Parallel Development?

[Dmoney]

Last year I pitched an idea to an exec at one of the predominant prod. co's. He liked the pitch. I sent him the script, then got the "Thanks, no thanks."

Two days ago, the prod co. bought a pitch with the same concept (same title too) as what I had written.

Since they only bought a pitch, and weren't developing in house and bringing in a writer, do I have to chalk this up as a horrible, horrible coincidence?

In desperate need of rational thought.

-D

[ylekot43]

Sounds fishy. But it does happen (there were two "Armored" scripts with the same concept floating around at the same time.

You still have a copy of the release agreement you signed when you sent the script?

[LIMAMA]

Yes. It happens. Don't beat yourself up.

It could be the same concept (and the same title) but that writer is going in another direction (script wise).

Otherwise, what do YOU think happened?

[Script Curmudgeon]

Not to stir the conspiracy theories, but I would try to find out everything you can on the person they bought the pitch from. I thought I've seen some pitch sales in the past where they were "buying" the pitch from someone on staff.

[Robot17]

Have your attorney call them and ask. Especially if its the same title. They probably have enough smarts to change the title if they're rippin' someone so its probably just a variation on a concept that is coincedental.

I take it the title is something obvious to the make up of the story? If it's in the trades as a sale, change your title and call around their competitors attached to other studios and pitch it. What the h3ll, right?

Bot

[yammo]

This happens all the time. Was your pitch based on a spec that you registered or protected? It sucks when something like that happens, but great minds think alike and usually an original idea isn't that original.

Best of luck!