hey,

i just finished my screenwriting/creative writing program at school and I'm looking to get started. Below are a series of questions about starting up. Any help and advice that you could give me would be appreciated.

1. What is the impact of the writers' strike on an aspiring writer?
2. Is it more or less likely that my spec or pilot will be read by agents during the strike?
3. Should I move to L.A.? Should I wait for some type of feedback from readers, etc?
4. What is the value, if any, of the various screenplay/spec script/teleplay competitions? Can you recommend any especially good ones?
5. In my query letter, should I be asking an agent to read a spec script or an original pilot?
6. If an agent asks for a spec of an existing television show, would he be seeing if he thinks he can sell it or would he just be using it to see if you can write?
7. Should my query letter talk about my education? What else should be in there? If I'm putting a spec forward for consideration, do I discuss the plot, the hook, of that spec?
8. Should I go down to the picket lines? I live in Canada, and getting to NYC would be easier than L.A. Would that be a good call?
9. Is there any value in getting an unpaid internship reading scripts?

Here are some questions related to a spec I'm writing:
The series I'd like to do a spec for is Californication on Showtime. My question is this; since the first season has ended (and ended on a note that completely changed the outlook for season 2, for those who didn't watch, the main character pried his former girlfriend away from her wedding and sped off in his car with her and their daughter), how would I go about writing a spec for season 2, since I have little idea as to which direction the writers are taking the show?

Should I:

a) Write an episode that is almost a stand alone, demonstrating my ability to write the characters without dealing with plot questions that have not been answered?

b) Do I write an episode for season 2 based on an educated guess as to what may happen?

c) Do I write a season 2 'premiere' episode, and create the story myself?

I'd like to have this spec done in 3 or 4 weeks and I'd really appreciate any help/suggestions about this issue.

If you were doing a spec as a comedy writer, what show would you choose?

I know that there are a lot of questions and I understand you probably don't have time to answer all of them. Any answers you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Michael

Too many questions all at once!

1) Strike: well, no one is buying scripts or hiring writers right now. But the strike will end.

2) Meanwhile, agents have nothing to do... but maybe read new writers work.

3) If you want to work in TV, absolutely. If you wan to write movies, eventually. The good thing about being young - you can do a terrible job to pay the rent anywhere - might as well do it in LA.

4) Chesterfield, Nicholls, Austin... others. I don't really know, I don't enter contests.

5) Don't know.

6) All scripts for TV are samples. They are to get you a job as a staff writer on the worst TV show you can imagine - one starring Chuck Norris, maybe. Then you work your way up to CSI: FARGO.

7) Don't know about TV.

8) Yes! And bring Chinese Food! Actually, if you go down to the picket line you can meet TV writers who wouldn't return your phone calls normally - and hang out with them. This would be a good plan, because if you know writers on a show they can help you break in.

9) There is value in any job where you make connections. I'd look into being a writer's assistant (paid) first.

Hope that helps.
- Bill

About question 7.

Tv stations are not really interested about your education. You could be a born talent or talentless but highly educated. Your scripts makes the deal not your education.