Spec Script Deal: “Level Up”

The Hideaway Entertainment acquires science fiction action comedy spec script “Level Up” written by Matthew Altman and David Matalon. Via Deadline:

“…about a man who wakes up bound and blindfolded in a top-secret facility deep beneath Area 51, soon discovering that he has amazing but inexplicable new abilities. His only hope to escape is the alien he’s imprisoned with… and she hates humans. But as they navigate their way out, their unconventional alliance becomes the key to saving the world from an impending global catastrophe.”

Matalon is repped by Paradigm. Altman is repped by Parallax Talent Management.

By my count, this is the 9th spec script deal in 2023.

There were 16 spec script deals year-to-date in 2022.

Note: This is the first 2023 spec script deal announced since “Stakehorse” on April 28th. The WGA strike began less than a week later which, of course, has put a severe dent in the spec market this year. Still, when the “Stakehorse” deal was announced, the 2023 market was already behind 2022 (7 deals this year compared to 12 last year) … and the 2022 numbers were abysmal.

Yes, there are spec deals which go unannounced, but the trend since since 2018 is clear: There is a definite decline in the spec market.

And yet …

This is how new writers get noticed: crafting a great spec script. It’s how the get managers … agents … general meetings … pitch opportunities … contend for Open Writing Assignments.

Your spec may not sell or be optioned … but it can act as your key to open Hollywood’s door.

Just like it did for me all the way back in 1987.

UPDATE: I just discovered another spec script deal that was announced on October 30th. I will post that article tomorrow.