The last in this row, Ben Affleck had his first acting experience in the age of eight when he first met a boy from his neighbourhood, Matt Damon. After having tried it with a college career, Affleck returned to acting, once again meeting Damon during the production of School Ties. Other rather unsatisfying roles followed and led Affleck and Damon to create their own parts, writing the screenplay for Good Will Hunting. Affleck’s brother, Casey, introduced them to Gus Van Sant who established the connection to Miramax.

A screenwriting school’s degree cannot guarantee the success of one’s screenwriting. If you have finished some kind of higher education career, good for you, not necessarily for your job opportunities as a screenwriter. But four ingredients can fundamentally contribute to your success: contacts, creativity, structuring, and strength of will.

You don’t have to burn your grades, but don’t think they guarantee anything in this business. A literature background seems rather common though. And practical qualifications obtained during higher education are best shown in good samples of your work, not in official certificates.

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