Hang out in the mid-west long enough and you're sure to end up in a flood. Just dress up as a choirboy. If you live long enough, something bad is bound to happen to you. Then, surprise, you're that much closer to becoming a media star. Obviously some personal tragedies translate to the screen more effectively than others.
Many MOWs start in the news department.
Having Jay Leno make a joke about you doesn't hurt your chances of a sale, but that doesn't mean your story won't make it just because it never passed the lips of a talk show host. If one were to go by the experiences of the single individual who has been the subject of the most movies of the week, it would seem that the most effective way to turn your life into an MOW is to marry a United States Senator who becomes president, then gets assassinated. Still, its recommended that you be a victim rather than a perpetrator. It's possible to lead an interesting life without breaking the law. Of course leading a tragic life is only the first step.