Screenwriting : Working while writing by Emi Sano

I'm a high school senior/college student currently in your predicament. I live in the boonies. Nothing film-related going on, so I write scripts. With that being said, I take odd jobs occasionally. I don't have the time (currently) for a 9-5 job, so I browse craigslist and what have you for things. Question: do you have any control over "where you're going to live?" If you'll have trouble finding a job there, why go?

Okay...first, you should consider moving. If that's not an option, check out elance.com for any gigs that fit your particular mix of talents, while you labor on your GAS. But don't stop writing or seeking out supportive people in that quest. Are there REALLY no prodcos in Rochester?

Move. Rochester might have a local news affiliate, but I suspect that's it.

I forgot to mention it's not in Rochester, NY. That's where I'm based out of right now. I'm going to be living with my fiancé in Delaware. It's a tough decision to make, but I'll find a way to keep pursuing my career.

I drove a forklift for a decade and stacked and unstacked pallets of merchandise. Hard physical labor... that left my mind free to work on scenes I would write later.

Emi - Whether you are able to make any of our monthly FIFO meetings in Easton (we have a couple of people who drive up from Delaware), you are welcome to submit short film scripts for possible production. Our first short is in post-pro now, so we will be considering submissions soon. It is a way to become part of our filmmaking consortium.

Thanks, I will definitely keep that in mind. Where do I find out about this information?

In my day job I engineer jet aircraft. You do what you have to, but keep on writing because that's who you are.

I'm a 41 year old filmmaker/ screenwriter and I've been involved in and out of entertainment for about 20 years. Over the years, I've been a point in my life where I made $75,000 a year just to write scripts for a production company and I've also lived in my truck as I struggled to find work, living on dry Cap'n Crunch and bottled water. But I never stopped writing!!!! In fact, I've been able to use my homeless experiences as inspiration for my latest screenplay. The jobs and gigs I've held in my life while pursuing my passion include: bouncer, security guard, cook, waiter, laundromat attendant, telemarketer, time share salesman, fast food employee, CNA, retail clerk and manager, restaurant manager, medical transport van driver, cake decorator, reflexologist, masseur, studio photographer, video store clerk, and even tried being self employed. This list doesn't include the jobs I have had in entertainment and some of these have been temporary part time jobs, but I was employed, whether I liked the job or not. AND I NEVER STOPPED WRITING! I've always had trouble concentrating on anything unless it was something creative and artistic which has contributed to my having so many jobs. This hurts my resume and the chances of landing good jobs, but to hold a job in the "real" workplace just has never appealed to me. However, my long list of jobs has attributed to experiences I've been able to draw on for some of my writing work. For example: my horror film "Chlorine", a ghost story about a security guard working in a haunted hotel, was inspired by my job as a security at the same hotel where we shot the movie. You really need to work, no matter what it is, while you're pursuing your passion. Lots of famous people have held less than glamorous jobs before hitting it big. And there are scores more who are still plugging away waiting for that chance. But regardless of what I am currently able or unable to do in entertainment... I will never stop writing.

Copywriting? Or Blogging? Check out the inspirational Jeanne Veillette Bowerman (also on Stage 32). She lives in the middle of nowhere and built her writing career from nothing. Best of luck!