Years ago, I wrote a historical fiction novel that wasn't very good. However, it sold pretty well and I made a fair amount of money from Amazon. A few years later, there was a mini-series about the same subject and they introduced one of the characters in a way that was nearly identical to the way I wrote it in my novel. Though the character was a real person, the event depicted in my novel and the mini-series never happened. Therefore, I thought it was highly probable that whoever wrote the script read my novel, which was the only historical fiction book on the market about the subject. So, the screenwriter either purloined my idea or it was a huge coincidence.
Has anyone ever stolen your screenplay or script concept? Give the forum dwellers your horror stories.
Nope. Never had a concept worth stealing.
Dan MaxXx:
LOL I tend to agree with that philosophy. I spend little time worry about theft.
Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique Making movies take too long to steal. However you can pay "homage" and take a known concept (Die Hard in a building, Die Hard on a bus, Die Hard on a Train...) and add a new twist.
Sure, I've had concepts 'stolen'. Who hasn't? Watching a film/reading a novel often triggers some notion/idea that I think may be worth following - does that mean I'm 'stealing'? I don't think so.
When does “inspired by” cross over into “stolen”.
Plus there is coincidences.
I have spent time writing a script. Told someone and they said “that’s just like”. I didn’t steal anything. If I thought of it, someone else may have the same thoughts.
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I feel my first script's concept was "borrowed"... enough to speak with entertainment attorneys... to realize I didn't have a paper trail to prove it. Imitation is flattery I told myself. At least my idea was good enough... and still is... to be in the ballpark.
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I'm still bitter about having my spec script Die Not So Easy stolen and turned into a rather successful Bruce Willis film. All they changed was an Easter story to a Christmas story, but I know, I know. (Why won't my right eyelid stop twitching?)
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Pamela Bolinder The entertainment attorneys told me a concept can be "borrowed" and that it's the execution of the concept which copyright law protects.
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Funny, Rena Norrod just posted a logline which is similar to "Mirrors" from 2008... which is similar to my script "Distortions" - in mine, it's any mirror as God's portal... not just a magic mirror. I am not implying that Rena stole my idea... just different spins of the same concept. Magic mirrors have been around for a LONG time. I just find it funny that this post's stream was illustrated on the same day as Phil's initial post. My script that I published on Amazon for Kindle is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CYF3V6
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Aw common now - There are north of 100K scripts floating around out there in hopes of being anointed by a magic wand. Do you think that it's possible that some may incorporate some similar concepts and notions? How many Cinderella, Hamlet, Oedipus or Romeo & Juliet stories are out there? I'm aware of at least half a dozen scripts about cloning Jesus from the DNA on the shroud of Turin. You really think your concept is unique? I'd say ole' Bill Shakespeare got a lot of 'em. Show me the same old story but make it different, make it fit today's world, deal with contemporary issues. Almost all successful movies are 'relationship' stories,you know; boy meets girl, boy meets boy, girl meets girl, on & on.
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Narcissus has been around since the physics of optimal reflection. I just know how hard I shopped my supernatural mirror script in LA around Hollywood from 1996-2002 for Mirrors to be made in 2008. Just funny a random coincidence illustrates the point tonight. Peace out.
A few years back I attended a filmmakers meetup, cos it was in a bar and informal, I did not take my laptop. However in case I met anyone important, I had printed notes on a couple of projects. I chatted for a while to someone who seemed ok, (well he wasn’t with the usual thread of seeds regularly frequenting this particular hub) and enjoyed a pretty deep conversation. While looking at some of my pages, he suddenly downed his drink, said “Thanks” and hurriedly walked out still holding them.
Here is how professionals "steal" from other professionals.
https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-caa-lawsuit-20190328...
Tristan: true dat. If we all (for the most part) experience the same things in life, and have the same thinking mechanisms, shouldn't, at times, some of us maybe write about those same things as well? Or at least....kinda similarly?
Case in point: White House Down, and Olympus Has Fallen. Both were spec scripts, and both sold around the same time. (Sold for millions in fact, aspiring script sellers.) Both had similar premises, story lines, and conclusions. Nobody was sued.
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Tristan!
I wrote (and am currently in development) a screenplay titled The Manny. It was copywritten in 2015. In 2016 This Is Us premiered. I am guessing they "adapted" the imaginary TV show The Manny from the eighties TV show The Nanny. And even thought the premise of my film is not the same as the "fake" premise of the non-existent TV show in This Is Us, they have still somehow stolen my thunder! In 2017 I showcase a play of mine in NYC titled Basement. Believe it or not a play entitled Basement premiered in NYC several weeks before mine! Again, different premise but DAMN! I know how you feel Nick.
^^ JJ Abrams.
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@Owen LOL Yeah should never talk to strangers, but they did wear a nerdy badge they were part of group, but when the wine is in the wits are out! I no longer drink at film meets in bars, there is always more in the tank at another bar later.
I wrote a play 25 years ago that was VERY similar to Amazon Prime's 'Lucifer'. No foul play, but it happens...