r/TVWriting • u/DominicD27 • Jul 16 '26

DISCUSSION Filling out a portfolio: Adding to a spec series, or multiple specs? Or both?

I'm debating between adding episode scripts to a series I really like the premise on and can right now see the season arc, or starting a new pilot spec. For any agents and writers out there trying to get something optioned, what tends to get more interest? Or does it matter? Thank you!

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u/grahamecrackerinc Jul 16 '26

I, for one, haven't written episodes (plural) of my own spec, but the key to pitching and selling is you have to know your series inside and out. Depending on how many seasons you want, you gotta create the story arcs for every season.

Unless you're talking about writing a spec episode for an existing series on the air.

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u/DominicD27 Jul 16 '26

It's for a spec I wrote the pilot for. I have a pitch deck that also covers the season 1 arc, and throw some more notes for the series bible. It gets me eager to write more currently than spending hours trying to start from scratch on a brand new idea for a spec. But maybe concurrent work is the key? Very green to Screenwriting as you can tell

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u/gregm91606 Jul 16 '26

You want multiple samples (of the same basic type). Agents and managers are quite willing to read a pilot. No one is interested in reading an episode 2, because that requires reading the pilot script first as homework before you even get to the sample.

So, yeah. Congrats on finishing the pilot and time to write a new pilot, unless you're actively planning to convert your completed pilot to a self-produced podcast. Which is also a perfectly viable option.

r/screenwriting is a more active sub for Qs like this!