What are Spec Scripts?
by Jaden
Spec scripts (or speculative screenplays) can be different things depending on who is asking and whether it is for film or television.
A spec script for television is a script you write based on an existing television show using all the characters and storylines that have already been established. [Note: A pilot script would be a fully original idea for a new television show.] A TV spec script may be for a half hour (20-30 pages), full hour (40-60 pages), or two hour program (80-120 pages). Remember, when you are writing for television, there are commercials that take up time as well; the 1 page per 1 minute rule still applies.
TV spec scripts do two things for you: they exhibit your writing talents and may also be purchased to use for an episode. If the idea is excellent, you may be paid for the idea. If your writing structure or jokes are superb, you may get a chance to write for the show with the writing team. Don’t get too excited; it’s like shooting darts in the dark.
The hard part about writing spec scripts for television is that you have to be such an absolutely amazing writer as to single handedly write a better TV episode than that which is created by a room of 20 seasoned professional writers in addition to the directors and producers who all have their input on the final aired product. Furthermore, you have to know about every single episode of that show, which may mean 10 or 20 years of shows, so as to not tell a story that has already been told. No easy feat!
The rule of thumb is that you submit a spec script from a different show than for the one that you are applying.
Writing a spec script for top rated shows are the most challenging because it is hard to outshine what they are already producing. More obscure shows are better for spec scripts. Also, the readers get bored reading the same shows over and over.
For an example of a television spec script, click here to read my saucy spec script that I wrote for Sex and the City a long time ago. I had heard through the grapevine that they were going to do a spin-off show for the Samantha character and have her move to Hollywood. What a dream for me to write for that show! I was ecstatic about this. I wanted to get on the writing team, but sadly the show never came into existence.
Along the way, a top television producer asked me, “Do you have any spec scripts?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Send it over.” He told me.
After reading it, I could tell in the tone of his voice that he was surprised I had any skills. “It’s really funny,” he said several times. “Do you have anything else?”
“No, but I can write one for you.”
I proceeded to write my second spec script based on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Speaking to a colleague about the situation, he dissuaded me, telling me that the producer was a notorious pick-up artist and that he actually was not interested in my writing. This depressed me and I never followed up on sending him the second spec script I wrote. A big mistake! In retrospect, the colleague was simply a jerk and the friendly TV producer never once in the many years to follow ever made a sexual advance on me. Had I turned in the second spec script, I might have gotten a writing job on any one of his many successful shows.
Never let anyone dissuade you from moving forward with an opportunity. That was a big regret of mine.
Anyway, after working in television for a while, I decided it wasn’t for me; I like the independence and freedom of novel and screenplay writing. Writing for television requires endless hours in large writing groups and you have to live and die in Hollywood. The pay is excellent; it just depends on your personality type what will be better for you. Do you prefer working alone out in the big wide world or do you like working with other people and being tethered to Hollywood? That is pretty much the deciding factor of whether you should write for film or television.
A spec script for film is an original screenplay that you write. The film spec script can be your own unique idea, an adaptation of a book, or a sequel to an existing movie. It can be floating around Hollywood on the market for sale or it might just be filed away by an agent or studio as your writing sample. Maybe you write great dialog but the story plot is weak. Or maybe your concept is marketable, but you have terrible grammar. Whatever the case, a film spec script is one that has not yet been bought.
In general, film or television, spec scripts are a writer’s calling card. This is your writing sample and how you get work. Your spec script may never sell, but it may lead you to a job rewriting someone else’s movie script or to a job working on a TV show with a writing team.
To better understand the life of a screenwriter in Hollywood, click here to read last week’s article.
Please feel free to ask more questions about this or add your personal spec scripts writing experiences in the comments section to help other people.
Comments
29 Responses to “What are Spec Scripts?”
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I know the topic is spec scripts, but I’m actually working on a pilot script. Who/where do I go to get it read?
t.sterling — This is a loaded question with an enormous answer, so I will write a post about that separately.
Hey Jaden,
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on your site. I have a pilot episode I would like to send you. I’m just looking for some feedback, if you wouldn’t mind taking a little time.
Hi Adam — I will get back to you about that via email.
Alright, looking forward to it.
[...] is a sample of each type of writing to show your diversity: a spec script, a pilot script (an original television script), a screenplay (a movie script), and maybe even a [...]
Dear Jaden,
It is quite good article, I will appreciate if you can sort my below queries:
a) Where can we get Movie Spec Script for Produced films?
b) Movie Scripts at Simply scripts or other sites are Spec scripts or Shooting scripts
c) We should approach Producer/agent/reader with Movie Spec script or Can we market Movie Scripts in the format like Simply scripts etc?
That might be basic questions or silly as well,
but will appreciate if you clarify me on above points.
Regards,
Rakesh
,
Rakesh — To answer your questions…
a)
Are you asking how to get an original script in the state the script was in when it was purchased, before all the rewrites and following drafts?
Once a script is bought, it belongs to the owner (producer or studio). There will be a legal agreement that usually binds the writer to full confidentiality about the script and therefore the original script is not available to the public and the writer is no longer allowed to share it.
The producer will then decide which versions of the script to make available to the public and when; rarely is the original script ever made available to the public.
Best way to see an original script is to be friends with the writer. ;-)
b)
Produced scripts you find online on sites like Simply Scripts are either a final draft or the shooting script — they are the closest representative on what you see on screen. Shooting scripts will have camera angles, direction, and added information that is not in the original script or final draft.
c)
With regards to movie scripts, “spec” only means that your script is for sale and it is on the market and available — “spec” has nothing to do with the format. Think of it this way, SPEC = FOR SALE or SAMPLE.
There is a general standard accepted and expected format for a movie script that you want to sell. Yes, it looks like any of the scripts on Simply Scripts minus camera angles and shooting directions.
You may also clarify this format with any screenwriting book
or here:
http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/resources.html
http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/scriptsample.pdf
I hope this is helpful.
Thanks for visiting!
Jaden
Question? What gets optioned and how do you go about getting a project optioned? Is it the spec script or screen play? Guess that’s 2 questions.
Thanks,
Neen
Neen!
Does this happen to be the Neen I just met a couple days ago? Never met a Neen in my life, and now maybe 2 in one week?
Lots of questions with big answers.
– Spec Script -vs- Screenplay
The term spec script can mean a film screenplay that has not sold yet or a TV script that has not sold. A spec script is an unsold script on the market for sale or as a writing sample.
– Since an option means a ‘first option to buy’ — technically, the script is still unsold, even though the writer may have received $1 to $10,000 for the first option to buy the script and a hold for a year, the screenplay would still be considered a spec script as it is not purchased and not yet being produced.
– What gets optioned and why? Who and why would someone option a script? What is an option? How much does an option cost and why do it? Let me write a whole post about OPTIONS this weekend. Very good topic. Will require a long answer.
– Please read my post “Do I need an Agent?” That might help a little in the meantime while I write about options.
– An agent should be the person to send out your script to get optioned/sold.
Thanks for your great questions.
More answers on them soon.
Jaden
Hey Jaden,
No I don’t think that was me. My proper name is Jeanine. I go by Neen to family and friends. Wow, 2 in one week is pretty awesome.
I’m a late bloomer, actress and aspiring screen writer. My second life.
Thanks Jaden for the insight. I will be reading and learning.
Right now my mom, daughter and I are watching MJ retrospectives. My mom is 80 yrs old and she loves Micheal. So I’ll check back soon.
Thanks again,
Neen
HI, I wrote a spec script based on a book. I don’t have the underlying rights for it, but a producer/director wants to read it. Can I send it over “As a Writing Sample” without breaking any law/copywriting infrigiments? Thank you. David
David — Yes, send out your script.
If someone wants to buy it, they will pay you for Option Rights (a small sum applicable toward the final purchase price) while they have their lawyers/agents try to get the rights to it. If they cannot get the rights to it, then that script will stay forever a “spec script,” but at least it will have opened some doors for you.
Together with your purchaser, you may come up with a new idea together that has no rights infringement problems.
Naturally, it is always better to have the rights to what you are peddling, but sometimes you cannot afford them yourself, so the route discussed is your only choice.
Good luck!
Hi, how many pages can a spec script contain.
Thanks
prabhat —
A spec script will have the same amount of pages as a real script, so it depends what it is for; if it is for TV, would be 20-30 or 45-60 or 90-120 pages depending on if it is a half hour show, hour show, two hour movie, and whether it is for paid TV no commercials or public TV with commercials. If it is a movie spec script for sale, it would be 90-120 pages.
[...] it is now time to review which shows are good to spec, and which are not. I’m assuming you know what a spec script is of [...]
Thank you for your great info. New Horizons Pictures requested my script due to the procedures I followed on your page I`m sure.
Good luck to all you writers out there. SECRET: Never be content. Have (3) scripts available at all times with a logline and a synopsis.
Jeff Howie — Thank you for coming back and sharing with us extra tips.
Congratulations ! Good luck.
[...] ~ Write a Screenplay in One Month: Week Zero ~ Robert Pattinson Plays Dali in Little Ashes ~ What are Spec Scripts? ~ Dictionary for Filmmakers and Screenwriters ~ Do I Need an Agent? ~ Reality Bites: Life of a [...]
A stupid mistake I made years ago was no copyright and I sent a spect to the show whose characters I used. I got no payment, no offer, but 2months later I am watching Charmed and boy was I pissed to see my unique story slightly rewriitten play out before my eyes! Look ma! cThere’s the book that writes the story and the characters have to act accordingly.
Well, never again. Agent, lawyer and copyrights. There’ll always be someone dishonesy enough to steal from you because they’ve lost it on their own. To the jerk who got ky story – I couldn’t care less, I’m like Ray Bradbury, I can look at a toothbrush and write. I don’t need to steal like you and would never sink so low. Very sad if you ever feel like you must steal. That means you’re over babe.
sorry about the spelling my arm is in a cast
Whoops! — Sorry about your arm.
Hopefully Charmed didn’t steal your idea and it was just a coincidence, which means you wrote well and were on the right track.
Did you have a specific contact there or talk to a human about it ever? If it was not returned to you unopened and you never heard from anyone about it, it may have just been put directly in the trash. I’ve worked at TV networks and Film studios, they try to return most mail unopened, but I am sure some employees just throw it away out of laziness. Rarely is unsolicited unexpected mail read. People don’t have the time or interest.
Typically, it takes much longer than 2 months to turn around a story: to write it, get it approved, put it into production, act it, film it, edit it, and get it on TV.
Let’s just hope for the goodness of humanity that it was one of those oddly timed life coincidences.
But yes, always copyright just to be safe, as theft certainly does and can happen.
I have a spec for It’s Always Sunny in Philly (two, actually) that people seem impressed with. But nobody I send it to (agents, managers) will read unsolicated material. Do I have to move to LA just to get someone to look at my 30 pages? Is everything connections? Will nobody ever read the work of a nobody?
Rate — This seems to be the big roadblock and question everyone has: How can I sell a script or get an agent if I don’t have any connections or references? I agree, it sucks, but it also makes sense. I will write about this today for SfH.
Thanks for sharing your script Jaden it took me right back to the SATC days, nice work! I’m about to embark on my very first spec script and this info is really helpful, again thanks for sharing!
LJ — Thank you so much for your thanks and compliment. I don’t get too many of those around here. ;-) Good luck!
I have written a script using the Dude and Walter from The Big Lebowski…I would like to enter it in a film festival screenwriting competition. I am not trying to get anything other than recognition for my writing. I have several scripts and wrote this one only because I am tired of hearing Dude every day of my life. I look like Jeff Bridges. Can I enter it without doing something improper.
Johnnie — There was a phase of my life where I used Dude like a knee-jerk reaction when excited about something… it is not the best language, I agree. Are people still saying Dude? I haven’t heard it for years now.
To answer your question, each screenplay competition has its own rules, so read their fine print. Some will allow Sequels to existing movies or Spinoff ideas, some won’t allow it. Many require Original Screenplay only. If the angle of the competition is to find a sellable new movie or a great new creative writer, they are probably going to want an Original Screenplay.
My spinoff idea for Sex and the City (attached in article above), I had heard was going to happen in Hollywood, so I really wanted to be one of the writers for the new show and wrote it specifically with that angle in mind. The SATC spec script probably would not be permissible to too many screenplay competitions as it is based on existing characters.
Good luck.
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