Customer Reviews

Dreams on Spec

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"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.

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.

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.

Dreams on Spec is an uplifting and entertaining documentary! It is full of encouragement for all writers wherever they are on their writing journey. At times the writing path can seem like a long arduous hike towards your destination. We prepare for the journey by getting advice from those at the pinnacle of their careers such as the writers of Seabiscuit and Liar Liar as well as the prolific Nora Ephron and Carrie Fisher. They are like the beacons of light guiding you along the writing path. We also encounter three aspiring scriptwriters who have set out on the adventure of their lives. We learn as they learn about the screenwriting process. Dreams on Spec is an inspiring reflection upon the writing profession.

"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.

This is not the feel good documentary of the year. This is both revealing and gut wrenchingly sad. Not as sad as Confessions of a Superhero but still sad.

The doc follows three screenwriters in various stages of getting their work made into movies. One of them gets to that point but his work is so re-written that he feels its been bastardized...

Worth watching.

I loved DOS! I don't know how the makers picked their 3 aspiring writers, but they succeeded in getting an interesting cross section of differing approaches. Two have day jobs, and one has left work to better concentrate her efforts. One is already partnered with an aspiring director, another is working in a do-it-yourself capacity, and the other utilizes professional help from consultants. All are well spoken and likable. In showing how each struggle with their craft, their day-to-day difficulties (day job, family...) and their own doubts and foibles, and combined with pithy interviews with established pros, DOS offers keen insights and lessons for all creators, not just writers (I am a visual artist). Ultimately it is poignant. As we are reminded throughout, it is a business of rejection; few make it. Luck is good, but persistence is key! The dvd extras feature extended interviews with the pros, and more excellent advice and anecdotes. DOS is imaginatively shot and well crafted, and it is inspiring and involving, whether you share these dreams yourself, or just enjoy the drama of real people who fight the odds to answer their calling.

It's like they chose deadbeat wannabe types instead of actual writers on the verge of selling something. It leaves one with a bitter aftertaste. Imagine a documentary about actors that are trying to make it, and then watching people who will never make it desperately try to break into the business.

It is also a weird structure they use in this documentary. They intersperse those aspiring writers with professional writers, with little clarification or introduction, as if the two groups were one and the same. Only the professional ones made it, we are supposed to think. Of course, they show an aspiring writer printing out her ideal cast list. That made me think, "What kind of writer is this?"

Some of it was interesting, but I found it depressing. It also has poor production value and not much of a unifying theme.

One caveat: this film is interesting in a psychological sense, a case study of how persistence is not always great. I think people need to have a lot of moxy and political smarts in the business, and this documentary showed three people that seemed a bit out of the reality of it all.

Thoughts of the girl who was "producing her own scripts" comes to mind. She was already casting her ideal movie, printing cast lists, etc... And I am thinking: "What are you doing?" Write a good script!

I loved this documentary. It's a real eye opener. I had a retired script analyst help me learn the basics of screenwriting and with my experience, I think the analysist in this movie is just milking the screenwriter for his money. Without actually reading their screenplays, these people seemed doomed to fail. Even though this is real and the people and events are real, I could easily imagine Christopher Guest and those people who made those movies like Waiting For Guffman, making this as a movie. Christopher Guest would be the guy who morgages his house to produce his screenplay into a movie. There was one scene where the one screenwriter was eating with his wife and daughter at a restaurant and all he could talk about was hold he was trying to get Teri Hatcher to read his script. The wife looked miserable. One guy in the film actually succeeds and gets his screenplay made into a movie called Behind The Mask but he pays a price.

"Dreams on Spec" is a DVD every screenwriter should have in his or her film library. Daniel Snyder brilliantly juxtaposes successful screenwriters' advice with the stories of new writers trying to break into Hollywood. The ups and downs of the screenwriter's life are exposed here honestly and realistically. But seeing those who have made it and are here to talk about it reminds us that the dream is possible. The words of wisdom shared by the working screenwriters are priceless. I would have watched two hours of Nora Ephron just by herself. She is AMAZING!!!!!! I love this DVD--it is the perfect gift for all the writers you know.