‘I can highly recommend using Phil’s mentoring service. During my six months working with Phil I found him to be both insightful and fully supportive. He will push you to write the best that you can! In my case Phil encouraged me to write from my own personal experience and the resulting, competition winning script has given me a great career boost. It’s been well received in the industry and opened many doors. I started with a one line idea and Phil guided me through the treatment stage and on to several script drafts. Phil even sent the finished script to producers and agents within the TV industry on my behalf. It’s been the most useful step I’ve taken in my writing career to date!’
ANN HAWKER
‘‘Phil’s feedback, whether it be for scripts, treatments or sketchy ideas, was consistently excellent. Consise yet effective, he pulled no punches when something was not working and offered constructive solutions on making my scripts the best they can be in a limited time frame. He went above and beyond in introducing me to the market in the UK and his outstanding reputation in the industry definitely opened doors for me. He didn’t vanish once the mentorship was done, either. He was always happy to provide support and answer any further questions I had. I have no hesitation in recommending his services.’’
KRISTINA JILLY
‘Philip has been instrumental in my development as a scriptwriter. When I first made the transition from journalism to script writing, Philip’s insightful advice and detailed notes lifted my first spec script to the next level. That script has since secured me industry jobs, from a film commission for an independent producer to writing episodes for a BBC1 continuing drama series. In addition, if Philip sees promise in you as a writer, he may recommend you for projects. In this way, I have worked as a scriptwriter and storyliner on an African TV drama (working in collaboration with Philip), a musical, and short corporate films for the NHS. I have no hesitation in recommending his services.’
JACQUI CANHAM, October 2018
‘I have been working with Philip for just over a year now and I am always impressed with his perceptiveness and honesty.
Philip’s Script Reports are very thorough and prompt, giving insightful and frank feedback on a number of areas, including presentation, marketability, structure, character and dialogue, as well as more specific detailed line notes. His suggestions are all incredibly helpful when it comes to sorting out issues in a script and certainly make me think deeper about my writing.
His feedback is not always what I ‘want’ to hear but, more often than not, what I ‘need’ to hear.
I like to get a variety of feedback on my scripts, but I always make sure Philip’s Script Consultancy Service is my first port of call.’
IAN HANDSeptember 2018
‘Dear Philip
Thank you so much for your help with my calling card script. You’ve taken me right through to what I hope will now be my final draft. I really value being able to work with you. Your notes are kind and very honest and have helped me to understand what it takes to write for the industry. It’s been so useful to be able to meet with you to discuss ideas and ways forward and to have one person to work with through the whole process. I want to thank you for genuinely wanting to help develop writers. And I want to thank you for pushing me to be my best. I’ve learnt so much.’
LESLEY ROBERTSSeptember 2018
‘While exposing your writing to criticism can be a daunting exercise, Phil has made it a liberating process. His notes are precise, and while dispassionate, he genuinely invested in my characters and helped me explore creative ways of developing my story. In short, not only do I now have a stronger screenplay, but I am also a better writer.’
JASON COLLINSeptember 2018
‘The advice and encouragement Philip gave me was invaluable when it came to knocking my second and subsequent drafts into better shape. He pointed out characters that didn’t add anything or have a distinct enough voice, suggested I make the A plot much stronger and advised me on script formatting amongst other things in his detailed feedback. All of these helped me write a calling card script that was much clearer in voice, tone and intent.’
STEVE HULMESSeptember 2018
‘Working with Philip Shelley has been a most illuminating experience and has helped me to open many doors. Philip’s insightful notes and feedback have taught me valuable lessons, most notably less is more and more is always possible if you challenge yourself and dare to dream. I’m very happy to report that the fourth draft of my feature film script “Big Ballerinas” has just been optioned by Australian producer, Craig Kocinski for OZPIX Entertainment.’
MARK FRITHSeptember 2018
‘I highly rate Philip as a script consultant. His attention to detail is impeccable and he analyses every aspect of the script in minute detail. Philip is very honest – which I really appreciate because one quality you need as a screenwriter is to be thick skinned. Philip’s feedback makes you stand back and revisit your script with a fresh perspective. He is extremely approachable and happy to discuss his feedback via email or by phone. Philip is very supportive and wants you to achieve your very best as a screenwriter.’
DEBORAH LEWISSeptember 2018
‘Philip Shelley’s script consultancy service has been a valuable resource to my development as a writer over the years. He is very encouraging when one of my screenplays has potential, and very honest when the overall idea needs completely re-evaluating. The feedback I receive is always insightful and constructive, and so far I have always been in agreement with his suggestions of what needs to be changed in order to progress my script to the next stage.’
VICK MARTINSeptember 2018
‘Philip has the unerring ability to cut to the chase and pinpoint problems and, just as importantly, strengths in a script. He has worked with me on several TV pilots and feature screenplays and his notes have been invaluable, giving me a really clear perspective on what has been achieved in the current draft and what needs to be done in the next.’
BRIAN LYNCH (BAFTA nominee) September 2018
‘Philip is someone rare in the world of script editing and consultancy. Not only is he able to offer knowledgeable, insightful advice about what works and what doesn’t, at the heart of everything he does is a desire to make the script the best it possibly can be – and this is invaluable. In short, I know he cares about the projects he’s working on and is someone I trust to give me honest and practical advice. When I’ve taken a script as far as I can by myself, it’s Philip I turn to.’
NIC JONESSeptember 2018