One-on-one TV comedy script coaching

Write the half-hour comedy you’ve been putting off.

I’m Paul Mather. I’ve written on more than 250 produced half-hours, and I coach writers one-on-one, from a blank page to a draft you can send out.

Drop me a line See the two packages

250+Half-hours produced
3Gemini Awards
6Canadian Comedy Awards
2WGC Awards

Who I am

I’m a showrunner and TV writer with credits in the US and Canada.

In Canada, I ran Corner Gas for three seasons, and co-created and co-ran Dan for Mayor. In the US, I’ve worked on shows for NBC, CBS, and Fox, developed for CBS, Nickelodeon, and Disney, and ran the Freeform show Alone Together. I’ve won three Gemini Awards, six Canadian Comedy Awards, and two WGC Awards. Check me out on imdb.com.

If you want to write a half-hour comedy, I can guide you through every stage… except ordering lunch. (FYI, writers’ rooms spend most of their time discussing where to order lunch.)

Selected credits

The Michael J. Fox ShowSupervising producer

Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life — Cooper Barrett’s GuideCo-EP

IMDb Full credits on IMDb →

Who I work with

You don’t need a draft. Or even a good idea yet.

Every level welcome

I’ve worked with emerging writers of every background and experience level — some have been writing for years, some are just starting out.

Wherever your script is

Some have an idea for a show they want to create. Others are looking for a sample they can use to break in.

Mostly you just need to want to complete a script you can be proud of.

What writers say

“I’ve been selected as one of the five recipients of the Corus Apprentice Program — Young Adult Scripted. This is my biggest career milestone so far. I applied using my sample, and you were instrumental in helping me craft it to where it is today.”
— Taylor, Toronto

“Paul helped me develop a fun concept into a full world with rich characters and comedic conflict, and get my project selected for JFL’s speed pitch competition, where I pitched my show to network executives from across Canada and the US and walked away with several follow-up meetings. After each session his actionable notes leave me feeling excited to get to work. Could not recommend him more!”
— Jonny L., Montreal

“Your notes were so hugely helpful as I revised my pilot. I entered the revised draft into some contests, and it made it to the second round at the Austin Film Festival and is a semi-finalist in the Final Draft Big Break competition. Your notes — and our conversation about them — made a big difference to the script, and to how I approach new projects.”
— Jennifer B., Los Angeles

What I’m offering

Two packages, both one-on-one.

Over Zoom or FaceTime. Pick the one that matches where your script actually is right now.

Package One

Weekly Coaching While You Write

For writers with an idea, some pages, or a folder of notes they keep not opening.

The coaching. Bounce ideas off an experienced showrunner, talk through problems, and get specific notes on your pages — structure, scene work, pacing, act outs, screenplay idiom, dialogue, everything that makes a script work. A mini writers’ room, once a week.

The path. Writing a script is intimidating, but it’s really a series of stepping stones: concept → story area → beat sheet → outline → first draft → second draft → polish. Week by week, I keep you moving.

Almost everyone who works with me this way finishes their script.

Weekly 30-minute sessions
Scheduling is flexible
A full transcript of each session, if you want one

Inquire about weekly coaching

Package Two

Notes & a Page-by-Page Conversation

For writers with a draft that goes all the way to “The End” who are looking to take it up a notch.

A showrunner’s deep read. The same process I’d use running a show: three to four hours deep reading your script, marking up each page in detail.

A page-by-page session. We get on a Zoom and go through the notes page-by-page, at your own pace — usually about 90 minutes. Ask questions and bounce ideas. It’s the same process as a working writers’ room.

What you keep. The marked-up script to work from, plus a written overview with the big-picture notes.

Your script back, marked up page-by-page
A 2–3 page written overview of the big notes
A working session to go through it all, at your pace
A full transcript of the session, if you want one

Inquire about draft notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions?

Here are answers to the questions writers ask most often before reaching out.

1. Do you coach drama, feature films, novels, or sketch?

I've spent my career in half-hour comedy, so that's where I bring the most value. If you're working in another form and you still think I might be useful, reach out and we'll talk about it.

2. I've never written a script before. Is this really for me?

Many of my clients are first-time writers. The nice thing about working one-on-one is that I can tailor the coaching to your experience level.

3. Will this help me sell my show or get staffed in a writers' room?

No one can promise to break you into TV, but having a great script is a necessary first step. I try to help my clients develop their skills and their samples, so when opportunity comes, they’re ready.

4. Will you keep my idea confidential, and who owns the rights to my script?

Your project stays confidential and you own your work. I'm just a coach.

5. How long does it take to go from an idea to a finished draft?

That depends on both the writer and how much time they have to devote to the project. Most clients starting from an idea finish a first draft in four to six months.

6. What's the commitment for weekly sessions?

I book sessions in blocks of four. At the end of each block, you can carry on, stop, or pause as you see fit.

7. What if I need to skip a session?

I try to be flexible with scheduling, but the intention is that the sessions happen weekly.

8. I don't live in Los Angeles (or North America). Does that matter?

Everything happens over Zoom or FaceTime. I've worked with writers in L.A., across the U.S., in Canada, and in Europe.

9. What happens after I reach out?

We'll have a ten-minute phone discussion. You explain what you're looking for, I explain more about what I do, and I walk you through pricing. Then you can choose to book, or not, or decide later.

If you’re interested…

Drop me a line.

Tell me about your project. If I think I can help, we’ll set up a ten-minute call. You can tell me more, I’ll walk you through pricing, and we’ll see if we’re a good fit.

Again — I can’t help with lunch. Just the writing part.

“Paul helped me get my project selected for JFL’s speed pitch competition, where I pitched my show to network executives from across Canada and the US — and walked away with several follow-up meetings.”
— Jonny L., Montreal

Your name

Where’s your project at?

Tell me a bit more Briefly tell me what you’re working on, where you’d like to take it, and, I dunno, your favorite color if you want.

How did you hear about me? (optional)

I read everything myself and usually reply within a couple of days — and I’ll only use this to reply to you. No list, no sharing.
Prefer plain email? paulwritingclass@gmail.com

✓

Got it — thanks.

I’ll be in touch soon, usually within a couple of days. If you don’t hear back, check your spam folder, then email me directly at paulwritingclass@gmail.com.