The Screenwriter's Path

8Writing the Adaptation

Most beginning screenwriters think they’ll break into the business with an original script they write—called a ‘spec’ in the business, a script you write on speculation. But the truth is, that spec screenplay will probably never sell. It would have to be the perfect genre for today’s market, and as you’re not a proven commodity, it would have to be so fantastic that there would be no doubt it could be a successful film—and, alas, there’s almost always doubt.

That original spec script can, however, be a great sample to show people your work. Studios buy books, short stories, comic books, etc., and they need to find just the right writer for each one to bring it successfully to the screen. If you have a spec script that ...