Screenwriting Basics: What Is a Spec Script?

How do you know if you're writing a spec script or not?

by Ken Miyamoto on August 28, 2024

The short answer to this question is: If you're not getting paid to write it, the screenplay you are writing is known as a spec script.

But what does that mean? Why is it called that? And what can spec scripts do for my screenwriting career?

In the latest post in our Screenwriting Basics series, we'll cover this topic and offer simple breakdowns to answer those questions.

What Is a Spec Script?

Spec is an abbreviation for the term speculation. If you look up the definition of speculation, you'll find a wide array of official definitions.

The ones that apply to this abbreviated usage the most include:

Assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
Ideas or guesses about something that is not known
The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence
To make a relatively risky investment in something in the hope of making a large short-term profit from market fluctuations.

All four of those definitions apply to the film/TV industry term spec script in many literal and metaphorical ways.

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The Meaning of the Industry Term Spec Script

Let's take those four definitions and conjure the best context (literal and metaphorical) to help you understand what the term means in Hollywood—and what it means for your screenwriting journey.

When you're writing on spec:

You are assuming what you write will help you obtain financial gain by selling the script to studios, production companies, networks, and streaming platforms.
You are making a calculated guess in the form of a screenplay of what those entities are willing and able to buy — and hopefully produce.
You are forming a theory or conjecture without any surefire proof that those entities will want what you're selling.
You're investing your time and efforts in the hopes of making a profit from the Film/TV industry by way of the spec script market.

In short, you're writing for free. Nobody is paying you.

You have chosen an idea to develop.
You've done the proper research.
And now you're writing the script or have written it already.

All undiscovered screenwriters start their screenwriting journeys by writing spec scripts. However, professional screenwriters often write "on spec" as well. In between their paid screenwriting assignment contracts, many want to develop their own concepts and create feature scripts that they will try to take out to Hollywood for hopeful acquisition sales.

Once again, if you're not being paid to write them, you're writing on spec.

The risk involves the time and efforts you've made with the hopes of one day selling it for profit.

The same can be said for TV pilots as well. When you're writing TV pilots in hopes of getting a network or streaming platform to acquire and produce them, you're also writing on spec.

Wait, My Spec Scripts May Not Sell?

The hard truth is that most spec scripts do not sell. Most novice screenwriters believe the process works like this:

Write a high-concept or desirable script.
Sell said high-concept or desirable script.
Rinse and repeat for a successful screenwriting career.

The sometimes shocking hard truth for newcomers is that this module is the anomaly in Hollywood. For a majority of screenwriters, this will never happen.

In 2020, reported spec sales amounted to a number in the 20s, mostly from already-represented screenwriters.
In 2021, there were an estimated 34 (again, most by already-represented screenwriters).

"But that was because of the pandemic," some would retort. But the reality is:

In 2019, there were just 35 reported spec sales.
In 2018? 40.

That's not to say the spec market is dead. Not by any means. It's just a realization novice screenwriters need to know and understand. 99% of the screenplay contracts in the industry are assignments, not spec sales.

So What Am I Writing Spec Scripts For?

First off, don't worry. Spec scripts do still sell. They are bought and produced every year. And while big lottery-type contract amounts (six to seven figures) are anomalies, they do still happen. When they're not at those amounts, you can still get a hefty high five-figure rate. And these spec deals have to happen to somebody, right?

You can still dream big and pursue those high-end goals of selling a spec script to a studio, network, production company, or streaming platform.

You pursue this as an unknown by:

Making sure your script is ready to market.
Trying to get representation with the proper connections to submit your spec script to Hollywood.
Marketing your script by writing and sending cold queries to Hollywood.
Submitting your scripts to the best competitions and fellowships that are well-connected to Hollywood.

But the real reason you write spec scripts on your own is to utilize them as calling cards for potential screenwriting assignments. That's where real money and screenwriting careers can be found.

99 percent of the screenwriting contracts in and out of Hollywood are assignments.

How Do I Use Spec Scripts to Get Screenwriting Assignments?

Screenwriting assignment contracts are what drive the screenwriting trade. They are the bread and butter for all professional screenwriters.

Even when you're a big-time pro screenwriter, assignments are the majority of contracts you'll be signing.

A studio wants you to write the latest installment of their tentpole franchise.
A producer hires you to develop their acquired intellectual property for the big or small screen.
A development executive has an original concept that they want you to turn into a script.

But nobody is going to just take your word for it that you're a worthy hire for those key screenwriting jobs. So what gets you in the door to be part of the conversation to take them on?

Spec scripts.

These types of scripts work as writing samples that can prove your worth as the perfect screenwriter to take on their assignments.

That's why spec scripts need to be amazing.
That's why you want to develop engaging ideas and concepts.
That's why you need to hone your craft and get to the point where you have three to five outstanding writing samples.
That's why you need to get those scripts out there through contests, competitions, fellowships, and cold-query marketing.

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Spec script is a basic term that all screenwriters need to know and understand. This knowledge about the ins and outs of the spec script, the meaning of the term, and what spec scripts can do for your screenwriting career is essential.

Check out our Preparation Notes so you start your story off on the right track!

Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter's Creed, and many produced Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76.