Is Armando's house flipping massive?
I bet it is.
Quote: Simon Stratton @ October 5, 2007, 11:54 AMKidnap a relative or family pet, they return them a week later, but - and this is important - return them completely hairless.
I live by someone famous - should I ask him for... Page 2
I've been pondering that and I know that Skibbington probably popped up with the best advice but the temptation is to go with -
Quote: Simon Stratton @ October 5, 2007, 11:54 AMKidnap a relative or family pet, they return them a week later, but - and this is important - return them completely hairless.
Cheers Skib (and sorry Catskillz for the hijack)
Quote: ajp29 @ October 5, 2007, 10:41 AMHe 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.
Yeah I wasn't serious hence my last line that you didn't quote. 
I agree that aproaching someone on the street is probably a bad idea, but if an opportunity presents itself you should take advantage of it - writers are only human after all (most of them 
)
I used to be a nanny in London years ago and after reading many stories to the little boy I was looking after, I really wanted to write for children.
I bumped into Terry Jones at my local newsagents and got chatting to him because he'd just had a children's book published. I talked about his book and asked him a few questions (not once mentioning Python!) I told him I had just started writing a children's book and he was full of enthusiasm, asking me what it was about and giving me advice. We only chatted for ten minutes or so, then I broke off the conversation, so as not to make him dread bumping into me again! So, if the opportunity presents itself, go for it. Just don't ask the standard yawn-provoking questions. Ask about their work and the rest should fall into place.
I wouldn't do it. In America you'd have to scale the wall, outpace the rottweilers and then get past the 'security' in order to get to them. Famous people hate stuff like this.
Catskillz, after re-reading your post, I think you have to be the judge of whether he seems aproachable, but maybe asking for advice isn't a great idea. Unless you have something in particular you want to talk to him about, it may well prove a damp squib.
In my case, Terry Jones was chatting to the guy behind the shop counter (whom he clearly knew) and he was talking about his book. It was his book we chatted about. I mentioned "very" briefly that I was writing a children's story, then moved the conversation on. It was Terry who started dishing out the advice and asking questions. He even told me about "The Writer and Artists Yearbook," which, at the time, I had no knowledge of.
Threaten to bum them if they don't read your stuff.
Quote: Wildjesusfishkid @ October 5, 2007, 5:36 PMThreaten to bum them if they don't read your stuff.
or, if it's Matt Lucas, threaten not to bum him.
I think you have to decide if this guy is appraochable or not. And also timing is important. You don't want to approach him after he's just spent an hour yelling abuse at traffic warden or something to that effect, i think you get the idea.
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?
When you say 'advice', what you mean is 'Can you read my work please and pass it to lots of important people'.
He's a writer, he's really not going to be able to do much for you. He's probably got enough on his plate with his own work, and getting that made. Just because he's well known, doesn't mean his own projects get snapped up everytime.
Last week I got 10/15 minutes with Alistair McGowan (on a film set). I kicked off by asking him if he 'does' George Bush (said he doesn't ... and added that he doesn't do political stuff generally). I was curious because my Royal Tapes thing involved Bush and the UK Ambassador (and didn't get anywhere!). Told him I'd lived in Spain for 11 years and tried to write comedy and after a bit on that the chat turned to the Spanish language, yucca trees and a few other odds and ends.
Personally I think that you should 'go for it' if you want to chat with someone well-known about something. He was the fourth or fifth celeb I'd chatted to over a rather hectic fortnight. The 'rules' I personally apply are 1. Don't barge in if they're in a conversation with someone else 2. Avoid being contentious (look 'em up on IMDb and Internet generally beforehand) 3. Don't act all starstruck 4. Don't 'overstay the welcome' ... I know I'm capable of talking the hind legs off several donkeys simultaneously so I watch out for the eyes glazing over! 5. Remember they're human beings just like the rest of us ... and if the opportunity is missed it may never arise again.
I say approach him, initially with an interest in his work, then slip in that you also write, and does he have any advice/tips? - after all it's not like he's famous in a Tom Cruise way - he might even appreciate having someone recognise him.
All you've got to lose is a little face if he's too stuck up to talk to you, and if he is, then he probably wouldn't have been much help anyway.
Quote: losaavedra @ October 6, 2007, 2:50 PMThe 'rules' I personally apply are 1. Don't barge in if they're in a conversation with someone else 2. Avoid being contentious (look 'em up on IMDb and Internet generally beforehand) 3. Don't act all starstruck 4. Don't 'overstay the welcome' ... I know I'm capable of talking the hind legs off several donkeys simultaneously so I watch out for the eyes glazing over! 5. Remember they're human beings just like the rest of us ... and if the opportunity is missed it may never arise again.
I agree with Mike and Stylo. Let us know if you do ever speak with him.
Steven Fry lives near my town. I saw him in WH Smiths once. I'm told that he gets embarrased very easily. My mum once saw him walking past the local market and some 'fruit n veg' men started shouting "Oi Fry, you wanna buy some turnips for Baldrick or what?!". He went red and hurried away.
Oh god.
We serfs have no right shouting anything at Stephen Fry!