It's all been done!

[Kev Owens]

I tend to read most the scripts posted up here, as well as reading other peoples work here in the real world.

One thing that I always look into is originality. Are we seeing anything new?

Alot of the stuff I read I say doesn't; but even when I write myself I too sometimes think that I'm 'borderlining' some other film.

Sometimes people liken stuff you write to films you haven't even seen! And you might find that they're right.

I've previously mentioned a theory which claims that everything has been done and that in fact there are only about 30 original story arcs, from which every other story is based in some way.

Here is an article I found describing the theory in a little more detail. Worthwhile reading for frustrated writers who think their idea is unoriginal.

[miker]

I've always maintained it's a juxtaposition of disparate elements and 'pulling it of' that makes for originality, or, at least, a memorable film. There is a formula, it is a science. Like in all science, you can make some great discoveries.

Half man, half robot, all cop. Sounds fucking awful but is actually a good film IMO.

Why doesn't the Wookie wear pants? No introduction needed.

A Belgian serial killer. And made on filmshcool short-ends.

A sound engineer turns into a cartoon character. This one had to be world cinema ;-)

Any super hero film ever made. Without exception.

A film set in the present day and 15th century Scotland. Bound to be a winner.

A time travelling android. Boring! (Surely?)

A love story set on the Titanic. Oh please!

Psychotic taxi driver.

[/ramble]

[andyblaa]

Looks like a game to me, Miker!

1. Robocop

3. Man Bites Dog

I'm intrigued by the 15th century Scottish thing and the time travelling android.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, it's the age old argument about originality. I'm trying to think of a film I've seen recently that had anything new in it and I'm struggling desperately. American Splendor I suppose comes closest. That film Miker mentioned a while ago that was showing at sundance, Tarnation, looks pretty interesting too. Unfortunatley, it didn't seem to get much publicity though. The film that won the Grand Dury, Primer, looks like a re-hash of most a lot of modern independent sci-fi films, ie. Pi, Cube, The Thirteenth Floor. I'm generalising, and although I'm quite looking forward to seeing it, it's nothing new.

Andy

[eidde]

i guess its about putting a fresh spin on familiar themes.
the execution is important.
good writing creates beleivable characters, no matter what situation they are in.
These themes concentrate on the situations, rather than the characters.
yadda yadda.

I think its all to easy to think, Christ, this has been done before and done to death....but until you can get over that in your own way I suppose you can only think yeah but not quite in this way, and certainly not by me. So THAT makes it unique.(!)

Love all this stuff about mythic structure, but it wont work unless its told well. As many epics prove.

A film set in the present day and 15th century Scotland. Bound to be a winner.

- Highlander?

[miker]

A film set in the present day and 15th century Scotland. Bound to be a winner.

- Highlander

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">spot on!

[twister!]

The problem seems to go right down to the roots too. As with everything this is merely my opinion, to be either agreed with or disagreed with.

Judging from a few of the films posted here, young filmmakers are seeming to aspire to this BORING formula and the SAME OLD dull content, guns, zombies etc. zzz. If that's all it takes to float your boat then that's fine - each to his own. There is some good stuff here too. BUT I'm going to have a rant here, sorry. This is just how I feel. I'm not saying that I'm not guilty either, that my attempts are any better and this isn't me trying to dis' anyone it's me trying to stop the rot, help and inspire (myself too). Please take it or leave it.

Things seem to be going backwards! People in the early days of cinema were doing things a thousand times more original and experimental than most of the stuff we see NOW. One little and current example is that people think they are being original by using the late 1980s technique now known as 'bullet-time'. It's a sad state of affairs when people's blinkered frames of reference only include things like The Matrix, Arnie, MTV, Pop Idol, McDonalds etc etc. It's the same thing as people naming Rolf Harris as there favourite artist!!! [img]mad.gif[/img] grrrr! That makes me very angry!

It's not just OUR fault we just aren't given the choice - we must seek out the great for ourselves and not just settle for the mediocore, crass and bad that we are force-fed by our media and corporations.

Okay rant over... and relax....

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 13, 2004 01:17 PM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]</font>

[miker]

The word is about, there's something evolving,
whatever may come, the world keeps revolving
They say the next big thing is here,
that the revolution's near,
but to me it seems quite clear
that it's all just a little bit of history repeating

The newspapers shout a new style is growing,
but it don't know if it's coming or going,
there is fashion, there is fad
some is good, some is bad
and the joke is rather sad,
that its all just a little bit of history repeating

- and I've seen it before
- and I'll see it again
- yes I've seen it before
- just little bits of history repeating

Some people don't dance, if they don't know who's singing,
why ask your head, it's your hips that are swinging
life's for us to enjoy
woman, man, girl and boy,
feel the pain, feel the joy
aside set the little bits of history repeating

- just little bits of history repeating
- and I've seen it before
- and I'll see it again
- yes I've seen it before
- just little bits of history repeating

[untamed_aggression]

Originally posted by Justin M.:
It's the same thing as people naming Rolf Harris as there favourite artist!!! [img]mad.gif[/img] grrrr! That makes me very angry

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Don't you be dissin' the Rolf.

[thelaughingduck2001]

Right, I got Man Bites Dog (and the obvious ones)

Yes, I agree with the fact that there are still SOME original ideas out there. I mean, Paul Schraeder is a genius but his idea WAS so simple-Psychotic Taxi Driver.

But in my opinion it's not the idea that counts, it's what you do with it.

Which is why my idea of 'Psychotic Shop Assistant' really is the best script...

[miker]

which reminds me, Mishima is a great film of his.