Dreams on Spec (2007) User Reviews

Strangely Infuriating

[filmbuff1974 · 6/10 · 15 March 2010]

I just can not put my finger on why this documentary annoyed me so much. I found all three featured writers in this film to be really annoying and I don't think it's their fault because they are a product of the system they are working within.

Seeing these three reminded me of watching victim protagonists in an eighties horror film. The characters in these horror movies seem to be willfully dense as they all act counter-intuitively in an extremely dangerous situation and you keep getting frustrated that they refuse to use common sense and get out of the predicament. And of course you know what happens...

Well, these three writers seemed to act the same way as these willfully dense characters in those eighties horror movies. And of course you know what happens...

Good idea

[fdsafdsafd · 5/10 · 24 March 2021]

Intriguing enough to stay with it but its main point is writing is hard and you get rejected a lot. Deborah is useless, shes a quitter ,she even quit the documentary how nice of her. That is why she was laid off that is why she gets rejected and that is why she wont make it. But Im sure she plays the race card now of course.

Definitely worth watching

[dannytanino · 10/10 · 8 August 2007]

I found this documentary about screen writing very educational about the process of getting a script made into a movie. It is a very good how-to.

Dreams on Spec follows three screenwriters on their path, which they hope will lead to getting their script turned into a movie. Interviews with well-known screenwriters who offer wisdom and advice are woven throughout the story. Their interviews are humorous and can really inspire you in your writing journey.

Dreams on Spec is a must-have for writers -- a tool to put in your writer's toolbox. You can take it out again anytime you need to be re-invigorated.

Engrossing Documentary!!!!

[levijohnson-1 · 10/10 · 30 July 2007]

DREAMS ON SPEC is a great documentary!

First, a little plot summary: it profiles three aspiring screenwriters and then offers wisdom on their plight from superstar Hollywood creative types like James L. Brooks, Nora Ephron, Carrie Fisher and many others. But this film is really intended for dreamers everywhere -- those who spend lots of time and lots money on some Quixotic quest.

The film's music and cinematography are absolutely stunning. It's hard to believe it's a documentary when you watch some of the scenes because they're so lyrical and seemingly well-planned.

I saw parts of myself in each of the three characters -- sometimes that was good and other times not so good! I don't want to give anything away, but each of the three stories comes to a real and dramatic conclusion in a way that would have been hard to script.

In the end, I would highly recommend this documentary for anyone in a creative profession -- or who wants to be. It's really well made -- a real sleeper of a film -- that tells stories about real people, which you so rarely see today!

Wow!

[DominiqueSarantee · 10/10 · 5 August 2007]

Tough Biz! But this doc gives you the heart to go on and dream big. The film follows three hopeful screenwriters trying to break into Hollywood -- and it's good to see where they live and how they live as they try to make their break.

I relate to each and every emotion and each and every experience, good and bad in this "reality show". It shows both the flow and the struggle to put words on 8 x 11 sheets of white paper in order to gain someone else's attention for 90 minutes.

I would like to revisit these writers in about 5 or 10 years and see if they have been nominated for an Oscar! Don't miss the 30 minute bonus with screenwriters that made it. They all have such an upbeat attitude. Is that the key? or just the attitude of artists in general? or the result of no more struggling to pay the bills? The chicken or the egg?