Screenwriting : Have you ever felt like someone stole an idea from your mind? by Kevin Johnson

A common occurrence. Your 'Woman in the Window' - watch Hitch's film 'Rear Window".

Thank you Doug. I sure will my friend.

Well, you made me laugh, anyway Kevin. An example though is the two versions of Wyatt Earp's life that came out at almost the same moment, Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner and Tombstone with Kurt Russell. But, they both did well.

All the time. This is why you can't copyright ideas.

I thought of a serial killer that kills serial killers before Dexter. Even had the first chapter of a novel when Jeff Lindsay book came out. I wrote a pilot episode of a teen detective series, and even had some interest in it, when "Veronica Mars" came out and everyone was saying it was too much like Veronic Mars.

When I came up with the idea of Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde teaming up to fight vampires, I was sure someone else had thought of it. But I pressed on and wrote the novel and I sold it. You got to get those ideas down fast, because they are always floating around in the collective subconscious.

T.L. Davis .. I did not realize that. You are so right. I need to sit down and compare both films.

Steven Hopstaken That is very true Steven, every time I start writing I see my show or book somewhere.

Hi, Kevin Johnson ! Oh, yes! This has definitely happened to me... and is totally normal. I once wrote a pilot that I thought was brilliant and then watched a TV series, only to find it was already made. Don't let that discourage you. It just means you're on the right track - people think your ideas are great and produce them! Keep writing!

Keep going don't get disheartened

Thanks, Monica Mansy I appreciate it!

Kevin Johnson I have not experienced that, but, someone wise told me " give us the same, just a little bit different".

Ideas are a dime a dozen. It's about how it's executed. It's about your take. Your particular vision. Heck the Upshaws is similar to All of Us. DC has two Black Superman characters in the comics (Val Zod and Calvin Ellis). Movie about a woman seeing a crime in the window and trying to solve it without leaving the house? Oh yeah. The female version of Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954). Keep writing using your voice.

My entertainment attorney once told me that my memoir could be done without my permission, but hell it would never be as done as good!! So many people out there in the industry just have to steal because they have no idea's of their own

Alternate networks like to piggyback successful shows of their competitors, especially if they hit ratings and are lucrative. So, in a positive and encouraging sense, someone has done the work and broken the ice for you. Simply tweak your mind and see your show property in a new light—provide yours a new twist, a bit of added distinctiveness, and get back in the race with a unique comparable. You got this! Perhaps several, actually.

Welcome! Visit Stage Blog for related articles and Library of Congress Copyright regarding rules about copyright issues.

Thank you PIdge Jobst I really appreciate the good advice and motivation.

All the time. But I just acknowledge that we live on the same planet with a shared experience (mostly) and I am not that special. I can tell the best version of my understanding and experience. But that is as far as it goes for being unique.

I came up with an idea to start a thread called "Have you ever felt like someone stole an idea from your mind?" Looks like you beat me to it!!

@Leona. That's funny. Do you write comedies?

I recently got scammed I was recently by a guy posing as a book publisher he tried stealing my memoir, Can you believe that!!

Wow @Scott . Trust is definitely an issue in this business. if you can, copyright as much as you can. Even if you have to do the "poor mans" copyright. Mail every script to your self and date it. I hate to hear that. A young lady got me years ago the same way. Never trust a big but and a smile. LOL

Thanks Kevin and I have already copywrght both way's

Good job!!! Keep up the great work!

Hey Kevin Johnson . There is no such thing as the "poor man's" copyright. Each register through WGA or the US Copyright Office (best). The costs are minimal and can save a lot of headaches.

Good advice @ Martin. I have my material in both. The more coverage you have, the better for legal purposes.

Almost every idea I have is eventually done (unfortunately by others!). There's something out there in the collective zeitgeist that we are just picking up on. I consider it a mark of being in tune with things to see that the concept takes hold.

I like that Judith. That's something I never realized.

I agree @judith Grace Bassat, After my initial frustration at not getting it done first, I take solace in the fact that even though its not my writing, my similar idea is working for someone else, therefore I might be on the right track as well.