Snakes on a plane [Archive] - Absolute Write Water Cooler

maestrowork

04-20-2006, 10:01 AM

Here's the story I heard from a friend. He knows a copyright lawyer named David Dalessandro, who a few years ago wrote a script called "Venom" and optioned it to Paramount. Eventually Paramount passed and the option ran out. He was in the process of finding another deal when he heard that another studio (New Line?) was making a film called "Snakes on a Plane." It was his story, but apparently they rewrote the whole script. Samuel L. Jackson liked the name and the script and signed up for it, then later they wanted to change the name to Flight 121 and Samuel L. Jackson made them change back to SoaP. Anyway, David Dalessandro went through arbitration with WGA and he won, and now he's credited as "story by." Not sure if he got any monetary compensation for it, though. And now, everyone is talking about the movie.

I wonder if that kind of things happen a lot, or is it just isolated case? It's a good thing that Dalessandro is a lawyer. But what about writers who are not in the know?

dpaterso

04-21-2006, 11:39 AM

Interesting story, but alas I don't know if it happens a lot.

I felt obliged to reply, didn't want you to feel ignored. :)

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
Take the critiques you get with a grain of salt. Invariably, some of the critics will be kooks, bitter curmudgeons, or complete fools. ~odocoileus

WritingFool

04-21-2006, 02:44 PM

Very interesting.
Id bet it happens more than we' like to know it.
I did a google search to try finding more, couldnt. But did see Writers name sharing credit, so he should be compensated somehow....shouldnt he?

But a nip here, tuck there, and the rewards for all that sacrifice, time and effort goes to the person with the better lawyer.
Its a tough biz out there, with plenty of pitfalls. So beware all, protect yourself, protect yourself, protect yourself.
Even then, youll have about a 50/50 chance swimming with them sharks

clockwork

04-21-2006, 06:35 PM

I heard nobody liked the SOAP title until fan sites appeared on the web demanding it be changed back from Flight 121. Once the popular vote was behind it, Jackson et al jumped on board saying they liked SOAP much more all along.

Whatever the case, I think we can agree Snakes On A Plane is better title than Flight 121.

Haven't heard anything about the rip-off thing but maybe that's the way people want it. I'm sure that kind of thing happens but I would have thought it'd be easier to pay someone WGA minimums for a script and then rework it rather than hire someone new to emulate the tone, characters, pace etc.

La-la-la, who knows...

Chesher Cat

04-23-2006, 12:21 AM

JAlpha

08-19-2006, 07:11 PM

Now that the movie is out, here's a bit of a follow up on Ray's initial post as to who should get the credit for creating the original concept for this movie and how often does this sort of thing happen in Hollywood.

http://www.fangoria.com/fearful_feature.php?id=2505

I saw the movie last night, and I have nothing original to say by way of a review, so I'll just paraphrase some lines from the reviews that have already been written that I tend to agree with . . .

Leave your brain at the door when you go see Snakes on a Plane. The movie is over exploited, gimmicky, cultish, puny, marvelously stupid, absurd, twisted, and choke-full of gratuitous gore and nudity. It delivers exactly what it promises in the concept title, nothing more, nothing less.

I loved it :D It was the perfect diversion for me right now while I chew my nails waiting for a senior editor at Knopf to weigh in on my manuscript. I truly did leave my brain at the door when I entered the theater last night, and I'm a calmer person for it today. Sometimes bad movies can be a good thing :ROFL:

xhouseboy

08-19-2006, 07:46 PM

It happens more often than you would imagine. I once posted a link that covered this very subject. But for anyone interested, Google Maureen Plantagenet - it should be a valuable lesson to always copyright your work before submitting.

three seven

08-19-2006, 08:19 PM

David Dalessandro went through arbitration with WGA and he won, and now everyone is talking about the movie.
No, Ray. Everyone's talking about it because it's called 'Snakes on a Plane' and it's got Samuel L Jackson fighting with snakes. On a plane. Genius pitch, genius title, genius viral campaign. If it's not the greatest film of all time, I'll... well, I don't know what I'll do.

maestrowork

08-19-2006, 08:41 PM

Three, you misunderstood me. I didn't say everyone was talking about the movie because of David Dalessandro. Actually, not many people knows who he is. I only recently saw his name mentioned as one of the "writers." What I meant was that he had to go through arbitration to get his name back on the production, and if not, he would have been completely ignored, and it would have been horrible for him now that the movie is one of the most overhyped films in history. Everyone knows why the film has so much hype. I am not a frigging idiot.

Haven't seen it yet, but I am sure it's great. It's one of those movies that know EXACTLY what they're doing and what their target market is.

I happen to have a copy of Delessandro's contract with Paramount. He went through a lot and he's doign the talk circuits about the film and copyrights (he is a copyright lawyer). Interesting. He was at Oaks Theater in Pittsburgh on Friday. He's now a celebrity here now. His pitch and original concept were brilliant, but they did completely rewrite the film (with new characters, too). His original pitch was "Indiana Jones with snakes on a plane."

three seven

08-19-2006, 08:44 PM

Yeah, I figured that was what you meant. I just wanted to talk about Snakes on a Plane. :)

Goodwriterguy

08-19-2006, 09:47 PM

But did see Writers name sharing credit, so he should be compensated somehow....shouldnt he?
Credit = compensation.

No credit, no compensation.

According to the Guild's Minimum Basic Agreement, a "story by" credit is worth 25 per cent of a script's sale value.

This particular incident could have resulted from sheer bureaucratic bungling as opposed to an intentional plagiarism. The guy's script had been around for while, optioned, let go ... so someone picks it up one day and the title page has been ripped off that copy and they read it and six months later write a piece and subconsciously draw upon the thing they read months before and have forgotten about. Maybe they choose to forget about it.

Anything is possible.

scififan

08-20-2006, 12:02 AM

I heard that about LOST. I can't remember it that well and don't know if it was ever proved true.

icerose

08-20-2006, 12:37 AM

Snakes on a plane sounds and looks like the stupidest movie ever made. Just my take.

maestrowork

08-20-2006, 03:01 AM

It was called "Venom" when Delessandro optioned it. Then it became "Snakes on the Plane" and Sam Jackson was interested because it just sounded so "beotching." Then they tried to make it less "stupid" and changed the title again and Jackson had a hissy fit (pun intended). He said SoaP was a kick-a$$ name and you'd know exactly what you're getting into and why change it to some silly a$$ "Venom" or "Wait Till You Die" or whatever. Also, they had to reshoot and rewrite to make the film R instead of PG-13. I think Jackson said, "if you're surrounded by 500 poisonous snakes, you're going to say m******f****** every two seconds and you're going to see some m*****f***** deaths." He has a point, you know?

JAlpha

08-20-2006, 03:19 AM

I think Jackson said, "if you're surrounded by 500 poisonous snakes, you're going to say m******f****** every two seconds and you're going to see some m*****f***** deaths." He has a point, you know?

Jackson wasn't the only one in the theater last night that delivered the m*********f*****lines, nearly the entire theater chanted the cult line along with him.

I swear most of the people in that audience were waiting throughout the whole movie just so they could spit out that line. I think for me, all the audience participation throughout the whole film added to the whole entertainment factor of the night. The cheers, boos, screams, hisses, applause, etc. etc. were nonstop, and I nearly choked on my popcorn twice from laughing so hard, and outside the context of that movie, watching someones tit or penis get bit by a snake isn't really that funny--or is it :Shrug:

Goodwriterguy

08-20-2006, 06:14 AM

I heard that about LOST. I can't remember it that well and don't know if it was ever proved true.
I heard some stories about that show too, but I know of one case that was plagiarism pure and simple and that was "China Syndrome." Guy I know wrote a treatment of it and six months later he hears that Fonda is doing it. He rushed to Fonda's people waving his treatment, yelling "Theft!" He won the case before the Guild's arbitration committee and went on to create "Starman," which had a reasonably good run, three years or something as I recall. He also published a book on Three Mile Island, which I tried to get the screen rights for but he had already sold them. Bummer!

maestrowork

08-20-2006, 03:29 PM

Jackson wasn't the only one in the theater last night that delivered the m*********f*****lines, nearly the entire theater chanted the cult line along with him.

I swear most of the people in that audience were waiting throughout the whole movie just so they could spit out that line.

Yup... that's why I think this film is going to do so well on opening weekend, then probably drops (unless people keep coming back for more). The best audience-participation movie I'd gone to (other than Rocky Horror) was South Park. The theater was packed with college kids and we had such a great time! It wasn't the same watching it on DVD at home by myself. LOL.

Akuma

08-20-2006, 11:07 PM

I liked the movie, regardless of how it came about. There's just something about people dying in humiliating ways and having bites on embarrassing/grotesque body parts.
Oh, yeah, and there's Samuel L. Jackson cussing and yelling at everyone. You just can't dislike that.

icerose

08-21-2006, 01:39 AM

JAlpha

08-21-2006, 01:47 AM

What are people doing? Running around the plane naked?? I hope I never fly on a plane like that.

Think OCCUPIED :D

English Dave

08-21-2006, 02:44 AM

Think OCCUPIED :D

Think 'I know what you did last Summer'. It's a brain dead but entertaining movie. But there is a market for brain dead entertaining movies.

Don't knock 'em. It's what pays for your life changing drama. :)

JAlpha

08-21-2006, 02:56 AM

Think 'I know what you did last Summer'. It's a brain dead but entertaining movie. But there is a market for brain dead entertaining movies.

Don't knock 'em. It's what pays for your life changing drama. :)

Knock 'em :Shrug: I was the first person to post a postive review of the movie. I thought it was very entertaining, and for the record I don't write life changing drama, I write life mocking satirical drama :)

English Dave

08-21-2006, 03:39 AM

Knock 'em :Shrug: I was the first person to post a postive review of the movie. I thought it was very entertaining, and for the record I don't write life changing drama, I write life mocking satirical drama :)

'Kay then.:)

Jamesaritchie

08-21-2006, 05:35 AM

Snakes on a Plane is all that's wrong with Hollywood. Brain dead doesn't begin to describe it. I don't know why anyone would want to see it, or how anyone could manage to sit through it without first getting a frontal lobotomy.

My youngest wanted to go see it, so I took him. I walked out after twenty minutes. This movie is for people with an IQ of. . .no, this movie is for people without an IQ.

maestrowork

08-21-2006, 05:36 AM

Just saw it. It was a fun, popcorn movie and some of the death scenes were really funny. But I was disappointed, especially after all the hype. I think the concept was spot on, but the execution was a little lacking, and Sam Jackson didn't kick as many snake butts as I'd like... it's very entertaining, no doubt, but also quite formulaic.

JAlpha

08-21-2006, 08:05 AM

Medievalist

08-21-2006, 08:55 AM

You know, every time I see this thread title, I misread it as

Snacks on a Plane

*Sigh*

bluejester12

08-21-2006, 09:14 AM

That kind of thing happens a lot but most writers don't pursue legal action - too costly and difficult to win. Not to mention, you get labeled.

The tile debacle and more is covered on Josh Friedman's blog: http://hucksblog.blogspot.com/

Now I'm scared to be a scriptwriter.

It's starting to seem more like sex. Protect yourself, and even if you do, don't be surprised if something bad happens.

Too bad you can't do a blood test to prove a script is yours.

Medievalist

08-21-2006, 09:36 AM

I wonder if that kind of things happen a lot, or is it just isolated case? It's a good thing that Dalessandro is a lawyer. But what about writers who are not in the know?

Pretty often, yeah. I've never deposed in a case like that, but I've done the scut work for several.

maestrowork

08-21-2006, 09:47 AM

maestrowork

08-21-2006, 09:48 AM

James, there's something about "to each his own." Some people enjoy a mindless popcorn movie sometimes. I enjoyed it, even though I thought it was dumb. It served a purpose. When I see movies, sometimes I do want to leave my brain at the door and not think about "reality." And I can tell you I have a pretty high IQ.

Thank you.

dpaterso

08-21-2006, 12:56 PM

I just heard another story that a writer took an idea from a woman he'd met and turned it into a pitch and he sold it to a studio. Well, he pitched two of his own ideas and none flew, so he pitched "her" idea as his and they liked and bought it. The poor woman spent three years of her life on the project, and suddenly she got nothing while the guy stole it. Unfortunately, you can't copyright ideas, so she's screwed.

Alas, unless you can quote names and/or source, this is doomed to become yet another unsubstantiated newbie screenwriter paranoia legend. :)

-Derek
My Web Page - shameless vampyre fiction & other shameless writings. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)
Stop reading this and get some writing done instead.

SherryTex

08-21-2006, 06:44 PM

If anyone goes expecting some sort of quality experience, they are missing the point. Why would anyone watch Attack of the Killer Tomatoes? Because it is funny to see how stupid it gets. Same with Airplane, the Naked Gun series and I'm sure, Sotp. Haven't seen it but old Samuel pulls a Goldfinger eh? sounds like fun.

maestrowork

08-21-2006, 08:19 PM

Sherry, precisely. I have a friend who is a VP at a major Fortune 100 company and very sharp, very intelligent, and very knowledgeable. He reads all kinds of non-fiction, science and history books and journals, and watch mostly History and Discover channels. But when he watches movies, he opts for total escapism -- really bad B movies and hilarious foreign science fiction and Ed Wood crap. The funnier, sillier, more brainless the better, so he could forget about his high-stressed job.

maestrowork

08-21-2006, 08:20 PM

Alas, unless you can quote names and/or source, this is doomed to become yet another unsubstantiated newbie screenwriter paranoia legend. :)

I can't, because of "libel" issue. I do have real names.

aspiringwriter

08-21-2006, 08:29 PM

You have to admit (even if it is stupid, pointless, ect) that it is original and pretty darn clever. I myself don't like snakes (unless they are on the other side of the glass in a museum) :) I've heard very good reveiws thus far.

Again this is just my opinion which might not count for much, but everyone is entitled and that's what makes this country so wonderful.

BrianTubbs

08-21-2006, 11:12 PM

Well....it looks like the film hasn't performed up to the hype.

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20060820/115610754000.html;_ylt=AvKWMQAaUn6phBs.kMGoy6FfVXc A

endless rewrite

08-21-2006, 11:35 PM

Again this is just my opinion which might not count for much, but everyone is entitled and that's what makes this country so wonderful.

Where can this mythical land be? I shall have to pack my snake, get on a plane and find out.

Ponders a world where only Americans are entitled to an opinion...scary stuff!

I know I should check your profile first but I cannot think of anyone other than an American making such a comment. Do you think the rest of us live in dictatorships? We can enjoy all the crappy, mindless films we want - thank you very much and loudly boast of our enjoyment (or not).

(no offence to those americans who would not make the above statement)

BrianTubbs

08-22-2006, 12:29 AM

To endless_rewrite, are you suggesting an American shouldn't publicly express an opinion that the USA is "wonderful"? By doing so, I don't think aspiring_writer was saying that all the other countries in the world are NOT "wonderful." Each person has to make the assessment for the country he or she lives in.

I rise to aspiring_writer's defense, because I think it was a casual comment, which had no underhanded or negative meaning or insinuation whatsoever. No intention to insult any other person or country. He or she (haven't read their profile) should be allowed to say it w/o getting slammed for it.

aspiringwriter

08-22-2006, 01:06 AM

Thank you BrianTubbs... it was just a general comment made--didn't mean to start a discussion about it. All I am saying is that in this country we can voice opinions and shouldn't, I stress shouldn't be slammed for making them.

But enough of that...

endless rewrite

08-22-2006, 01:07 AM

No, I am not saying an American shouldn't express an opinion that their country is wonderful or that such a statement indicates a belief that ALL other countries are not wonderful. I was merely poking fun at the need to even say it and the observatiion that though I have heard that statement many times it is only from Americans.

Lets face it there are many things that make your country great apart from the freedom to express an opinion, which amazingly many of us do without equating it with the greatness of where we live. For instance, your Krispy Kreme dougnuts and Snakes On a Plane, in fact you could combine the two for a delectable, finger licking, buttock clenching night of fun, freedom and greatness.

I know it was only a casual comment and that wasn't a slamming just a tickle.

BrianTubbs

08-22-2006, 03:34 AM

Back to the film....

It IS a clever mix of fears - "snakes," "planes." And the kind of movie which results is pretty much, what most people have said, the kind of movie you'd EXPECT to see, given its name.

It is NOT doing as well in the box office as the filmmakers would like, but its long-term profitablity (box office, pay-per-view, cable, video) will probably be more than acceptable.

The important thing for us, aspiring screenwriters, to see is how the combo attracted the attention of the Hollywood world.

If we can put together a script that has a similar combo (maybe not in horror, but in another genre), we'd strike gold - assuming it was well-executed.

Of course, saying that is easy. Thinking of something is hard. I find myself now like Winnie-the-Poo, sitting on a log, tapping my head: "Think, think... think, think."

Akuma

08-22-2006, 03:52 AM

I myself prefer professional reviews.

http://soapsummary.ytmnd.com/

maestrowork

08-22-2006, 08:12 AM

I myself prefer professional reviews.

http://soapsummary.ytmnd.com/

Sweetie, I'm a professional movie critic, just so you know. ;)

bluejester12

08-22-2006, 10:04 AM

scripter1

08-22-2006, 07:32 PM

Now that's a review!!!!

http://soapsummary.ytmnd.com/

Maestro, you may be a professional reviewer (I don't know, haven't read your profile) but do YOU set your reviews to music and re-inact the best scenes from the movie?
Hmmmm?

Haven't seen the movie myself............ yet.
Maybe some day when I get over this nasty sinus infection I have and I have nothing better to do, and Pirates of the Caribbean isn't showing, and it's 50 cent night at the dollar theater THEN I'll go.

Wait, don't pay any attention to me.
It's just the NyQuil talking.

Dekomposer

08-22-2006, 07:49 PM

Sounds like a film for the brain dead.

JAlpha

08-22-2006, 07:56 PM

Sounds like a film for the brain dead.

Oh goodie, another professional reviewer weighs in :snoopy:

I'm really enjoying the divided opinions on this film, can you tell :D How often do we see a film that people feel compelled to review, even if they haven't seen it. Now we've got two on the screens at the same time. SotP and 9/11. And people say the film industry is dead :Shrug:

Dekomposer

08-22-2006, 08:07 PM

In fact, the plot and characters sound as if they have as much substance as a Government policy..............

ChunkyC

08-24-2006, 02:22 AM

I too earn part of my income writing movie reviews and I thought SoaP was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. The plot was idiotic from start to finish, the first couple of attack scenes were the kind of gross out crossed with sexual titillation scenes you'd expect from a pubescent schoolboy fantasy, and the dialogue was even worse.

I had a great time laughing at how bad it was, and told my readers if they went into it with that attitude, they'd probably enjoy themselves. I think it has the potential to become one of those movies people like to rent so they can get together with some friends and laugh at it because it's so silly.

dclary

09-02-2006, 02:36 AM

I just saw this movie 3 days ago. It was everything I expected it to be, and everything the title promised. I found it thoroughly entertaining, and I would recommend it all my friends as a goofy-fun action adventure.

Pmnuedo

09-02-2006, 08:53 PM

In fact, the plot and characters sound as if they have as much substance as a Government policy..............

Snakes On A Plane wasn't amazing because of plot and character development. Snakes On A Plane was amazing because it delivered exactly what it promised. And a kickboxer. And some good one liners. And a kickboxer kicking (or punching, I don't remember, I was laughing really hard) a snake.