How to Write a Spec That Sells & Lands You Your Next Job
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Webinar hosted by: Matt Duffett
Screenwriter ('Gunsmith', Sylvester Stallone 'Crash Unit', NY Times' adaptation 'The Destroyers')
Matt Duffett is an LA-based screenwriter who recently completed writing CRASH UNIT for Sylvester Stallone to star in and direct. He has been hired to adapt New York Times' Book of the Summer THE DESTROYERS for Star Thrower Entertainment (THE POST). Meanwhile, his Boston crime thriller THE GUNSMITH has Tommy Wirkola (HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS, WHAT HAPPENED MONDAY) attached to direct. His sci-fi spec script FLASHBACK was on the Blacklist and his first comic, COLD ZERO, is also headed to print this year. Matt's scripts have received several awards, including the 2017 HOT LIST for Best Screenplays of the Year, the 2017 YOUNG & HUNGRY Breakout Writers list, Best Screenplay at the 2017 LA FILM AWARDS, and two BLACK LIST Shortlist nominations. He is represented by United Talent Agency and Circle of Confusion. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
The spec market is alive and well and with new players like Netflix and Amazon as well as other studios, the appetite for content is at an all-time high right now. We’re excited to bring in screenwriter Matt Duffett who has capitalized on these opportunities to teach you what makes a stand out spec.
Matt’s scripts have been shortlisted on the BlackList and have been on the Hot List and the Young and Hungry List. As a result he’s now penned a script for Sylvester Stallone to star in and direct, he’s penned a feature script that attached Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters director and he’s now adapting a New York Times’ Book of the Summer.
Throughout the journey he’s mastered the art of getting in the room, winning the job and delivering the goods. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar he’ll go over how you can make your spec stand out and how it can help you land your next job!
What You'll Learn
ACT 1: Getting into the Room
- The Sample - what you should be thinking about before writing your next spec script
- What your unique background has to do with nailing your spec
- Your writing brand – What is it? How do you define it?
- Understanding the marketplace – what you need to know
- What do stand-up comedy and screenplay writing have in common?
ACT 2: Winning the Job
- Outline – we’ll go over elements you need and how to knock it out of the park.
- Nailing your scenes – what you need to know
- What scenes always work
- What scenes never work
- How to write characters that stars want to play
- Who is most important in the process when you need to deliver a script
- How do you put the finishing touches on your new spec
- How to use your new spec to land a manager and agent
- What’s next?
ACT 3: Delivering the Goods
- How to work with your reps to find that next paying gig
- The ABC's of Hollywood
- What is the #1 thing that sells in pitch meetings
- How to tell your unique story in the room
- How to prepare your pitch
- What NOT to do in your pitch
- What TO do in your pitch
- What to leave the people in the room with
- How to handle notes
Case Studies
- CRASH UNIT (Sylvester Stallone)
- THE GUNSMITH (Tommy Wirkola, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters)
- THE DESTROYERS (NY Times Book of the Summer)
- FLASHBACK
Q&A with Matt
About Your Instructor
Matt Duffett
FAQs
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.
Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the webinar.
Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the webinar. If you cannot attend a live webinar and purchase an On-Demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of a live or On-Demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the audio recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like for a whole year!
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