Question: Is January a good time to submit a spec script?

Open Forum question from Mike:

Scott,

Question about submissions:
I have read that the best time to submit a spec after the holidays would be — at least for 2010 — the week of January 4th. I have also read that it is better to wait until after Sundance.

Any thoughts?

A timely question as I’m currently pulling together a summary of spec script sales in 2009. The emergence of the Sundance Film Festival has had an impact on the spec and pitch market, especially over the last decade. It used to be that there was this dead period from about 12/15–1/5, then things would get back into a groove. In fact, January and February have been thought (generally) to be good months in which to launch a spec script, the idea that buyers come back from the holiday break refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to start off the New Year with a bang. But perhaps I’m biased: K-9 sold as a spec in January, 1987.

Then along came Sundance. And as the indie and specialty film area exploded last decade (before it imploded), much of Hwood’s acquisition attention (and dollars) became focused on the Festival. Even today, when the indie market is soft, if you visit various tracking boards, there are comments about how there was a short burst of projects going out to buyers, but now expect a lull for the next 2 weeks as Sundance plays out.

So my advice if you have a spec ready now: Wait until Sundance is over (it runs from Jan. 21–31).

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