Sarah Olley is an industry development consultant and screenwriter with over 12 years’ experience running Script Surgery UK. She consults for talent and companies worldwide, working across genres. This includes a stint as Head of Development at Formosa Films, developing a slate of thrillers and comedies, 10 years with Warner Bros VP of Acquisitions in the UK and clients including The BFI Film Fund, BBC Films, The Script Factory and Film London.

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“She has had much positive feedback from highly satisfied clients who have valued her ability to cut through the confusion sometimes left by other sources of advice.” Lucy Scher, Co-director, The Script Factory

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Sarah was script consultant to writer/director Elaine Constantine on hit, British feature NORTHERN SOUL. Released October 2014, it achieved top 10 box office on opening weekend, a 2015 BAFTA nomination and Best Film at 2015 NME Awards. Sarah continues to consult for Elaine and the film’s producer Debbie Gray at Genesius Pictures. She has also worked as consultant to BAFTA nominated director Shona Auerbach, veteran Indian writer/director Sudhir Mishra, Oscar winning Australian filmmaker Shaun Tan and regularly with award winning writer/director Justin Edgar of 104 Films. This includes script editing neo noir crime thriller THE MARKER (TBC 2017) starring Frederick Schmidt, Ana Ularu and John Hannah and TV drama BATTLE LINES; RTS award winner 2015. She was script consultant on short film THE ROAD HOME, which was Oscar shortlisted in 2012.

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Sarah has developed and script edited three series, including two series of children’s live action adventure THE SECRET OF EEL ISLAND for Five, (described by The Observer as “Superlative new children’s drama”). She was part of the writing team throughout and provided on set script supervision for both series, as well as recently being attached to write the feature version.

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She has consulted on animated features and been attached as a screenwriter, with Oscar winning animation company Passion Pictures Australia. Recent children’s/family work includes consulting on two feature adaptations of books by Tasmanian, fantasy author Julie Hunt.

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As Drama Development Producer for Eye Film & TV, she went on to develop, co-produce and co-write black comic web series TEMPTING FATES, helping secure finance and oversee the ambitious, high concept production. Used to collaborative, series storylining, she’s experienced in running writers’ rooms, co-ordinating talent and feedback and maintaining a strong overview for any project.

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“Her contribution was essential to the success of the writing team” Frank Prendergast, Creative Director, Eye Film & TV

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With an eye for a powerful story, in 2016 she began co-producing a dystopian, coming of age, feature adaptation by award winning playwright Ben Musgrave. She is also developing work independently as a screenwriter, as well as collaborating with directors and writing for hire. With a foot in both the creative and commercial sides of the development process, she brings both these sensibilities to the table as a consultant.

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Passionate about the importance of development to the whole production process, Sarah is co-founder and host of professional networking group; In Development, meeting monthly with industry guests to discuss all aspects of scripted development. She has provided script editor training for filmmakers via 104 Films, mentored writers for schemes such as Digital Shorts, assessed entries for Film London’s Microwave Scheme, Channel 4’s Screenwriting course and The Wellcome Trust Screenwriting Prize, as well as having been a speaker at The London Screenwriters’ Festival.

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Sarah has a previous background as a short film director and post-production editor and graduated as a director from the Bournemouth Film School. She has worked as a lecturer in film practice and theory and was one of the first in the country to gain a Diploma in Script Development from the National Film & TV School (2005).

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If you would like to know more about the development services on offer and read testimonials from satisfied clients, please follow the links to the right, or get in touch.