Spec work
Spec work is work made without a commission, usually to show what is possible. The term comes from speculative work. In video production that means films for invented brands or free interpretations of known ones, with no client behind them.
Why spec work exists
Every new agency faces the same problem: no work, no clients; no clients, no work. Spec work solves it by doing the work in advance. For a young studio it is also the only chance to push to the edge of its own range without client constraints.
In generative production there is a practical reason on top. New models appear monthly. Without trying them nobody knows what a model can actually do, and a client's first call is the wrong place to find out.
When spec work becomes misrepresentation
A portfolio without labelling claims clients that do not exist
Showing a film for a known brand without stating that it is spec work implies a collaboration that never happened. That is the point where an exercise turns into a false statement about experience.
Every film in our portfolio is spec work, some for invented brands, some as a free interpretation of known ones. That is written on each individual film and not buried in the small print. Client projects with name, task and result go up as soon as the first films are live and we are allowed to name them.
Spec work and trademarks
A free interpretation of a known brand is still someone else's trademark. We do not use such work as advertising, claim no commission, and take a film down if the owner asks. A film featuring someone else's character mark stays out of our preview images for the same reason.
Frequently asked questions
What does spec work mean?
Spec work describes work produced without a commission and without payment, to demonstrate ability or test an idea. In portfolios it should be labelled, otherwise it implies a client relationship that does not exist.
Is spec work worth less than client work?
Not in craft, but in substance: spec work lacks the hardest part, which is external constraints, approval rounds and a budget. Anyone judging how an agency works should ask about the process, not only the result.
How do I spot spec work in a portfolio?
By the labelling, when it is there. When it is not, ask about the client, the period and where the film ran. No clear answer usually means spec work.
Related terms
Read on: All terms in the glossary • Our films • About us
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