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My Film: The Terra-Cotta Soldier (hesitant to post)
Well I’m hesitant to post my film as it uses Copyrighted music without permission (though absolutely no money is being made off this fanfilm), and I’m afraid Douglass is going to rip me a new one or delete my post or something.But I’ve been working on this for several years, and people here have helped me with little things as well as big things. In fact several people here are in the credits for their help, including Mr. Troxel for his “line over a map” tutorial. Since people here have contributed, I just thought I’d share (and hope I didn’t get shut down) with those who helped to make it possible.
The Terra-Cotta Soldier
You can view it on my website at https://www.FiddlerStudios.com
Or over at the FXhome Cinema: https://fxhome.com/cinema/view/3099/the-terra-cotta-soldier There you can comment and rate it if you have a free membership.Please feel free to come back here to post and let me know what you think. Thanks so much to those who helped, you’ll have to find yourselves in the credits.
–the Fiddler
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9 Replies
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A- I’ve never, ever once deleted a post because it was linked to, contained, discussed, or in any other way had a relation to copyrighted works. It’s clearly a family project, for family use. However, by posting it online, you run a pretty risk of exposure of being caught out.
B-Looks like a very ambitious and fun project. I’ve watched about 10 mins as I’m working, and it’s got some fun gags in it. The kids in suits/CIA safehouse is really fun.
I think you could have set a better concept of past history by using desaturated colors and maybe some grain. It also might have set up the grainy scenes in the dark areas a little better.
Very well done piece overall. I dropped out during the two boys in the river scene.
No offense, but I’m pretty well burned out on the Star Wars lightsaber fights that seem to populate so many independent films. I also wouldn’t have minded a more creative approach to some of the sounds, rather than having them lifted straight from other films (like the light sabre). All in all, looks like a very fun piece. I’m not sure why you put SO much excellent effort into shooting and editing an original piece, but kiped all the music and some of the sound effects from movie soundtracks. There is something definitely strange hearing StarWars and Raiders of the Lost Ark in the same scene…
Obviously you’ve put a lot of work into this, and it shows. Most of the editing is very good (some of the fight scenes could have been more tightly cut) and it’s a piece that you and your crew should be very proud of!Douglas Spotted Eagle
VASSTCertified Sony Vegas Trainer
Aerial Camera/Instructor -
Thanks Douglas! I really appreciate it. I understand the problem with the river sequence. It was actually filmed and completed several years prior to the rest of the film, and doesn’t have the multiple story threads or production value of the rest of the film. But the rest was made as an expansion of the original so without a lot of extra work there was no way to redo or remove it. Thanks again, I really am greatfull for your positive response.
–the Fiddler
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I’m not as laissez-faire as DSE is so I’m not at all happy to see you spend so much effort to produce your film and then render it totally useless by including copyrighted work. If you think that you are somehow immune to being prosecuted for this gaffe, you are sorely mistaken. If you have any real love for your financial position in life, you would be well served by removing your film from the server it resides on, at least until you either;
A) Pony up the rights fees for the music and effects you purloined (which is unlikely as the agencies make little distinction between a “Home Movie” and a Major production)
or
B) Re-Edit your opus and use royalty free music and effects which are readily available and relatively inexpensive (and sometimes totally free)If you think that you can make the excuse that you are only a “home movie” (which it is fairly clear that this is just that), I think that you will be very surprised to find out that THAT idea won’t hold any water as you have your film available at “Fiddlerstudios.com” which ironically has a very clear copyright posting on the home page. If YOU expect to be protected from those who would take your work, you can’t expect to claim ignorance when you take someone else’s property. Fiddler Films being promoted as a “Division of Fiddler Studios” certainly lends the image of a fairly well established and financially stable entity. I’d bet you a coffee at 7/11 that you don’t have the assets to fight a copyright infringement suit that you are sure to lose.
So with that bit of sunshine out of the way. I would suggest that you rethink your position. Yes, there are many people who make films and use copyrighted content without permission. Very few of them are foolish enough to promote it and broadcast it on one of the Largest PROFESSIONAL WEB FORUMS in existence.
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Well if you’re just honestly trying to help and warn me, thanks but no thanks. 1) I never called it a “home movie.” Other people might have, but I didn’t. 2) Lucasfilm owns all the copyrights to the material used and they have been very lenient to the numberless fanfilms that are out there. Not only that but they even encourage them. Their only requirement is that if you use copyrighted material, you make sure and don’t sell it or use it to make profit in any way. I’m being very careful of that, am aware of the possibility of legal ramifications, and am not too worried based on Lucasfilm’s past record regarding these things. Thanks for the warning, but we did it for fun for our own enjoyment and just thought maybe people on the web (and those who helped out with it) might want to see.
–the Fiddler
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Their only requirement is that if you use copyrighted material, you make sure and don’t sell it or use it to make profit in any way. I’m being very careful of that, am aware of the possibility of legal ramifications, and am not too worried based on Lucasfilm’s past record regarding these things.
But you ask for donations on your site which could easily be construed as attempting to profit from your film. You clearly put in your post heading that you are “hesitant to post” and clarify that by admitting to worrying about using copyrighted content. If ever there was an “open and shut case” you just made it.
Not worrying about legal ramifications based on past behavior is a risky attitude. Of course, that’s your prerogative. It is, however, totally disingenuous to post copyright notices on YOUR work and ignore them on other’s work based on “past behavior” from a studio. If you can’t see that, or take umbrage to my pointing it out, then I am wasting both your time and mine.
I hate to see people who have a lot of talent get sidetracked by making avoidable mistakes. I hate it even more when they are financially ruined by companies who suddenly decide to make and “example” of them. Just for laughs, you might ring up your attorney and get a ball park figure on what it would cost you to defend yourself against a copyright infringement suit (again one that you would most definitely lose).
I think that you would be less cavalier in your attitude when you realizes that even though it may have never happened before, if YOU are the lucky one to be chosen to go on the block, your life will change dramatically. All the “Fun” goes out of a project that lands you in court.
Best of luck in future projects and remember, Talent and common sense don’t always go hand in hand and sometimes the person who doesn’t shower you with roses is giving you the best advice.
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Typo in the credits (assistant).
The music thing I could almost forgive but you have a “donate here” button that really does not work in your favour. Just take that down to avoid charges outright.
As for music I regularly buy tracks from http://www.freeplaymusic.com even for personal use if it’s going to end up on the web. It’s really reasonable and offers piece of mind. Additionally, Sony Cinescore is well liked in the indie film world and costs like $180 with starter themes included which is a good value. Finally I’ve got a library called Mix from http://www.sound-ideas.com that’s a bit dated but they go on sale on the time for under $250.
But you’ve done an ambitious project and it’s a shame to hear all that wall-to-wall copyrighted music. Your video is actually rather good. Your actors (both are your brothers?) are awesome.
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Rick Dolishny
Discrete Editors COW Leader
http://www.thecreativeprocess.ca -
Thanks Rick, I appreciate the feedback and the info on some royalty free music. That kind of thing is always helpful. I’ve actually been meaning to take down the donate link for a while… I’ll do it now.
Creatively, I’m kinda done with this project. I don’t know, perhaps some day I’d go back and re-score it so it’s sell-able. But really, outside family, who’s going to buy it? Besides it just does something for the SW or Indy fan in us all to hear the right theme music at the right times.
I appreciate everyone’s positive feedback and honest desire to help me have a film I could potentially make some money off of, but I’m not worried about it now. Its something I can show to others to exhibit my abilities, and something for friends and family to enjoy. But I’m kinda to that point where it’s time to move on to new things. I’ve got Soundbooth now (ended up choosing it over Cinescore because of its easy audio cleanup and mastering abilities), and will look at Ricks suggestions for other royalty-free music for future projects. Believe me, I’d never make a not-for-profit fanfilm again. Once was enough. Thanks again!
–the Fiddler
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[Tevya Washburn] “I’d never make a not-for-profit fanfilm again. Once was enough. Thanks again!”
I wouldn’t be quite so final. 🙂
If you hang out at the COW Business forum we have a lot of guys with the skillset but don’t have your energy to just go out and Do It. Another way of looking at it, they buy the cameras and the edit gear and wait for the business to come and wonder why it isn’t. In your case, you went out and did it learning as you went and became far more marketable and desireable as a professional.
I admire your enthusiasm and frankly your chutzpa to get things done. I have worked on a number of personal projects and know how hard it is to actually finish something I start that seemed like a cool idea at the time … months later!
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Rick Dolishny
Discrete Editors COW Leader
http://www.thecreativeprocess.ca
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