Coincidence Or Plagiarism: How My Short Film Turned Into A Major Motion Picture
Right down to the font on the movie poster, Joel Edgerton's "The Gift" is eerily similar to the short film I made as a junior in high school.
I remember the day I thought of the plot for my new short film. I remember sitting in class as a junior in high school, thinking about how simple and plausible the movie was to make and edit. I remember shooting it over a span of two days, editing it for almost a month, and the looks on people's faces as they saw the surprise ending.
I remember the moment the announcer said "The Gift" was the winner of the annual "Best Short Film" award in my small town of New Jersey. I remember walking up the stage, standing in front of an audience, and thanking everyone who helped create my film and made things possible.
Then, 2 years later, I remember seeing a trailer for a film titled "The Gift", written directed, and starring Joel Edgerton.
It's strange to think that a small film, in which the plot is uniquely written and immensely thrilling, almost mirrors that of the plot of my short film. A woman keeps receiving strange gifts from an anonymous suitor, one of which she finally realizes is an old classmate of hers. Although his intentions are initially looked at as malicious, it turns out to be a gift confusion, in which the gifts were not meant to be for the young girl, but for her mother. Short, sweet, and comedic, the film was a local hit. After going viral on social media sites like YouTube and Facebook, the "movie" was nominated for "Best Short Film" at the Feronies, which is a ceremony held to honor and recognize young filmmakers in the area. After weeks of viral fame and adamant luck, I submitted my film, along with other pieces of work, to colleges, and was accepted into a first year film program at my current college, University of New Haven.
2 years passed, and just as I was about to embark on another creation, I was sitting in a movie theater and an upcoming attraction for a film came on the screen. At first, I was intrigued by the mixed cast and suspicious activity. Then, after seeing the cut-aways of different presents showing up at a doorstep, I began to have suspicions of my own. Finally, after the trailer announced that "The Gift" would be in theaters soon, I almost had to leave the theater. Did my film go that viral? Did Joel Edgerton happen to stumble upon my movie himself? Was someone playing a large, mean, and costly trick on me? These questions raced through my mind, I still have yet to find an answer.
Even though this is a "Big Fat Liar" situation come to life, it is safe to say I am Frankie Muniz, and Joel Edgerton is a nicer, and less arrogant Paul Giamatti. I have reached out to the film group behind the movie, and even though they have yet to respond or give an explanation, I am still a supporter of the movie and give high praise to Edgerton on his directional debut.
And as far as my future goes, hopefully I receive an answer, whether it be coincidence or plagiarism. And hopefully I receive a large check in the mail.
To watch "The Gift", written and directed by Alex Halfinger, click the link here
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