I’ve been a script writer for hire since the 1990s. My first short film was shown on Channel 4 in 1994; I was commissioned by Miramax to write a feature length screenplay in 1995. By 2001, I was the youngest writer on Emmerdale, the popular UK soap opera set in Yorkshire where I spent a year with the core writing team and wrote 10 episodes, learning my trade as a TV writer.
For the last three weeks I’ve been working on a script set back in the early 1990s. It’s been a fun project (I should complete the first draft this weekend) and I’ve enjoyed going back to the Leeds streets of my youth writing about people that I feel I knew.
The writing has been fast and furious on this script. The script is based on a book, which is part of a trilogy following the characters over a period of years. The producer and myself did a lot of work on the books prior to me writing a word of the script (on and off I’ve been working on this project since last October). So, my preparation has been intense and that means that when it came to actually getting a script down on paper, the words came quickly.
As I said I’m set to complete this first draft this weekend. I’ll then leave the script for a couple of weeks, before going back to it to polish and correct it. Then a few close, trusted friends and colleagues will read it and give me feedback. I’ll make any changes needed and then send it to the producer before going on holiday to my favourite Greek island.
I’ll expect to meet up with the producer soon, and get his feedback too. Keep checking back on the blog and I’ll update you on the progress of this exciting project. If the producer is happy with the first draft I also reveal the book(s) that we’re working to bring to the screen.
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 also works as a content writer for hire and as a 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