The core conceit of the “spec script” has changed drastically over the last few years. In its original incarnation, a “speculative script,” was uncommissioned material written either for sale or staffing in the film and television marketplace.
In the feature film world, this could be a script that explored a high-concept original premise, or a carefully crafted character piece full of nuance and dynamic craft. In television, the spec script often referred to a writer drafting a speculative episode of a long-running series in order to prove that they had a strong grasp on the series’ ongoing character dynamics, plotlines, voice, and themes.
Nowadays, however, television and film spec scripts are rare, though television specs can sometimes be requested for writer fellowships and other career-building opportunities. Meanwhile, the feature spec script is a much rarer commodity. Typically, feature spec scripts function more like television samples — they’re used simply to prove your craft and are rarely (if ever) actually produced. Cocaine Bear is a notable recent exception.
So, amidst a changing spec script landscape, how does a writer stand out amongst the clutter?
Enter the “stunt” spec script, an unsolicited screenplay with a shockingly obtuse, ludicrously insane, or far-out twisty premise that grabs your attention. They are a writer’s entrée into the writing world and meticulously designed to make the industry pay attention to you. In a town full of bored creative executives reading endless streams of safe, derivate scripts, a stunt script is the highlight of their day.
A stunt script is not a gimmick. It still demands a sold grasp of the writing craft.
These types of scripts first gained notoriety a few years back for one particularly famous example (more on that in a moment). However, nowadays, the “stunt” spec script is more popular than ever, with entire pages and Reddit threads dedicated to sourcing the best of the best of these outlandish pieces of writing.
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But, why write a stunt spec script? Well, not only will these types of projects help your writing stand out, but they also garner more eyeballs than almost any other type of spec script in the market. And they can be particularly useful for comedy or sketch writers, who can demonstrate their particular brand of humor through unrealistic, elevated, yet hilarious premises.
All-in-all, the stunt spec script can prove to be a useful tool for breaking into the industry or revitalizing a career that’s stalled or lulled. Let’s take a look at some case studies that demonstrate the value of the stunt spec script, as well as the tenets of what makes for a great, eye-catching premise.
Seinfeld: The Twin Towers
Arguably the most famous stunt spec TV script out there, Billy Domineau’s Seinfeld spec script entitled The Twin Towers grabbed people’s attention from the get-go. Set in the days and weeks following the September 11 attacks, the episode imagines a world in which Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George somehow find a way to make one of the greatest tragedies in American history all about them in classic Seinfeld fashion. The script’s initial premise marks one of the most important tenets of a great stunt script – shock for shock’s sake. And it worked. It’s also a great piece of writing.
Admittedly, Domineau himself has said in the past that the episode is purposefully in bad taste. However, the “bad taste” element of the script’s central conceit is also what made the piece go viral online shortly after it was initially shared on Twitter. In the days after Domineau shared the script, the draft could be found everywhere online and led to tons of exposure in various news outlets.
Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards), George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Jerry Seinfeld & Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in Seinfeld. Photo courtesy of NBC
However, the truly incredible part of Domineau’s script is how much the piece really sounds like a real episode of Seinfeld after the initial shockwaves dissipated. Elaine and George’s storylines are particular highlights, with Elaine struggling to find a humane way to break up with a survivor of the attacks just days after September 11 and George pretending to be a first responder for clout. These storylines feel believable for these characters, and also true to the essence of Seinfeld – namely, that these people are horrible and self-absorbed.
Overall, The Twin Towers catapulted Billy Domineau, an already working writer, to viral fame and called attention to his singular comedic voice. He went on to work on Family Guy. The script is still often referenced today as the gold standard for great stunt scripts, due to its inherent shock factor, a core tenet of what makes stunt specs great samples. In many ways, it even led to the staying power that the conceit of stunt scripts still enjoys today.
Grown Ups 3
Back in 2019, another unexpectedly off-kilter stunt script broke the internet and even got some high-level attention from some of the industry’s biggest players. The Grown Ups duology (technically it’s still a duology) was incredibly popular upon release, spurning rumors of the series becoming a full trilogy. And yet, as of right now, a third film has yet to come to pass.
That’s when comedian and writer Tom Scharpling got an idea for a stunt script that would take the Grown Ups franchise in an entirely different direction, one that was both hilariously off-the-wall and also deeply profound and emotionally resonant. As a longtime Adam Sandler fan, Scharpling wanted to remain true to the spirit of the franchise while also putting his own stamp on the material and allowing his premise to be insanely broad.
Marcus Higgins (David Spade), Lenny Fender (Adam Sandler), Kurt McKenzie (Chris Rock) & Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James) in Grown Ups 2. Picture courtesy of Sony Pictures.
There are two huge swings that Scharpling’s Grown Ups 3 takes right off the bat. First, the script is a slasher-thriller as opposed to a straight comedy. Second, the piece is unbelievably metatextual, with the main characters from the franchise playing themselves as opposed to their characters. The script reflects on the nature of ambition, a waning career lifespan, and more, all while remaining true to the comedic roots of the original franchise.
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Just days after Scharpling shared the script, it was everywhere online and dominated Twitter. Later, the script even found its way to comedy legend Adam McKay who deemed it one of his “top five” favorite films of the year. The attention Scharpling got for the script didn’t just call attention to the absurdity of the premise, but also to his incredible ability to blend humor and heart as well as metatextual musings on aging, irrelevance, and artistry all through the guise of an Adam Sandler comedy.
Scharpling’s script highlights another imperative element for a stunt script – execution and the unexpected. It would be one thing for Scharpling’s script to just be an excellent satire or parody of Sandler’s specific brand of comedy, but because the script also snuck in an exceedingly well-crafted storyline that felt original and thematically resonant, it also earned Scharpling much praise for his writing ability overall. Stunt scripts, more than regular spec scripts, have an innate ability to sneak “broccoli into a brownie,” so to speak. Using the format of a stunt script, you can showcase your more dramatic or emotionally resonant sensibilities through a high-concept comedic premise.
Billy Karate And The Stunt List
Thus far, we’ve discussed the merits of what makes for a great stunt spec script. But, why write a stunt spec at all if you’ve already got excellent writing samples? Yes, both Scharpling and Domineau went viral for their respective work, and the subsequent exposure that comes with writing these types of pieces can be incredibly helpful as a career boost. However, lately, the real plus for writing stunt spec scripts comes in the form of seeking representation, particularly as the market is growing increasingly hungry for outlandish, voice-specific material.
Nowadays, there are even entire subcultures and Reddit threads dedicated to finding this type of material, in addition to screenplay competitions. Recently, the Stunt List has become a great landing page for this type of material. One such script that found its way onto this list, which highlights crossover material and stunt specs, was Robert Brockway’s script Billy Karate, which broke the internet via Reddit and eventually led him to get repped at Entertainment 360.
What’s most interesting about Billy Karate is that it doesn’t have the same recognizable IP basis like Domineau’s or Scharpling’s material. Instead, its outlandish premise, about a martial artist learning to combat toxic masculinity, is its own selling point. In the end, this case study highlights the best reason to take a stab at a stunt spec – your premise and craft are the selling points. If you’re an unrepped or emerging screenwriter, the stunt spec script space is the greatest proving ground for craft, as the marketplace is more eager to read based on premise and craft alone as opposed to your experience. In this way, the stunt spec script is the new spec script and can prove invaluable to up-and-coming writers in both film and television.
Stunt scripts are risky, but they can, and have paid off. If they come across as an act of desperation, they will flop. But if they illustrate your passion for the writing craft, important people will notice.
