Script Consultancy

Drama, fiction, comedy: television, film, stage and radio

Writers

I offer the following services and can adapt the process according to your needs. I normally send a written report by email, and can discuss it with you by email, post or Skype phone call. My intention is to help you achieve your aim: whatever the level of your work - beginner to experienced professional - I will support you in developing your writing through three drafts to bring out your own best qualities and unique voice. You do not have to commit to more than one stage at a time.

I won't promise to 'fix' your script, to make it irresistible to commissioning editors, or to recommend you to agents or producers, but I will give you sound advice and help you to become the best writer you can be: my commitment is to each author's voice, individual viewpoint and style.

Producers

I will report on your script according to how effective the writing is, and suggest how to improve it in the context of your target audience and production needs. I will also follow up with script meetings if required, at an additional cost.

Fresh-Eye Read

If you have a manuscript you've been working on for some time, you may benefit from a one-off reading response. Send it to me by email or post, together with notes on any concerns you have about it, and I will read it with a 'fresh eye' and give you a straightforward written assessment of how it comes over in general, what works, and what I think are problem areas, with suggestions of ways to solve them. If needed, I will guide you regarding the appropriate layout for whatever form you are writing in, and give advice regarding requirements for specific slots such as sitcom or soap.

Television and film templates with industry standard layouts are available free from the BBC Writers' Room: www.bbc/co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart

Fee: £20 per thousand words of your document

Script Development

If you would like to continue working with me on further drafts of your script, I will help you to address and solve the problem areas. I will make specific suggestions for you to use or not, as you wish.

Normally two more drafts are enough to bring a script to its best condition; one to sort out the main issues, and one to polish the last minor points. Endless re-writes can dilute a script's best features, so I don't agree that "Writing is re-writing"; I'd say "Writing is getting it right".

Fee: £20 per thousand words, to include two further drafts

Writing a Treatment

If you need to write a treatment for a television drama or comedy series I will ensure that you address all the necessary aspects, and help you to write a document and sample dialogue which will fit the expectations of a commissioning editor. This will include concept, characters, storylines, audience and slot requirements, budget and presentation.

Fee: approximately £100-£250 per treatment, according to the project.