Script Editing

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Straight away, Yvonne saw the bigger picture and was showed me how to connect ideas together so nothing gets lost, it was like a string of light bulbs going on. Whenever you get to a point where you’ve fizzled out, she comes up with both new ideas and practical suggestions which get you right back to knowing what to do next. A true expert and a brilliant teacher

STACEY WILLIAMS writer

What does Yvonne do with a script?’ She looks for the heartbeat of it, the characters, the themes, the what really matters, and then she gives detailed, focused, passionate notes that help you re-write in a way that makes it beat louder

ALISON DOWN‪‬ writer

Huge thanks to @YVONNEGRACE1 for her great report on my script: honest, inspiring and clear on what needs fixing

GUY LAMBERT writer

First cutting my teeth in Script Editing on EASTENDERS, I went on to develop long-running formats for the BBC Drama Series Department until I was asked to return to my Northern roots and work for GRANADA TELEVISION in Manchester in 1993.

I stayed there till 1998 working on the BAFTA Nominated children’s medical series THE WARD as Series Script Editor, and also Script Edited the soap REVELATIONS; created by Russell T Davies, who taught me a lot about story lining and story structure.
Working at Granada Television in the late ’90’s meant I was lucky enough to work with and be inspired by the writers who would go on to be the leading lights in television drama series, Sally Wainwright, Kay Mellor and Paul Abbot all helped shape the producer and script executive I am today.

Script Consultancy

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Yvonne has been invaluable in my overall development. With her support over the past six months I have been able to produce my finest work to date and my confidence in my ability has a writer has grown enormously. She has helped me to improve the quality of my storytelling and to develop structured writing patterns; at the same time, I have gained a much deeper knowledge of writing TV series and serials. I can also now write a reasonable treatment. Yvonne is friendly, honest and passionate about the writers she works with, which at times does require the writer to think ruthlessly about their own work. Her passion makes me as a writer want to be the best that I can be and from here anything is possible.

SALLY EASTLAND

I’ve worked with Yvonne on several projects and apart from benefiting from her vast TV experience and script wisdom, I’ve also enjoyed her enthusiasm and encouragement, all delivered with a heady dose of Northern wit!

JOE CAWLEY

She knows exactly how to work with writers – she respects them. All Yvonne’s critiques are designed to help me discover for myself the way forward. She understands what TV producers want and she values creativity

JOHN ABULAFIA

In 1999 I Produced HOLBY CITY series 2 for BBC1. My series increased the ratings from 6 million per episode to 9.6 million and helped to guarantee it’s continued success. I worked for the BBC developing long running formats until I went freelance to write my own commissioned work.

In 2003 I was asked by the ITV Network to revamp CROSSROADS for ITV. I brought in a new cast, a new look, and cast Jane Asher in the lead, playing Angel Sampson. The series was watched by 1.5 million viewers a day, five days a week. I continued to develop original drama projects for CARLTON TELEVISION, and have established a healthy professional relationship with writers, agents and commissioners alike.

Development Packages

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To truly develop their craft, writers need an experienced, supportive, empathetic ‘extra eye’ on their output. This is where I come in. You can chose to work with me via 3 specific ways:

  • Development Package 1; for three months, on a specific project,
  • Development Package 2; for six months on two projects and lastly;
  • Extended Development Package where I use my contacts to get your writing out to the industry and even help you get representation.

I designed my Development Packages to mirror the vital relationship professional writers have with their Script Editors in television drama production. Using my extensive skill base and experience, we will develop your personal writing voice and make your stories market ready.

I’ve worked with Yvonne for two of my TV projects through her development packages – one of which placed as a Top 10 Finalist in the Final Draft Big Break 2019. I can honestly say she is an absolute dream to work with – she knows exactly how to support you as a writer, and her background in TV and long-time experience as a script editor shines through in her professional and insightful feedback. Within a few moments of talking with her about a project she has the ability to hone in on exactly where your story needs work and where it’s working but could be made even better. She is a brilliant sounding board for ideas, and always seeking to help you bring your vision to life – never imposing her own. She offers a wealth of experience on storylining characters and series arcs, which have revolutionised the way I approach my own thinking around TV projects. I trust her implicitly, and would never hesitate to recommend anyone who is serious about writing to a professional standard, to work with Yvonne.

LARA BARBIER

Yvonne gave me my first break in television. She was my first teacher, my first producer and a key person in my script editing training. She has a passion for long running series, thinks outside the box and is prepared to take risks.

ELAINE PYKE Outgoing Channel Director Sky Atlantic.

‘Being mentored by Yvonne changed my life. I have just finished BBC Writersroom New Voices development programme and wouldn’t have had the confidence to enter this without her help. She really knows her stuff.’

LOU BURNS BBC New Voices

DEVELOPMENT
PACKAGE

Time Frame – 3 Months.
Begin a strong, supportive working relationship with me. I bring your writing craft to the next level, develop one television project to a commercial and creative standard and raise your personal writing bar. This package will develop your writer potential.

DEVELOPMENT
PACKAGE 2

Time Frame – 6 Months.
This time frame gives us space to work up two strong television series projects. Here we cement the vital relationship between writer and script editor – mirroring the industry at large. You will consolidate your skill base and grow into the confident television writer you want to be.

EXTENDED DEVELOPMENT
PACKAGE

Time Frame – 6 Months
This is how you work with me to develop your slate further and if you are ready for representation, I use my knowledge and contacts to bring you, the writer and your work to the attention of the industry

Script Advice Community

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SCRIPT ADVICE WRITER’S ROOM on Facebook – I set up this group to support the work I do here at Script Advice it is THE group to join if you want great support, friendly advice and to be part of an inclusive, creative bunch of writers on Facebook. I also write many articles that are free for you to read. They may be a good starting point for you.

Yvonne’s top tips are a wonderful blend of inspiration and practical advice. Doing one of Yvonne’s courses at the Script Factory helped to give me the confidence to apply to do an MA in Screenwriting at the London College of Communication, which I have just completed.

LIZ HOLLIDAY Writer

JOIN OUR GROUP

if you are already a Facebook user you can chat with me and other writers (over 3,000) on my Facebook Group – The Script Advice Writer’s Room.

GET MY BOOK

If you want to get an impressive insight into the industry and routes in to make your work competitive then buy this book now. Peter Devonald

TEN TOP TIPS

I’m sharing some of my top tips to becoming a better and more successful writer. Sign up to the Ten Top Tips here and I will email them to you.

USEFUL RESOURCES

If you are interested in reading more helpful advice or joining in an online community of like-minded writers you could take a look at my Blog.

You can’t create experience, you must undergo it

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Yvonne has worked with the following companies and can proudly wear the ‘been there, done that’ T-shirt

Once I had a first draft, I honestly couldn’t tell if it was any good. I hadn’t written for TV before and had no idea what the structure for an episode was…I knew I needed to get some expert eyes on it, so I went to Yvonne… She’s had 30+ years in the industry and seemed to fundamentally understand TV drama. She was the right person to help. I’d had lots of positive feedback about how strong my opening pages were. I was really, really proud of them. And one of Yvonne’s first comments was, “the opening’s got to change”…I trusted her though, and she was right…

MARTIN BELL

JEM DRYER Delegate/script editor If you ever want to see a real wizard at work, sign up for Yvonne Grace’s Script Editing for Television course right this second. The way Yvonne can take apart a script is genuinely dazzling to watch, and you can’t help but feel yourself becoming ten times the script editor you were just by watching her process. There is no explanation for being able to cover every aspect of script analysis and editing, storylining, delivering notes to writers, and understanding the script editor’s role in production in only four days other than magic.

Ready to Work With Me?

DO YOU HAVE A BIG IDEA I CAN HELP WITH?