Is it absolutely necessary to live in Hollywood to get started as a screenwriter?

I know at some point there will be a necessity to be in hollywood for meetings with agents or studios that may be interested but will an agent or a studio loo at my work if I am not anywhere near California?|||No, you don't have to be in Hollywood to get started as a screenwriter. There are plenty of opportunities I would think at colleges to get started in the film industry. Look around and see what you can find out.