To write a TV spec, or to write an original pilot: That is the question – one that a lot of aspiring TV writers struggle with regularly. Based on feedback and numerous discussions with TV executives and showrunners, it really depends on what you are writing: a comedy or drama.
For Drama – Write an original
If you ask a drama executive or a showrunner which they would prefer to read, almost all would say they much rather read an original. Why? They want to see a unique story with unique voices. An exception to this rule is if you want to write for a procedural. If you can’t come up with your own original, you should write a spec to showcase your ability to develop original story lines for an existing format.
For Comedy – It can go both ways
With comedy, you want to showcase at least one of three things:
- Joke writing.
- Character.
- Story.
Most comedy showrunners have said that if you do one of these really great, it can be enough to get you in a writers room.
That being said, for a comedy script you may want to spec an already existing show if you’re main goal is to showcase your joke-telling abilities. This is ideal because the reader already knows the voices/characters and can easily envision the jokes as they are conveyed on the page. When choosing which show to spec, be sure to choose a show that is currently on the air and doesn’t look like it’s going to be cancelled. In other words, don’t spec a show that is in its first or second season just in case it doesn’t get renewed. Pick a show that looks like it’s going to be on the air for several seasons. That way, your script will stay relevant for a longer period of time. The last thing you want to do is have a script for a show that people are unfamiliar with or that is off the air.
