How I Wrote My First Ever Spec-Screenplay and How I Optioned It For $20,000.
Yes, it’s true. It can be done.
But let us first make sure we’re all on the same page here before we continue.
First and foremost, for the uninitiated, the term ‘Spec’ refers to a script written “on speculation”; Meaning as the screenwriter, you are writing a script without any development contract or promise of payment in place. All with the hopes of securing representation, optioning the rights to and/or facilitating a sale.
Secondly, I’d just like to say that it is quite rare and difficult to sell or option your very first screenplay without a portfolio of previous work.
With that said, here’s how I did it.
Where It All Began
My career in entertainment began as an actor for the stage and screen. And what every successful actor needs for the continued growth and development of his/her career is good representation; An agent, talent manager or both.
Personally, I was fortunate enough to secure representation in the form of my long time agent straight out of acting conservatory during Spring 2013.
Two years later, I put pen to paper for the first time in an attempt to draft my first feature-length screenplay.
Now mind you, I had no formal education or training in creative writing. Only ideas on what I thought good stories would be while watching my favorite films in the genre I felt life exploring at the time.
The Process
Fast forward six months and I not only had a final draft of my script but I had also signed on a talent manager (who for the purposes of this article, we’ll call ‘Vinny’).
But what I will say here though, is that ‘How’ you write a screenplay depends primarily on the story you wish to tell. For me at the time, I was heavily influenced by the early films of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie, respectfully.
The script in question was a raunchy dark comedy/heist thriller entitled, “Now Serving”.
Watching and re-watching such films as “Reservoir Dogs”, “Pulp Fiction”, “Snatch” or “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” should give you some idea of how I chose to develop my characters and structure my story.
It was Vinny’s idea however to develop a portfolio for me for modeling for which I personally never had much interest in. I obliged regardless because, well why not? More work and money couldn’t hurt. At this point, Vinny knew I had written my first script with several more ideas and writing projects down the pipeline.
A meeting was scheduled soon after I signed him on at a very prominent, bi-costal talent agency with a rather robust roster of name talent in all categories of representation.
Vinny’s plan was to sell me as a potential candidate for modeling and acting with the added bonus of being a “Screenwriter”.
Now at best, I thought my script would be decent enough to read. As an exercise in proper formatting, character development and story structure, I felt pretty confident that I had checked off all the boxes to the best of my abilities.
But between you and me, I would never be so bold to presume that my first script would be good enough to option.
Yet, low and behold that’s exactly what ended up happening.
The Results
Due to contractual conflicts with my longtime agent, representation in the acting department was off the table.
And modeling..well, I couldn’t care less about that to be honest.
But surprisingly enough, I received a phone call from Vinny about three weeks after our meeting with agency reps from their literary department to discuss an options contract for the script I had submitted.
The terms included a two-year exclusivity deal for $20,000 (after taxes)!
But the best part is the film never got made and full rights of ownership reverted back to me in early 2017. This means in theory, I could potentially sell the film rights again if desired. More specifically if the desired market were again in place. But more on that next time.
Lessons Learned
The moral of the story is that yes, working as a writer is a notoriously difficult profession. But with steadfast dedication to cultivating your creative voice and some crafty business strategy at play, you just may be able to turn the odds in your favor and who knows..perhaps even turn a profit!
Thoughts? Drop a comment below and Let’s chat!
Thanks so much reading!
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