As the UKs most in demand script consultant, I’ve got a career that stretches back to 1994 (and further as an indie director of short films) and encompasses all kinds of film, TV and digital script writing.
Back in the day when you wrote something for TV, when it came around for the show to be broadcast, you’d be ready with a blank VHS tape!
As a scriptwriter for hire, UK Script editor and UK script consultant, I’ve lost most of the material that I wrote for Eastenders, Emmerdale, Family Affairs and Hollyoaks. I’m sure it’s all on VHS tapes somewhere in the attic, but I’m not sure that some of the video cassettes would even play now.
So, from time to time I do a quick search of the internet looking for episodes of shows that I’ve written that might have ended up online somewhere (usually YouTube).
Seeing some of these old episodes pop up is certainly a trip down memory lane.
A few months ago I found my second episode of Emmerdale written in late 2001—I think I was 26 or 27 when I made it to the core team of writers and began getting commissions on a regular basis.
The episode is quite fun actually (and can be seen below) I’ve even managed to liven up a golf scene with some ‘Caddyshack’ jokes.
Enjoy!
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire, UK Script editor and UK script consultant 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. His UK script coverage service, Script reading service and script development service are highly sought after.
You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb.
You can contact Matthew directly to purchase his ebook The UK Soap Opera Script Writers Handbook.
His directorial debut, the rubber reality horror thriller Markham will be released in 2020. You can find out more about Matthew’s work as a director here.
You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk. Matthew’s work as a director here.