WORK WITH ME
photo credit: James Melia
WHO ARE YOU, ANYWAY?
I am a screenwriter and performer with decades of experience working with scripts and story across mediums. I began my career as an actor, working for many years in theatre, film and TV. Since 2013 I have been writing for many BBC/Channel 4 TV shows as well as creating and writing audio drama for BBC Radio 4. Watch my recent episode of Patience S2 here and listen to my R4 crime series UNDERCOVER here. I have original TV series in development and extensive experience in writers rooms for Sky, Netflix, Fox, Viaplay/Newen and more. Check out my screenwriting work here and solo work here.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SCREENWRITING COURSE (SCRIPTWRITING NORTH)
I run occasional in-person workshops, and regularly teach an online course for a small group of new writers via the brilliant ScriptWriting North. The six week course is packed full of essential writer craft and knowledge, delivered by a working writer (me) who knows the pitfalls and psychological setbacks of the writing game. And we have fun.
“Thank you so so much for demystifying the whole process. I’ve gone from not writing anything like this at all, to a very nearly complete 15 short script. It’s an itch I’ve had for the longest time and thank you for finally helping me scratch it. Your advice has been invaluable and the way in which you teach so naturally and supportively has made the past 5 weeks such a pleasure.” Sept 2025 Course Participant
“Loved it. It’s fun and educational and such a safe environment – and you come away with light bulb moments.” Sept 2025 Course Participant
“Thanks so much for the great scriptwriting course. It felt like a bit of magic inventing these new worlds. Many thanks for all your helpful tips and feedback.” January 2026 Course Participant
You can book for the next 6 week block starting 23 April here
STORY AND SCRIPT CONSULTANCY
Looking for individual feedback on your work, or a longer term collaboration? I offer online Story and Script Consultancy and dramaturgy for both new and more experienced writers. Maybe you have a burgeoning idea you’d like to sound out, or you feel stuck and need to talk through your pitch, idea or outline. Or perhaps you have a draft of your script but are unsure how to move it forward.
I know how hard it is to create in a vacuum, and how difficult it can be to find a trusted outside eye on your work, someone able to give sensitive, informed and constructive feedback, leaving you excited about the next steps.
I am able to coach you through blocks and creative cul-de-sacs because I have been there myself, many times. Imposter syndrome? Deafening inner critic? I am personally acquainted with both and can offer help. From experience, I know the kind of feedback that can crush the soul, and the kind that will challenge, invigorate, and motivate in equal measure. I love collaborating with other creatives and I am passionate about story – shaping a narrative helps to make sense of our lives and our world.
TESTIMONIALS :
“Working with Rachel is like finding a new friend who totally wants ‘in’ on the secret world of your imagination. I love how Rachel jumps-in with me – she isn’t scared to get involved, to help organise the magic and the mayhem into a shape from which you can build a very dynamic and original show. No idea is shunned; there is always encouragement and respect for the mystery and the excitement on the quest to give rise to your stories.” Michelle Hall, Theatre Maker, Perth, Australia.
“Rachel is an excellent writer and script consultant. My scripts are invariably better for her input. She asks insightful questions, and helps me see where I have lacked clarity. Her feedback is always constructive and supportive, always about how we can make things better rather than I’ve done something wrong. Having been in several writers rooms with Rachel, I highly recommend working with her; so much so that she is now one of my trusted ‘first readers‘. Rachel read and offered invaluable feedback on an early draft of my TV pilot, UNFAMILIAR, currently streaming on Netflix as a 6 part series.” Paul Coates, screenwriter
“I’m so happy I got in touch with Rachel after a bad case of writer’s block and imposter syndrome. She was so encouraging and just had a way of opening up the conversation around my script and making a safe space so that we could pick apart the script and pull out ideas and formulate a plan of what I was trying to say. I would highly recommend her and I’m already booked in more sessions.” Fiona Boylan, actor/writer
“I just wanted to thank you for your heaps of glorious and extremely insightful feedback on both our performance and the updated script. On both occasions you’ve illuminated pathways out of our creative blocks.” Ren Roberts, writer/director
“Rachel‘s talent and experience make her an excellent script consultant. She has an instinctive approach which is backed up with industry knowledge and practical advice which I found easy to follow. She saw through the BS in my audio drama script and helped me develop it into a dynamic ‘fat-free’ version, which I’m absolutely delighted with. I would recommend working with Rachel at any stage in one’s career, as she manages to balance honesty with fun in a way that’s efficient and enjoyable.” Laura Harper, Scriptwriter
“Rachel is not only a superb screenwriter, she is also one of the most incisive, original, inspired and enlivening story brains its ever been my pleasure to work with. Spending time with Rachel on one of my ‘From Pitch to Pilot’ retreats, I was fortunate to witness her skills up close and my pilot pitch was immeasurably improved by her ideas, thoughts and lovingly offered kicks up the arse. She’s an unbridled force of nature and I unreservedly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their storytelling skills and ideas. She’s also fabulously funny and terrific company to boot. Work with her now!” Phil Ralph, Screenwriter and retreat guide.
“I would highly recommend Rachel if you are looking for friendly, warm, professional and extremely helpful consultation on a script or theatre piece. Rachel helped myself and my director develop a piece of new writing, BLIP. She gave us kind, sensitive, honest and detailed feedback, helping us understand how we could make the story clearer and more emotionally resonant. Rachel’s feedback helped the story find a clear intention and voice. Her suggested change to the structure gave us a fulfilling ending to the show. She reassured us, and guided us, helping give BLIP the clarity and direction it needed to be a more impactful piece overall. At Edinburgh Fringe BLIP received 5 and 4 star reviews from JaDar, EdFringeReview and Broadway Baby, with The Scotsman calling it ‘a tender meditation on intergenerational tensions’. Without Rachel’s consultation the show would not have been such a success.” Tom Bass, theatre maker
“Rachel is intelligent, respectful and informed. She gave a sensitivity read that was thoughtful, careful and highly useful going forward. It was a genuine discussion, not an ‘expert’ holding forth. I felt empowered, connected and invited to take risks and explore.” Louise Mulvey, Playwright, RLF Fellow and Mentor.
“Rachel is an absolute powerhouse of a writer and an all-round impressive human being. Having recently attended a week’s residential course with her, she gave invaluable advice and insight on a project I’m developing. All with a generosity, warmth and sense of humour that makes her a joy to work with. If you need help with a script, I’d have absolutely no hesitation in suggesting that you hire her.” Henrietta Hardy, Screenwriter
RATES: (includes pre-reading and working on material)
30 minute 1-2-1 (up to 2 page pitch/12 page script) £45
40 minute 1-2-1 (up to 5 page pitch/30 page script) £65
60 minute 1-2-1 (up to 60 page script) £100
60 minute 1-2-1 (up to 90 page script) £125
Feedback is offered via 1-2-1 via Zoom. In-person daily rates for dramaturgy begin at £250, half days at £150 please enquire below.
If your work does not quite fit into the above, or if there is a more long term service you are looking for, drop me a line to discuss. I work with early and mid career writers, artists and theatre makers at all stages of projects, from dramaturgy on solo shows and audio drama projects, to consultancy on TV and film pitches and scripts.
I try to flex my approach where possible. Happy to answer questions over email or call, to explore further how we might work together.
Please get in touch below:
Rachel Smith 