The Brew | How I Picked My Next Spec Screenplay

The Brew | How I Picked My Next Spec Screenplay

From 5AM StoryTalk by Cole Haddon

April 28, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 57

About this episode

Cole Haddon shares his process for selecting a feature spec script project, emphasizing the intersection of passion and commercial viability.

Are you thinking about writing a feature spec script? I’m breaking down the 4-part stress test I used to pick my first big-screen project in five years. Today on The Brew — an intimate 5AM StoryTalk series on the struggles and successes of life in the arts — I’m sharing the exact process I used to identify and fall in love with an idea that would also have commercial appeal . Whether you are a screenwriter , author , or graphic novelist , the logic remains the same — what is relevant to one medium has applications across all others. JOIN THE COMMUNITY! Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life ) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/ ON THE ITINERARY THIS WEEK THE ARTIST’S INTERROGATION: Why you must constantly challenge your creative process and the way you pursue your art. THE PILOT POISON: How a decade of writing TV pilots "ruined" the feature-writing process by favoring aborted character journeys over definitive endings. THE BULLSEYE STRATEGY: A breakdown of the four-part stress test used to find the precise intersection of passion, commercial logic, theme, and sequel potential…

People in this episode

Host: Cole Haddon

Topics covered

  • screenwriting
  • creative process
  • commercial appeal
  • storytelling
  • feature films

Keywords

  • spec screenplay
  • creative challenges
  • storytelling community
  • screenwriter
  • commercial logic

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