I know I'm not the only one this has happened to but wow! I had an amazing idea for a film and started writing the screenplay for a short. I thought, wow this is gonna be a hit cos this ain't be done before and then - Netflix announce a new exciting series with the same idea.
Next, I come up with an idea for a horror sci-fi horror short. I've been excited about shooting it for months. I came home late last night and thought it would be nice to watch a movie and, lo and behold, not 10 minutes in and - that's my bloody idea! and this is a relatively new film!
Now, I know my ideas aren't being stolen and I also know there is no such thing as new ideas in the world of movies, but dealing with the frustration can be hard, especially when you're about to go into production, which happened to me with the short. In the end I paused production and waited for the Netflix series to do its thing, I had to come to terms with the fact that my film would now look like a copycat movie. Oh well. At least it made it to the semi finals of a couple of US film festivals lol.
It's funny because if I didn't love writing so much, I'd probably have given up by now.
Anyway, please share your thoughts and experiences with me. Maybe there's something I'm missing here.
Thanks
Jamaal
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Hi Jamaal. That's my story, too. I had been developing a script for about three years, got a producer and director interested, signed the option agreement, and then I turned on Netflix. There was my script onscreen. Some minor details were different, but the overall premise, plot, and theme were nearly identical. This wasn't the first time this had happened, but it was the furthest into development I had ever gotten before having the wind knocked out of me.
I had to step away from my keyboard for a while, but then, like you, my love of writing brought me back. I, like most writers, I would imagine, have a head full of stories, and I decided that I would just have to share another one of them with the world.
On a more philosophical level, I believe that stories exist in the ether. They come find us, ask us to tell them the best we can, and if we don't get to work, they move on to someone else. That idea keeps me motivated, productive, and even excited when a new idea comes to me.
I guess this reply to your message is equal parts commiseration and encouragement. Seeing your idea produced as a different movie by someone else is beyond painful. But, the reality is that it will probably happen again. And, if nothing else, it proves that you have good, marketable ideas.
So, after you've taken a long drive, or knocked a few back, or crushed a sleeve of Oreos, or whatever your preferred coping mechanism, cozy up to your keyboard. Be still. And, I promise, another great idea will find its way to you.
I genuinely look forward to your post telling us all about how you've gone into production on your next, big project.
Keep writing,
Paul
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That's happened to me a few times or more, Jamaal Richards. When it happens, I see if I can change things in my script so the stories won't be so similar. Maybe come at my story from a different angle. Congratulations on your short making it to the semi finals of the festivals!
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That happened to me as well. Many years ago, I shopped around my Growing Up Beautiful script that is based on my 6 years modeling in Europe. A year later the same story of three models with the same backstories, and same scenes came out but they all take place in LA. I'm sure when I first shopped it around, before the European film connections/collaboration made it easier to film across the pond, my story was 'tweeked' enough for another writer to make it their own.
You made it to semi-finals and have generated interest in your projects. My advice is to keep writing and pitching. You have momentum. Slow and steady wins the race.