Documentary filmmakers take note: there are other ways in which you can choose to distribute your films. Rather than the all-rights-reserved approach of the copyright world, take a look on the creative side.
Creative Commons, an alternative approach which takes a "some rights reserved" policy towards information, knowledge and creative work, believes its position might actually better serve the needs of documentary filmmaker who anyway have a tough time gaining audiences and revenues.
Creative Commons licenses allow the creator of the work to decide under what terms they would like to share it – whether it can be shared only with author attribution, or only for non-commercial purposes, or whether ‘derivate’ works are privileged. Various combinations are possible.
The project officer of Creative Commons Australia, Elliott Bledsoe, is promoting the idea of how "digital technologies" and "copyright management" could combine as "tools for filmmakers".
So why would filmmakers want to veer away from the strict copyrights regime, and try out Creative Commons instead?
Bledsoe argues: "It encourages collaboration. It increases reach and reputation. Such an approach offers access to new business models. It gives new value to ‘back catalogue’ (the BBC has itself been experimenting with its Creative Archive)."
In addition, he points out that Creative Commons "as a distribution model" offers the chance of strong community engagement or feedback – almost like some kind of peer review, as seen in the world of free and open source software (FOSS).
It reduces costs for certain users, like schools, libraries, non-profits and charities. It provides "legal clarity" and also reduces administrative costs. Likewise, for those keen in giving an altruist edge to their work, this approach "increases the sum of human knowledge" and also "encourages innovation".
Creative Commons, or CC, a distribution model too
Anna Helme of Engagemedia.org, an Australian network that allows filmmakers to put up their work on the internet for distribution argues: "Many of these videos address concerns… largely ignored by other… distribution outlets."
Cafune, a feature-film funded by the Brazilian ministry of culture, was also put out under a similar licence. This move was designed to overcome the bottlenecked cinema distribution in Brazil, to acknowledge its public funding, and to add value to the film.
Some filmmakers also are known for releasing a short trailer of their film on Revver under a Creative Commons license. This was done by the award-winning educational film ‘A Laughing Matter‘.
Creative Commons could also help build a "collaboration model" around a film. See how the film ‘A Swam of Angles‘ came about. Some 1,000 people also donated UK Pounds 25 each to collaborate input into ‘The Unfold’ and ‘Glitch’. Both are "peer-to-peer friendly", remix ready, and not encumbered by digital-rights management.
CC is seen by some as a way of managing raw material (such as in the film Outfoxed). "Creative Commons-licensed material is a pool of material legally available for reuse, without additional permissions. Generally, without payment either, but under certain conditions. Of course, you can individually licence for other uses," says Bledsoe.
Creative Commons, argues Bledsoe, offers special opportunities for documentary-makers. It allows for viral distribution and promotion (both online and offline). It is a model that facilitates collaboration, and the management of raw content, besides giving you possible content for your film.
Ideally, the Creative Commons strives for licensing models that are "voluntary, facilitate sharing, flexible, easy to use and understand, and have the same application anywhere in the world".
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One can also find CC films and related resources on www.revver.com, www.archive.org and www.channel4.com/interact
Photos that are sharable are found at openphoto.net and www.flickr.com/creativecommons.
Meanwhile, music is available at www.ccmixter.org, www.opsound.org and www.magnatune.com
Creative Commons material can be found at http://search.creativecommons.org
