Screenwriting : Netflix just announced project of my story - but not mine! by Ken Cox

Ken Cox I'm sorry to hear. Was your script copyrighted and registered with the WGA? If you're concerned that the production uses your story directly it will be important to show your timeframe of ownership.

I mentioned in another thread that I always try to get through my stories with as much pace as possible (without sacrificing quality) to try to get ahead of anyone else beating me to the punch, since we're all pulling from the same creative well in one way or another.

Hopefully you don't let this trip you up too much, and can move on with other great story ideas.

its probably yours lol

Patrick "PK" Koepke agree !! you would so shocked how much words get around

Yes copyrighted. Mine was scripted though and this is documentary . Dang it though! Lol

It means you were on the right track...

Bein on the track does you no good without the engine to drive it home.

So sorry to hear that Ken Cox. It's a kick to the guts. Been there with 'Surf's Up' (though not the same story as Sony's - I actually sat in the room when they announced their project and proceeded to present their trailer) complete with the same FONT in the title!!! I saved up hard earned money to purchase that particular FONT (out of literally thousands). You couldn't make it up. I approached them after the presentation but the head of Sony shrugged. What could they do? It was one of those coincidences.

Marina- that would be a tough pill

Sorry to hear that, Ken Cox. Like Patrick "PK" Koepke said, "I mentioned in another thread that I always try to get through my stories with as much pace as possible (without sacrificing quality) to try to get ahead of anyone else beating me to the punch, since we're all pulling from the same creative well in one way or another." Great minds think alike. I hope that's what it is.

And I feel your pain. I was writing a feature script around August of last year. It started as a short script back in 2021 and went through changes over the years. I found out last year that a similar movie was coming out in December (different monsters, but the concept was really similar), so I put the script on pause. I think it was just a "great minds think alike" thing.

I'm writing the script right now, changing some things so it won't be so similar to the movie that came out. If nothing else, I can use the script as a writing sample. Have you thought about doing that with your limited series script (changing things so it won't be so similar to the documentary)?

That is why you have to make it yourself and have many irons in the fire.

Well the fact it’s scripted sets it apart. The script was about my daughter and her six friends who experience a tornado on graduation day ( some did not survive). The documentary is the story of the tornado as remembered by that days graduating class. It’s hard to change much because based on real story

My condolences to their families, Ken Cox. You're right. The fact it’s scripted sets it apart. And your limited series focuses on a smaller group of students, so that might help set your series apart from the documentary.

You may want to pitch your script here on stage 32 Ken Cox and maybe another studio will pick up your story?

I’ve tried a bit

Thanks Ken - I couldn't wait to get on the plane back to Melbourne (Aus). You might be on the money (if you can find it), Mark.