Going through reader mail, I found a letter from a Suite 101 reader and aspiring script writer.
"My name is Jim and I'm an amateur (self taught) animation script writer.
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"I am what people call a 'hopeful' (hopeful to be an animation script writer/producer someday), who just came out of college thinking 'oh boy, I get to do whatever I want in this world! the world is my oyster! Sky is the limit!!'.
"Well, that ended quick as I couldn't find jobs . . . I don't have a formal education in script writing, and have no connections or know anyone inside the business (which I've learned it's VERY important).
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"I want to get somewhere, I want to learn about the industry and work for a show. But the most devastating fact I found is that I have absolutely no clue where to start. I've tried many blind attempts to contact the big company names such as 'Fuzzy Door Productions' or 'Gracie Films' to see what they're looking for . . . I've tried emailing Fox Broadcasting company, but only to get generic phone conversations, often with the words: "if you have any comments or complaints about our shows..." I know that I am not looking hard enough, and yet these repeated failed attempts do stack up, and it is a big morale killer.
"So, as you can see, I am a very eager, unexperienced young' un, looking for a start. And I would love to get any advice. I know that animations / story telling is my passion, and I am willing to walk the long road. But first, there are two things that are very basic, yet seems to be the most difficult part of my journey. Which are:
"1. How would I go about preparing myself to be eligible and up to par against their hiring standards?
"2. How and where would I look to get a script writer's job as a fresh newbie?
"Any feedback would be much appreciated."
There are a lot of people in your position, Jim, which is why I'm turning this into a full article.
Scriptwriting School: Learn How to Write, Get Contacts
Now, I'm not actually in the business, but I do know a few working professionals, and from talking with them I can figure out where they got to the position they are currently in.
The first piece of advice I would give you is to try and get into a respected scriptwriting school. It's more than just learning the craft; it's also making the contacts who will help you break into the industry. As you said in your letter, knowing people in the industry is very important.
Just to give you an example: in the 1970s, John Lasseter went to California Institute of the Arts to study animation. Among his classmates were Tim Burton and Brad Bird, his teachers included Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas (two of Disney's Nine Old Men).
After graduating, Lasseter went to work at Disney, apprenticing under veteran Disney animator Glen Keane. Do you think that Lasseter went to Johnston and Thomas (his old professors) and asked them for letters of reference before he applied to Disney? Did Keane take Lasseter on because of Johnson and Thomas' reference (after all, both those men also taught Keane how to animate)? Does a bear . . . you know the rest.
Later on, when Brad Bird came to Pixar from Warner Bros., do you think he used his contact with Lasseter to get the gig? And do you think it was because Lasseter remembered Bird from their CalArts days, that Lasseter brought him on board to write and direct Ratatouille and The Incredibles?
It's great that you've taken the time to teach yourself scriptwriting, Jim, but someone in your position needs to get to know people, and to figure out where they stand in comparison with other scriptwriters. And that's where a good school can be invaluable. Since you didn't tell me where you're living, I have no idea which schools are in your area. But I'm sure a good Google search will turn up some names.
Good luck.
