Getting script coverage (or a script report) in the UK and beyond can be a pain for screenwriters. With lots of different scriptwriters or whole faceless organisations offering script report / script coverage services. The question is WHO to choose from – The question I see asked a lot is – ‘Which is the best UK Script coverage service?’
The first thing to ALWAYS look for is the professional credits of the person who will be reviewing / report on your script. My name is Matthew Cooper, I have over 20 years experience as a professional script writer on the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. My IMDb profiles is here (and make sure to check for credits as a scriptwriter) and my show reel as a scriptwriter and script consultant / script doctor is below:
I’ve BAFTA shortlisted twice (link to one on the BAFTA website here) and I’ve been Royal Television Society shortlisted as Best Network Newcomer (from my time writing Emmerdale). I’ve also worked as a script consultant on projects like produced and released feature films, web serials, TV series, and short films too.
My first short film starred Ewan McGregor and was broadcast on Channel Four at prime time in the mid 1990s. On EastEnders I wrote the episode where ‘Alfie’ told ‘Kat’ he loved her for the first time. I’ve written the Dingles for Emmerdale, and helped introduce the McQueen Family to Hollyoaks. I’ve worked a script doctor (under the radar) on rewrites for projects backed by Netflix. I’ve even made six indie films as writer / director and producer. I’ve been at this since my first TV credit way back in 1994.
I’ve won the Lloyds Bank Film Challenge and Oscar Moore Scriptwriting prize in the prize in the past and worked with high profile directors and producers.
So, that’s me. Up front, you know what you’re getting when you hire me to do script coverage for you. I’ve been running this website and providing screenplay analysis, and my script reading service for over TEN years. Many of the hundreds of scripts have come to me, have gone on to be produced films, sometimes because of my help with script analysis and development service
A lot of new writers who have approached me with their first every script, have over the course of a few years. gone onto careers as scriptwriters – some have even won or placed highly in USA screenplay competitions – you can read some client feedback here ADELE & MARTIN
When I do a script report, its in-depth, I give scene by scene, page by page notes. I give detailed advice on the strengths and weaknesses and give the writer practical step by step advice on what to change, why it needs changing, and how to do it. I also give notes on market potential, as well as genuine advice on career prospects for scriptwriters. This is real, hard won advice from the front lines.
I’m also happy to chat by email and clarify any points and offer ongoing support if needed.
There are a lot of websites offering screenplay analysis, or script development service’s. A huge majority of these websites are kind of faceless, in that you don’t know who will be reading your script and what level of experience they have. Websites like this can be sometimes be industrial script farms, who send out scripts to readers who have little or no industry experience. You can get charged an arm and a leg too. For a report of little worth.
Do yourself a favour, get a professional opinion on your script
My honest in-depth and comprehensive advice as a professional script writer and leading UK script consultant isn’t too pricey either.
Prices are as follows:
- Short film script report £50
- TV drama up to one hour script report £80
- Feature film script report £120
I’ve been told – that my fees are too low for these reports – based on the level of detail in the reports and for my level of expertise in reviewing each script personally. A more realistic fee (I’m told) for a feature film script report, that includes a page by page read (from an expert – pro level scriptwriter) would run to something like £400 or £500 – especially as most of my script reports are 30+ pages long.
The £500 fee sounds great to me, and is probably the correct level of renumeration for the work I put into each and every report – but my fees remain at £120 for a feature film script reports – because I want to encourage new writers to get expert feedback, so that they can improve their writing – and I think £400 or £500 is too much to pay for new people starting out on the very long road to being a pro scriptwriter.
A £400 or £500 report would have been beyond my own means when I started writing scripts – and looking back I think I would have benefited from expert feedback (I think it would sped up my own journey to being a pro by a few years – and I was writing Emmerdale at 27 – the youngest scriptwriter they had ever had on the writing team at that show).
So, I intend to keep my fees low on this script reports service to help as many new scriptwriters as I can. I’m not doing this for the money – I’m doing this to help people and pass on my expertise and pro experience (over a 25+ year career).
SCRIPT CONSULTANT AND UK SCRIPT DOCTOR
If you’re looking for the UK’s best script coverage or screenplay analysis services, stop right now and pull up a chair for a one-to-one with a professional BAFTA nominated scriptwriter. Don’t bother, wasting time and money with anonymous readers, or faceless notes from someone with questionable experience when you can have advice, help and an in-depth script report from a genuine professional.
I’m also, friendly, happy to chat and exchange TV and film writing war stories (I can bore on a bit about my experiences!) You can trust me – I’m a Doctor, well – A SCRIPT DOCTOR AT LEAST…