..advice?
The person in question is Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who, if you don't know, wrote '24-Hour Party People', and 'A Cock and Bull Story', amongst other things. I've walked past him a couple of times, in the centre of my village, and am tempted to talk to him. Do you think he'd be helpful?
I've always wondered this because I live near Armando Iannucci and really want to drop round a DVD for him (one of mine, not his)
Anyone got any pearls?
Lol, Armando!!
Having lived in Fulham, Chelsea and Clapham for the last 10 years I see famous people in the street all the time. Too many to mention. Thankfully, they don't bother me and respect my privacy.
I'd do it, worse case scenario they tell you to go have sex with your mother, but thats worse case. Gotta take a chance times
the best thing to do is just to wait outside his house every morning. don't say anything, just stare. do this for a few weeks and then step it up by bringing him gifts. start off small - pictures of him you have drawn, jars of hair, some sweets. then make the gifts more impressive - some bacon, a jumper, scalextrix. eventually you will have him eating out of the palm of your hand. literally.
Quote: catskillz @ October 5, 2007, 3:56 AM..advice?
The person in question is Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who, if you don't know, wrote '24-Hour Party People', and 'A Cock and Bull Story', amongst other things. I've walked past him a couple of times, in the centre of my village, and am tempted to talk to him. Do you think he'd be helpful?
What would you ask him? Advice on to how to get into the industry seems to be the same everywhere. Advice on how to write is certainly not something that will take a few minutes to explain to a stranger. I think you could ask if he knows of any opportunities to learn about scriptwriting, but you'd have to be lucky.
I've met a few writers and started by complimenting them on their work (if I liked it) and see if they engage. Some do, some don't and that's when they meet Mr pooh-in-the-post.
I would post a script or DVD through their letter box then run like the wind. Talking to them seems like a bad idea to me.
Quote: ajp29 @ October 5, 2007, 9:40 AMI would post a script or DVD through their letter box then run like the wind. Talking to them seems like a bad idea to me.
Yeah, following them home to find out where they live and then posting something unsolicited through their letter box is a lot more friendly 
I've had no problem talking to writers in public and have been given contact details that way and the green light to get in contact. I think its a good idea to get their approval first and make a good impression on them.
If you see them often then maybe you can build a rapport before asking them questions. Start with just congratulating them on their work, then maybe ask if they have any exciting projects coming up and then say you hope to one day break into the industry (and ask if he can just give you a huge contract and your own series based on your ambition). Seriously, i think some people hope this is how you get a break in the industry!
I'd try to engineer a situation where they (non-fatally!) run me over in their car/scooter, then I'd have the whole guilt angle to throw at them. If that didn't work then there's always claims direct.
Quote: ContainsNuts @ October 5, 2007, 9:54 AMYeah, following them home to find out where they live and then posting something unsolicited through their letter box is a lot more friendly
I've had no problem talking to writers in public and have been given contact details that way and the green light to get in contact. I think its a good idea to get their approval first and make a good impression on them.
If you see them often then maybe you can build a rapport before asking them questions.
He said he lived next to him and also building up a rapport just to get something out of it seems a bit shallow to me. You don't want to act like the industry to get into the industry or you may feel empty inside.
Celebrities and established industry folk tend not to want to be bothered by aspriring writers. They can develop a sixth sense for when someone is going to approach them and often take evasive action long before you can make your pitch.
With this in mind you should try taking them by surprise - wait in a darkened doorway or behind a bush (nightime is often best time for this) until they are within striking distance before stepping quickly and confidently into their path - a loud forceful greeting of your choice is optional here.
If you've done your homework you will know many fact about their everyday life - favourite restaurant, children's names, etc. and while you have their attention you can show them how much you admire them by listing off a few of these facts.
Chances are, by this stage, you will have earned their trust and admiration and more importantly you'll have given yourself and great new contact in the industry.
Hope this helps
Bo.
Kidnap a relative or family pet, they return them a week later, but - and this is important - return them completely hairless.
Go for reverse psychology.
Walk up to them and say "I DO NOT want to be a poxy skiving scumbag writer." He'll pester you, trying to persuade you that you DO want to be. When he realises the setup it'll be too late.
All joking aside:
If I knew Armando's address and it was relatively next door, I would use this as fuel to make the best sketch or script or dvd that I could and then I would post it through his letter box. I would include a hype-free cover letter. I would make sure my contact info was on every page.
Stuart should post the Hitman sketch to Armando.
I agree with the other poster that trying to talk to them on the street is a bad bad bad idea.