Spec. Scripts Rarity

[keseko]

Just how "rare" are spec. scripts written by ordinary individuals bought and produced? Is there a list of movies that have been written by a spec. script writer?

[twofingeredtypist]

Not sure what you mean by "ordinary." Do you mean first-timers? Zak Penn and Adam Leff wrote EXTREMELY VIOLENT, which transmogrified into THE LAST ACTION HERO while Peter Rader wrote WATERWORLD. Then, of course, there's that guy who wrote LETHAL WEAPON.

I have seen a list of the big spec sales from that "million dollar sale" period and it's amazing how few have made it into production.

[richardkmorgan]

Sometimes, though, the spec script gets the writer the "oomph" to do rewrites or entirely new scripts. But I'd have to say that most of the "spec scripts" sold by first-timers don't seem to make it into movies.

Richard

[keseko]

By "ordinary individuals" I mean people -- like myself -- who are not in the industry, never went to film school, have no relevant connections in Hollywood, and wrote a couple of spec. scripts.

I'm surprised to learn that WATERWORLD and LETHAL WEAPON were written by spec. script writers.

[keseko]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I wrote a couple of spec. scripts in the above post. You know what I meant. :D

[Bess McNeil]

It's true specs by first time writers rarely get made. Spec scripts in general rarely get made. Most films are written as work for hire: a producer has an idea for a story, or a book they've optioned, and they'll hire a writer to do that.

In my case I've written 6 specs, several of which won awards in various compeittions. Those awards have lead to rewrite work, a work for hire feature which will soon be released, and presently I'm working on two one hour episodes of a new tv show.

It's great to have these opportunities, but still for me the real 'golden ring' to catch would be the production of one of my specs.

Hope springs eternal.

[brough]

Done a count in a thread here I think in March. At that point 2004 had seen six or seven first time writers break in with spec sales (given, there were a few writing duos included in that figure, but all partners were previously unsold, nonetheless).

[dlshooter]

Wow, I'm surprised it's that many. I don't think I've read "first time sale" that many times in the last year let along since Jan. Good for them though, the spec market is a joke now.

Best way to get a sale/deal now: build a time machine, go back to the 70's, get a cheezy TV show made, hang on to the film rights, and jump back to the present.

[JustinoIV]

Come up with a good enough story, and you can sell a spec. Of course, you have to figure out how to get it to the right people.

I would worry less about the success of other screenwriters, and more about my own success/capabilities.