If you're not an aspiring Albert Einstein, but rather a dedicated screenwriter composing a script set in the world of science or packing the need for very real facts on scientific phenomena, you used to have only a few options.

	NBC's ER

You might rush off for a correspondence course. More realistically, you could head to the library for hours of research. Finally, you might call a nearby college or university (if your area boasts one).

Now, the First Draft research service from the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. provides writers with scientific information services for comedy, drama, MOWs, feature films and music videos. If writers face questions about the accuracy of portraying real-life situations related to health and social issues, they can place a free telephone call or access First Draft's online services at www.eiconline.org to receive free, immediate, accurate information from the nation's leading experts.

According to the site's literature, First Draft expert advice is available for a variety of topics ranging from mental health and suicide stigma to HIV/AIDS or gun violence. The site lists top TV dramas, such as CSI, CSI: Miami, ER and Presidio Med, as recently calling First Draft for scientific expertise on the depiction of medical concerns.

Unfortunately, the site slants its advice toward a more progressive slant rather than just presenting its information objectively for a writer's use. Recently, the site added to its category listings to include: biological and chemical warfare, homeland security and preparedness, the anthropology, sociology and psychology of terrorism and anti-terrorism, racial and religious prejudices, grieving, victimization, cultural diversity, anger management, tolerance, stress, physical and substance abuse and mental health during wartime.

A scribe searching for data doesn't need propaganda. It takes a little more work to cut through the political pitch and get to the useful facts. The EIC is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 by entertainment industry leaders to "provide information, awareness and understanding of major health and social issues among the entertainment industries and to audiences at large."

The organization pledges, "to represent the pro-social contributions of the entertainment industry to become a viable contributor to solutions for social problems."

The issues EIC addresses both in First Draft and through its general web site include: substance use and addiction, gun violence, firearm safety and injury prevention, drug treatment and policy, issues related to terrorism and war, tobacco health concerns and cessation, mental health, prenatal, teen and family impact, safety belt and traffic safety awareness, violence, aging and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Through its efforts to provide the entertainment industry with the most accurate, timely information on health and social issues, EIC is, "Encouraging the art of making a difference."

Whether or not an individual screenwriter agrees with Hollywood's ability to "make a difference," the opportunity to make a single phone call to get an answer to any scientific or medical question is too great a resource to ignore. I recently used the site's resources successfully to gather information on endangered marine life. First Draft is unquestionably an invaluable arrow for your quiver.

For more information on EIC or First Draft, visit www.eiconline.org

About This Author
John Scott Lewinski writes screenplays, sketch comedies, books, articles and interactive media out of Los Angeles, CA. A winner of multiple screenwriting festivals and contests, he writes both his own original scripts and on assignment. The author of the book, Screenwriter's Guide to Agents & Managers, his next book, the nonfiction sports title, Mi Equipo': The Saints of Santa Ana, will hit shelves in late 2003.

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