Plagiarism has been a hot button issue both on and off YouTube for the last several months. So when British screenwriter Simon Stephenson recently accused Alexander Payne and David Hemingson's acclaimed film The Holdovers of plagiarizing Stephenson's unproduced screenplay 'Frisco', many were quick to jump to conclusions. Indeed, if you've read the Variety article that broke the news, you may well have been convinced that Stephenson has a strong case.
But I'm here to tell you that you've been had! You've been bamboozled! Don't let them do this to you! Join me as we unpack the situation and dissect a few of the wackier claims Stephenson makes in the 33-page introductory document he sent to the WGA. An enlightening case study in perspective, framing, and (dis)honesty.
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00:00 - Intro
6:00 - Context
17:23 - The worst supporting document of all time
49:08 - What is to become of Simon Stephenson?
Sources/documents: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AzHrmO5qLoTV9QlTERG_LWB2i2kLvlx2uprL5CKhubw/edit?usp=sharing
Footnote: I JUST realized right before posting this that although I call Simon Stephenson a "British screenwriter" in this video, he is in fact from Scotland. I want to apologize for this, as I know that no Scot likes to be mistaken for a Brit. But in my defense, the Variety article also refers to him as a "British writer" and I guess I foolishly took their word for it. What is going on over there?! Tatiana you're an executive editor! Could you try *editing* next time???
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