THE SPEC SCRIPT
March 14th, 2004
THE SPEC SCRIPT
byANDREA LEIGH WOLF
The writing of a SPEC script is an art form unto itself. If a new screenwriter would approach it as such, many problems could be avoided. As I critique scripts from writers, the problems with each and every new writer is the same. TOO MUCH NARRATIVE/ACTION and TOO MUCH MEANINGLESS dialot. Your SPEC script should be mostly dialog. This is where your character development can really shine. But, chatter which doesn't move your story along is a waste of everyone's time. A SPEC script has to be VISUAL. You're not writing a novel here. Your job is to create a visual image for the person who is reading your script. In screenwriting you must realize that it's a collaborative effort. By this I mean, your job is to write the skeleton of your story. Then, if you've done it properly -- the other creative talents can come into play and flesh it out. That said, be very clear, the story itself lies in YOUR ballpark. The drama...the characterization...all of it. For if you fail at creating a dramatic story, if your characters aren't real, it will give no vision to the others who will build upon your script. Think of your SPEC script as the foundation of a new home. If your foundation isn't strong enough...then the house that is built on top of that foundation will be weak. Now, another problem with the SPEC scripts circulating that have "NEWBE" written all over them, is incorrect formatting and packaging. While it is true that the scripts sold at script outlets are a great teaching tool, let me make if clear...they are not SPEC scripts! They are not scripts by which you should format your beginning SPEC script. You learn story structure, dialog and the pacing of the two from those outlet scripts. NOT THEIR FORMAT! Do not use camera angles, POV, cut to's, fade in's and fade out's throughout your SPEC script. You use one FADE IN at the beginning, and one FADE OUT at the end. In the beginning, you stick to your basic SPEC script format. Develop it to create an interesting read...a real page-turner. Give the reader a reason to continue reading your script, rather than tossing it aside and going on to the next script. Whether the reader continues to read your script or goes on to the next, is solely on your shoulders. It's up to you. SPEC script format changes from time to time, so you must keep current. Remember, "you only get one chance to make a good first impression." Don't blow it! Think of writing your SPEC script as a game, and you can't win if you don't play. Try and tell the best story you can, using the least amount of words. Choose your words carefully. Remember: In screenwriting...less is more. Your SPEC script must be a fast read. Use no more than FOUR lines of narration/action at a time. Sentences must be brief ...sometimes only one word. If you use the right word, it will be enough. Do whatever it takes to give the reader the ride of his life. Who's the most important person who'll read your script? THE READER! never forget it. It is through this single person that your script will be past further up the food chain. It is also the person who'll return it or toss it, if it's not in the best condition it can be. So be sure your SPEC script is the best that it can be. When you're a beginning writer, don't think for a minute that the experienced, professional writers didn't make these same mistakes once. They did. They ALL did! So, with that said, let's get down to business. Maybe I can help cut a few years off your path to that first sale! This month (6/97), let's just concentrate on those all-important FIRST TEN PAGES. These first TEN pages are 1/3 of your first act! I think these are probably the most important pages of your SPEC script. That's because most readers won't go further than that if they aren't into your story by page ten. I have recently talked to other professional readers, who won't go past page THREE! I'm told that by the third page, some readers can already tell if the writer can write.
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