So what would you do?

[SeeEmilywrite]

When I was in college I had this great idea for a screenplay.

Being young and foolish I decided to send out a handful of queries to some agents to see if I could in fact make my movie.

I used the idea for a couple of shorts during my undergrad then developed it into a full length screenplay in a grad school screenwriting class.

So- 4 years later. A movie comes out. With the same title as my movie, the same premise as my movie...and when you listen to the special feature interview with the writer on the DVD, he literally quotes my query.

So, what would you guys do in this situation. I mean it's bound to happen. Two people have similar ideas. But the same premise and same plot for a movie by the exact same name? Little weird.

I sent the stuff off in college and wasn't all that concerned with copyrights and what not. I'm not sure I could "prove" the movie was in fact mine. If I could I'm not even sure what I should/would do that situation. Ideas?

[three seven]

Personally, I'd be on my way to the nearest gunsmith.

How much of a papertrail is there? Do you have a copy of the original query, a list of the agents you sent it to...?

[Nicholas S.H.J.M Woodhouse]

I'd probably contact the producers and say, hey I got a great idea for a sequel.....

if you can convince them you are a brain brimming with plot and loglines galore, then half the job is done for YOU actually being involved in your next idea.

[SeeEmilywrite]

Not much of a paper trail. I repreat I was "young and stupid". I bought this "Sell Your Screenplay" book and sent it out to the people listed who would accept new writers and unsolicited mauscripts. The plan was:

A) Send out fantastic plan for screenplay

B) Have people be very excited about the possibility of letting the inexperienced college student write said great idea.

I didn't take into account:

C) Cut out stupid college kid and pretend like fantastic idea is your own and get an established writer to write it instead.


Which really would have been ok...maybe. I mean I was in college, couple hundred bucks, story by credit, and a case of beer I would have been excited. Hell, I might have even gone for just the beer back then. People don't have to be cheaters.

I also moved three years ago...so maybe they did send me a letter or called and I was just unreachable.

Maybe I should drop them a line and let them know my forwarding address so they can send my check. ;)

[three seven]

Maybe I should drop them a line and let them know my forwarding address so they can send my check. ;)http://www.geocities.com/thingumybobwotsit/sneaky.gif

No, mustn't...

[Jamesaritchie]

When I was in college I had this great idea for a screenplay.

Being young and foolish I decided to send out a handful of queries to some agents to see if I could in fact make my movie.

I used the idea for a couple of shorts during my undergrad then developed it into a full length screenplay in a grad school screenwriting class.

So- 4 years later. A movie comes out. With the same title as my movie, the same premise as my movie...and when you listen to the special feature interview with the writer on the DVD, he literally quotes my query.

So, what would you guys do in this situation. I mean it's bound to happen. Two people have similar ideas. But the same premise and same plot for a movie by the exact same name? Little weird.

I sent the stuff off in college and wasn't all that concerned with copyrights and what not. I'm not sure I could "prove" the movie was in fact mine. If I could I'm not even sure what I should/would do that situation. Ideas?

In fact, the movie probably isn't yours, at least legally. The idea may be yours, but unless someone saw an actual script you wrote, it's extremely unlikely you can do anything about it. You can't copyright an idea. Only actual words can hold a copyright. Ideas and premises need not apply.

And you say you sent your query to agents, but the guy who "quoted" your query is a writer. It might be he quoted your query, and it might well be he just said the same thing your query said. People who steal things are not usually stupid enough to leave the same title on it.

But having your ideas stolen is just a fact of life, and there's really nothing that can be done about it because you don't own the idea. All you own is the screenplay, novel, short story, etc. that you create from teh idea.

[Joe Calabrese]

I started three scripts in the past year, only to find out that similar (and in one case almost exact) plots were being made as I started.

I'm sure you believe your screenplay was unique and individual but most likely it wasn't stolen, just bad timing.

As for the other writer quoting the same things from your query, that isn't hard to fathom as coincidence. Same story would have the same keywords and catch phrases.

How many ways can you pitch Star Wars? Ten people will most like have very similar sounding things.

Tighten your belt and keep writing.

[Writer1]

What was the movie? I'm curious to see how unique the premise/concept was.

I just talked with a guy who had to shelve his screenplay about a "30 year old virgin."

[SeeEmilywrite]

Very true...

The first time I saw the movie in theaters. I went to see it because it happened to have the same title, I noticed a strange amount of similarities but definitly a few differences as well. I just watched it on DVD a few days ago and realized how very similar they are.

No doubt though people have similar ideas, with even the same title though... me and this screenwriter must be soul mates.

Even if the idea was "borrowed" and expanded upon it may have not even come from my mass mailing.

I worked on this script in a couple of different classes in film school for a few years. I actually heard about the film from a couple of old classmates who emailed me thinking it was mine. The guy who's credited with "story by" lives in a town about 10 minutes outside of my college. So, I could have met him or his friend or his neighbor or really any number of people who could have passed the idea along. Maybe we were both abducted by the same aliens who left this idea with us...it's really the aliens movie idea.

I wrote a full length script, and to be honest mines crap. I'm glad someone took the idea and did right by it.

Maybe one day when I'm a rich and famous I'll invite this guy over :popcorn:

[WritingFool]

You still havent said what the movie was

[SeeEmilywrite]

Yeah, i was kinda avoiding that topic wasn't I...

I just didn't want to make a post on a message board that said named names, given that in all likelihood, this person and I just happened to have the exact same idea.

With my luck the guy, or his friend, or his mom is on this message board and then it becomes a personal fight with someone rather than the question that it was.

For the sake of sharing, the movie is "Crash". Doubt many of you have seen it, it wasn't really a smashing success at the box office.

For those that have, I essentially wanted to make a movie about how the people we meet everyday can have a dramatic effect on how our lives play out. In the movie I wanted to show a set of characters whose lives are all connected , even though in most cases they don't know each other. I wanted to show how one character does can indirectly effect someone else that they don't even know and how strangers can have a effect on our lives.

The characters were to "crash" together in a series of three car crashes throughout the movie.

"Crash"...same title, same idea, same car crashes...some very very very similar characters. The opening monolouge to the film is almost verbatim a part of my screenplay.

The actual movie however also does an exploration of race, which is an important part of their movie, and wasn't a topic at all in mine. Which makes them different films.

They are however WAY too similar for me ever to do anything with my screenplay without looking like I'm trying to rip them off.

I've chalked it up to a weird coincidence, just a very weird one.

[three seven]

Feel free to give me some reputation points so I can get rid of this super sexy "Esteemed New Member" thing and put up a real quote....C'mon, You know you want to. I'll be your best friend. PleeeeeeeeaseWhen you've made 50 posts, you can change your title. May I suggest the word association thread (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18116&page=1&pp=25)...

For what it's worth, I share your suspicions regarding the film - but sadly I also share the opinion that there's sod all you can do except hold your head up and take quiet pride in the fact that you wrote something worth ripping off. ;)

[Chesher Cat]

The premise of interconnecting lives is far from unique. And it is the execution of the premise that makes the story. It sounds like you only sent out query letters, where I doubt you gave a detailed description of your idea. Crash was very much about race relations and since you said yours had nothing to do with race, I don't see where you could consider your idea copied.

Paul Haggis is an A-list writer who has been in the business for a long time and is very reputable. I've met him and he doesn't strike me as the kind of person that needs to borrow anybody's ideas.

Crash has been seen by a lot of people through great word of mouth and is expected to garner lots of Oscar nods. If I was you, I would chalk it up to coincidence and feel validated that you have good ideas. Then I would read Haggis' script to see how he took a premise that you also had and turned it into an outstanding piece of story telling.

Knowing that you have good ideas should give you the confidence to go forth and attack your next great one. And don't tell anybody your idea until your script is written (ready to go out) and registered.

Good luck!

[Optimus]

This has actually happened to me, sort of, before.

You know what I did?

I started working on my next script.

I suggest you stop obsessing and do the same.

[SeeEmilywrite]

Really I'm over it...I finished this project four years ago and since that point have written several other screenplays.

I just thought I would pose the question to the group and see the response, just as a general conversation about what to do if you thought that your idea had been used, not focused on me. See what experiences other people had and what they would do in the situation. Although this particular situation is what brought about the idea. I thought it could generate some good conversation.

I didn't name the movie, for that reason...and really in retrospect probably shouldn't have. That takes it away from being a general conversation and makes it centered on a person or person's which was not my intention. I'm not into finger-pointing, and really this is probably just a uncanny coincidence.

I have a great respect for Paul Haggis and think he is a fantastic screenwriter.

Although my screenplay was not as in your face about race as Haggis's the screenplays were similar enough that I have recieved numerous emails and comments from a variety of people who had read my screenplay, saw this movie, and thought they were one and the same.

One of said emails I recieved last week mentioned that they had heard story was by someone from near my old college town. According to some imdb research Haggais is credited with the story credit. So, either they were mistaken, or know something imdb doesn't. I'm betting they were just confused.

The DVD came out a few weeks ago, and since I just watched again and got that email I was reminded of it, and thought I would chat with the group about it.

I'm happy that even a few people in the world would mistake my scribblings for a possibly award winning screenplay. Kinda gives me confidence that one day I'll have one.

[Aldenard]

Just out of curiosity, but did you know that Crash was originally written in 2000? The film orignally came out in 2003, but did not get a stateside release until this year. You said you wrote yours about four years ago, and that would place it more in 2001. So, technically, you could of copied him (though I know you didn't). Alot of movies feature interconecting stories (the wonderful Magnolia comes to mind) and the way characters that do not know each other clash has been in movies for years. Also, Crash was centrally about race, and since yours did not feature that, it would seem like an entirely different film.

O, and if you don't believe me about the film coming before you wrote yours, check:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0353673/bio

--read the second paragraph.

[StephieM]

I've never seen Crash, but from what you've said it does seem like there are a lot of "funny" coincidences, yet on the other hand it's not impossible either that two minds could have the same idea. Back when I was getting started, I watched an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries" about a couple driving down a deserted country road, when they pass an old barn or house surrounded by trees, a van was parked up front. Through the trees they saw a man carrying a bloody sheet. A little farther down the road, the van tail gates them and speeds off. It totally gave me goosebumps and immediately I thought that would make a great movie given some changes, say maybe teenagers instead of an older couple, the teenagers could get lost, and the driver of the van could terrorize them. I never got started on it, but it always stayed in my mind. A year or so later I seen the previews of "Jeepers Creepers" and my mouth fell to the floor. They totally stole my concept! But that's all it was, a concept. I have the same problem with titles. Every time I think I have a great title, I find out it's either been used or the title of an upcoming film.

But, like someone else said, it should really give you a confidence boost to know you had a great idea. There's got to be more from where that one came from. :)

Steph

P.S
I get a magazine called "fade in". It has a list of films currently in production.
Before you begin writing a script, it's good to have a look at so you don't end up writing something similiar as to what's already being made.

Good luck!

[WritingFool]

On a flip side to this, one lesson to be learned is to protect yourself.
Any writer who takes the time and devotes the energy to creating a story, should also invest time in learning how to protect said idea, and what the rights of ownership are.

Any newbies who havent done so, and who are pursuing screenwriting, should invest some time into learning the ins and outs of this. Simple reading, and not hard to do.
Also, keep in mind its not hard to inspire good writers with a new concept by sharing unprotected works. If you dont keep your papertrail, your hard work could easily turn into someone else's pot of gold.

A well established writer can easily put their own twists and skills in a great concept within a mediocre script and turn it into something you couldnt even dream about. So becareful. Be smart. Protect your works.

[JustinoXXV]

The premise of interconnecting lives is far from unique. And it is the execution of the premise that makes the story. It sounds like you only sent out query letters, where I doubt you gave a detailed description of your idea. Crash was very much about race relations and since you said yours had nothing to do with race, I don't see where you could consider your idea copied.

Paul Haggis is an A-list writer who has been in the business for a long time and is very reputable. I've met him and he doesn't strike me as the kind of person that needs to borrow anybody's ideas.

Crash has been seen by a lot of people through great word of mouth and is expected to garner lots of Oscar nods. If I was you, I would chalk it up to coincidence and feel validated that you have good ideas. Then I would read Haggis' script to see how he took a premise that you also had and turned it into an outstanding piece of story telling.

Knowing that you have good ideas should give you the confidence to go forth and attack your next great one. And don't tell anybody your idea until your script is written (ready to go out) and registered.

Good luck!

A lot of produced screenwriters won't write a script until they get a producer, studio exec, or major agent whose really interested in their pitch (their idea). If there's not going to be anyone interested in your concept, it may be a waste of your time to write the script. Of course, I don't know at what stage of writing you're at.

[JustinoXXV]

On a flip side to this, one lesson to be learned is to protect yourself.
Any writer who takes the time and devotes the energy to creating a story, should also invest time in learning how to protect said idea, and what the rights of ownership are.

Any newbies who havent done so, and who are pursuing screenwriting, should invest some time into learning the ins and outs of this. Simple reading, and not hard to do.
Also, keep in mind its not hard to inspire good writers with a new concept by sharing unprotected works. If you dont keep your papertrail, your hard work could easily turn into someone else's pot of gold.

A well established writer can easily put their own twists and skills in a great concept within a mediocre script and turn it into something you couldnt even dream about. So becareful. Be smart. Protect your works.

Even with a paper trail, there so many people who have access to your scripts when you submit it to a prodco or agency. The person who was a reader (an unpaid one) could read your script one day, quit the next week, manage to sell one of his or her scripts, and be inspired by the work you did. Since said reader was unpaid, there's no actual papertrail to follow.

Do register your work and leave a papertrail, but beyond that, there isn't too much you can do. So don't waste a lot of mental energy worrying about it.

Oh, and I've seen movies that were very much like things I've written. I couldn't say that they ripped me off, because they were written years before I was born. Apparently I just thought like a screenwriter whose works I hadn't seen until AFTER I wrote my own screenplays.

[Joe Calabrese]

How did I know that the first mention of protecting your work, Justin would come running down the halls and peek his head in here, ready to give us his sagely advice.

This subject is always touchy and will most certainly cause some debate, but please keep it unheated and professional.

[JustinoXXV]

I'm not at all upset, and I think I kept it quite professional.

[Joe Calabrese]

I wasn't refering to you Justin, just a warning to all here before the act. Every time this topic comes up, it always comes to a head.

[WritingFool]

You put the warning out, give the advice you can, and it should be plain and simple.
What other people want to argue about is of no consequence. this that, theres always a this and that to some people. Usually it means they have nothing better to do than try to be controversial.

First person to document the work(date stamp), and in showing the trail, has the rights.
Enough said of that. Time to move on and get to work.

P.S. With the way Justin copies and pastes the entire post...doesnt he remind you of someone :)

Moving on!

[Chesher Cat]

A lot of produced screenwriters won't write a script until they get a producer, studio exec, or major agent whose really interested in their pitch (their idea). If there's not going to be anyone interested in your concept, it may be a waste of your time to write the script. Of course, I don't know at what stage of writing you're at.

She obviously wasn't repped and likely hadn't sold anything, and in that case she should write a spec, which probably won't get made but if it's good enough, it may garner representation and a chance at an assignment. Generally, only represented and sold writers get the opportunity to pitch which is why I suggested writing the script and not telling anyone her ideas until it was registered and ready to go out. It's is less likely to have ideas stolen if they are in script form, when it is just easier to buy it.

[Annabanana]

Most every movie out there is based on a defined set of 7-8 story lines that have been the building blocks of storytelling since the beginning of humanity. The job of future generations of storytellers is to tell those stories in new and interesting ways. The general concept of Crash is not highly original (Magnolia, 21 Grams, and a laundry list of other films have all experimented with your concept) and has been running through the heads of many people because it is a generic idea. The execution of Crash is original because of the racial twist added in. In fact, when I took a producing class @ NYU, our final project was to pitch an idea for a movie, tv show, commercial, music video, theater, video game, etc. The professor included a pitch from a previous semester where a student pretty much came up with the same idea that you did and the writers of Crash and others. My own pitch happened to come out as a Reality TV show a month later. Definitely not stolen as the development time lines would've been the same, just a matter of coincidence. At least we know we have good, marketable ideas.

Don't worry about suing the guy, you won't win, you don't even have a script to stand on. If you really love your idea, think of an original twist that will differentiate it and write your own script. THEN pitch it.

[scripter1]

that all kinds of people read these letters and scripts and then toss them aside.
One night they sit bolt upright in bed and exclaim "I've got it!!! What if I write a story about several people who crash into each other and get thier lives changed!!!"

They may not remember reading your query letter, logline, or the first ten pages of your script but you've planted the idea in their head.
They then take the basic concept and develop it.

The best way to protect yourself is to write a kicka$$ script.
One that studios will want to buy. One that makes YOUR story, your writing stick in thier mind.

Me, I'd be tempted to pursue it a little, just to discover if by some odd chance and many roads that it was mine. If things got too expensive or dicey then I'd back off.
You don't want to get black listed before you even start.

So, you've got the right attitude.
Believe that it's your story and that you came up with a good concept and go on with you writing.
Build on it.