In light of the blog on TomCruise.com giving a nice mention to Screenwriting from Iowa, I posted that Mark Johnson, one of the producers of the Oscar winning- best film Rain Man, graduated from the University of Iowa. Then a friend reminded me of another Iowa connection to Rain Man and that is the original story and co-writer of that Oscar-winning script was Barry Morrow, who also graduated from the University of Iowa.
That lead me to a You Tube interview with Barry Morrow where the Oscar & Emmy-winning Morrow was asked this question:
Stephen Jennings: What advise would you offer to beginning screenwriters who want to get started in the industry? Who don’t have an agent, don’t have any contacts, and maybe don’t even live in Southern California.
Barry Morrow: I would say, stay where you are. Don’t come here (Los Angeles) yet. Unless you want to be a professional waiter. I would say live with your parents, save your money, and don’t write one script—write five scripts. Then pick the best one. And never fall into the trap of believing you’re going to sell your first screenplay, you won’t. It hasn’t happened, I don’t care what you’ve read…You might have it optioned— for about a buck, over and over and over. But someday you’ll look back and say, “I wasn’t the writer I needed to be.” So just write a few more scripts and that will serve you the best. And then you won’t have to be living in an apartment paying all the money you’re earning from this waitress or waiter job you have in West Hollywood to pay for your apartment and not have the time to write the scripts from mom and dad’s basement.”
Screenwriting from Iowa 
[…] In light of the blog on TomCruise.com giving a nice mention to Screenwriting from Iowa, I posted that Mark Johnson, one of the producers of the Oscar winning- best film Rain Man, graduated from the University of Iowa. Then a friend reminded me of another Iowa connection to Rain Man and that is the original […] Original Source… […]
About 8 months ago I did exactly what this guy says you shouldn’t do. I moved to LA with no money or connections and got a low-paying job which barely pays my rent (granted, I’m not waiting tables – I’m working in development for a production company). Between my job, my girlfriend, and life in general, I don’t have very much time to write.
But you know what? Being in this town and in my particular line of work has allowed me to meet agents, managers, producers, and many many friends in very high places. There is no way to do that in Iowa or any other place that’s not LA (even New York isn’t the same).
No matter how busy you are – if you’re serious enough about writing, you will find time to do it, and if you’re good enough, you will write something great.
Hey Hollywood Assistant,
Thanks for taking the time to write. I hadn’t finished that post when I started thinking about writing the opposite view—”Why you should move to L.A.”
I will do that (not sure if it will be my next post or not) but you said it quite well; “Being in this town and in my particular line of work has allowed me to meet agents, managers, producers, and many many friends in very high places.”
It’s what I call the bump-in factor. The opportunity to bump-into a lot of people. But then again Hollywood is famous for using non-paying interns and low-paying entry level assistants that they use until the interns/assistants get feed-up and move on. To which the next fresh hopeful group of interns/assistants jump on board.
If you can learn, survive, and move up I’m sure that’s worth more than a college education. Best wishes on your journey.
But if you are a screenwriter, I’m not sure working regular 12-16 hour days as an assistant at a production company, studio, or TV program is the best route to take. It’s not impossible, but not the path that most successful screenwriters have taken.
I like the advice to stay at home and write. My partner with our small production company came back again to Hawaii after six torturous years in Burbank – did he get a lot of experience – absolutely. But towards the end lived at Honda Hilton (his car) I was sending him food packages and money to survive. We follow our own destiny – working on two film projects – but biggest problem is a budget. He is still getting work from Hollywood via e-mail and the contacts he made there – priceless. But there is a benefit from two worlds – home and LA. He wants to go back again as each time he goes up a notch in experience and contacts. From my perspective I’m in MCW program and writing is my thing and I stay home with my wife and kids.. All good advice btw from all those sources in the comments.