. I'm also aware that your location is not ideal for that. Networking is critical for you (it is for all writers and other folk too). I've found that networking works best on an eyeball to eyeball basis so go find out where writers from your neck of the woods hang out – join 'em; attend some screenwriter's retreats and seminars, enter a few scriptwriting contests, attend a few film festivals to get to know the players. Basically you need to make the effort to connect. This Stage 32 forum is a good starting point.

Thanks, Doug. Missouri is not really where I'd like to be but my kids are here so I'll have to make due for the time being. I would like to start by writing but perhaps it will lead to something more!

We each must play the hand we're dealt.

Network. Go to "hollywood bars". Yeah they're expensive, but soda water is cheap.

"Hollywood bars"?

^What are Hollywood bars?

it's cheaper and free to attend AA Meetings. Lots of Industry folks there.

I'm just makin' a wild guess here but I'm guessing that Hollywood bars are bars in Hollywood – I think that's where the Film Industry AA holds it meetings. A little hard for Scott to get to.

If youre in Missouri - or anywhere- find out what speakers visit the universities there and go listen and network. There are film festivals and events to go to.

Networking, social interaction, events that celebrate the things you're passionate about (i.e. conventions/signings). One big thing to remember is that in networking, even as a writer, you've got to approach people as people first, not as "resources" for you to take advantage of. It's like dating...nobody likes someone with that air of pure desperation wafting off them. Same with networking, if the first thing you say is "gimme a job", that's a conversation-ender.

Great advice everyone - thank you.

My Breaking In Blue Book has a dozen ways to make connections outside of Hollywood - Film Festivals and Film Journalism and volunteering for your local Film Commission and I guess 9 others if my math is correct. I did many of these before I moved to Los Angeles - just looked for places where Hollywood came to me... and went there. There will be a college with people interested in film somewhere near you - that's a good starting point.