If you have a new (unknown) client with three spec scripts, what is your process for sending out those scripts into the marketplace? Would you send out only the one you thought had the best chance of selling, or maybe send each one to different buyers who would be the best fit? Thanks for your thoughts...Sam

I know spec sales are sexy. And you'll also see articles about A-List writers getting decent deals in the trades. But I see many pro writers, even A-List, mentioning projects that haven't been publicly announced. So it seems like the sales in the trades are the tip of the iceberg, and there's plenty of other 'stealth' work going on.

Is this true? If so, how much paid work is going on off the radar and underneath the water? How much is going to less-established writers.

(And do managers really care about the Nicholl QF's, or do I need to go further before mentioning it?)

I was alsways wondering if writers can concentrate solely on specs. Obviously Shane Black used to be the "King of specs" back in the days, he didn't really want to do assignment work, but I've read several interviews (for example on DoneDealpro) these days where writers said that you'll eventually have to do it in order to stay in the business. After all, spec sales have gone down a lot. So do you know writers who can rely on spec work only? Do you believe people like that can still stay afloat in LA these days?

Jason,

I attempt to track scripts sales on a monthly basis on my blog using Done Deal Pro as my source. Month after month I always register more spec sales than you post. Here’s my dilemma: when the writer is also the director and the script is not identified as an adaptation, pitch, true story, remake, rewrite, etc. I assume – rightly or wrongly -- the script is an original and therefore, a spec. Am I way off base here?

Thanks for your time and,

Keep Writing!
Mike