How to Write a TV Spec Script
And why you absolutely need one
When Friends was airing, you could write an episode on spec and hope to sell it to the producing team. This time is over. Very few TV spec scripts sell nowadays, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write one.
In fact, as an aspiring TV writer, you need one.
In short, a spec script proves to agents and managers that you’re able to write in another show’s voice — which is what they need TV writers to do. Plus, if it ends up in the right hands, this spec could get you staffed on a similar show.
Even if none of that happens, writing a spec script is an extremely valuable exercise.
I started working on my first spec script not so long ago — it’s way harder than I imagined, but I already got so much value from the process.
Assimilating a show’s structure, studying characters, writing in the showrunner’s voice… All of this is incredibly difficult but teaches you a lot.
It will make you a better writer.
Pick a good show
I had this fantasy of writing a Riverdale spec. This dream broke when a fellowship judge recommended picking a good show.
