Go expressive, go derivative

 

By G-mi K.

 

In a vibrant, creative city, whenever there is a hot topic, popular story or figure, various forms of related cultural contents, such as text, image, video and music contents, etc., are produced by media and individuals. Some are completely original works, while some are derived from existing works. The latter are called derivative works or re-creations.

From east to west, from shore to shore, derivative works encompass many different art forms. “L.H.O.O.Q.”, a reproduction of the painting “Mona Lisa” by Marcel Duchamp in 1919, is an earliest example of derivative works. “Hitler Rants” parodies from the film “Downfall”, produced by global Internet users in recent years, are also derivative works; If we look locally, we may see two typical re-creators in the region: Mome TV and Cuson Lo.

Unique way of expression

MOME, a Macao-based media and marketing firm, produces and broadcasts videos and on the notable TV channels it owns on public transport, public places and the Internet. Among all program series made by its experienced, multidisciplinary production team, “Micropedia” is known for featuring elements derived from games, films, cartoons and other characters.

Brilliant re-creations based on existing ideas, give life to a well-known, evergreen show, while before all, as MOME’s Project and Creative Manager Kwok Hung admitted, in the beginning, doing re-creations in this series was due to practical consideration.

In each episode, life secrets and tips are introduced. Kwok believed they are actually simple, and can be expressed in a picture or a piece of paper, “but no one is interested in this way,” he said.

Instead, his team wants to deliver contents to their audience effectively. “If we simply find an expert, let him/her speak and add the intelligent ‘ding’ sounds in the show, audience may get bored,” said Kwok, adding, “Adapting the idea of derivative works makes the show more entertaining, and keeps it fresh.”

Being solely used in “Micropedia”, the derivative work is not MOME’s main focus - as it mostly makes original works. Yet, Kwok mentioned its benefit, “Characters are ready-made, with distinctive characteristics and maybe counterparts, which audience are familiar with.”

On the other hand, Cuson Lo Chi Kong, an advertising illustrator and cartoonist in Hong Kong, does not re-create using scripts, cameras and acting, but pens, papers and computers. Being one of the city’s most active cartoonists supporting derivative works, he draws about hot issues, current affairs and popular cultures, mainly featuring famous people, celebrities, characters and scenes from mass media.

Being sensitive to surroundings, Lo finds it efficient to express meanings, encourage audience to think and interact with each other through re-creations. “Besides entertaining, I wish my drawings give readers significant impacts, so that they can think, criticize and share their views,” he said. “Derivative works give some people a popularized approach to understand society and current issues.”

Lo introduced that most ideas and elements used in re-creations come from life. “Even watching an ordinary TV news report can give me good inspiration, for example, to satirize the struggling but ‘never-dying’ ATV .” ATV was a Hong Kong TV station which ended broadcasting in April 2016.

Enjoying the outcomes

Kwok said, “Process is always bitter, but our enjoyment is from outcome.” From creating ideas, preparing costumes and props to doing makeups, he saw the crew members’ enthusiasm to re-create products or characters.

“Creativity is brought by love [towards originals]. This is the core concept of derivative works,” Kwok added. “Love is contributed to re-creations. Unlike copying, we felt satisfied while doing re-creations.”

Apart from entertaining audience, Kwok agreed that derivative works help them generate messages to the public. He said, “People and the community determine impacts. Knowing the constraints on re-creation, the derivative work is, anyway, a form of creation easily accessible to many producers, and highly recognized by audience.”

Lo also enjoys making his derivative works. He said, “Re-creating is an interesting job. Putting my ideas onto comic strips, get them published and I will see the public’s reactions, whether they agree, disagree or have different comments. This is so meaningful to me. The works may play an important role in social interactions.”

Re-creation is a proper work

Some people around the world criticized that derivative works are a beautified name for piracy, while Kwok and Lo disagreed. “Copyright is copyright. It shall be recognized by productions teams of all sizes and all types,” Kwok said. “We imitate actual or virtual characters, scenes created by others in the series, but we never plagiarize.”

Similarly, Lo does not think derivative works are equal to copyright infringements. He said, “I would rather think they [derivative works] help promote the contents they are derived from.”

When asked about future, Kwok pointed out that re-creating rights would not be a big issue in Macao, due to the territory’s relatively small and new creative industry. Regardless, he encouraged those who have passion to contribute more creative cultural products to the local community.

Lo explained, “Killing derivative works means killing creativity.” He hoped society would treasure the dynamic creative industry and encourage its development. “Here we are full of possibilities,” he said, “especially on social media platforms, no matter whether you are doing sound, video or graphic productions.”