The spec market that eats like a meal

By Steven Zeitchik

We've been traveling the last few days, so we're a bit behind on news. It'll probably take us a day or two --or about the time it took us to puzzle over these Lara Flynn Boyle before-and-after photos -- to get back on track. But let's try.

First, the spec market is officially back -- though, like the political climate these days, the best way to get into Hollywood might be to come from outside it. Just ask Brooklyn tollbooth worker Michael Martin or Pennsylvania insurance salesman Brad Ingelsby, who are behind some of the biggest post-strike sales.

Is it the need for fresh voices that's motivating the real-life Star Search episode? The fact that veteran writers have a too-busy post-strike schedule? Or is this just development execs going through their bi-annual let's-shake-it-up-with-new-writers phase? A little of everything, according to agents and execs we spoke to.

There are more people writing. There is a newfound hunger. And it turns out Steve Gaghan was already booked.

Maybe even more noteworthy than the sellers are the buyers. Sony and DreamWorks are still seeking the golden spec, but it's many of the new companies, the ones that engendered the 'thank-God-we-have-more-choices quotes from agents way back when, who, execs say, are coming through with the checks.

And right on cue, THR's Carolyn Giardina reports that CBS Films has bought a spec called "Plan B." It's a production company. It's an emergency contraceptive. And now it's a romantic comedy.

It's hard to say how long this resurgent market will last. The spec market is like a domino set -- its players are more subject to the dynamics of what's right next to them than any outside force. As one well-known agent said, "The best time to go out with a new script is right after a few studios lose out on one -- that's when their appetites are huge." And when buyers are hungry, agents are happy to serve, even if it's the dishes no one expected.