Look at this...

[Xerus]

I know how you feel. For years, I have created my own ideas for cartoon series, until other studios already think up my ideas first.

 

[D'Snowth]

It kind of reminds of how not too long ago I thought to myself "there ought to be a sitcom that takes place in a grocery store, and center around the employees of said store", then next thing I know, here comes 10 Items or Less on TBS.

 

[Xerus]

One idea I had was about a secret land where imaginary friends and fictional characters come to life. But then they came out with Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends so I had to cancel that idea.

Then I had an idea about a young guy who got frozen and wakes up in the very distant future, but then they came up with Futurama.

Then I had an idea about a family of circus freaks. But then Comedy Central came out with Freak Show, so I had to scratch that idea as well.

Sometimes, I wonder if there are any more original ideas left in the world.

 

[MrsPepper]

Yeah, I hate it when stuff like that happens. But you know what? The more friends that you share your idea with, the more people can bounce ideas off you, and all together you'll be able to come up with a really well rounded idea. So don't hide your ideas, just keep developing them, and consider the concept that your first idea maybe isn't always the best one, and just to keep working and improving. Because if you don't try and push yourself further, you're not going to get any better right? So just keep at it.

 

[D'Snowth]

Sometimes, I wonder if there are any more original ideas left in the world.

That's what I've been saying: one day, NOTHING will be new! No more new books, no more new movies, no more new TV shows, no more new songs, no more new anything, and you know why? Because it will all have already been done before! That's why! Maybe that's the real reason Hollywood has been cranking out these crummy movie remakes of television classics lately.

Yeah, I hate it when stuff like that happens. But you know what? The more friends that you share your idea with, the more people can bounce ideas off you, and all together you'll be able to come up with a really well rounded idea. So don't hide your ideas, just keep developing them, and consider the concept that your first idea maybe isn't always the best one, and just to keep working and improving. Because if you don't try and push yourself further, you're not going to get any better right? So just keep at it.

Wow Peppi, that's almost like the total opposite of what I've always been taught, because you never know who will actually be paying attention to said idea(s), and next thing you know, there's what you've been working on, but it's already been done by someone else, and there's nothing you can do about.

That's why I've been so hush-hush about my new sitcom - I REALLY don't want anyone to take this idea away from me before I have the chance to furthur flesh it out beyond just a few scripts.

 

[Xerus]

Also, I've heard if you do manage to get your work sold to a network. The executives might make you change it. Change your characters, give it a different title, change the whole storyline, and they edit so much that you don't recognize your work anymore. And then they'll say goodbye to you and make the newly edited show themselves.

 

[CensoredAlso]

It's very true, writers often aren't given much support. In the Fraggle DVDs the writers said working on Fraggle Rock was such a great experience because they actually got to keep so much of their own words in the final script. That is not typical.

 

[Drtooth]

That's why I've been so hush-hush about my new sitcom - I REALLY don't want anyone to take this idea away from me before I have the chance to furthur flesh it out beyond just a few scripts.

If you really really trust the postal system, this is what I'd do. Take one or two of the scripts (copies), stick them in a business sized envelope, and mail it to yourself. It will come back with an official date stamped on it, courtesy of the U.S> Postal service. I did that with a few rough character sketches. It's cheaper than a full copyright, and it does the job for the time being.

 

[D'Snowth]

If you really really trust the postal system, this is what I'd do. Take one or two of the scripts (copies), stick them in a business sized envelope, and mail it to yourself. It will come back with an official date stamped on it, courtesy of the U.S> Postal service. I did that with a few rough character sketches. It's cheaper than a full copyright, and it does the job for the time being.

Well, my sister-in-law's an attorney, so she can help me with all the legal copyright stuff.

 

[Drtooth]

Well, my sister-in-law's an attorney, so she can help me with all the legal copyright stuff.

Even still, it's a good idea to do it in the mean time. Just in case.