Screenwriting 101: Chris Wu

“I started off writing specs. To my understanding, that was the preferred writing sample. Your job as a television writer working under a show runner is to emulate their voice. Makes sense why specs were samples.

Now I feel like I only have originals. No one asks for my specs. I haven’t written any specs in the last five years or so. There’s a little bit of a different prioritization. The show runners are looking perhaps for original voice, original ideas. I’m speculating here, but they’re assuming that you’re able to match their voice. That’s almost a prerequisite.

But I would say, especially for new and emerging writers, specs are a great way to learn how to write television. It trains you to study a show, study the structure, study the characters, and emulate it. Especially the types of shows you enjoy and you would want to write for.”

— Chris Wu

From Go Into The Story interview, June 2022

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