I need a mentor for my Senior Project

OK, I may be wrong here, but you might wanna work on your pitch a little. The vibe I get reading your request is that you don't wanna do the project (last year they didn't have to, so why do I?); you don't want a mentor, but they make you do that to; and if you get a mentor, all you want is a name and address because there's nothing a mentor can tell you.

If all you want is a name and contact info, why not just ask a cousin out of state (if you have one) and BS the entire thing.

There are people here who take their efforts, job and career very seriously, so popping in to ask them to make a mockery of what they do, is not that likely to get you the kind of professional you could probably learn from.

But then you don't want to learn from a mentor, so that's probably a moot point anyways.

If you decide you want to take the project seriously and show a little respect to the people you are asking for help, you might actually learn something. And not just about screenwriting either.

Good luck with your search.

AcrazyYoungen said:

My name is Andrew Young and I am a senior this year. If I was a senior last year I would not have to do this project, however I am of the Class of 2007 so I must do it. Senior Project is a project all seniors must do this year. What we seniors have to do is either learn how to do something, such as playing the guitar or learning tae kwon doe, or make something, such as restoring a car, or in my case a screenplay. Along with this we also must write an eight page research essay on the topic. The reason I'm am on this forum is because every senior is also required to have a mentor to guide the student along his project. I do not believe I actually need a mentor to do my project, but I am forced to have one. If I am to get someone from this forum I will not ask anything of you other than your name, mailing address, home phone, work phone, cell phone, email address, occupation, and any experience you have in screenwriting. I need this information to get you approved as a mentor. If you would like to read my screenplay once finished and put your own input in it, I will be all for it, but all I am requesting is that you give me your name to put down as my mentor. Getting a mentor is the only thing I really am worried about for this project. Thanks for your time even if you read this.

Andrew

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Are you a senior in HS or college?

Why did you select writing a screenplay as your "senior project"? Do you have aspirations to become a screenwriter? Have you written a number of scripts, part of one, or what? Do you consider yourself to be an accomplished screenwriter?

You don't want a mentor, you want a name and contact information, and someone willing to play your game and allege they're your "mentor."

I cannot imagine why anyone would accede to your request and participate in this dishonesty with you. I know damned well I won't. Why should I or anyone? What's in it for us?

Some clarifications would be nice.

Thanks.

AcrazyYoungen said:

My name is Andrew Young and I am a senior this year. If I was a senior last year I would not have to do this project, however I am of the Class of 2007 so I must do it. Senior Project is a project all seniors must do this year. What we seniors have to do is either learn how to do something, such as playing the guitar or learning tae kwon doe, or make something, such as restoring a car, or in my case a screenplay. Along with this we also must write an eight page research essay on the topic. The reason I'm am on this forum is because every senior is also required to have a mentor to guide the student along his project. I do not believe I actually need a mentor to do my project, but I am forced to have one. If I am to get someone from this forum I will not ask anything of you other than your name, mailing address, home phone, work phone, cell phone, email address, occupation, and any experience you have in screenwriting. I need this information to get you approved as a mentor. If you would like to read my screenplay once finished and put your own input in it, I will be all for it, but all I am requesting is that you give me your name to put down as my mentor. Getting a mentor is the only thing I really am worried about for this project. Thanks for your time even if you read this.

Andrew

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Well that appeals the fvck out of me.

Y' see, this is what really annoys me about this thread.

I ended up answering it like a Dad. (I am, but that's not the point) Work hard, don't slack, respect the process, respect the people who do it, blah blah blah.

And what I shoulda said was...

English Dave said:

Well that appeals the fvck out of me.

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Am I losing my edge? Has responsibility taken all the piss and vinegar out of me? Do these pants make me look fat?

Gotta agree with all of the above.

Worst. Pitch. Ever.

Who knows, maybe these responses will provide a valuable life lesson.

-Derek

Yes monkey...

wordmonkey said:

Y' see, this is what really annoys me about this thread.

I ended up answering it like a Dad. (I am, but that's not the point) Work hard, don't slack, respect the process, respect the people who do it, blah blah blah.

And what I shoulda said was...

Am I losing my edge? Has responsibility taken all the piss and vinegar out of me? Do these pants make me look fat?

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Those pants make you look fat. Try a salad once in a while. There's more to life than bananas.

Hate to add insult to injury, but Youngen, I think you're barking up the wrong proverbial tree.

R

Kid's honest. Gotta give him that.

But message boards and email are too easy. If Andrew lives in a big city, or near a major uni, there are people he can meet with face to face. He should do it face to face, because that's how the real learning takes place. Part of the learning process is dealing with situations you find difficult or uncomfortable. Part of the learning process is handling rejection and people who blow you off with promises they don't intend to keep.

Welcome to the grown up world, Andrew. Start earning your bruises.

razormoney said:

Those pants make you look fat. Try a salad once in a while. There's more to life than bananas.

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PHEW!

That is such a relief. For a minute, I thought it was the lard on my *** that made me look fat. Those pants are now gone!

Goodwriterguy said:

Are you a senior in HS or college?

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I have to say, I find incredibly depressing that you had to qualify which senior he was. If this is the standard of English, used by people graduating from University, I weep for the future of this country.

That aside, two things occurred to me.

First, maybe the kid doesn't know how insulting his original post is. It is, but I don't think there was specifically any malice there. Just stupidity.

Secondly, it did occur to me that this was a very poorly written attempt at identity theft. I doubt this, since the level of writing doesn't suggest a master criminal, but you never know.

Any which way, perhaps our young friend would like to maybe try again?

wordmonkey said:

I have to say, I find incredibly depressing that you had to qualify which senior he was. If this is the standard of English, used by people graduating from University, I weep for the future of this country.

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Get used to it. It's this bad and worse.

I think this guy would make a fantastic development exec.

As Alec Baldwin would say, "In five years we'll all either be working for him.... or be dead by his hand."

Sad to say

but I thought idenity theft as well.

I mean seriously, if the kid really wanted to work on screenwriting he could just ask the teacher to take a look at us.

I mean, COME ON! We'd all be great mentors!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, not Wordmonkey.
He wears fat pants.

I'm gonna run over to DD and see if he posted there.
THAT would be hysterical.

scripter1 said:

I mean, COME ON! We'd all be great mentors!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, not Wordmonkey.
He wears fat pants.

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HEY!

I said I threw out those pants!

I have to say though, I pity anyone who steals my identity. They'd be buying into a whole world of financial ruin. First thing they tried to buy under my name would have them laughed out of the store.

SALES ASSISTANT​

Have you seen your credit history, Mr....
um... Monkey?​

.​

THIEVING SCUM-SUCKER​

Well, I...​

.​

SALES ASSISTANT​

Because there is no way you'll be approved
for the loan on this Miata, sir.​

.​

THIEVING SCUM-SUCKER​

...oh...​

.​

SALES ASSISTANT​

I mean, in the past we have seen some bad
credit ratings, but frankly, sir, even Tony
'The Shark' Poisson wouldn't give you a loan
at 90 percent interest.​

.​

THIEVING SCUM-SUCKER​

...but...​

.​

SALES ASSISTANT​

If it makes you feel any better, you certainly
gave all the employees here a good laugh.
We've never seen anyone with a credit rating
that runs into the negative.​

.​

THIEVING SCUM-SUCKER​

I'll go then, shall I?​

.​

SALES ASSISTANT​

That's probably for the best, sir."​

Happens to me aaaaaaaaaall the time.

Monkey,

I know you threw out the pants
BUT
You still showed a lack of judgement buying them in the first place.
I'm so sorry.


Oh, but GREAT pages.

My guess is that he probably thought all screenwriters would think he was a pain for asking them to be his mentor, and he's uncomfortable actually asking for you to devote time to his school project, so he's trying to let you know that he doesn't really expect anything of you.

Misguided, not malicious.

Kiddo, people here take writing pretty seriously, even when we're screwing around. If you'd like to attempt a bit of earnesty, I'm betting there's someone here who'd genuinely help you with your project, instead of helping you just slide by.

Youngen,

I'm willing to help you but not give you all that info.

My name and email address should be sufficient.
I'll even give you handwritten notes if the teacher wants to know that I'm real.

OR you can use us ALL as mentors.
Just ask your teacher to look over the board.
Screenwriting is LOADS different then asking someone at the local car shop to teach you a few things.

You can post questions here and get feedback on your ideas while recieving critiques from the Post Your Work section.
And we can link you to HUNDREDS of pro advice, tips, articles, and books.

JennaGlatzer said:

My guess is that he probably thought all screenwriters would think he was a pain for asking them to be his mentor, and he's uncomfortable actually asking for you to devote time to his school project, so he's trying to let you know that he doesn't really expect anything of you.

Misguided, not malicious.

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That's the same impression I got as well. I would be willing to help as well, just not give all that information out to a total stranger.

out of the mouths of babes...Youngun I have a daughter your age and she would never dream of doing this project this way... and should I ever catch her...By the way, I'd be curious as to how you handle your`required service hours'...Do you just call a random nursing home and ask to speak to a resident or do you go in person? A world of instant gratification again...

clock_work9 said:

I think this guy would make a fantastic development exec.

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Why doesn't he just make a movie with his letter as the v.o.? It's got a genuine, mousy vibe which Hollywood can barely imitate. He's honest, he's bored, he sees right through the system. How many screenwriters on this board would be able to attend this kid's classes for three weeks and not fall asleep, get expelled, or fail?

Andrew, just make your movie with that attitude and you'll be fine, since you'll be speaking for millions. You've just made an excellent pitch. I could SEE you mumbling your request, and I can already see you suffering the outrage of your teachers and parents and school system and city and nation, and I can see you as the next slacker king in the movies.

I'll watch for the name Andrew Young!

Well,

I must say, THAT is much better Andrew.
Consider yourself redeemed, in my eyes at least.

Andrew, we don't mind helping you at all.
It's what we do when we want to avoid writing.
(um, that was a joke.)

I think one of your first steps in this mentoring process is to talk with your teacher about the mentoring rules.
Like I said, you can't just run down to your local screenwriting shop, explain your class project and get someone to help you.

If you are near a large University you may be able to talk to the film teacher there and get some help or you can ask one of the students I guess.

I STILL don't understand why you need ALL that info.
I would march myself back in to your teacher's office WITH OUR POSTS in hand and say "This info requirement is a load of BS!" (don't really say that because you'll get detention.)

Are you SERIOUSLY going to call me at home?
On my cell phone?
Will you be mailing me letters and pages?
Calling me at the office while I'm trying to earn money to feed my family?
Will your teacher be doing this?

I'm sorry but I would like to smack your teacher upside the head.
THAT IS PLAIN RUDE!!!

E-mail address is fine.
If your teacher would like to e-mail me then that is okay.
If you wanted to you could print off a set of our posts and have your teacher look them over.

Another thing you have to consider is, HOW will your TEACHER know that your script is industry standard? That you have been sufficiently and CORRECTLY mentored? What is the TEACHER expecting out of the mentor?
Seriously, HOW do you plan on passing this off?
Getting it produced?
HA!

I can understand about restoring the car. You get before and after pictures, or drive the thing in. The Karate or guitar you do a demonstration.
BUT you hand out a script and the class is going to be like "Okay, what the heck is this?" They may enjoy the story (or they may not, depending on personal tastes which YOU CANNOT control) but they won't have a clue about structure, format, character arc, pacing, OTN dialog, story beats, smooth subplots, etc, etc, etc.

I LOVE the idea that you want to write. That you are curious about screenwriting. I'm just not so sure this type of project works for your needs.

I guess you can turn in drafts and notes and feedback and revisions and all that stuff and then maybe present a speech to the class about how the story and script evolved. You could have them read a page or two of the first draft and then discuss what was changed and its effect.
If you wanted to take it a step further you could get your horror film crew together and present a short film. The script would then be only a segment of your entire project.

If you can square things away then full steam ahead.

I'm just giving you some things to think about.

If you would like you may e-mail me at [email protected]

Now that your intentions and origins are clear and you don't want to just slack out of a project because you don't want to do it, perhaps we can put together a team of mentors. I find that more than one opinion and guidance is best because you get a well rounded viewpoint instead of just one.

How about it guys?

ETA: If you did a two part, a short script along with a short film, keeping all of your drafts, they could see the evolution of your project. I think that is a fun senior project.

Anyway, there is plenty to work with around here, and you can send me an e-mail via my name above my avatar through the boards if you need anything, there are others more qualified and I still think that a group effort will be best in this situation.

Yep,

I'm in.

Dude:

That you thought people here would be in some way hesitant to give you advice shows how valuable research is if you wanna be a writer. Trying to get people on AW NOT to give you advice would be a task worthy of Hercules!

Anyways, if you want PM me, I'll give you an e-mail address and you can have your teacher email me. If you want.

I'm sure there are people here with more weight than me (fat pants aside) but two projects I've written were specifically commissioned to be low budget, so that might be something that could directly benefit your project. Also, I might (no guarantees) be able to get you some comments from the producer and/or director of one of the projects and they could tell you the kinds of things they look for, both in terms of script and scriptwriter.

Like I said, PM if that sounds good.