For those 13- to 18-year-olds who already know they want a career in moviemaking, steadfastness in knowing what you want to do with your life at such an early age will get you far. But with Idyllwild Arts Academy’s (IAA) announcement to offer scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year to those students who take part in their “Hollywood Ending” contest, you can get even further ahead of the curve.

Moviemakers interested in taking part in the contest are asked to complete the ending of a screenplay called New Years Animus, a script written by a senior at IAA’s Moving Pictures program. The top three entries, which will be chosen by IAA faculty members, will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship for the grand prize, $10,000 for the second prize and a $5,000 scholarship as the third prize. The scholarships are sure to give the young moviemakers a leg up in getting closer to their dreams as the Idyllwild Arts Academy is the only West Coast boarding high school for the arts.

Students should visit the Idyllwild Arts Website to apply by the submission deadline of January 15, 2009, with the winners being chosen and posted on the Website on February 1.

So forget about that algebra exam for a second, pick up a pencil and write an ending that may secure your start in the world of moviemaking. For more information visit www.idyllwildarts.org.