I am probably 60% of the way through writing a feature screenplay which I have been writing for the past 3 months. The plot involves a couple on a romantic anniversary break in Scotland who wake up to find that they are the last two people alive on the planet. As dark forces close in they must work together to solve their situation. It's not really a longline as it needs work but that's the basic concept. It is a romantic sci-fi thriller. Once complete I hope to shoot this myself with a small crew on location in early 2016. Low budget but high concept with few actors and stunning scenery.
However.
I have recently discovered through brief research that there is a film currently in post called 'Bokeh' which stars Maika Monroe ('It Follows', 'The Guest') which has the following longline:
"On a romantic getaway to Iceland, a young American couple wake up one morning to discover every person on earth has disappeared. Their struggle to survive and to reconcile the mysterious event lead them to reconsider everything they know about themselves and the world."
Clearly the idea is almost identical. I have not read the screenplay nor know what the plot developments are. Due for release later in 2015.
How can I avoid clashing with this should I gain any sort of progress/success with my screenplay? I've heard many times that you can't copyright an idea/concept/logline, you can only protect the execution of it. I've also heard that there are only so many plot ideas and that several plots have been done dozens if not hundreds of times.
But this seems to be quite a niche idea with an almost identical longline. I've put quite a bit of time and effort into research and story for mine and was unaware of 'Bokeh' until today.
However.
I have recently discovered through brief research that there is a film currently in post called 'Bokeh' which stars Maika Monroe ('It Follows', 'The Guest') which has the following longline:
"On a romantic getaway to Iceland, a young American couple wake up one morning to discover every person on earth has disappeared. Their struggle to survive and to reconcile the mysterious event lead them to reconsider everything they know about themselves and the world."
Clearly the idea is almost identical. I have not read the screenplay nor know what the plot developments are. Due for release later in 2015.
How can I avoid clashing with this should I gain any sort of progress/success with my screenplay? I've heard many times that you can't copyright an idea/concept/logline, you can only protect the execution of it. I've also heard that there are only so many plot ideas and that several plots have been done dozens if not hundreds of times.
But this seems to be quite a niche idea with an almost identical longline. I've put quite a bit of time and effort into research and story for mine and was unaware of 'Bokeh' until today.
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