Screenwriting : Copying story? by Olivia Drake

I've experienced something similar to that, Olivia Drake ("I just saw a commercial for a new TV series and they talked about a concept for a TV pilot I’m working on"). If your series is REALLY similar to the series you saw on TV, maybe try to find a unique angle that you can build your series around, which would set it apart from the series you saw in the commercial.

There are plenty of times when production companies and studios made "similar but different" type of movies and shows. If you feel the differences between your series and the other series are big enough, keep outlining your concept the way it is. A production company or studio might still be interested in reading your pilot and buying your series. Just make should you're aware of any series that are similar to yours so when you pitch to producers, executives, etc., you'll be able to explain how your series is different.

Free guy is very similar in concept to a script i was cowriting in 2005 inspired by tron "a game character comes to life and without ever leaving the game disrupts the lives of creators and others" but the writing was completely different

I even tweeted vancityreynolds about it but didn't get a reply lol I would still pick it up and finish it because it would be heaps different. but we signed a collab contract so neither of us can do anything with it without the other and we weren't working as a team. after we spent 3-4 weeks bashing out the story, we began writing and suddenly he had problems with the ideas that we had come up with together. it went downhill from there and we both gave up. I'm a lone warrior nowadays. not doing that again. i think the main thing I learned about collaborating is you can't have two leaders unless they act as one.

I had a pilot rejected by a network because they had a similar one in development. The way I see it is that I still have a great writing sample! And then I move on. Personally, I feel like trying to push it is a fools errand. Then again you could also see if you are willing to make some differences in your pilot to set it apart.

I had it happen for a feature I wrote. Even some of the dialogue was the same. A friend of mine at the time read my screenplay worked on the film which might account for some of the same dialogue.

I read in John Truby's book The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller he details how It's a Wonderful Life is similar to A Christmas Carol. Just make it different with your own take, characters etc. designing principle and premise put your spin on it.

3-4 years ago a bunch of famous filmmakers from different companies were all in development making a fictional movie of the Thai kids trapped in a cave. Nobody stressed they were telling the same story.

Finish writing your idea. All this unnecessary worry over original or selling will just fuck up the actual writing on the page.

Olivia Drake, if all else fails, Michael David has a great idea ("The way I see it is that I still have a great writing sample!").

Sorry to hear about the writer fall out, PolyD Flynt.

Sorry that happened, Dan Guardino. I had a similar experience. I was going to work with a director on one of my scripts. Later on, I found out he made a movie with the same concept, scenes, costumes, etc. from my script. I asked him about it, and he played like he didn't know what I was talking about. I was a young writer, so I didn't know about registering my script with the U.S. Copyright Office (I didn't know much of anything about screenwriting back then).

I think what was meant for you will be for you. The films "Friends with Benefits" and "No Strings Attached" came out around the same time and had the same plot. Every single ensemble police show, hospital show, and law show is pretty much the same. The difference is the writing and the actors. A great story told in your voice will find a home and an audience. People can be similar, but no one can bring what you offer to the table. Believe in that and trust in your future success.

Maurice in nz its copyrighted automatically but you can register your script with the guild as a precaution i think all young writers should join the guild its a hugely supportive service. Games have a guild too here. And authors. But not comics cos our comic industry is tiny and barely any support.

Most even successful comic creators self publish there's a small community of self publishers, 2 anthology magazines and two big comic stores that i know of, but no union

Sorry to hear about this Olivia. I understand that dreadful shock very well. If the idea is a straight copy, having your script copywrited and registered part of the Guild will help prove your idea was created first. If it's a general similarity, my advice is that (a) your details and unique voice will separate you from the other. Have faith that your specific script will set you a part, and (b) if the other idea is a success, than similar ideas will benefit your script. Studios want nothing more than a sure answer, and your similar idea can be considered that sure shot. And if (c) the original idea comes across as luke warm, than you're still in the running for being a better idea. The truth is that there are so many ideas our there, and you're right, truly "original" plots are hard to come by, so producers will most listly not have read every idea/script, completely unique or not. They want to read a unique voice, and your idea CAN BE THAT UNIQUE VOICE. So, continue writing, don't think about that other idea all too much, and be as uniquely you as you can be. HAVE FAITH IN YOU!

I feel you, Olivia! I've had that happen. I agree with Chris, always copywrite your work to protect yourself. In terms of getting picked up, that's trickier. In the end, if your story is unique and well written, whether it's similar to something else can help as well as hurt. Networks are corporate animals structured in a manufacturing model. If an idea worked before, they won't hesitate to make it again. Your craft and marketing strategy will be the e=deciding factor. Hope this helps!

Just to clarify in relation to copyright - the creation of a work automatically confers copyright to the creator.

The issue is proving copyright - register with the Library of Congress. You MUST have your work registered with the Copyright Office if you want to bring any claim (legal or otherwise).

Registering with the Guild alone does not afford you this protection.

I'd go with being original as best as I can while delivering something on spec...with writing studio ideas, depends, but borrowing is a high option...I watched "Deadpool 2" the other day with my kid...movie is like 75% situations and phrases from lookalike movies...but it fits the hero's personality so who cares?

Eoin O'Sullivan is spot on about copyright.

Hi Olivia: I rarely log on here any more -- but your note caught my attention. As a writer -- concept is the tip of the iceberg. Maybe the bottom tip. It's all about executions. As I point out to the writers I work with -- you can take the concept of 'Modern Family' and keep it exactly the same -- . and executed it as a soap opera. Different series. You can take the "Sopranos'' and execute it as a comedy. You will make your mark on your executions not your concepts! Hope that helps. Bill Taub https://www.billtaub.com/contact/

I’ll just say:

Zombies

Alien Invasion

A woman marrying into an empire (period piece)

There are a flock of series you can hardly tell apart.

copyright law is different in nz - pretty sure in nz you don't have to file a patent, just register with the guild and they keep a copy for like 5-10yrs (then they destroy it unless you renew) to support a claim.

yeah Bill I always think Gunshy (2000) is better than the sopranos but both are great individually. just would be nice to see an original idea that hasn't been copied once in a while. but it takes so long from concept to development that it's so easy for the idea to go into the void and someone else on the other side of the world to withdraw the same idea from the void. (collective consciousness of all mortals)

@Craig D Griffiths "A woman marrying into an empire." Brilliant! I think there are like six series on Starz about that!

There's a feeling of "oh no, they beat me to it," that tends to wash over us creatives...I know it well. Just keep at it Olivia. Believe in yourself and your version of telling the story you are working on. Use this as fuel to fan the flames of your passion for screenwriting. If anything, look at this situation as one of guidance showing you that you are on the right track. There is room and space for all ❤️ Keep it it!!.

Hi Polydina: In my world it's more about creating a recipe. A unique template. It's about the elements you put into it. If you make each one of them distinct and unique -- the stew you make will not be anything like anybody else's. :Hacks" is not a new idea. An aging stand-up comedian. If you threw that out because it wasn't unique you'd miss the boat. "Succession" is not a new 'idea'. You throw that out you totally miss the boat. The elements you cover in developing your series need to be unique. Do that and your series will constantly change and be different from any other that started with the same generic concept. If you're open to checking it out -- I detail it al in my book "automatic Pilot" -- which is all about process. Step-by-step. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bill+Taub&i=stripbooks&crid=JR3KURFZZUKO&spre... BTW - I love New Zealand. Several years ago I was lucky enough to go to the feast of Martinborough. One of the best times I ever had! :-)

Yeah ive heard of the feast of martinborough, im in the wairarapa which isnt far from there.

I think its called toast martinborough now i should go to it it sounds awesome

Hey thanks Bill, I added your book to my shopping list for mid next year (Not allowed to buy anything before xmas or my birthday in feb)

On the surface it might be similar to what you've got most likely the details are different. Don't give up on all you've put into it because there are similarities. Stick with your passion and go for it.

Hi Olivia! Just wanted to add that whenever this happens to me I always think oh well, at least my ideas are on the right track with what execs want to see and what audiences are interested in.

Agree with Molly. No one can tell your story they way you tell it, and the industry like familiarity. Don't be discouraged. I always see it as I sign that there is an interest in what I'm doing, and learn from it.

Agree with Gigi everybody is unique and if you find what makes you you and be honest and true to yourself, you can't really go wrong. authentic voices are more powerful than ideas that no one else is doing. I mean it's great if you have an idea that hasn't been done before, but it so often happens that by the time you turn it into something to submit someone has a similar idea - even without theft.