What would you do, if..?

Question

you were making a film, or writing a story, and you realised, you'd been strongly influenced by, or dare I say, accidentally copied an idea, from a famous author, or filmmaker? Do you get rid of the influence, right away, and replace it with something more original, or do you just say, well, that's interesting, that I've been slightly influenced, and leave it in, as a kind of cultural reference, or nice tribute, to the tradition of film?

Answer 1

Find out who owns the original material.  Contact them and ask permission.  Give them a short summary of what you are doing.

Sometimes they are interested enough to help you or even purchase your story.

Answer 2

Follow your conscience.

If it were me, I would strike it out and start again.  I'm not passing judgement, but I would not knowingly take something from someone else and pass it off as my own.  I personally thinks that's creative laziness.

But hey, that's just me.  Lot's of people disagree.

Answer 3

then i will have FAILED and will no longer have a purpose in life so i will run away flappin my arms then hide in a corner and cry