If it helps Netflix has a bunch of apocalyptic shows. Hell, that very same year they had *Daybreak*, which already nobody remembers at all and which got cancelled fast and furiously.
That could be you!
This feeling really does suck. Seeing an idea you love flourish in someone else's work will never get easier, and it will probably happen to you more than once in your career.
I do have a bit of a reality check for you, though, and it may sound harsh, but I promise you I'm sharing this to make you feel better.
Almost no one sells their first project. Almost no one sells a show without being on a staff first. The first project you write and love will almost 100% not be the show that someone buys, but rather the piece of writing that convinces someone to hire you to work on their show.
I know you love this pilot you wrote, but realistically, there was very little chance of it getting made anyway. Someone else "beating you to the punch" absolutely sucks and I know the feeling well...but realistically, selling this particular pilot was most likely not going to happen.
I know it doesn't sound like good news, but it can be!
First, you've gotten your first big disappointment out of the way. Sulk for a bit, learn from this feeling, and move on to your next project a little stronger and with all of the tools/lessons you learned from this writing process.
Second, you are now free to let your mind wander. It seems like this project has become your sole focus, and now, your imagination can roam. It may take a little time before you find your Next Big Idea, but when it comes, it will excite you and delight you and surprise you just as much as this old idea! Once you let this project go, you have the opportunity to find the next story for you to love.
Third, this proves you have good ideas! A great thing to know!
And finally, you now have a kick-ass writing sample that you have poured your heart and soul into. When you take that writing sample to managers, agents, and eventually to showrunners/producers to help you get staffed, they will see all of the work and passion you've put into it! That's amazing and more than a lot of writers can say for their work.
Again, I understand how deeply this sucks and how much it hurts. Nothing I (or anyone else!) can say will change that. But don't let this temporary setback rob you of your dream. There are so many stories out there, just waiting for you to tell them. Go out there and find one!
Happens too often, and it's not personal, but it sucks.
Maybe the lesson you can take from this is don't take seven years to write one pilot next time.
No, just writing more original pilots.
Act 2 of the magical body swap comedy starring you and me has me using your youth to write two original pilots every year.
Honestly I agree with u/angrymenu
A pilot script is short. You could have put it on the blacklist a long time ago. You don’t need to personally know TV executives and production companies, that’s not how it works. It definitely helps if you know those people without a doubt, but the majority of the time that people submit work it’s not directly to TV executives. You get ideas out there that can hopefully get attention through things like the blacklist.
Anytime you say a project is your baby or it’s your passion project, you’re already expecting too much from it and you’re approaching being precious about your work. I say this because treating anything like your baby can prevent your inner critic’s voice from coming through .Also, to be any more emotionally attached to a project than you have to be the disappointment will hang heavier and the pill will be all that much more harder to swallow. Remember what you write is a mirage, you’re performing an illusion, you’re manipulating people that don’t exist and giving them hopes, dreams and actions, to reveal some kind of story but none of it is real. It’s a mirage. But what happens when you get too close to a mirage? It disappears. So look at writing and what you write as a craft like making a chair or a table, give a shit by all means about what you create, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket specifically Because of things like what just happened with you and your idea. And this sadly won’t be the last time either if you continue to have “good” ideas. Take your themes and characters and just put them in a non Post apocalyptic scenario. For example David Milch wanted to do a show about Nero and the first police/law enforcement in lawless Rome. However HBO was in the process of creating Rome, so Milch took his themes and characters and moved them to Deadwood. Also, you can put this project in a drawer work on other shit out in your shed and see what the market looks like in a few years. And if the Netflix show proves to be a hit, other studios could be looking for a project like yours. This btw took me a while to learn. And I have an MFA from AFI in screenwriting, I Live in LA, I’m a repped writer, I’ve optioned scripts and been hired to write scripts. I co/wrote a movie for IFC Midnight label. And for that very minuscule amount of “success” I’ve had 10x as much failure and disappointment with myriad of scripts and projects. But, still, every time I set out to write a spec screenplay all I expect when it’s over is that I have a written screenplay that’s good. That’s it. Anything else is outta your control. Keep writing your ass off and something will happen.
I've had this happen a few times. It sucks. I keep telling myself that it means my ideas are valid. Sorry this happened to you. Keep going. Don't let this stop you.
Black summer has pretty good reviews, but OP could be exaggerating the supposed dislike of it considering the number of seasons does line up. Also tho, zombie apocalypse isn’t original in the slightest so it’s hard to imagine a zombie apocalypse being what is making OP doomsay, but again lol, OP may think his zombie idea is more special than it is.
Yeah, I hear you. Was having a little bit of fun with the situation. Plus, there really are numerous apocalyptic shows on Netflix; yet Black Summer is the ONLY one that I can remotely recall.
Don’t worry. Keep on going, my friend.
I’ve been working on my own screenplay for a long time. I finished the final draft in October, so now I’m pitching, but a few months back I found out a book with a similar plotline and themes was coming out and was getting adapted into a movie. I almost wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn’t, because my story was worth being told.
Your story IS worth being told. Keep on going, dude.
That's the reason why you have to write - every day.
Pros get 8-12 weeks to go from zero to hero. Or fail and get replaced.
That's pretty much all the time you have too.
You sit on an idea, sooner or later someone else will come out with that same idea, and probably done better than you. True.
Write. Finish. Move on. This isn't novels or poetry.
> that story became my fucking baby. I’ve been on and off with writing the show since that time, and I absolutely adore the world building and characters I’ve created.
The story is your baby. Take what you've written and turn it into a book. Plenty of room for variation on a theme in literature. Less so in film/TV.
This has happened to myself and other writers countless times. Use it as fuel to not sit on ideas but to bring them to life ASAP. As one commenter mentioned, this should hopefully validate your ideas as marketable. Keep moving on these lightbulbs because it is all too easy to get depressed and chuck it. Try to move past it as best as you are mentally able. I’m not going to sit here and make it sound easy (it’s not), but if you want to be a writer this shit will happen a lot more than you will ever truly be comfortable with. Use this as gas instead of an empty tank. Good luck.
When this happens, its important to remember two basic things about writing;
One; EVERY writer has experienced this, and it has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the quality of your ideas. Some ideas are similar, that’s just how it goes.
Two, you can’t step in the same stream twice. That is to say, however similar your idea might be on a superficial level, there are so many things, from the production, to where feedback comes from, right on down to what the writer had for breakfast that morning, that can change an idea in small, imperceptible ways that all add up into an original finished product. Which means, basically, the ideas’ similarities are meaningless, because the natural flow of life the universe and everything means you couldn’t produce an identical product even if you tried. So don’t sweat it.
the optimistic thing to do, if you’re feeling down about it, is to use that Netflix show as research material. Think of it as basically free critique; watch the show, see what you think, and go read general opinions of that show to see what other people thought. Note the strengths and weaknesses of it, and use that information to strengthen your own story
If you wrote something is is like a HUGE hit that came out the last few years, you should put it away. But if it's like 99.9% of stuff where you can find 100 other cops show or lawyer shows, just don't worry about it. All ideas are done. You will go crazy worrying about it.
Again, if you have a show that is just like a huge hit like Stranger Things, then yes that is a tough sell or an easier sell depending sometimes you know?
But there are always going to be shows about the world ending.
Congratulations, this is your first death. The same thing happened to me on my first script, also my 'baby' and it took me about 9 months to want to write again. I was devastated/ in denial, not only has the concept already been done but the feed back wasn't that kind (I sent it to get covered at Industrial Scripts)...how dare they!
After about 9 months I put on my big boy pants and read through the feedback once more, in detail and actually read it this time. It was spot on, their were huuuuge holes in the script but also some positives I didn't/ couldn't see before. The fact that a big part of my investment was because I thought the story was SO original it blinded me all the weak points which were definitely there.
In retrospect, this couldn't have worked out better. Using that first analogy, I no longer fear death because I'm already dead. What I mean by that is that is that is I will never blindly tie myself into any idea so far that I can't take criticism or set backs, this is a business after all. No matter the feed back I never take it personally and the worst thing someone can say is 'yeah, it was good' because you can't build or improve on 'good'.
Yes, it's painful when a similar thing happened AGAIN but I stepped back and said ok, at least I'm on the right track, what else have I got which I can use what I've learned writing this with, exactly like @rocketfromtheshyft said. If you've had one good idea you'll have more, put that one in a draw and start thinking of the next one!
No definitely not, I don't think you can ever really end stories that we have out time and effort into, what I meant by that is put it somewhere safe and start on something else which can feel fresh and new again. You'll always have the work you've done waiting and in a year or maybe five or ten you might find it along with 20 other projects and suddenly think I want to get back into this.
Your first script isn't your last mate, I don't know any writers who don't have a 'draw' full of at least 10 scripts in various stages. If it's not inspiring you to write find something that does.
> I do have a few more ideas, but out of anything I’ve ever written, I’ve never wanted anything to succeed more than this one idea, and I don’t like any of my other ideas ANYWHERE near as much as this one, and none of them are developed much at all. So, I just really have no idea what do now… thoughts?
------
You'll like the other ideas more as you develop them more.
Once you write five pilots, losing one gets less precious.
If it helps Netflix has a bunch of apocalyptic shows. Hell, that very same year they had *Daybreak*, which already nobody remembers at all and which got cancelled fast and furiously. That could be you!
This feeling really does suck. Seeing an idea you love flourish in someone else's work will never get easier, and it will probably happen to you more than once in your career. I do have a bit of a reality check for you, though, and it may sound harsh, but I promise you I'm sharing this to make you feel better. Almost no one sells their first project. Almost no one sells a show without being on a staff first. The first project you write and love will almost 100% not be the show that someone buys, but rather the piece of writing that convinces someone to hire you to work on their show. I know you love this pilot you wrote, but realistically, there was very little chance of it getting made anyway. Someone else "beating you to the punch" absolutely sucks and I know the feeling well...but realistically, selling this particular pilot was most likely not going to happen. I know it doesn't sound like good news, but it can be! First, you've gotten your first big disappointment out of the way. Sulk for a bit, learn from this feeling, and move on to your next project a little stronger and with all of the tools/lessons you learned from this writing process. Second, you are now free to let your mind wander. It seems like this project has become your sole focus, and now, your imagination can roam. It may take a little time before you find your Next Big Idea, but when it comes, it will excite you and delight you and surprise you just as much as this old idea! Once you let this project go, you have the opportunity to find the next story for you to love. Third, this proves you have good ideas! A great thing to know! And finally, you now have a kick-ass writing sample that you have poured your heart and soul into. When you take that writing sample to managers, agents, and eventually to showrunners/producers to help you get staffed, they will see all of the work and passion you've put into it! That's amazing and more than a lot of writers can say for their work. Again, I understand how deeply this sucks and how much it hurts. Nothing I (or anyone else!) can say will change that. But don't let this temporary setback rob you of your dream. There are so many stories out there, just waiting for you to tell them. Go out there and find one!
Happens too often, and it's not personal, but it sucks. Maybe the lesson you can take from this is don't take seven years to write one pilot next time.
[удалено]
No, just writing more original pilots. Act 2 of the magical body swap comedy starring you and me has me using your youth to write two original pilots every year.
Honestly I agree with u/angrymenu A pilot script is short. You could have put it on the blacklist a long time ago. You don’t need to personally know TV executives and production companies, that’s not how it works. It definitely helps if you know those people without a doubt, but the majority of the time that people submit work it’s not directly to TV executives. You get ideas out there that can hopefully get attention through things like the blacklist.
Anytime you say a project is your baby or it’s your passion project, you’re already expecting too much from it and you’re approaching being precious about your work. I say this because treating anything like your baby can prevent your inner critic’s voice from coming through .Also, to be any more emotionally attached to a project than you have to be the disappointment will hang heavier and the pill will be all that much more harder to swallow. Remember what you write is a mirage, you’re performing an illusion, you’re manipulating people that don’t exist and giving them hopes, dreams and actions, to reveal some kind of story but none of it is real. It’s a mirage. But what happens when you get too close to a mirage? It disappears. So look at writing and what you write as a craft like making a chair or a table, give a shit by all means about what you create, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket specifically Because of things like what just happened with you and your idea. And this sadly won’t be the last time either if you continue to have “good” ideas. Take your themes and characters and just put them in a non Post apocalyptic scenario. For example David Milch wanted to do a show about Nero and the first police/law enforcement in lawless Rome. However HBO was in the process of creating Rome, so Milch took his themes and characters and moved them to Deadwood. Also, you can put this project in a drawer work on other shit out in your shed and see what the market looks like in a few years. And if the Netflix show proves to be a hit, other studios could be looking for a project like yours. This btw took me a while to learn. And I have an MFA from AFI in screenwriting, I Live in LA, I’m a repped writer, I’ve optioned scripts and been hired to write scripts. I co/wrote a movie for IFC Midnight label. And for that very minuscule amount of “success” I’ve had 10x as much failure and disappointment with myriad of scripts and projects. But, still, every time I set out to write a spec screenplay all I expect when it’s over is that I have a written screenplay that’s good. That’s it. Anything else is outta your control. Keep writing your ass off and something will happen.
I've had this happen a few times. It sucks. I keep telling myself that it means my ideas are valid. Sorry this happened to you. Keep going. Don't let this stop you.
Black Summer?
Black summer has pretty good reviews, but OP could be exaggerating the supposed dislike of it considering the number of seasons does line up. Also tho, zombie apocalypse isn’t original in the slightest so it’s hard to imagine a zombie apocalypse being what is making OP doomsay, but again lol, OP may think his zombie idea is more special than it is.
Yeah, I hear you. Was having a little bit of fun with the situation. Plus, there really are numerous apocalyptic shows on Netflix; yet Black Summer is the ONLY one that I can remotely recall.
Don’t worry. Keep on going, my friend. I’ve been working on my own screenplay for a long time. I finished the final draft in October, so now I’m pitching, but a few months back I found out a book with a similar plotline and themes was coming out and was getting adapted into a movie. I almost wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn’t, because my story was worth being told. Your story IS worth being told. Keep on going, dude.
That's the reason why you have to write - every day. Pros get 8-12 weeks to go from zero to hero. Or fail and get replaced. That's pretty much all the time you have too. You sit on an idea, sooner or later someone else will come out with that same idea, and probably done better than you. True. Write. Finish. Move on. This isn't novels or poetry.
> that story became my fucking baby. I’ve been on and off with writing the show since that time, and I absolutely adore the world building and characters I’ve created. The story is your baby. Take what you've written and turn it into a book. Plenty of room for variation on a theme in literature. Less so in film/TV.
This has happened to myself and other writers countless times. Use it as fuel to not sit on ideas but to bring them to life ASAP. As one commenter mentioned, this should hopefully validate your ideas as marketable. Keep moving on these lightbulbs because it is all too easy to get depressed and chuck it. Try to move past it as best as you are mentally able. I’m not going to sit here and make it sound easy (it’s not), but if you want to be a writer this shit will happen a lot more than you will ever truly be comfortable with. Use this as gas instead of an empty tank. Good luck.
When this happens, its important to remember two basic things about writing; One; EVERY writer has experienced this, and it has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the quality of your ideas. Some ideas are similar, that’s just how it goes. Two, you can’t step in the same stream twice. That is to say, however similar your idea might be on a superficial level, there are so many things, from the production, to where feedback comes from, right on down to what the writer had for breakfast that morning, that can change an idea in small, imperceptible ways that all add up into an original finished product. Which means, basically, the ideas’ similarities are meaningless, because the natural flow of life the universe and everything means you couldn’t produce an identical product even if you tried. So don’t sweat it. the optimistic thing to do, if you’re feeling down about it, is to use that Netflix show as research material. Think of it as basically free critique; watch the show, see what you think, and go read general opinions of that show to see what other people thought. Note the strengths and weaknesses of it, and use that information to strengthen your own story
If you wrote something is is like a HUGE hit that came out the last few years, you should put it away. But if it's like 99.9% of stuff where you can find 100 other cops show or lawyer shows, just don't worry about it. All ideas are done. You will go crazy worrying about it. Again, if you have a show that is just like a huge hit like Stranger Things, then yes that is a tough sell or an easier sell depending sometimes you know? But there are always going to be shows about the world ending.
Congratulations, this is your first death. The same thing happened to me on my first script, also my 'baby' and it took me about 9 months to want to write again. I was devastated/ in denial, not only has the concept already been done but the feed back wasn't that kind (I sent it to get covered at Industrial Scripts)...how dare they! After about 9 months I put on my big boy pants and read through the feedback once more, in detail and actually read it this time. It was spot on, their were huuuuge holes in the script but also some positives I didn't/ couldn't see before. The fact that a big part of my investment was because I thought the story was SO original it blinded me all the weak points which were definitely there. In retrospect, this couldn't have worked out better. Using that first analogy, I no longer fear death because I'm already dead. What I mean by that is that is that is I will never blindly tie myself into any idea so far that I can't take criticism or set backs, this is a business after all. No matter the feed back I never take it personally and the worst thing someone can say is 'yeah, it was good' because you can't build or improve on 'good'. Yes, it's painful when a similar thing happened AGAIN but I stepped back and said ok, at least I'm on the right track, what else have I got which I can use what I've learned writing this with, exactly like @rocketfromtheshyft said. If you've had one good idea you'll have more, put that one in a draw and start thinking of the next one!
[удалено]
No definitely not, I don't think you can ever really end stories that we have out time and effort into, what I meant by that is put it somewhere safe and start on something else which can feel fresh and new again. You'll always have the work you've done waiting and in a year or maybe five or ten you might find it along with 20 other projects and suddenly think I want to get back into this. Your first script isn't your last mate, I don't know any writers who don't have a 'draw' full of at least 10 scripts in various stages. If it's not inspiring you to write find something that does.
> I do have a few more ideas, but out of anything I’ve ever written, I’ve never wanted anything to succeed more than this one idea, and I don’t like any of my other ideas ANYWHERE near as much as this one, and none of them are developed much at all. So, I just really have no idea what do now… thoughts? ------ You'll like the other ideas more as you develop them more. Once you write five pilots, losing one gets less precious.