Will I Get in Trouble if I.....

Lady Imbri sent me a link about a possible case of plagerism. The picture on the left is from Bleach...the one of the right...is not. Simmons was accused of plagerism back in February. You decide for yourself. Looks a little too alike, and I really doubt it's an hommage to Tito Kubo. But it raises an interesting question...will I get in trouble if I use, a song, story line, anime, basically someone else's work to create something fun and neat.



Well, according to the ninja-monkey-copyright-lawyers at MySpace and YouTube, the answer is an inconsistent yes. How many times have I thrown up an AMV and either the song, or some other aspect of the content comes under scrutiny and I had to remove it? One too many times. It is regrettable that one of my favorite bands, Weezer, is highly active is squashing creative content. But there is a point to this; it IS their work. This how they make their money and pay their bills. But I feel that at some point, they can ease up a bit...if I am not making any money out of this myself, why whould they care?



Just like when people make fan art or fan-fiction, sure we are basing our own creative liscence on something already created. It can be called an hommage...and most of the time, the original creators may be amused or honored by it. It's the same thing with AMV's; a person felt that a certain anime and a song really fit and create something visually stunning or amusing. While I do get annoyed at the ninja-monkey-copyright-lawyers. There is something else to be considered...intellectual and creative rights.



Artists put a lot of hardwork into their craft. It is theirs. Anyone who has taken time to create something original, and to have it put into the public eye...that's a lot of work! I remember a few years ago, one of the last writing assingments I did was to convince an opera audience why dressing up the cast in WWI uniforms and dress actually did relate to the opera, "Faust". It took me a lot time, effort and research...I remember the morning of the deadline...it was 4am and I didn't realize it. Point is, it was my work, my effort, and I, by being the creator, deserved the credit (and criticism). The same goes for the creators of manga and anime.



Most artists/creators are fine with hommages to their work. But not always. Otakon has a rule for its AMV contest: don't use English dubs, original Japanese actors voices can be used, however. The main reason for this is that Otakon may have a guest voice actor...and he or she would probably not be too happy if their voice was used on an AMV...largely because they aren't getting paid for it. It reminds me of when Patrick Stuart showed up at a premiere at the the theatre I worked at the time; ten feet before I could introduce myself, an intern got in his face and snapped a pic without his permission...his image is his bread and butter, he was mad and left before I could speak to him (btw, he was playing Othello in DC then, yes, I said Othello).



But for the most part, creators and artists enjoy hommages. So, the answer to the question is no...you won't really get into trouble unless you plagerize. Make sure you aren't trying to profit too handsomely off of someone else's work and above all...make sure that whatever you do, give credit where credit is due. Simply doing that can prevent an hyper-active manga artist from shoving is pens and pencils where the sun don't shine.



So...hommage away!!



SIDE NOTES:


AMV deadline for the Otakon AMV Contest is June 20th. Go here for rules and regs: http://www.otakon.com/

Give my vlog some love and stop by! http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUnagiObserver


TONIGHT'S PLAYLIST:

Click here and go to the music section for the music: http://bigstevegearhart.multiply.com/

"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" - Afghan Wigs
"Stockholm Syndrome" & "Time Is Running Out" - Muse
"Kiss With a Fist" - Florence and the Machine
"I Want You To" - Weezer
"Super Bon-Bon" - Sould Coughing

Cosplaying - The Wonder, The Addiction

So, a very weird and creepy thing happened. I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to write, so I decided to come back to a subject I haven't talked about in awhile: cosplaying. Not wanting to basically write the same thing twice. I went backinto my Word file and looked it up. After getting the gist of what I wrote previously, I clicked on properties to see how long ago I wrote. Keep in mind that tonight's blog is being written on April 11th. The previous coplaying blog entry was written on...wait for it...April 11, 2008. I should paly the lottery tomorrow....



Cosplay. It's fun. It's addictive. It's hard work. It's a religion.



I've ripped on coplayers in the past, but in a loving fashion. Unless you are one of those who ignores your own body type and inisist upon dressing up like Faye Valentine or Light Yamagi. Please, just don't. It hurts the rest of us. Seriously. Despite that, cosplayers are a very energetic and playfull bunch. They have to be.



The amount of time and work that goes into a fan's costume actually exceeds the amout of time it is worn. To be a cosplayer and to create a costume, you must be one of two types of individuals. One is a person with seamstress/tailor/costume designer skills. The other is a person who has access to a seamstress/tailor/costume designer. All coplayers, however, share the same traits. Creativity, energy to wear their costumes...and must love being in the public's eye and have their picture taken every 90 seconds or so. Being a flirt also helps.



Costumes are quite often intricate. Details are important. Getting the rank right on a uniform, or a special symbol, is important as there will ALWAYS be that fanboy or fangirl who actually will call you out if you get it wrong. As with any costume design, there has to be some knowledge onhow to plan to create a costume. This may include renderings, the use of body stands, continuous measurements...and the hunt for the right color material.



A costume can also be quite restrictive depending upon who you are portraying. Say your character has wings, extended body features, or the character you are emulating...simply does not havea humanoid form. This brings an element of construction to the table. How do you create a costume to attatch to yourself and still be able to walk around? Not an easy task. Just to give you an idea; see the above photo? I am six feet tall. That costume is easily eight to nine feet tall. The person inside? Tiny.



Lastly, there is the make-up and wig element. Like anythign else with the costume, there has to be consistency. You can't dress up as L and wear a long, blond wig. Just doesn't work. Also, make up has to be maintained. Unless you have a professional make-up artist in your group. Theatrical and photo make-up artists make sure their work can stand up under hot lights. Regular make-up jobs? Not so much. I'm still waiting for someone to cosplay Scar at Otakon...I want to see the design on the right arm!



Wigs are devices of torture. I know this from my years of working in theatre. I've never actually worn a wig, but I've seen the application. First, you have to decide how you are going to wear a wig. Straight on your head, or will you use a stretch cap to attatch the wig to? Either way, you are going to have bed hair when you take the wig off. And it's itchy. And it's hot. Very hot.



Despite the horrors and hard work and the wearing of demonic devices...they still are able to run around, act in character...and always are ready to pose for your camera. How long do they practice their poses? How often does an attractive cosplayer endure leering fanboys? Or the creepy older guy with a Nikon camera? You gotta hand it to the cosplayers. They love the attention, so give it to them! They've earned it!



Hopefully, this year, security won't decide that I am carrying contraband in my backpack and keep me out of the Masquerade. Oh, and to the guy walking around as MegaMan with the skintight suit...no one wants to see the outline of your junk....



SIDE NOTES:

See my new vlog on just my life and what I talk about, give it some love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKbb9915hUY

PLAY LIST:

Go here to see and hear what I was listening to while writing this blog!

http://bigstevegearhart.multiply.com/