best "spec" examples

01-16-2003, 11:52 AM

hi all,
Lately I've started to think that there's really three elements to a good spec:
1. concept (an appealing idea/angle)
2. story (sometimes almost the same thing as concept, but more the way the concept is crafted into 100+ pages)
3. and now I've started to think that the script has to just read well, i.e. the dialogue, actor directions/wrylies, and setting descriptions have to be stylish, juicy, curt, and really grab the reader. In short, the script has to read sexily (for lack of a better term).
So,
I'm wondering what everyone, especially the veterans, consider their foremost example of a great, stylish spec.
My top two might be
FIGHT CLUB and
CHINATOWN
in no particular order. Although the version of FIGHT CLUB on Drew's scriptorama blew me away at first glance, but upon review I can't believe how patchy it is in spots... It's still a damn good spec/read.
Any other votes/suggestions are greatly appreciated.
thanks, cp

01-16-2003, 01:32 PM

Neither FC or C were spec scripts. I agree that a very important ingredient in any spec is the writer's voice.

01-16-2003, 01:51 PM

Unforgiven
Lethal Weapon

01-16-2003, 02:40 PM

whoa!?
I've been looking at the wrong stuff...
so,
my intent here was to get the names of some spec scripts that read well --i.e. grab the reader and absolutely suck them in.
Dialogue does that largely, but I want to find examples where setting/actor directions read particularly well. I think that's where my stuff is kinda banal and maybe lacking voice.
And good call Otis, UNFORGIVEN is simply one of the best stories of all time. Damn I love that story... Is that on Drew's?
Also, could either or both of you email me? I need an opinion on a storyline issue and I'm not comfortable posting it.
thanks,
and any more votes apprc.
cp
charliepanorama@yahoo.com

01-16-2003, 11:52 AM	#1
charliepanorama Posts: n/a	best "spec" examples hi all, Lately I've started to think that there's really three elements to a good spec: 1. concept (an appealing idea/angle) 2. story (sometimes almost the same thing as concept, but more the way the concept is crafted into 100+ pages) 3. and now I've started to think that the script has to just read well, i.e. the dialogue, actor directions/wrylies, and setting descriptions have to be stylish, juicy, curt, and really grab the reader. In short, the script has to read sexily (for lack of a better term). So, I'm wondering what everyone, especially the veterans, consider their foremost example of a great, stylish spec. My top two might be FIGHT CLUB and CHINATOWN in no particular order. Although the version of FIGHT CLUB on Drew's scriptorama blew me away at first glance, but upon review I can't believe how patchy it is in spots... It's still a damn good spec/read. Any other votes/suggestions are greatly appreciated. thanks, cp

01-16-2003, 01:51 PM	#3
Otis Posts: n/a	Good voice Unforgiven Lethal Weapon

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01-16-2003, 01:32 PM	#2
Deus Ex Machine Posts: n/a	Neither FC or C were spec scripts. I agree that a very important ingredient in any spec is the writer's voice.

01-16-2003, 02:40 PM	#4
charliepanorama Posts: n/a	whoa!? I've been looking at the wrong stuff... so, my intent here was to get the names of some spec scripts that read well --i.e. grab the reader and absolutely suck them in. Dialogue does that largely, but I want to find examples where setting/actor directions read particularly well. I think that's where my stuff is kinda banal and maybe lacking voice. And good call Otis, UNFORGIVEN is simply one of the best stories of all time. Damn I love that story... Is that on Drew's? Also, could either or both of you email me? I need an opinion on a storyline issue and I'm not comfortable posting it. thanks, and any more votes apprc. cp charliepanorama@yahoo.com