15 Eight-Line Letter ASK AND YE shall receive. Well, maybe not every time. But ask in the correct manner, and your chances of success start to soar, whether it be a request for funding, for a favourable equipment rental deal, or for interest in your screenplay. The first rule of successful begging is to ascertain exactly what it is you require. Then it is necessary to quantify the need in simple straight- forward sentences that are clear and yet entertaining to read. If the first item on the agenda is film stock, find out where there are advertising production companies and word your request as follows: `We are attempting to create the world's first 35mm feature film (ninety minutes long) with a budget of absolutely zero. We wonder if you have