Chapter 1: Overview of Spec Script Acquisitions

In 2022, a total of 16 spec scripts were acquired by studios, production firms, and financiers in Hollywood. This week, I will delve into these figures more deeply.

Today’s focus is on the breakdown of these acquisitions by genre. Some scripts fit into multiple genres (e.g., Action Thriller, Comedy Drama), and I have counted them accordingly. It's important to note that genre classifications are subjective, so the numbers should be viewed as broad estimates.

2022 Spec Script Acquisitions by Genre:

• Action: 8
• Thriller: 7
• Drama: 4
• Comedy: 2
• Family: 1
• Fantasy: 1

To provide context, let’s compare these figures with those from previous years, specifically 2008 through 2021.

Historical Spec Script Deal Overview:

• 2008 (88 deals)
  • Comedy: 41
  • Action: 13
  • Drama: 12
  • Thriller: 10
  • Fantasy: 3
  • Science Fiction: 3
  • Adventure: 2
  • Disaster: 2
  • Family: 1
  • Horror: 1
• 2009 (68 deals)
  • Comedy: 26
  • Thriller: 12
  • Action: 11
  • Drama: 7
  • Science Fiction: 4
  • Romantic Comedy: 3
  • Family: 1
  • Fantasy: 1
  • Heist: 1
  • Horror: 1
  • Murder Mystery: 1
• 2010 (55 deals)
  • Comedy: 16
  • Action: 14
  • Thriller: 10
  • Science Fiction: 7
  • Drama: 4
  • Family: 2
  • Fantasy: 1
  • Mystery: 1
• 2011 (110 deals)
  • Action: 29
  • Thriller: 20
  • Comedy: 19
  • Drama: 14
  • Science Fiction: 13
  • Horror: 8
  • Family: 2
  • Fairy Tale: 1
  • Heist: 1
  • Supernatural: 1
  • Western: 1
• 2012 (99 deals)
  • Action: 27
  • Thriller: 20
  • Comedy: 20
  • Science Fiction: 12
  • Drama: 10
  • Horror: 9
  • Supernatural: 1
• 2013 (100 deals)
  • Thriller: 25
  • Action: 20
  • Comedy: 18
  • Drama: 17
  • Science Fiction: 13
  • Horror: 3
  • Western: 2
  • Disaster: 1
  • Family: 1
• 2014 (62 deals)
  • Action: 17
  • Comedy: 12
  • Drama: 10
  • Science Fiction: 9
  • Thriller: 8
  • Horror: 5
  • Fantasy: 2
• 2015 (55 deals)
  • Drama: 17
  • Action: 13
  • Thriller: 10
  • Comedy: 7
  • Science Fiction: 7
  • Family: 1
• 2016 (75 deals)
  • Drama: 24
  • Comedy: 18
  • Thriller: 13
  • Action: 10
  • Science Fiction: 8
  • Western: 2
• 2017 (61 deals)
  • Drama: 16
  • Science Fiction: 12
  • Thriller: 11
  • Action: 10
  • Comedy: 7
  • Horror: 5
• 2018 (40 deals)
  • Science Fiction: 10
  • Comedy: 9
  • Drama: 9
  • Horror: 4
  • Thriller: 4
  • Action: 3
  • Family: 1
• 2019 (32 deals)
  • Comedy: 10
  • Thriller: 9
  • Horror: 5
  • Science Fiction: 4
  • Action: 3
  • Drama: 3
  • Family: 2
  • Fantasy: 1
  • Western: 1
• 2020 (26 deals)
  • Thriller: 8
  • Comedy: 6
  • Horror: 4
  • Science Fiction: 4
  • Action: 2
  • Drama: 1
  • Heist: 1
  • Romance: 1
  • Western: 1
• 2021 (34 deals)
  • Action: 12
  • Thriller: 12
  • Drama: 9
  • Comedy: 8
  • Science Fiction: 3
  • Horror: 2

What do these statistics reveal? There's been a notable decline in spec script acquisitions, dropping from 34 in 2021 to just 16 in 2022—a decrease of more than 50%. Action and Thriller remain the dominant genres, with several high-concept scripts such as Cut and Run, Galahad, Ending Things, Batshit, Fight Fast, and Honey Trapped making headlines in 2022.

The primary concern for aspiring screenwriters is the shrinking market for spec scripts. A decade ago, in 2013, there were 100 deals, while 2023 is projected to be even worse.

Various factors contribute to this downturn, including the ongoing fallout from the WGA versus ATA conflict, the pandemic, the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney—leaving one less buyer—and the current WGA strike.

However, the most significant reason appears to be the industry's inclination towards existing intellectual property. Studios, streaming platforms, production companies, and financiers increasingly prefer adaptations of novels, graphic novels, video games, and other established properties rather than original spec scripts. This trend stems from a desire to mitigate risks associated with new projects, as established stories offer a perceived safety net.

The question remains: Will the spec script market recover? It's uncertain, but it’s crucial for writers to continue crafting spec scripts. A well-written spec may not sell or be optioned, but it can attract a manager who will present it to producers and executives, leading to meetings that foster connections and potential job opportunities.

Additionally, fellowship programs and competitions, such as the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and platforms like the Black List, provide avenues for recognition. Ironically, despite a struggling spec script market, access to industry professionals willing to champion new writers has never been greater.

Nevertheless, it’s vital for writers to produce exceptional scripts characterized by strong concepts, engaging characters, and captivating narratives that resonate with readers. In this challenging market, the quality of your storytelling must be apparent from the start.

As previously mentioned, the 2023 spec script landscape is likely to hit an all-time low in terms of deals.

Let’s remain optimistic that 2024 will offer a glimmer of improvement.

Tomorrow: Analyzing the 2022 Spec Script Buyers.

2022 Spec Script Deal List

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