Public Domain Do-Over

think this one is even better. . .

If you recall my last post, I shared a link to the film I made for the Internet Archive’s Public Domain Day Film Contest. Well, understanding what is and is not in the Public Domain is tricky. . . just read the Wikipedia page on Public Domain in the United States and you will be as mindboggled as you are enlightened.

All that to say, I was unsure if all the resources for my film were technically in the public domain, so I deleted my film and made another one! This one is. . .similar. . .but different. . .and still only comes in at a couple of minutes.

You can view it at the Public Domain Contest Day Film Contest link here, or by playing the video below.

While this film still uses the central footage of Carlena Diamond playing the harp, I’ve also added in footage of Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse from the animated piece called Wild Waves, text from Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, and a recording of It Had to Be You; all of which have been modified in either visuals or speed.

If you have time and the inclination, check out the other films that have been submitted - I’ve watched a handful and am beyond impressed at the varying styles and modes of creativity. At this point, there are still fewer than 100 entries, so while I don’t think I have a chance of winning, I have more of a chance than I would with 1,000 films, ha!

If you missed the original film, My Fingers at Your Harpstrings, you can see it below - just don’t tell anyone from Fleetwood Mac.

Let me know what you think of both films in the comments; praise and criticism are equally welcomed!

Lastly, not everyone thinks the Public Domain is a benefit to creativity or creators, as you will see in this post below from Thimble Lit magazine. So if you use works from the Public Domain for your creativity, make sure to equally purchase the rights to licensed works of living artists as well.

~ Trilety