Paying for research consultation?

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  • Paying for research consultation?

    Let's say you're writing a script that involves a profession (a "world-) that is very specialized and all the book and internet research in the world isn't going to help you write truly authentic-sounding dialogue for the work place scenes. With past scripts I have called experts in their respective fields with a question or two, but I never felt like I was taking advantage of anyone's time since as I said my questions were few and relatively short and the specialists seemed happy to help me. In this case, it would require really sitting down with someone to help fill in the blanks (plus presumably some follow up questions at a later date) and I'm trying to figure out what kind of compensation would be appropriate and fair to offer someone for this kind of help and expertise. Has anyone ever been in a similar situation? If so, how did you handle it?

    Thanks!


  • #2
    Re: Paying for research consultation?

    I never pay. Most are happy to help out. A sincere thank you is usually enough.
    "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - General George S. Patton, Jr.

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    • #3
      Re: Paying for research consultation?

      You can knock yourself out creating authentic sounding dialog but where's it gonna get you? If this profession is so specialized, how would anyone know whether the dialog is authentic or not? Your job isn't to educate your audience, it's to entertain them. It's OK if a few members of that profession see right through you, it's the masses you have to appeal to.

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      • #4
        Re: Paying for research consultation?

        I've talked to cops, coroners, paramedics, doctors, subway drivers, blind people, people of different ethnicities, pot growers, drug smugglers...

        People love to talk about themselves and what they do. They're flattered that they can be of use and respect the fact that your goal is authenticity. I had a coroner go on ad infinitum because he was so sick of CSI and wanted forensics portrayed properly.

        Take them out for lunch or buy them a coffee, but you shouldn't have to shell out any cash.

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        • #5
          Re: Paying for research consultation?

          Everyone I've spoken to has just enjoyed the chance to talk about their world. Buy them lunch.

          On the other hand, do you seriously want to have genuinely authentic dialogue and scenes at all costs?

          Is the lack of authentic scenes and dialog in CSI because they have just overlooked the chance for it, or because they want to make it entertaining instead?

          How interesting would CSI be if they had it realistic and showed the several months to 1 year wait for DNA results that LA County currently has due to a backlog ? That would slow down the action !

          Good luck,

          Mac
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