| Paul Mendelson, Writer (Creator & Writer ‘May to December’ BBC, ‘So Haunt Me’ BBC, ‘Losing It’ ITV, ‘My Hero’ BBC) I have worked with Hayley on several occasions over many years and have found her not only a hugely constructive and imaginative script editor, but also one incredibly attuned to the emotional needs, quirks and peccadilloes of the writer. She combines patience with flair and knows exactly what is necessary to produce the best and truest work. She is equally astute on comedy and drama, short form and long. I wish I had her on all my projects. Myles McLeod, Writer/Director (Script Angel client, The Brothers McLeod - BBC, Channel 4, E4, Nickelodeon) Hayley is an excellent script consultant who I've asked to work with me on several of my scripts - for children's, for adult drama, for live action, for animation. Hayley provides comprehensive notes which are very useful for moving a script forward. Her notes show that she reads a script thoroughly and reponds with considered notes on character, plot, narrative drive and dialogue. I look forward to working with her again. Neil Jones, Writer (‘Blue Murder’ ITV, ‘Hollyoaks’ Channel 4, ‘Grange Hill’ BBC, ‘Brookside’ Channel 4) Hayley is an insightful, creative and sympathetic editor and also brings with her the experience to know what really sells a script. And she's one of the nicest people in the business too. She's helped me take more than one of my scripts through from half an idea right through to broadcast and her instinct has been consistently spot-on. Lynne Taylor, Writer (Script Angel client) As someone who felt it was time to take the next step and brave a professional evaluation of my work – Hayley has been the perfect touchstone. She has a practised eye and an encouraging attitude. Just what a new writer needs. She also has a great sense of humour and understanding of how lonely the writing process can be - tailoring her service to fit the needs of her clients. I would recommend her to anyone thinking of using her Script Angel services. Tom Needham, Writer (Creator & Writer 'Cold Blood' ITV, Writer 'The Bill' ITV, 'Dalziel & Pascoe' BBC, 'Silent Witness' BBC) Writing is five percent inspiration, the rest is perspiration. Taking an idea and shaping it into a treatment can be a real grind, but Hayley is great at taking the hard work out of hard work. She understands the way writers think and instinctively knows how to get the best out of them. She helped me with a project for Granada and it was a pleasure working with someone who knows how to develop story, character and plot so well. The beauty of working with Hayley is she really helps you to get the job done. John Wright, Writer (Script Angel client) I sent my first script to Hayley. My fantasy was she'd say: 'Brilliant. Don't change a word.' She didn't say that. But, second best, she criticised with precision, but gently; had practical suggestions for ways to improve the script and left me more enthusiastic and optimistic about my story and characters than I'd dared to be before. Still got lots to do, but now I've a much clearer idea of where I'm headed. | | Lou Gerring, Writer (Script Angel client) I came across Hayley via a random retweet on Twitter and what luck! Her notes are insightful, constructive and demonstrate a real passion and enthusiasm for stories. Suddenly, I knew exactly how to fix disheartening problems with my script. And she seemed to know my characters better than I knew them myself! The wealth of resources and information on her website is testament, alone, to her genuine desire to help writers. And she is refreshingly nice. Sasha Hails, Writer
(BBC 'Casualty', 'Holby City', 'Waterloo Road', 'EastEnders')
Hayley is everything you hope for in a script editor and so rarely get. You trust her to respect what you are trying to achieve with the script. She is sensitive, positive, insightful but also assiduous and thorough - no murky patches, no detail escapes her. She is a great enabler of creativity and story but also organized and direct. She has a facility for clear speaking and clear thinking which is invaluable. I know that her industry and insight have been a major contribution to the success of the scripts we have worked on together. Nick Ball, Writer (Script Angel client) Hayley was recommended to me by a producer friend. I was impressed by the professionalism and helpfulness of her website and her track record as a script editor. Her report came back swiftly and proved to be invaluable. Thorough, insightful, friendly and honest (though never brutal), she was encouraging with what she liked and constructive with what she felt needed attention, expertly pinpointing what was required and coming up with suggestions that generated new ideas. I felt excited and well-equipped for the next draft - everything you need in a professinal script editor. I would have no hesitation in recommending Script Angel. Mike Dormer, Producer / Executive Producer (‘Blue Murder’ ITV, ‘New Tricks’ BBC, ‘Dunkirk’ BBC, ‘Bella and the Boys’ BBC) I worked with Hayley on the last series of Blue Murder. She is an absolutely terrific script editor who whilst understanding the practicalities of production never allows that to cloud the creative ambition of a writer. She effortlessly manages the scripting process and enables everyone - writer, producer, director - to make a valuable contribution to the creative process. Andy Conway, Writer (Script Angel client) Hayley was hired to provide script coverage on the feature I've written, which is now going into production following several of her recommendations. She offered great insight into what was working and what wasn't, pinpointing several key elements that have now been fixed. Great feedback. Mark Robertson, Writer (Script Angel client) Hayley McKenzie (aka Script Angel) works in a field that invites a degree of charlatinsim. There are those who are more than willing to deprive would-be writers of their cash for scant return. Hayley McKenzie is not one of them. A friend advised me to try Hayley and I was delighted not only with the depth and thoroughness of her report but also with her honesty. It revealed her wide and detailed knowledge of the field and a genuine desire to unearth undiscovered talent. I am more than happy to recommend Hayley to other who, like me, aspire to improve their writing. | |