I am working a new screenplay which is about a high functioning autistic boy that lives a extraordinary life. Throughout the script is a bit of V.O. aswell.

I have had feedback from a few different sources and one hit me when a guy said it was too much like Forrest Gump. Although he said he really enjoyed the script.

Has the idea of a damaged kid that lives an exceptional life been put off limits because of Forrest Gump?

In my defense, my story is a lot darker, not one scene is comparable to any seen on Forrest Gump, the character is very intelligent, the V.O. is narrated by various characters and not only the main character, I have a lot less V.O., My character gets the girl easily, my character wants something completely different to what Forrest does. The only thing similar is the plot. Is this bad?

My opinion is this: It's 2016, no matter what we write, it or something like it has been done. I mean, how many horror movies have you seen about a masked killer, or a demon? How many bank heist movies that has a smart detective with a troubled past? How many super hero movies? How many movies about a sissy that goes to jail for a petty crime? How many movies about a popular guy that can't get the girl? I could go on all day.

I would really like to hear peoples opinions on this.

Eldave if you're reading, you have read this one I'm talking about. I have made a few changes since you have.

I think there's a big difference between a passing similarity and something that is too derivative to fly.

Forrest Gump was a long time ago and isn't the only film about autistic individuals... I mean no one said don't make Forrest Gump because we'd already had Rain Man.

One of the features I wrote last year was a Zombie film... I think I put some twists in it, but fundamentally... well, you know, it's got zombies and stuff in it ;-)
At no point did I think, nope - won't write this.

That's my view, for what it's worth.

Quoted from AnthonyCawood I think there's a big difference between a passing similarity and something that is too derivative to fly.

I like to think mine is similar, but my own style makes it that much different. If that makes scense  ::)

Quoted Text Forrest Gump was a long time ago and isn't the only film about autistic individuals... I mean no one said don't make Forrest Gump because we'd already had Rain Man.

That's what I said, haha.

Quoted Text One of the features I wrote last year was a Zombie film... I think I put some twists in it, but fundamentally... well, you know, it's got zombies and stuff in it   At no point did I think, nope - won't write this.

Good call. If you put your own style in there, it can make for a hell of a difference.

Cheers mate

Hey, dude - I wouldn't worry.

There are more dissimilarities than they are common threads. Forrest found himself in historical situations - (e.g., Vietnam War, Kennedy, etc.). Your guy's life is entirely his.

As I told you in the PM - I thought it had a real nice Forrest Gump vibe to it (which is a compliment). In the same way that Spotlight had a All The Presidents Men vibe to it (althought he latter war better) - moving on.  

If you are concerned about the derivative thing, one thing you might consider is changing the character's name. Could be that some think = oh, Fletcher Duck vs. Forrest Gump - two odd dudes with odd names and they make more connections to the two stories than warranted.  

Quoted from eldave1 If you are concerned about the derivative thing, one thing you might consider is changing the character's name. Could be that some think = oh, Fletcher Duck vs. Forrest Gump - two odd dudes with odd names and they make more connections to the two stories than warranted.

Hey mate, I originally had his name as Fletcher Magnuson and changed it back to that on the draft when I worked on it with your notes.

Cheers

Quoted from CJ Walley Who told you it was too much like something else? A very respectable producer? An long time movie industry investor? A screenwriter with an impressive career? A peer with a few strong opinions? It seems that, when many people read screenplays, they really like to find a comparison to base it against. Sometimes it seems people can't let that comparison go and feel it's an issue. But here's the thing, given how frustratingly derivative Hollywood is, it's probably a good thing when there's only one script that stands out as similar to one of yours - For most scripts there's probably dozens like it. Take is as a positive, have faith in your original inspiration to write it, and make no apologies.

Spot on. 8)

Quoted from BSaunders I am working a new screenplay which is about a high functioning autistic boy that lives a extraordinary life. Throughout the script is a bit of V.O. aswell. I have had feedback from a few different sources and one hit me when a guy said it was too much like Forrest Gump. Although he said he really enjoyed the script. Has the idea of a damaged kid that lives an exceptional life been put off limits because of Forrest Gump? In my defense, my story is a lot darker, not one scene is comparable to any seen on Forrest Gump, the character is very intelligent, the V.O. is narrated by various characters and not only the main character, I have a lot less V.O., My character gets the girl easily, my character wants something completely different to what Forrest does. The only thing similar is the plot. Is this bad? My opinion is this: It's 2016, no matter what we write, it or something like it has been done. I mean, how many horror movies have you seen about a masked killer, or a demon? How many bank heist movies that has a smart detective with a troubled past? How many super hero movies? How many movies about a sissy that goes to jail for a petty crime? How many movies about a popular guy that can't get the girl? I could go on all day. I would really like to hear peoples opinions on this. Eldave if you're reading, you have read this one I'm talking about. I have made a few changes since you have.

I don't know where your feedback is coming from, but I found 'too derivative' is an easy way to say 'no time / interest to read' in the past. I've had a time travelling script which I submitted to the Blacklist and the review came back one day after submission, saying it was too derivative as it was clearly an X-Files clone.

Feedback isn't always helpful, if it entirely contradicts what you think about your script, it's probably not worth thinking about it. I sent my pilot 'Mindwalker' to a script analyst which was recommended to me here on SS. I got back like 10 pages, 8 of them were standard phrases about how hollywood and the TV industry works, the other 2 pages were an endless rant about how bad my script was. The same script won a TV Pilot competition a few months later.

It's all subjective, and some people will always look for a quick way to get their stockpile of scripts they've got to read smaller in a fast way. They'll read two pages, see something mentioned about autism, and quickly write up some pages about how this is a copy of Forrest Gump. Nothing you can do about it. Just try to figure out who gives you helpful feedback and who doesn't. And with helpful I don't mean praises. The best feedback shows the reviewer read and understood the script and gives concrete suggestions. Even if they hated your script, I've found such suggestions to be a great source of inspiration when it comes to rewriting.