Art wouldn’t be viewed as art if there weren’t an underlying controversy of some sort. It is questionable what a completely original idea is, and this uncertainty has sparked debate in every art form imaginable. In the case of “Copyright Criminals" (Directed by Benjamin Franzen, 2009) the concept of sampling music is analyzed and argued by musicians, lawyers, sound engineers, and sample artists themselves, making the documentary a balanced and judgment-free source when exploring the issues of copyrighting music.
The strongest component that makes “Copyright Criminals” so effective and coherent is the use of commentary and the subjects chosen to do the commenting. Clyde Stubblefield, an original member of the James Brown Band, is one of the most sampled artists ever, making his interview on the subject necessary. It was logical to go straight to the creator to find out how he deals with the drama. He spoke with a real-life-artist’s perspective that left the viewer feeling sympathetic after learning that all he yearns for is recognition of his name, not money in his pocket. surrounding the subject.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the documentary takes a look at artists using these samples in their work and the legality issues they face. The progression of music and its creation with the use of sampling is outlined in the film starting with some of the earliest forms of sampling artists such as the Beatles and Prince and on into today’s music world with artists such as Jay Z. The use of this historical progression helped to make the documentary a reliable and credible source.
The successfulness of the documentary is also aided by the comparison of musicians to artists such as Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Shakespeare. Andy Warhol for example was influenced heavily in his work by icons such as Marilyn Monroe, and he used this influence to create a new masterpiece. The comparisons aid the viewer in better understanding why artists even consider using samples, which is a question many need and want answered. Using examples outside of the hip-hop realm helps to put artistry as a whole into a better perspective.
The effectiveness isn’t just from the content contained within the documentary however. Every so often, a split-screen was used comparing and layering two or more images of artists accompanied by their music to show how easy and unrecognizable sampling has been used in the past and present. The layering gives a break from the face-time commentary and adds a new level of fun to the documentary, while still showing the development and use of sampling as a tool within the art.
Though musicians have been known to sample for years, and as music and the technology behind the creation of this music evolves, it gets harder to pinpoint what has been “copied” and what is “original.” “Copyright Criminals” took on the challenge of covering this hot debate topic and did so in a visually appealing, unbiased, and unique way. Though no real end to the battle of “copier vs. creator” can be seen, the documentary lays all of the moral and ethical issues out on the table, leaving the viewer responsible to make up his or her own mind.
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