On Screen C2, Unit 8a

 A lot of artists face an internal struggle over originality. Of course we all want to be original, but is it possible? Is there anything new under the sun? Some say there are no new stories, just remixed and rehashed (=reused-for ideas+material) versions of stories we’re all familiar with. Often, when someone calls a piece of work original, a close examination reveals its roots in creative works that preceded it. But just because your story idea is similar to another story, perhaps a famous one, should you worry that it contains nothing of note (nothing of importance) and give up on it?

Look at it this way: everything already exists. The ideas, plots, characters — they’re already out there in someone else’s story, nothing is unequivocally original anymore. So, if you’re at a loss for what to do, remember that originality isn’t a matter of coming up with something new, it’s a matter of using your imagination to take old concepts and carefully structure them in new ways. To

test this theory, see if you can deduce what the following famous story is:

An orphan living with his aunt and uncle receives a mysterious message from a non-human stranger, which leads him on an adventure. Early on, he must receive training to learn skills that are seemingly superhuman. Along the way, he befriends loyal helpers, specifically a guy and a gal who end up falling for each other. His adventures lead him to a villain — the same villain who killed his parents.

If you guessed that this synopsis outlines Harry Potter, then you guessed right. But if you guessed that it was Star Wars, you’re also right.

This shows how two stories that are extremely different from one another can share many fundamental similarities, including the basic plot structure and character relationships, and it proves that writing ideas will come about and manifest in different ways when executed by two different writers. This is because creative writing is all about discovery, imagination, and sharing your feelings with readers.

Bearing this in mind, I started seeing stories in a new light. When I read a great novel or watch a mesmerising movie, I often realise upon reflection that these works have common elements with lots of other stories. I don’t know if J.K. Rowling ever noticed that Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker were so alike. Whether she did or not, the lesson we can all take away is that she forged ahead and believed in the story that she wanted to tell.

So I’ve come to realise that creativity isn’t always coming up with something new. Creativity, often, is simply finding new connections, perspectives and combinations of elements. Letting go of old ideals regarding originality and reshaping them with this new understanding sends us soaring into less inhibited and better writing experiences.

GLOSSARY

*intimate* (adj): (of interaction) very close

e.g. The one-on-one nature of live streaming allows very intimate interaction between a broadcaster and their audience.

Der.: intimacy (n)

*transmission* (n): a programme that is broadcast

e.g. The TV station broadcasts their transmissions throughout the country; programmes usually run through most of the day.

*stream* (v): to watch a video or listen to audio on the Internet without downloading it

e.g. Video sharing websites let viewers stream programmes online without having to download them.

*in the spotlight* (phr): *in the limelight*

e.g. Mediums, such as television, helped to put entertainers in the spotlight, giving them widespread fame and attention.

*utilise* (v): to make use of sth

e.g. Theatrical productions utilise a variety of different actors in a cast in order to portray different characters.

Der.: utility (n), utilisation (n), utilisable (adj)

*incorporate* (v): to add sth as part of sth else

e.g. Video sharing services incorporate social elements and comment posts to their videos.

Der.: incorporation (n)

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*unequivocally (adv):* totally

e.g. Nowadays, nothing is unequivocally original anymore; all ideas are recycled in one way or another.

*fundamental (adj):* essential

e.g. Although the characters are different, both science fiction stories share fundamental similarities, such as aliens, spaceships and intergalactic travel.

Der.: fundamentalism (n), fundamentalist (n)

*execute (v):* to implement

e.g. It's interesting to observe that the end product is different when the same idea is executed by two different writers.

Der.: executive (n/adj), execution (n), executor (n)

*mesmerising (adj):* absorbing

e.g. The film was so mesmerising that I couldn't stop watching for a moment!

*element (n):* an aspect

e.g. Special effects are an important element of modern films; they are a crucial feature!

Der.: elementary (adj), elemental (adj)

*inhibited (adj):* restricted

e.g. Some authors can find themselves inhibited by a lack of confidence or writer's block.

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1 Describe in your own words how the writer defines originality.

2 What suggestions does the writer give to aspiring creative writers?

EX 7

Do you think there is a lack of original ideas in creative writing today? Listen to a model answer. Then click on the icon for a video activity.

Do you believe that similar ideas to those used in existing work have no merit and should be discarded? Use the Help button for reference.

ANSWER

I believe that the writer has a point, that there are few new stories around. Therefore, I think it would be pointless to discard works with similar ideas. As long as the story is told in a fresh and exciting new way, I don’t see a problem with using a similar idea. As the writer noted, both Harry Potter and Star Wars have the same underlying story but they have been told in completely different ways – different enough to make them unique and entertaining in their own right, and I think their large following of fans are testament to the success of original storytelling.