Product Details

• Actors: James L. Brooks, Nora Ephron, Carrie Fisher, Ed Solomon, Gary Ross
• Directors: Daniel Snyder
• Format: NTSC, Anamorphic, Color
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: CreateSpace
• DVD Release Date: November 8, 2007
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000YJFWFU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,512 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see!, July 17, 2007

By 

Film Buff (beverly hills, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams on Spec (2007) (DVD)

"Dreams on Spec" is a must see for any movie buff, aspiring screen writer or for anyone who enjoys the journey of a film's creation progressing from idea to reality. The transition from famous Hollywood writers to unknown aspiring talent is both fast paced and engaging. Nora Ephron's anecdotes are as charming as her films and Carrie Fisher is her usual bundle of wit and energy, just to mention a few excerpts. Joe, David, and Deborah embody all of the heart, sacrifice, and passion that go into the screen writers attempts in selling their story. I highly recommend "Dreams on Spec" to all those who think they have what it takes to write and sell a script, respect people who do, or dream that they can actually achieve it themselves.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay Snapshot, but . . ., January 26, 2009

By 

R. Fawcett "Bors" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dreams on Spec (2007) (DVD)

not a very edifying documentary of the screenwriting business. First, the main subjects appear to have been chosen for their dramatic potential rather than writers who are slightly more rational about their commercial need to sell a script. This is okay, as I suppose filming a documentary about the travails of three or four very ordinary, unexciting screenwriters would be boring - a little more informative, perhaps - but admittedly boring. Second, these screenwriters were submitting specs to what appears to be independent film companies. I know that indies have been eating up their share of the market, but it seems like doing business with large production companies would be more likely for most aspiring screenwriters - Granted, this too would probably result in a drastically short film, as I understand large producers have a very efficient rejection systems. In any event, the film was good overall, but not quite the exploration of Hollywood screenwriting that I expected. To be fair, though, the filmmakers did share the purely business nature of the film industry - it was sharply contrasted by each subject's burning desire for their "vision" to be made into film (honestly, the guy who kept protesting product positioning and character re-writes as violations of his "vision" for a slasher film?). I would think that a more level screenwriter would approach at least their first few scripts as purely business propositions. Then, if (and it is clearly a very big "if") one becomes famous and more marketable, a screenwriter can start writing about their "art." "Dreams on Spec" is still good viewing, though - non-writers will probably find the documentary subjects entertaining. Writers can capture a glimpse of the movie business. I recommend it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Reflection on Writing, February 17, 2008

By 

Oscar Wannabe (Calgary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams on Spec (DVD)

Dreams on Spec shows the many contradictory aspects of the writing life; discouragement vs. determination, art vs. business, ambition vs. obsession.

Although the focus of the documentary is on screenwriting, it poses the same questions that writers face everyday: How far are you willing to go to try and make your dream come true? Are you prepared to spend the next five months or five years working on a project, knowing there is no guarantee of success? Dreams on Spec is a sobering look at the price screenwriters are willing to pay in pursuit of a career writing for Hollywood, and it's a potent reminder of the work that goes into every successful movie.