Screenwriter with a few technical questions

[Rhizomorph]

Hi folks, this is my first post. I'm a nascent screenwriter and need to verify the accuracy of a few things that I am planning to write into my screen story. They are things that seem to make sense from a layman's view; they would work if you don't have direct experience with it, but I want to make sure I don't write something that is way far off from reality, before I write it.

1) Prison pre-release interview. My main character is a guy who is about to be released from state prison. In my mind, I see a scene where he is interviewed by a prison staffer the day before his scheduled release. I have no idea whether this is something that really happens, but it would work well in my story to give exposition and some important character (motivation) insight. Do you know if this type of interview is a reality for inmates who are about to get out? Like to try to gauge whether they are rehabilitated?

2) Cellphone/GPS trace obtained by a parole officer. In one scene, a parole officer obtains a trace on the GPS signal of a criminal's cellphone. It is shown that he got the cellphone info by a surveillance in which he got the plate number of his vehicle. The question is, can a parole officer get a trace like that pretty easily these days? In the story, he gets it by a simple request (something that takes only a few seconds to show, such a calling someone or telling someone he needs it). It would throw a wrench into the story if I had to write it so that he had to go through a lot to get it like seeing a judge, etc. But I will adjust what I have to, if I need to.

3) How soon a parole officer meets with a released inmate. In my story, it happens like the second day he is out; the prison release staff give him the PO's business card and instruct him to call the PO within 24 hours... the PO comes over to the ex-convict's house to check him out. What is the reality?

4) In California, parole officers are (or can be) armed, correct?

Thanks for any help!
-R

[MountainMan]

I have a question. Is this website listed as a reference from a book or Internet site for writers. No offense but this is getting ridiculous. Usually people hire experts. Check with officers for their individual rates.

Roll with what you have. Its fiction. I have read some good fictions and they have to use some crazy stuff to make the story work. You have nothing outrageous.

[icu650]

Go to the internet and look up cell phone tracking devices. There you can see how everyday people can track a cell phone with just a little information and the device. Before asking questions like this, I think you really need to do very simple research on the internet first. As far as the Parole Officer doing it-It's your story let him.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

This is getting out of hand and needs to be addressed in the TOS.

[icu650]

I agree. People are asking our advise because they need help in a situation which means a lot to them. An alleged screen writer with no imagination, no research capabilities, and no intelligence in the area of subject matter should not be on this forum for us to do his job. I am sure the people who do need our help could give a damn about his screen play. I no longer will respond to these type of questions.

[mcsap]

If your quest for knowledge is going to make you money, gain fame / recognition or assist you in doing any kind of school work .... we would have to set up a fee schedule.

If you have a question for your own curiousity.....ask away.

Which shall it be ?

[Joeyd6]

It's a movie...not a documentary. Do what you want, how you want. You want authenticity, please PM one of us with a verified tag. We are all professionals and Hollywood pays money for our knowledge/skills. Most of us can work with you for a fee.

Though amusing, I am going to close this down before it spirals out of control. Your folks views are well taken and the mods will see about adding something to the TOS for writers/screenwriters/filmmakers.

[FBINA188]

This is getting out of hand and needs to be addressed in the TOS.

It has been discussed, and here's the bottom line, for now:

If you want to answer the question asked, please do so in an professional and informative manner if you don't, then just leave the thread and take your knowledge, advice, and recommendations with you

People are asking our advise because they need help in a situation which means a lot to them. An alleged screen writer with no imagination, no research capabilities, and no intelligence in the area of subject matter should not be on this forum for us to do his job. I am sure the people who do need our help could give a damn about his screen play. I no longer will respond to these type of questions.

and that is your prerogative but, let's not beat up the thread creator for asking just don't answer the question.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to PM me