Mathias Roche – From Humanitarian Frontlines to Screen‑Writing Leadership

Based in Portugal for the past 11 years, Mathias Roche splits his time between ambitious writing projects and hands‑on humanitarian/development missions.

His current TV series fuses these two worlds, turning daily encounters with a destabilised reality into compelling fiction. For Mathias, storytelling is a powerful lever for change—an instrument he trusts to reshape perceptions and inspire action.

Why a Self‑Taught Screenwriter?

lescenario.fr: “You aren’t formally trained as a screenwriter, yet you’ve pursued every avenue to master the craft. What drives this obsession?”

Mathias Roche:

“It isn’t the act of writing a screenplay itself that captivates me. What truly excites me is the ability to turn a script into moving images—video, animation, visual narrative. From my earliest community‑photography projects, comic‑book experiments, and role‑playing games, I realised that without a solid story structure I could never convey my intentions. The dramatic backbone is essential.”

The Path from Awareness to Mastery

lescenario.fr: “What steps followed that realization?”

Mathias Roche:

“I began watching films and series with a critical eye instead of merely liking or disliking them. I dissected the elements that bothered me, often feeling frustrated that the stories I wanted to see didn’t exist. Wanting to create them myself, I searched for resources in an industry that is notoriously closed.”

lescenario.fr: “What do you mean by ‘resources’?”

Mathias Roche:

“I discovered that solitary work hampers impact. To reach a global audience you need dialogue, not a monologue with yourself. Screenwriting is a codified, complex discipline; personal rules can quickly become limiting. Even a strong initial idea can’t guarantee alignment with industry standards. Collaborating with the Maison du Film and independent script consultants helped me articulate my intentions, sharpen my dramaturgy, and convincingly pitch to cinema professionals.”

Partnering with a Script Doctor – A Turning Point

lescenario.fr: “Tell us about your experience with a script doctor. What did you expect, and what did you actually gain?”

Mathias Roche:

“My primary goal was to foster a constructive dialogue with a seasoned script professional. I wanted a gradual, safe space for exchange—attentive listening, sincere involvement, and deep comprehension of my project’s stakes. I needed guidance that didn’t devolve into generic, one‑size‑fits‑all fixes. Crucially, I wanted to retain creative control, ensuring the assistance refined my writing without nudging me into prescribed ‘boxes.’ I wasn’t interested in a patron‑client dynamic where the expert dictates everything.”

“The script doctor I engaged exceeded those expectations. He helped me own the core intentions of my story, pushing me to explain, justify, and ultimately stand behind each narrative choice—while preserving my freedom to make those choices. Rather than discouraging me, he forced me to assume responsibility and take risks. This strengthened the coherence of my tale and dismantled several psychological barriers. He never judged the originality of my ideas nor imposed hidden subjective critiques. Instead, he encouraged exploration, sparking creativity and boosting my confidence.”

“He also asked incisive questions that exposed hidden weaknesses. What seemed obvious to me was not always clear to him—the ‘first viewer’ he embodied. This awareness turned surprise into a deliberate narrative tool. A great script—and consequently a great film—is never accidental; it is a meticulously constructed world that the author must render coherent, regardless of genre or subject. You must be able to defend every decision, otherwise the concept isn’t strong enough. This insight has been invaluable; I no longer dodge tough questions—I answer them on my terms.”

From Theory to Tangible Projects

lescenario.fr: “What are you working on right now? Have you enlisted a script doctor for these ventures?”

Mathias Roche:

“I’ve recently reignited my screenwriting career with a dual ambition: to voice my worldview and to contribute to collective writing rooms on mainstream series. Delivering bold ideas to wide audiences sits at the heart of my mission.”

“Currently I juggle several parallel endeavors alongside my humanitarian assignments:

• An animated short honoring my late father—an intimate, personal piece that, for now, remains self‑directed.

• ‘Maedusa,’ a sci‑fi/fantasy saga inspired by Denis Lapière’s 1998 Spirou concept. It follows a super‑heroine wrestling with her powers and a curse, probing the role of heroes against modern crime and terror. I’m blending realistic, psychological lenses with my travel and aid‑work experiences. Two independent script consultants (who don’t know each other) are guiding the development, and I’m also participating in the Séquences 7 workshop this year.”

“The ultimate aim of ‘Maedusa’—and all my work—is to inject fresh energy into public debate on anti‑corruption and anti‑violence. By harnessing fiction as a documentary‑like tool, I hope to break the cyclical patterns that plague our era.”

Illustration Maedusa – Copyright © @Mathias Roche

Why This Matters to Leaders

• Strategic Storytelling: Mathias demonstrates how disciplined narrative structure can transform raw humanitarian insights into compelling, market‑ready content.
• Collaborative Innovation: His partnership model with script doctors and consultants illustrates a scalable framework for creative mentorship without sacrificing ownership.
• Social Impact at Scale: By weaving real‑world issues into genre storytelling, he creates media that entertains while driving societal conversation—an asset for brands seeking purpose‑driven narratives.

Ready to explore how purpose‑centric storytelling can elevate your organization’s voice? Let’s discuss how Mathias’s approach can be adapted to your strategic communication goals.

More about Mathias