From New Hampshire to Los Angeles

Saturday 5/16/09 time 2:20 AM

I grew up in rural New Hampshire which is not only geographically as far as you can get from Los Angeles, it's also spiritually, intellectually, socially and philosophically as far as you can get from Los Angeles. I grew up in the town where The Old Farmer's Almanac and Yankee Magazine are published. We tap our maple trees for syrup in the spring. Get the picture?

It took me a while to discover that screenwriting was something people did. But once I found out, I knew that's what I wanted to do with my life. This came a surprise to my parents who thought they'd raised me right. I always say that my parents would be prouder of me if I got a Haiku published in the New Yorker, than if I wrote the biggest block-buster of all time. My mom frequently begs me to write something for PBS. "Masterpiece Theater would be nice." It must have been a comfort to my parents that I didn't come across this crazy idea of being a screenwriter until after I'd settled in salt-of-the-earth Seattle.

But then along came the Disney Fellowship, which requires fellows to move to LA. They even pay the relocation costs, which is decent, don't you think? Well, I was panicked. I was slated for a phone interview with Disney executives who were sure to ask me how I felt about moving. What was I supposed to say? That I wanted to move to LA?

I worked out some vague and hedging answers. Let's put it this way: I didn't plan to dis LA. I just wanted to make it clear that I couldn't move there. I called my friend and mentor, Greg Beal. He runs the Nicholl Fellowship, so I figured I could try my answers out on him.

Greg calmly told me there was only one acceptable answer: "I am fully committed to becoming a screenwriter, and I will do whatever it takes to break into the business. Of course I'll move to LA". 

I ended up having a good phone interview with Disney execs Brigham Taylor and Jason Reed. But sure enough, towards the end, Jason brought down the LA gauntlet: "So Mary, how do you feel about moving to LA?"

I pulled out the paper I'd doodled on during my conversation with Greg. It must have sounded like I was reading, because that's exactly what I did! I read Greg's answer to them: "I am fully committed to becoming a screenwriter and I will do whatever it takes to break into the business. Of course I'll move to LA."

"Well, that 's great." Jason said, after a beat.

And just like that, I was flown to LA for an in-person interview.

And by that time, Greg was right. I was fully committed, and ready to do whatever it took. Of course I'd move to LA.