This is kind of a concern of mine, though it might be a ridiculous one. Whenever you think of a concept for a film are you afraid that it has been done before? I always end up thinking that this idea MUST of been tackled by somebody else in the past. I'm talking about a general idea, not a specific storyline. Am I completely insane for being concerned about this?
-
Wondering which camera, gear, computer, or software to buy? Ask in our Gear Guide.
Does this ever cross anybody mind.....
- Thread starter GregoryRoberts
- Start date
To be honest a lot of 'general ideas' have been done before. But that has never stopped writers, actors or directors from rehashing the ideas. The actualy nitty gritty of the plot can be totally original, but the overriding idea very rarely is. That's the problem with a planet that produces tens(?) of thousands of films every year 
DISCLAIMER: That estimate is in no way based on fact.
PS- Is that you and Woody Allen in your Avatar?
DISCLAIMER: That estimate is in no way based on fact.
PS- Is that you and Woody Allen in your Avatar?
I'd say the more general you are, the more likely it's been done, but what does that mean? If it's something that's been done to death you may want to steer clear, but I wouldn't take that as gospel. I think it's really all about the differences between movies which have the same themes, not the similarities. And who's to say you can't be the one to re-invent the genre?
I think, unless something specific is the same as another film, it's good to go.
I realise that's not really answering your question, so I'll add that yes, sometimes I wonder if, in the multitude of movies I haven't seen and don't even know about, there is a film that has basically said everything I want my movies to say, and no doubt more successfully than I ever could. But I'm pretty confident that no one else could have at least one of my ideas, since it's based on my real life, and the others well, hey, if one day I go to see some big wigs and try and get them to give me money to make one of my movies and they're like "That's basically the same plot as ..." cest la vie. The only way to alleviate such worries is to see as many movies as possible and involve lots of different people in your work.
At least that's what I think, and since I'm a massive noob, my advice isn't really worth much
I think, unless something specific is the same as another film, it's good to go.
I realise that's not really answering your question, so I'll add that yes, sometimes I wonder if, in the multitude of movies I haven't seen and don't even know about, there is a film that has basically said everything I want my movies to say, and no doubt more successfully than I ever could. But I'm pretty confident that no one else could have at least one of my ideas, since it's based on my real life, and the others well, hey, if one day I go to see some big wigs and try and get them to give me money to make one of my movies and they're like "That's basically the same plot as ..." cest la vie. The only way to alleviate such worries is to see as many movies as possible and involve lots of different people in your work.
At least that's what I think, and since I'm a massive noob, my advice isn't really worth much
+1
Couldn't agree more.
' Every story has been told over and over. What makes them different is who tells it and how.'
Thanks for the responses. I feel the specifics would differentiate an idea with other movies that all have the same general idea. I still get worried, haha. Theres always that alarming idea in the back of my head that some person already did this.
Yes. I met him at the Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan.
Yes. I met him at the Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan.
I once heard the idea of stories compared to music. (In that you're limited on number of notes and there are only so many arrangements.) The same person (writer? ...I think this was in a screenwriting book.) said that even Shakespeare borrowed from older stories for his own works.
Not totally sure on all that, but I'd say you're certainly limited to a small handful of basic themes... but those are much broader ideas than the story itself, and they cover many different types of stories.
Really, though, an interesting twist can be put on any concept.
For what it's worth, I catch myself trying to throwing out a lot of ideas with the reason being "I've seen it before."
I think that's counter-productive, especially at the earlier stages of brainstorming. That's when you really need to unleash your mind... consider every idea... just jot down anything that strikes your fancy. I think it should only be at later stages that the inner-critic steps in.
Also... one thing you bring to the table is your own personal experience and worldview. That alone can help set your work apart from anyone else's.
Not totally sure on all that, but I'd say you're certainly limited to a small handful of basic themes... but those are much broader ideas than the story itself, and they cover many different types of stories.
Really, though, an interesting twist can be put on any concept.
For what it's worth, I catch myself trying to throwing out a lot of ideas with the reason being "I've seen it before."
I think that's counter-productive, especially at the earlier stages of brainstorming. That's when you really need to unleash your mind... consider every idea... just jot down anything that strikes your fancy. I think it should only be at later stages that the inner-critic steps in.
Also... one thing you bring to the table is your own personal experience and worldview. That alone can help set your work apart from anyone else's.
I agree completely. And the only time you'll ever receive any criticism for putting a fresh spin on an old story is if your movie becomes the highest-grossing film of all time.
Agreed. Just have to deliver the same thing, only different.
If I remember correctly (and I probably don't ) there are two stories - the love story and the quest. After that it's all in how you dress it up - characters, time/space and the McGuffin.
) there are two stories - the love story and the quest. After that it's all in how you dress it up - characters, time/space and the McGuffin.
Yes.
Worry about what you are doing; not what someone else may (or may not) have done.
I never let that bother me. If I have an idea worth exploring then I explore it and assume my voice as a writer will at least allow the idea to be unique in that way. Generally the assumption is a safe one.
Yes, especially when you are just starting out and writing your first screenplay.
I actually came across a movie a month or so ago on Netflix that had a description that seemed similar to what I am trying to write so I went ahead and got it. Upon viewing it, I realized that, much to my surprise, it was very similar to what I am trying to write. So similar in basic plot, the non-linear format to even how the title character is introduced through other people it was surreal.
Needless to say, I was bummed out. But after a day or so of being bummed out about it, I re-watched it and took notes on how my screenplay is different, what I liked and didn't like about it and how I could change the similarities into what I think is better and works for my script and its world, etc..
The best part of it all is that I am still writing because what I learned out of it was a) the story has already been told so I can just focus on tightening my own script that while may be similar is completely original, b) it's already been made which I think can't hurt as it shows that there was interest and it might improve my chances of selling or directing my script, and c) it brought in some decent names (i.e. Toni Collette, Brittany Murphy, James Franco, Giovanni Ribisi, etc.), so I think that something like this may be able to get some interest from the industry since its a similar project.
But then again, I am just a first time screenplay writer that has wildly ambitious thoughts and dreams and doesn't know how the industry really works.
And if anyone is interested the movie is called, The Dead Girl.
I actually came across a movie a month or so ago on Netflix that had a description that seemed similar to what I am trying to write so I went ahead and got it. Upon viewing it, I realized that, much to my surprise, it was very similar to what I am trying to write. So similar in basic plot, the non-linear format to even how the title character is introduced through other people it was surreal.
Needless to say, I was bummed out. But after a day or so of being bummed out about it, I re-watched it and took notes on how my screenplay is different, what I liked and didn't like about it and how I could change the similarities into what I think is better and works for my script and its world, etc..
The best part of it all is that I am still writing because what I learned out of it was a) the story has already been told so I can just focus on tightening my own script that while may be similar is completely original, b) it's already been made which I think can't hurt as it shows that there was interest and it might improve my chances of selling or directing my script, and c) it brought in some decent names (i.e. Toni Collette, Brittany Murphy, James Franco, Giovanni Ribisi, etc.), so I think that something like this may be able to get some interest from the industry since its a similar project.
But then again, I am just a first time screenplay writer that has wildly ambitious thoughts and dreams and doesn't know how the industry really works.
And if anyone is interested the movie is called, The Dead Girl.