The Town with Matthew Belloni The Return of the Spec Script—Is There Hope for Original Screenplays in Hollywood?
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Oct 1, 2025 Geoff Shaevitz, a literary manager and former studio executive at Entertainment 360, joins to explore the revival of spec script sales in Hollywood. He discusses how recent movie successes have reignited interest in original screenplays, highlighting a shift away from packaged deals. Genres like horror and comedies are making a comeback as buyers seek fresh content. Geoff also reveals insights on generating bidding wars and how managers can strategize specs for various studios. The chat concludes with cautious optimism about the future of original films.
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Specs Offer Speed And Studio Control
- Specs aren't strictly replacing packages but offer speed and studio ownership that packaged deals sometimes limit.
- Buyers often prefer clean material they can shape internally rather than pre-set packages with fixed attachments.
Push Specs Wide And Fast
- When a spec reads like a real movie, push it quickly to many buyers to surface interest fast.
- Geoff recommends simultaneous wide submission to create competitive bidding momentum.
Superhero Decline Opens Room For Originals
- The rise of superhero blockbusters set a benchmark that squeezed original specs for years.
- As superhero dominance softens, studios and audiences are showing curiosity for diverse original material.