As a UK script consultant I’ve worked on a hell of a lot of broadcast TV. As a writer and storyline writer. Often working as part of a dedicated team working their hardest to make whatever show we’re working on as good as it can be.
I’ve taken this team work ethic into my work online as a script writer for hire. I now do a lot of work with writers who come to me needing help with their screenplay. I work as a team mate of the original writer and bring my experience and ideas to the table to help writers get their script as good as it can be.
Producers, directors and script editors come to me too, they’ll need help with scripts, or they’ll have a problem that needs fixing in their current project. Again, I work together with them towards their common goals – making the script as good as it can be.
Filmmaking is all about team work, and the script and the whole process of writing is also about team work too. The original writer (if working alone) gets to the run the first part of the race, but when the first draft is complete, the original writer will often need help to get the script to where it needs to be to enter production.
This work can start with a script consultant (like me), or with a producer and director – it can sometimes even start with an agent. A good agent will give their client advice on rewrites, or ideas to incorporate into a script before it even goes out to the market. At the end of the day, everyone who reads the script might in some small way contribute.
If the script goes into production, actors will have input, camera people, the wardrobe department, even the sound man. As the film moves into post production, the editor will have an impact, often moving scenes around and changing the writers carefully thought out structure.
So, writers, sometimes lonely types need to be prepared for filmmaking.
It’s a team game…
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