What is a Spec Script?

In Hollywood, the term "Spec Script" is thrown around a lot. For decades it has been the lifeblood of the industry because it is essentially how new and fresh ideas were discovered by the studio system.

But what is a "Spec Script"? Well, let's start with what the term "Spec Script" means. It simply means "Speculative Screenplay". It is how a screenwriter proves they are capable of writing a screenplay that is able to be turned into a movie.

Writing a spec script is necessary throughout the career of a screenwriter. Usually, however, it is produced at the beginning of a screenwriter's career, and serves as a writing sample. It gets submitted to managers or agents who provide work opportunities in the industry.

"You write the spec based on the speculation that the idea is good enough to sell in the open market. The purpose is to showcase the budding screenwriter's acumen at telling a story through action, structure, and dialogue." - Jason Hellerman

While spec sales are generally down, only 34 sold in 2021, they're a great way to get an agent or a manager to notice your voice. And since no one has to pay for them, they've become the most common way to break into the entertainment industry. 

Generally speaking, specs usually are scripts naked of "attachments"(stars, directors, etc.) that just serve to deliver a story and are allowed to take creative risks because the likelihood of a spec script being made is slim, but can still be used as a calling card.

What about spec scripts for television? For television writing, a screenwriter isn't expected to write an original idea, but to write a sample episode for a current TV series that proves that they can write in the voice of the show and existing characters.

The tide has turned in the past few decades, now Hollywood is making more and more shows and movies based on I.P. (intellectual property) so there are fewer specs selling because of the "hit and miss" reputation at the box office for original ideas without built-in audiences.

But with services like Netflix and Amazon making original content, the hope that the spec script market making a major comeback is promising, especially for lower to mid-range budgets.

The "Spec Script" remains one of the essential documents that a screenwriter has to showcase what they can do, but it never hurts to have scripts that were successfully produced as proof of competency. Essentially it all comes back to "Show, Don't Tell".