My agent friend Liz says:
Yes, 3-4 years is the lifespan, but with a great spec you can usually
squeeze out a bit more. It helps if the show is still on the air. A
brilliant X-files could last the entire run of the show, plus a few years
afterwards. This was because a) a brilliant spec means it's not tied too
closely into the particular arc of a particular season - instead it uses the
rules and characters as a launching pad of inspiration and b) successful
shows spawn copycats and have far reaching influence, so tonally an X-files
could be a great spec years after X-files was cancelled, simply because other
shows are trying to capture the X files vibe.
A great spec is a great spec. They might sit on the shelf, but they're solidMy questions are: (a) are there still shows with the same tone and structure but on the other hand (b) are people well and truly sick of reading specs based on that show.
writing samples.
Personally I also think that if all your specs are cancelled shows, it suggests that it takes you way too long to write a spec. Which suggests you're slow. Which is never good.
1 comment:
I have heard of people getting jobs based on specs for cancelled shows but in such a case the spec has to be even better than ever. And you shouldn't have only cancelled show specs because that would make you look like a slow writer as you suggested.
--Jeff
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