As an award winning script writer for hire and UK script consultant with over 20 years’ experience in film and TV, I’m often expected to have a UK literary agent representing me and my services.
In the past, I have been represented by the agent Jago Irwin (Now at Independent Talent). Jago was a wonderful agent, who helped to get me onto the core writing teams of Emmerdale, EastEnders and Family Affairs – and make a living as professional script writer. He also gave me great career advice, and had excellent notes when I gave him original material to read.
However, time has moved on, in the industry, online and in my career.
In an online world, people or companies want instant access to freelance professionals; these might be script writers, web designers or any other type of creative. Script writers, traditionally have been hidden behind their agents – who would (in some cases correctly) act as a buffer, and only hire their client out to people or companies who they felt would benefit their client. This would mean, in reality, that people without a track record in the film or TV industry, even if they could afford to pay high fees, wouldn’t get access to the best script writers.
Through this website, and my work as a script writer for hire and script consultant, I’m hoping to change that. Anyone, can contact me, to hire me to write, rewrite or help with their script or screenplay – there are no barriers, except my time, availability and my fees.
Fees, that’s another point script writer’s worry about – surely you need an agent to negotiate fees? No, not really, I work to standard PACT industry fees. In the event that I do need help with a deal I have a list of London Agents I can approach (and based on how busy they are with their own clients) will negotiate on my behalf – I specifically have one London agent who I already have an agreement in place with – should I land a ‘big fish’. This is good for me, but also useful for people who approach me to write something for them. In a way, it gives them access to an agent too, or at least gives them the protection of an expert negotiator should the script get picked up by a big industry player.
Contacts are another thing that agents bring to the table. But, after 25 years in the industry, I have plenty of contacts myself, and access to industry people who I have known and worked with going back many decades. People hiring me, also, in some cases, will find that I that my contacts could be useful to launch their project.
Since, I started out in the industry in the early 90s, the game has changed too. I get hired to write scripts for online projects, social media videos, YouTube serials, and feature films that will only ever be seen online – all things that didn’t exist back when I started out as a script writer. But also, now, probably the future of the industry.
So, anyone can hire a professional award winning script writer now.
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour