Advice from Technical Advisors

I recently wrote a pilot including extensive descriptions of human cadaver dissection.  Luckily, I know a number or doctors and nurses who were willing to serve as technical advisers.  But what if I hadn't had those connections?  Where do writers find specialists to consult?

I recently found that the WGA West website provides both a list of experts willing to provide free information to writers, as well as interviews with numerous technical advisors including:

Pat Brown

Despite what movies and TV might have you believe, serial killers don’t play cat and mouse and aren’t particularly bright. Criminal profiler Pat Brown tells Technically Speaking what goes on in the mind of a real murderer.

Susie Schelling

Susie Schelling, a nursing consultant for ER, Nip/Tuck and Hawthorne dispels some medical misnomers including why doctors never yell, “Get me a (fill-in-the-blank), STAT!”.

Joaquin “Jack” Garcia

Joaquin “Jack” Garcia, an FBI agent who spent years infiltrating the Gambino crime family, knowing his life depended on getting his facts right, gives up the goods on where to get the straight mob dope.

Dr. Glen Gabbard

Sopranos consultant Dr. Glen Gabbard, analyzes Hollywood’s treatment of psychiatric disorders and recommends where to get (technical) advice.

And more!

The site's list of individuals or organizations willing to provide free information to writers includes: 

Government Departments
Medical Authorities
Religious Information
Psychological References
Miscellaneous [High Tech and Air Combat, Search & Rescue,Law Enforcement
(Fraud Schemes, Undercover Investigations, etc.)]
Points of Interest [Aviation Research Center, Railway History, etc.]

While every attempt is made to ensure that FYI listings are purely informational and accurate, the WGAW does not endorse any of the following listings or the information they provide.