Talk me down

[bunwriter]

So I send a high-concept query to Gigantic Agency. I've done this before, mind you, and either I've had the script requested or I heard nothing back. This time I get a letter saying they have a firm policy of returning all unsolicited material unread, then they go on to tell me how my unsolicited submission has not been disclosed to any executive and that the company is always generating ideas and any projects generated which contain similar elements are purely coincidental.

Talk me down here, people.

[PipeWriter]

Jump! Jump!

[bunwriter]

Perhaps you misunderstood...

[zz9]

On the BBC webside they mention they had a writers competition for sitcoms and they had four seperate entries with the same setting and basic premise and even the exact same title...

So if your script was 'Robot ninjas fighting vampires in SAC headquaters while WW3 breaks out' and a couple of years down the line you see Tom Cruise is making a new film where he's a vampire fighting robot ninjas in the White House while WW3 breaks out you'll be calling your lawyers and saying they "obviously" stole it.

Hence they will never read anything sent unrequested and where they don't know who you are or that doesn't come from an agent they know. All studios and successful directos get sued by people who think they gave them the idea for a project, where in fact it would be VERY unlikely that you are the only person on the planet to think up a story. The best defense agains this is to return your script unopened and unread.

Your post says you sent a query but then says they returned the script.
Send a query letter, NEVER a script, and they might reply and ask for your script and they may include a form to sign saying you won't sue them.

[bunwriter]

It was just a query letter. They did not return the script, because I did not send the script. They returned the query letter.

[OkeyDokey]

What is the issue, exactly? Do you think they stole your idea off an unsolicited query letter?

[captain bligh]

talk you down from what? that's a standard reply to a query letter from an agency that doesn't take unsolicited query letters and exists in a litigious society.

[bunwriter]

so i'm a paranoid writer. is that so unusual? just looking for a little support.

"standard reply to a query letter from an agency that doesn't take unsolicited query letters" is good. but when did they start mailing these things out? i didn't run into this with my last submission a few years ago. or even a query i sent a few months ago.

[AvenueD]

I've received a reply like that once or twice over the years.

[sasqits]

Paranoia keeps us alive and well. I've received similar responses to queries. One even said they were already developing something with a similar premise to what I had submitted, with the comment- great minds think alike. I didn't think they stole my idea since it wasn't as unique as robotic ninjas...

These responses tell us that prodco.s/agencies are as paranoid about being accused of theft as we are about being victims of theft.

Maybe they stole your idea and did you a favor. Maybe you would have sold your script, bought a fast car and killed yourself in a highspeed joyride.

Maybe I think I'm doing you a favor by writing this post when in fact maybe I'm hurting more than helping.

I think now I will go ponder the meaning of our existence.

[Bill Marquardt]

Don't feel bad. Saturn Films read one of my screenplays, but rejected it. When I wrote a letter thanking them for reading the material, they returned the letter unopened, stamped on the outside that they wont accept unsolicited material.

This is actually more amusing than it is frustrating, if you understand how these guys operate, so don't jump. Persevere.

[Unca Leo]

I just want to point out that yelling 'Jump! Jump!' is, technically, talking someone down. In an expedited manner.

[refriedwhiskey]

Yeah. Pipe is just a guy who likes to get things done.

[LauriD]

As a rule of thumb, the bigger the agency the nastier the letter telling you that they don't want to hear from you. Ever. ;)

LauriD

[PipeWriter]

Thank you, Leo.

And Refried.

[bunwriter]

I wouldn't have minded a nasty letter. What I mind is a letter seemingly designed with the intent of provoking paranoia and hopelessness in a nobody writer.

[zz9]

My bad, I thought you'd sent an actual script.

But if they're worried about someone accusing them of stealing an idea from a query letter then that's paranoid! What do they do if someone says hello to them? Run away with their fingers in their ears shouting "I can't hear you nayh nayh nayh!"

[refriedwhiskey]

What I mind is a letter seemingly designed with the intent of provoking paranoia and hopelessness in a nobody writer.
I don't think it was designed to do that at all. It was designed to tell you your query wasn't read by any execs in the company, so that in the unlikely event they developed something superficially similar to the idea you sent them, you wouldn't make the mistake of thinking they ripped you off.

[bunwriter]

well... i did say "seemingly."

[bunwriter]

I jumped.

As it happens, the ledge was just a couple of feet off the ground.

[snwshrddr]

Don't be bummed...! I totally understand how you feel. I've received a letter like that from a quite-well-known place. Mind you, I'd even known a few people in the company!! I suppose they were in a wrong department after all...:x

Those "coincidents" do happen, unfortunately, more often than not. And when it happens to a little people (Like me!) there's not much you can do about it, but to keep doing a good job and looking for right people who can take you to the next step in your career...!

You are not alone, Bunwriter! ;)

SNW

[whinywriter]

I'm here to say lay off and let him be a victim for a moment. This game really does suck sometimes, and those of you who ask "talk you down from what?" are either a) agents b) successful writers, or c) in denial of your own frustration.

Whiny says "whine away." At least you're doing it on a message board, not at a cocktail party.

[zuzuII]

This isn't a cocktail party? Rats, I was wondering why no one was coming around with drinks and little trays of food.