Richard Patterson
Given the entertainment industry’s long history, it’s no surprise that many ideas and concepts get recycled. It’s not to say that originality is rare; however, you’ll see something familiar at some point. There are many ways of retelling or telling a new story while taking notes from sources. Although it would look like copying in some cases, it’s more often not the case. Let’s dive into some examples of people taking their inspiration from others’ work.
The influence in a genre
Many filmmakers have inspired the filming standards and concepts known today. An example of this is the Star Wars franchise’s influence on the sci-fi genre. Inspired by various films of the 1950s-60s, notably Flash Gordon and Seven Samurai, with these influences, George Lucas created the Star Wars franchise and inspired many filmmakers in sci-fi.
Inspiration from past media
There is also a long history of creators inspired by anime series they’ve grown up with or enjoyed. They were allowed to craft their works as they got older and put into director/ creative leading roles. Examples include the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World series, inspired by anime and video games, and the mecha anime genre, which heavily influenced the Pacific Rim franchise. These and several well-known series crafted their inspirations into their work.
A final example of someone who incorporates inspiration into their work is animator and director Akira Amemiya. He’s well known for producing anime for Studio Trigger, but he’s also a fan of the Transformers franchise. When he worked on SSSS Gridman, many of his designs were homages to various Transformers characters. Eventually, in 2024, he directed and animated the Transformers 40th Anniversary Special.
Closing thoughts
Many creators in the entertainment industry have inspired other creators. There is a difference between being influenced by a piece of media and copying it. There is always a new generation of creators inspired by creators.
https://theableshow.com/taking-inspiration-into-creation
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls022040458