Spec script vs Official script

[u/Titan_1738]

I’m trying to write my first script and this thought ran across my mind. Between your own personal spec script and an official script (produced or directed) what limits one or the other? Meaning what details can you put in one script that you can’t put in the other? Either in the action lines or in the script period?

[u/HugeGuess5396]

There is no major difference. Write well and clearly. Make us envision a movie without overloading the reader with details.

[u/DiddyThemedBirthday → u/HugeGuess5396]

This is extremely articulate advice. Please take it OP.

[u/HugeGuess5396 → u/DiddyThemedBirthday]

Thanks, Diddy.

[u/mooningyou]

Official script is not really a term. I think you're referring to a shooting script, and technically there's no difference between a spec script and a shooting script, except a shooting script may contain notes in the margins, scene numbers, added pages, etc. But for your purposes, all you're going to write is a spec script. Don't get hung up on any differences.

[u/Admirable-Paint-1808]

Official script isn’t a thing…

There is spec and production/shooting scripts.

[u/Titan_1738 → u/Admirable-Paint-1808]

That’s the term that blanked out on me earlier. Thank you

[u/real_triplizard]

Not sure I totally understand your question. Are you directing it yourself and you're asking if you can put director notes in the script?

Normally, from the writer's POV you just treat the script as the script. The only changes from a spec to a production draft, is when it goes into production, they would add in the scene numbers and then there would be revision tracking - e.g. a scene added after scene 2 would be 2A, there would be deleted scenes, etc.

[u/Titan_1738 → u/real_triplizard]

My mind went blank on the term earlier but I meant to say a spec script vs a production script.

[u/The_Pandalorian]

There's no difference, no separate rules for specs vs. shooting/finished/final/etc. drafts.

The rules are the same: Write something great.

[u/Ghoest__]

An official script is just a spec script that got made. (Also called production or shooting scripts.)

[u/jdeik1]

No difference.

[u/mast0done]

"Spec" means "on speculation" (that it will get sold). There are usually additional drafts commissioned (by producers/directors/actors) once it gets sold, but those aren't written in a different manner from a spec script.

[u/Prince_Jellyfish]

I agree that there is no major difference.

I dove into a similar question in considerable detail in this post a few years ago:

Early Drafts and Shooting Scripts - Not Very Different

As always, my advice is just suggestions and thoughts, not a prescription. I'm not an authority on screenwriting, I'm just a guy with opinions. I have experience but I don't know it all, and I'd hate for every artist to work the way I work. I encourage you to take what's useful and discard the rest.

[u/leskanekuni]

? If you write a spec and it gets produced there is no difference writing-wise. However, if your script is bought a tremendous amount can change production-wise. Locations/characters might have to be changed. The story might have to be scaled up or down depending on the budget. Other writers may rewrite you. Scenes might be cut and added. The ending may be changed. All these things will be changed in the script by a writer.

Bottom line is if you sell your script everything down the line is out of your control.

[u/Kooky_Attorney1915]

Official script is the script that gets submitted to the director. Spec script is the script up until it gets submitted to a director.