EXT. STUDIO PARKING LOT - DAY

Screenwriter Kelly Fremon and Spec producer Moe El Emam take a break during filming with Kelly, noting that one of the great percs of arriving as a screen writer is a good parking space on the studio lot.  Kelly is now awaiting the August premier of the Fox Searchlight comedy, "Post Grad," Kelly's first produced feature, based on her spec script, her first attempt at the form.

INT. PRODUCTION OFFICE - DAY AND NIGHT

Tape. Lots, and lots of tape.

In the last year, the filmmakers have interviewed a fantastic number of people for this project. Screenwriters from vastly different walks of life have shared their stories, as have their spouses, families, teachers, even the people who make the lattes that keep them typing away, day in and day out.

As “Spec” nears completion, MOE EL EMAM has come on board to interview even more writers, and help sift through the hours of material that will soon be a feature length documentary. A spec screenwriter himself, Moe is wholly familiar with the process of writing a script that no one has yet commissioned.

Writing on spec can be a solitary, maddening process, given the odds of attaining some measure of success for the endeavor. On the bright side, there will soon be a movie that may shed some light on why so many continue to do just that…

Which brings us back to the tape. Lots, and lots of tape.

EXT. POOLSIDE - DAY

“Nobody ever writes about happy people, they’re boring.”

MARC CHERRY sat down with us to talk about the spec that nobody wanted, “Desperate Housewives.” One of the first things that many writers say is that selling a spec screenplay is like winning the lottery.

With the success of his hit ABC drama, Mr. Cherry will tell you that he did just that.

Before it became the popular drama that millions tune in to watch every week, “Desperate Housewives” was turned down as an idea, and then rejected as a spec screenplay by everyone that read it – except for the one that didn’t.

INT. SCREENING ROOM - DAY

View a nine-minute teaser version of 'Spec" -- working title -- as the filmmakers present a work-in-progress compilation of the more than 7o hours and 60-plus interviews already racked up in the course of production for this feature-length documentary, with an anticipated preview date of Winter '09. To screen, go to the link:

http://www.vimeo.com/1978390

EXT. DISNEY PICKET LINE - DAY

ANTHONY GRIECO and JEFF DRONGOWSKI show up at the Disney Studios WGA picket line to show solidarity with striking writers. Jeff and Anthony walked the line themselves as they became the last writers to sell a script before the midnight strike deadline, closing the deal on their horror thriller, "Hurt" with the producers of the "Halloween" franchise. In a real-life plot twist that would have probably been thrown out at the pitch stage for it's too-ironic twist, the writing team signed off on their deal on October 31st.

EXT. NORTH LAS VEGAS - DAY

On a location scout in Las Vegas, we came across this unique "archeological site" for some of the symbology of the Vegas of Dino, Sammy, and The Chairman. The Neon Museum, located in the less than flashy region of North Vegas, a repository of three acres of pre-LCD signage and logo art dating from the 40s and 50s.

Our team was in Nevada to meet with members of the Las Vegas Screenwriters group, an active and well organized resource for a surprisingly lively and prolific group of writers there.

For a picture or in-person tour of this one-of-a-kind Las Vegas attraction, go to http://www.neonmuseum.org/. Or on your next trip to Las Vegas, somewhere between the I-Bar and Flamingo Quick Collateral Loans, schedule a visit to "the boneyard" and consider a donation to support this truly unique attraction.

EXT - AGOURA HILLS HORSE RANCH - DAY

Slow fade up to:

Justin DiPego knows that sometimes life can be a perfect balance -- between his work with horses and bringing his visions to the page in his other life as a screenwriter. Justin is a second generation screenwriter. His dad, Gerald DiPego, is probably best known for the sweetly memorable '96 hit, "Phenomenon".

Justin, like so many of the writers who have shared their stories with us, seems to have found the key to keeping life in perspective while he takes on each new writing project, holding onto the hope that this is the one that is going to push him over the top. And what's Justin's idea of hitting it big? Probably not a whole lot different than he has it now -- feed the horses first thing in the morning, write, then back for the late afternoon feed. Except that Star and Sundance would get to enjoy a few more creature comforts. Like maybe riding around in a plusher horse trailer.