entertainment industry coach question 642: What exactly is a spec script?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A spec script is a "speculative" screenplay, one that the Varietyslanguage dictionary defines as being "shopped or sold on theopen market, as opposed to one commissioned by a studio orproduction company."^[1]

Spec scripts are written for various reasons:^{[citation needed]}

• by writers who hope to have a script optioned and eventually purchased by producers or studios;
• by writer/directors who want to direct a film themselves;
• by amateur writers hoping to convince a literary agent to represent them or a producer to hire them.

I would like to add that spec scripts are also written for television to show that the writer can write for other people's characters. In television you usually need multiple sample scripts from various shows to prove that if you write one great spec, it wasn't a fluke.

If you want to write a spec, and have no idea how to start, I highly recommend the UCLA extension program. If you live in Los Angeles, nothing beats the class atmosphere where you get help form your teacher and create relationships with the students as well. However, if you're not, you can take online classes and have a spec done in one semester.

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entertainment industry coach question 641: Why did you tell me to sign up for Cynopsis.com?

Cynopsis is about everything television related; what's been bought, who's attached, what's premiering, what's been cancelled, etc. It is a great research tool. The person who asked this is a DP/Operator, and I suggested he subscribe for the free daily email from Cynopsis because even though it's giving high level information which would seem to be important to tv executives, writers, and agents, if you are in another classification and are interested in television you must be "in the know."

For example, today in the development section Cynosis reported that "The CW is bringing another DC Comics super hero to the small screen with plans to adapt Raven into a television series. The project received a script order via Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment and Diego Gutierrez is on board to write and be executive producer. Raven is a half-demon known as Rachel Roth and she is able to enter the minds of others to fight crime all the while remaining dark and secretive."

If this is a project that is of interest to you, now you have some information to start your targeted campaign.

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entertainment industry coach question 640: How do I create a website that will get me work?

A website is a marketing tool to help in your pursuit of getting work. It is not a substitute for creating relationships, it simply compliments the process.

To start, you want to research websites that are getting attention and model them. Because it's a marketing tool, you want to spend the money it takes to get it right the first time. Unless you have the sharp know how of do-it-yourself, save the time that you could be networking for work and hire a professional.

Next, get advice from people who look at websites. Find out what they want to see and what they don't want to see.

Finally, be sure that whomever creates the site for you makes it easy for you to update because websites are works in progress, as is your career.

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entertainment industry coach question 639: Why do so many stupid films get made and I can't get mine made?

Halle Berry brought this up the other night because she had so much trouble getting funding for her film Frankie and Alice. I suggested that there be separate movie theaters: Arclight type for the $15 movies that cost $200 million to make and smaller film houses that show everything under $50 million and only charge $5-7 for a ticket. I think people want to see interesting character films, but aren't necessarily willing to spend the same 15 bucks that they would to see Mission Impossible 4.

Other than the Wayan Brothers and a few others who go after big money in the "stupid movie" category, I don't think most filmmakers or studios set out with the intention of making a stupid film.

If you haven't made a movie, it's a lot like baking a chocolate souffle. You have a recipe, yet so many things can go wrong if you're off by the slightest bit.

I'm not naive enough to think that everyone is passionate about every project they work on (I've heard many interviews where someone has bashed working on my favorite genre), but I don't believe anyone intentionally sets out to be the piece of the recipe that causes the souffle to flop.

Keep taking the steps to getting your movie made, and forgive those who've tried their best but cost you 90 to 120 minutes of your life that you'll never get back.

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entertainment industry coach question 638: Is it possible to be directing a studio feature 2 years out of film school?

Is it possible to be directing a studio feature two years out of film school? Anything is possible. Is it likely? Well, that depends on a lot of important factors. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Are you closely related to the head of a studio?

2. Did you make a film in film school that won Sundance?

3. Did you get at least 20 studio executives, A-list directors, and A-list writer mentors while in film school who are deeply invested in your talent and success?

4. Do you have a blackmail video featuring the head of feature development at a studio? (I don't condone this, but I had to ask)

The bottom line is there are politics in the studio system that go beyond the entertainment industry. Why do you think we see GE commercials every time we watch 30 Rock? It's not because Alec Baldwin thinks they bring good things to life.

So it's important that you get an understanding about studio politics, what it takes to get a director "greenlit," and the amount of money that gets invested in a film with a first time director.

Whatever you do, keep directing, everything you can (except blackmail videos of studio executives), learn from other directors who were successful early after film school, and stay focused on the most strategic path toward achieving your goals.

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entertainment industry coach question 637: I know I lack confidence and I need it in this business, what do I do?

First, I want you to focus on what you do have confidence in. Pick something that you feel 100% confident in: that you can tie your shoes, that you take a shower, that you know what direction the sky is. When you are sure that you have thought of something that you are 100% confident in, I want you to feel those feelings of confidence at 100%.

If you were unable to do that exercise, you may have something blocking your ability to feel confident that runs deeper than I can go with you as a career coach.

However if you were able to do the exercise, congratulations! You now know that you only lack confidence in specific situations. Now, because these situations are work related, if it has to do with your craft, then keep working on it. Preparation and practice will build your confidence. If business is the area where you're lacking confidence, it too is a practiced skill. Business and networking skills take practice just like your craft or tying your shoes.

Look over the topics of my past blogs to find the areas where you need practice. If you can't find the answers you're looking for, be more specific next time you contact me and I'll give you some techniques to work on.

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entertainment industry coach question 637: I'm planning a Dec vacation to New Mexico where they shoot a lot of movies. How do I maximize my trip?

Mixing work and pleasure are you? My answers will vary depending on whether you know industry people in New Mexico. If you do, make plans to see them. Perhaps plan a meet up at a restaurant where they can invite other industry people you don't know.

If you don't know anyone, you can research who lives there, whom you'd like to meet. Reach out this week for some advice about what to do while in New Mexico and ask if there are any industry events/holiday parties happening. If you feel you've built the foundation for a relationship, you can ask if he/she will be in town and you can offer to take him/her to lunch.

You can also call the film commission to see if anything will be filming while you are there and perhaps drop by for a set visit, if it's appropriate.

It would be great to mix in a little business, but don't get down on yourself if it doesn't work out. It is the holiday season and people are busy with family. You can still contact people after your visit to discuss what an amazing vacation you had.

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entertainment industry coach question 636: In a funk? What do you plan to do differently in 2011?

This is a question for you my loyal reader, because even though it's the holiday season, when people are supposed to be at their jolliest, I'm not finding that to be the case.

Many of my clients are postponing their appointments until after the new year because they want to "save them" for a fresh start. There seems to be a feeling of discouragement in the air. Historically, this has been a slower time for our industry. It's when the studios pretty much shut down, and then it trickles down. Shows go on hiatus, scripts stop being bought...

But it's temporary. Things will pick up again. So, if you're one of those people who are in a funk right now, why? Are you disappointed by your results of 2010 and therefore find it hard to kick back and enjoy the holidays? Or do you feel hopeless about 2011, because why should anything change for you?

Either way, today is today. Tomorrow will be tomorrow. Time will keep passing by, so why not make a choice of one risk you are committed to taking next year, and three business habits you commit to implement next year, and then sit back and let go... and of course, allow yourself to enjoy the holidays!

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entertainment industry coach question 635: How do I create a "Brand" for my acting career?

This was asked by an actress but works for any classification. I get asked about branding a lot. After interviewing Diane Farr for my Mentor/Elite Program, she made a great point about finding your voice before branding yourself. Your "voice" becomes your brand. Diane 'looks like Barbie but talks like Ken.' That's quite a specific and visual brand, and it is clearly her voice in everything she's done, past and present; a host on Love Line, a series regular on many television shows as a beautiful and tough talking FBI Agent, Firefighter, & Cop, author of The Girl Code, article contributer to countless magazines & newspapers, and blogger.

Diane's voice is clear in everything she does, that's how she branded herself. Now, she has the talent and connections to play other roles, and write heart wrenching stories about drunk driving, but even then, there's always a little Diane in it, which is what makes her unique and in turn, fascinating to watch and read.

So if you want to brand yourself successfully, start by modeling people who have done it well.

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entertainment industry coach question 634:what is the best way to submit myself to new agents in this day and age of digital media?

The question continued: Email w/ photos and video attachments? Email with link to my website that has everything, or the old fashioned hard copy package?

Different agencies are going to have different preferences. Some agencies are really into "being green" and others are "old fashioned." So the best thing you can do is to make a target list of the agencies you're interested in and call each one to ask how they prefer to be solicited.

If you get someone really nice on the phone, you can tell them your type and ask who the best agent is to submit to. If you get someone not-so-nice, who tells you they're not accepting submissions, say, "thank you and for future knowledge, what does your agency prefer, green or hard copy?"

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entertainment industry coach question 633: Is it appropriate to send home-baked goods as holiday gifts?

It depends on how well you know the people you're sending the home made baked goods to. If I were to get cookies from someone I barely know, I have to admit I wouldn't eat them. If my close friend or client gave me cookies (and they were gluten & sugar free) I would eat them.

So........ the thought is good, but I hope you have less cynical people to send them to than me.

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