Hi, my name is Matthew Cooper and I’m a produced, award winning, screenwriter, UK script consultant, UK script doctor and script writer for hire with over 20 years’ experience in the UK film and television industry.
Award winning UK script consultant
I’ve written for EastEnders, Emmerdale (Bafta shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated) Family Affairs and I also helped to revamp Hollyoaks under producer Bryan Kirkwood.
I had my first script produced and broadcast on Channel Four when I was just 19 years old – the short film is the first acting credit for Ewan McGregor – and the award-winning film launched my career and Ewan’s (who used the film as a showreel : ‘Family Style – written by Matthew Cooper)‘.
I went on to sell a feature film script to a US major before finding myself in the fast-paced world of UK soap operas. I was the youngest ever core script writer on the Emmerdale team (at 27) before I switched channels onto the BBC’s EastEnders where I wrote (among others) the iconic episode where ‘Alfie’ told ‘Kat’ he loved her for the first time–which was one the most watched episodes in the shows 20+ year history.
I also helped to revamp CH4s Hollyoaks as part of the team which tripled the show’s viewing figures under producer Bryan Kirkwood. I worked on storylines that introduced the McQueen Family and notorious club owner, gangster and double murderer Warren Fox, who was described as the first ‘realistic’ gangster character in UK soaps.
Script Consultant UK and script doctor
After Hollyoaks came the Web2.0 revolution and the launch of YouTube and I was just about the first script writer in the UK to move my work online with Dylan Ogden a 10 part show designed for the online space which was written and shot in 2007, and backed by a Dragon’s Den star. The show received interest from Simon Fuller, American TV companies and was briefly to launch on the MySpace platform (before it collapsed).
Script coverage UK
For the last ten years I’ve worked as a script consultant and script doctor on various produced and released feature films on both sides of the Atlantic and I enjoy acting as a ‘player turned coach’ and helping new writers through my script consultant services.
My script coverage service is one of the busiest in the UK, and my script reports are the most comprehensive on the market (read on to find out more).
Matthew Cooper Director and Script Consultant UK
As a director, I completed a trilogy of innovative low budget horror films based on the work of H. P. Lovecraft – the three feature films have all been produced on low budgets, shot throughout the coronavirus pandemic and released online to good reviews and sales.
The films are: Markham, released in 2020, ‘At the Mountains of Madness‘ released in 2021 and the final film of the trilogy: ‘When the Earth Gives Up the Dead‘ was released in 2022. – you can find out more about my work as a director on my director website – where you will also learn about my upcoming feature film Sober – which will be released in 2024.
Sober is my new comedy film co-written and starring Dean Smith (Waterloo Road) and Tom Gibbons (Funny Cow). You can find out more about Sober – on the film’s dedicated website. We’ve got high hopes that Sober will be a break out film. There’s a video about the making of Sober below:
Script Consultant UK credits
Throughout my career I’ve worked with directors including Justin Chadwick (The Long Walk to Freedom), Jon Baird (Filth) and Ian Bevitt (Coronation Street). My scriptwriting showreel is below…
I’m also currently on the judging panel of the 2023 Page Turner Awards.
So, what does a script consultant do?
I’m available as script consultant for hire to give help with:
- Original screenplays
- Script rewrites
- Script edits
- Show running
- Storyline work
- Original short films
- Script writing lectures/workshops
- Storytelling and script writing for brands
- Scripts for corporate films and adverts
- Script doctor services
- Script help for directors/producers in Broadcast TV
- Script help for film students
And…
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Script reports / script coverage – click here for details on my script coverage / script report service (the most comprehensive on the market for new writers)
Better than other script consultants
You can read more about what sets me apart from other script consultants in this blogpost.
And if you’re a rookie scriptwriter, while I’ve got you. The following blogposts contain some advice from me and might be useful:
- TV script submissions UK – where to send your script in the UK – can you submit scripts to the BBC?
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Scriptwriting agents UK–complete list with links and submission advice
- What’s the difference between a shooting script and a regular spec / sample script – Script Consultant UK explains | Script writer for hire and UK script consultant (matcoop.co.uk)
- You can also read my ebook ‘The UK Scriptwriter Soap writing handbook’ for free here.
Contact Script Consultant UK
You can contact me on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk for more details.
I’m particularly keen to speak to independent film makers who are looking at feature length films and new writers needing help with my script coverage service.
I also, treat all writers (of whatever level) with respect and courtesy – I don’t bite basically – so get in touch. You can trust me, I’m a Doctor – well a script doctor at least…
