ATHERTON'S Gareth Williams hopes opportunity knocks for his career when he takes his script writing talents to Hollywood.

The 21-year-old will be taking his work with him in the hope that his two-week stay in the film capital of the world will pay dividends.

Gareth, who has just achieved a 2:1 degree in television production with business management and IT, will be knocking on doors with the hope that one of his film scripts will be accepted.

And this will not be the first trip he will have made to Hollywood.

As part of his degree he spent a three-month placement there working at the company belonging to one of the world's most famous film and record producers, Quincy Jones.

Quincy Jones Entertainment is a production company which specialises in television films and programmes.

Gareth had found the telephone number for the Hollywood company on the Internet and within three days had been invited to go out there.

During his time in Hollywood, he worked evaluating scripts, attended meetings with writers and had the opportunity to express his opinions on their work.

One of the scripts which passed through his fingers was intended for comedy superstars Will Smith and Jim Carrey. And as a result, Gareth got to speak to Jim Carrey's agent on the telephone, with the actor clearly in the background, chipping in with comments.

Gareth said: "I will be staying with a friend in Beverly Hills. I am booked to fly back home in two weeks, so we will see what happens.

"I have meetings planned with a couple of producers and will be knocking on doors.

"There will probably be quite a few slammed in my face, but I will have to roll with it.

"I have been working on a spoof documentary and have re-written a short film I took round last year that generated some interest.

"Most of the work I do is in the style of black comedy and I am hoping to also attract some interest from British companies.

"I finished my degree course in June and will be working full time on achieving success with my work. It is all a case now of working towards getting that magic pay day that all screen writers dream about."