True Originality

[Mariah (:]

I'm pretty sure all of Shakespeare's plays were derived from existing source material like history, mythology and previous plays. He was actively working in the pop culture of his time and couldn't meet deadlines coming up with things from scratch.

As for similiar ideas, I think 3 things are worth mentioning. First is the spirit of the times. Second is market forces that latch onto current successes. Third is technological innovations- if a computer animation program that allows for better rendering on scales and/or water comes out, it should be little surprise that Dreamworks and Pixar make fish movies around the same time.

 

[cchabla]

Thanks for proving my point. If we're going to call all ideas derived from Shakespeare, then we might as well say all of Shakespeare's ideas were from much farther back than THAT, even. What matters is how a story is executed, not if the basic concept/themes have been done before, because as I said, there are only so many out there, and chances are they HAVE been done before in some fashion.

 

[chris n pat]

I thought most of his work were based on event in that time

and other by legends

 

[sarahbo!]

There were based on places and things going on, with some original stuff and cliches thrown in. :sweat: I think.

 

[(-:Twilight Fan!!!]

Ya know, I was told time and time again that there's no such thing as original ideas. A good way to be original is to put an original take on a story that's been done before.

 

[shinji ikari]

trying to be original is like making a new spectrum of color not based on any other

 

[*Super_Sarah*]

Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends had an original premise.

Both Ratatouille and Surf's Up were very cool and original ideas as well.

 

[Therapon]

I wouldn't say Ratatouille is that original. The basic story of someone helping someone out discreetly, has been done before.
I think it was about a play, where this guy had a huge nose, and was afraid to talk to women or somethin'.