Film Reviews Analysis: Part 2!

I will be analysing this page as a whole, and two of the reviews, "Lincoln" and "Inside Out".

This is a page from a TV guide, who's purpose is to tell audiences what is on tv and when, and to advertise certain TV shows and films. Film reviews can double as advertisements if the review is particularly positive. However, even if the review is negative is still creates PR for the film, and people may want to see it to decide if they agree with the reviewer. 

Lincoln's section of the page is split up and 4/5ths of it is taken up by a screenshot from the film. In fact so much of the space was taken up by this picture that they had to overlay the name of the film on top of it to fit it in. The reviewers have included a star rating and the date, time, and channel that it is being shown. Two bubbles tell the reader that it is a "Premier" and that it is "The big film" of the week. The text starts off with the main actor's name (to create interest in the review and film by attracting fans of this actor), and goes on to talk about his performance in collaboration with the director. Again this name drop attracts fans, and audiences to the film and review. After that it gives an overview of the film, and leaves a cliffhanger to encourage people to find answers by watching the film. It then sings the films praises once more, encouraging people to watch it, and lists some of the other cast members. 

Inside Out also uses lots of their allotted section for a screenshot of the film, about 2/3. This is interesting and is something that I had not considered before I started my research. Often reviews do not include the film's posters but instead choose a interesting screenshot from the film. This is done to give their readers a feeling of seeing something new and a sneak peak into the film that they want to see. This is defiantly something I am thinking of doing for my film review.  The text starts with three positive adjectives, telling the audience right away the writers opinions of the film, in a short and concise way. Following that is a synopsis of the film, with opinions interwoven throughout. At the end of the review measures it up against other films from within the same genre and from the same animation studio

In this double page film review spread, not so much of the space is taken up by pictures. Often I find that a lot of the allotted space is taken up by screenshots from the film and posters, but this magazine has focused more upon the film review text. It has used two different colours for text, back and red. The black is used as the main colour, and the red is used as an accent to accentuate certain key points and quotes.

The same colour scheme has been used as above as these reviews came out of the same magazine. This review is different, however, as over half of the double page spread is taken up by a screenshot from the film. This page includes a sub heading unlike some other reviews I have looked at. It also contains film details and a plot summary outside of the main review text. This is also somethingI have not seen before in my research. The inset splits the review up into digestible chunks, as otherwise it looks to be a lot of intimidating text that would take along time to read. 

Half of the review space is taken up by a screenshot from the film, and the other half from the text part of the review. Part of the text, some background details are actually placed as a insert on top of the screenshot, as it is so big it must have taken up too much of the space for the review. The colour scheme is as discussed above again and this review also includes a subheading. The insert creates intrigue as it is big bold and easy to read and people want to find out why "a well cast ensemble go to waste". this encourages readers to both continue reading the review and watch the film. They have also included a summary of the review at the end, and have used a typical 5 star system to give a quick, easy, and understandable review of the film. 

Film Reviews Analysis: Part 1!

For this page-based review the posters, and a screenshot shot for the film take up half of this double page film review spread. The title incorporates the name of the film "Mockingjay" along with its own added extra "The world of..." to show that they will be reviewing and analysing it. The text below tells the audience that the review will be looking at the films "Ideology, dystopia, and propaganda". This is so the audience who are interested in these things are attracted to the article and people who aren't know to move on to a different article. The review starts off with a little paragraph in a larger font, and then goes on to look at the film in relation to these specific aspects. The use of the water marks behind the text of the film's logo are effective as they provide depth to the look of the pages. There are three columns of text per page, making it easier for the reader to absorb the information. Due to the ratio of pictures to text, and the added stylised distraction of the water mark, you could say that this review has less substance than one that mostly focused on analysing and a lot more text. The title's font is the font that the film uses to advertise and is as linked to the franchise as their logo. This is important as it is eye catching to fans who will recognise it and subsequently want to read the review. 

Even though a double page spread has been devoted to this review, only a mere 1/3 of it is taken up by the actual review. The rest is screenshots from the film. This is helping in attracting readers to the article as the pictures are eye catching and the small amount of text makes it easily digestible. Because of the large amount of space taken up by the pictures the reviewer has decided to place the title of the film and  the subheading onto one of the pictures to save some space for the text. The first paragraph is in a larger and more readable font than the rest of the review. This is again to attract readers, in that it is easier to read and hopefully get them interested in what the rest of the review has to say about the film. This review is spaced out to have three columns, in typical magazine/ newspaper style. The title is in the same font as the film uses for its title. This makes the review recognisable to people who are interested or who have seen it before, and will attract them to the article. 

This magazine review has much fewer pictures than the others that I have looked at, the vast majority of the double page spread is taken up by text, which is reviewing and analysing the media in depth. It however still fits in three screenshots. The text is split up into separate paragraphs using red headings. This separates the text nicely as it is a very different colour to the main black text. Intrigue is created by using the word "perfect" in this sub heading, as readers want to find out why the reviewer thinks it is perfect, and it would make people want to find out for themselves if they think it is perfect. This is also a open ended rhetorical question. The use of this literary technique encourages the reader to keep on reading to see if the question is answered later on in the text. The paragraph at the beginning in the larger font helps ease the reader from the sub heading into the much longer smaller main text. The boxes on the side distinguish these separate bits of text making them easier for the reader to quickly read for a synopsis. The use of three columns also helps the reader read the text quicker, and more easily. 

This film reviewer goes for a more simplistic aesthetic, by not including any pictures like posters or screenshots from the film. It does, however, let the reader know right away it opinion of the film, as in the title of the review it states the title of the film followed by the opinion "misses the mark". Below that it says "Rating: D" telling the reader in a easy digestible letter the overall review of the film. Usually reviewers choose to adopt the stars out of 5 rating, but this website has chosen to differentiate themselves in this quirky way. 

The rest of the text elaborates on the opinions stated in the title and opening of the piece. The minimalistic styling creates an emphasis on the text and the analysis, breakdown, and opinions on the film. This website is targeting an older audience, people with experience in films, who want a serious in depth look at the high and low points of the film. 

The review starts off with the title of the film and a tag line "- dark days in Metropolis " from the reviewer to tell the reader immediately their opinion of the piece. This is followed by a one sentence line to expand on this initial opinion. "Caped foes …" The picture below shows the two main characters facing each other as if in battle. This is not a poster but a screenshot from the film. A star rating is also used to efficiently tell the reader the reviewer's overall opinion of the film. 

The review mentions the director straight away and references a previous film from the same cinematic universe. This tells the reader that the reviewer knows what they are talking about and that they are knowledgeable in the subject. They are giving their opinion with reference to the film, and other things the cast, crew, and cinematic universe have done before. This review is also distracted by adverts on the same webpage. This is because this is how the website makes money, by selling spaces on their website for people to advertise. This is something I will not be including in my review, but I am glad that my research has brought it up so I could decide that I was not going to include them. 

From my research I have decided that the review I will be making will be a paper based and styled one, as if it were for a magazine. I will continue, however, to analyse website based reviews for their text and style.

Ancillary Task Ideas

How I want it to look: girl looking over her shoulder at something, looking scared. This links to the thriller genre as it is suspense full. I would like the colour scheme to be red and blue, to link with police lights, and to the modern crime genre, as well as the bright colours linking with the art house film genre. I want it to be a close up to the women's face, as this shows emotion and links to my chosen genre.

(I have collected some images that are close to my idea, that I am using for inspiration)

Actor Profile 1

Name: Lydia Megan Batchelor
Age: 17
Occupation: A level Student
Previous Experience: Multiple Drama Productions, both inside and outside school. Multiple short films, and was once an extra on a TV show.

I have chosen my friend Lydia to be the actor in my short film. She will play the part of the main traumatised character, who is trying to reconcile and find out what happened to her in her memory loss.

I chose her because she has acting experience and she is friends with me and other people who I will enlist the help of to make a production team. This will provide coherence in communication in the group as I will be working with people I know and get along with. Another reason behind my choice is that he has experience within drama, therefore acting due to him starring in many past school productions as well as drama exams. 

The main protagonist for my film is a teenage girl, so she fits both of these requirements as well as having some experience. 
The role in which I have made for my film the persona has to be able to act a whole variety of emotions convincingly. This is why it was important for me to get an experienced actor, as other wise  the audience will be taken out of the diegesis, the vermilisitude has to be believable for the film to have a professional feel, and not student- made. I am very pleased with the casting of my lead role  and I am confident that she will pull the role off perfectly.

Breaking the Fourth Wall

At the end of my film I was thinking that my main character would look directly at the camera and acknowledge the audiences presence, as a way of saying that she had figured out who had kidnapped her. This is a element of post modern media, and I got the idea from the feature film "The Women In Black", where right at the end of the film she the turns to the camera and audience as a way of telling them that she hasn't been defeated and is still around. The director did this so they could leave the story open for a sequel (which they did), where I am going to use it as a creative devise to get a point over to the audience and still leave the story as a cliff hanger.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Research

The reason in which I decided to research into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is that my main character will be suffering from it. Although the main feature of the film isn't about this, I felt that it was an important enough part of her character that it deserved to be researched and done properly. Therefore I did not want to start filming or make assumptions on how people would act without even going into any research. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (or a shorter term PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is caused due to stressful, frightening or distressing events which have happened within someones past. Events that can lead to a disorder such as this are: 

• Road Accidents.
• Violent, sudden personal assaults such as sexual abuse, mugging or a robbery.
• Consistant sexual abuse, violence or severe neglect.
• Witnessing murders / deaths.
• Military combat.
• Being held hostage.
• Witnessing terrorist attacks such as 911.
• Natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis.

It can be developed immediately after an experiencing an event of such as the above or it can occur weeks, months or years after the event. It develops in about 1 out of 3 people who experience severe trauma which can not be explained why some people experience it and some people can go without it.

People with PTSD their brain has parts involved in emotional processing appear different in brain scans. One part of the brain is responsible for the memory and emotions that us as humans consume which is known as hippocampus. People with PTSD their hippocampus appears smaller in size. It is thought to be that the changes in this part of the brain can be related to fear and anxiety, memory problems and flashbacks. If the hippocampus malfunctions i may prevent flashbacks and nightmares from being properly processed, therefore the anxiety they begin to generate does not reduce over any time period. Treatment of PTSD results in processing their memories so that over time the flashbacks and nightmares will eventually and gradually disappear.

180 Degree Rule

In filmmaking, the 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spacial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters, and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character is always frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. The camera passing over the axis is called jumping the line or crossing the line.

The object that is being filmed must always remain in the center, while the camera must always face towards the object.
The 180 degree isn't a static rule in the sense that we could break it without the world ending however to break this rule it is important that we as a group understanding what we are doing otherwise our audience will be left confused.
For example this rule is best explained through a conversation between two characters because they are looking at each other. If I wanted to shoot this from a wide angle then two close ups I would have to create an imaginary line that cuts through the middle of the scene because this line is where the camera is advised not to cross.

The reason behind this because if I was to cross the line within the same scene then the actors would look like they were facing the same way and seem like a flipped image. The reason this is further a problem is because it ruins the eye-line match.
This is important to me because I want to be really careful that I don't break this rule otherwise my film won't seem professional, and will feel very amateur, which I do not want.

Everything is Polysemic

Semiotics Revision. 

Representation is the way people, groups, cultural ideas, are shown by the media.

Mediation is the process where media institutions are the go between, they select and organise material for their audience. 

The problems with mediated reality:

False expectations
Could be completely made up

Denotes- literal meaning of a sign

Connotes- interpreted meaning of a sign

Iconic- work through resemblance 

Symbolic- learned

Indexial- casual link 

Signs are ploysemic.

E.g. the character from Star Trek “Spock”’s ears. (as a polysemic sign)

Iconic- the difference between Spock and humans

Symbolic- Spock's nature, intelligence, and logic

Indexical-  the fact that Spock has a mixed parentage (human + alien) (human ears with a difference)  

Things To Do!

To Do List

• Make sure all research is done
• Analysis survey results
• Research conclusion
• Cast actors
• Make actor profiles
• Actually write dialogue for the script
• Finalise script
• Location Scout
• Prop List
• Shot List
• Storyboard
• Animatic
• Test Footage - warp (look up name) shot & strange drugs vision effects.
• Shooting schedule
• Risk analysis 

And all before I start filming!

I recognise that even though I have done a lot of work on this project I still have a long way to go. 

Planning!

I have so far done most of my planning on paper because manually writing helps me think of ideas and get them out. This is my inspirations page, where I kept note of films, TV shows, music videos, and short films that came to me when I was brainstorming. I will be using the formal elects of creativity (copy transform and combine) from these media texts to help me make my short film.

These are my ideas of my short film. Each has its own merits and issues, which I will be discussing in detail later on. 

I really like this short film idea, and I had it quite a while ago and it has been sitting around in my brain unexplored for too long. I think I would love playing around in post production with the effects of the drugs on the girls vision. 

Similar to final destination but with a twist. Much more quaint feel, but very suspenseful.

Interesting mental health oriented film. If I made this I would be very careful not to demonise the main character with the metal health issues, as this is not the representation that I wish to create. This would be very fun to make as the majority of it would be shot in the style of film noir. 

I have decided to go ahead with the memory loss thriller because I this is the film that I am most interested in working on. Also logistically I feel that this film would be the most simple to make in terms of budget, location, actors, and timings. This film I think will also challenge me the most to be creative in the film making process. Below I have expanded on the idea, characters, and plot. 

This is the peer feedback I got on my plan. I am defiantly going to include over saturated colours to emphasise the effect of the drugs. 

Next in my planning I am going to start story boarding and scripting the dialogue and finer points of the script. 

Evaluation Questions

To think about as I plan, research, and make.

Codes And Conventions Of The Thriller Genre

The Thriller Genre:

A thriller usually consists of a battle between a protagonist, and an antagonist, caused when there is a disruption in the initial equilibrium. The story then shows a building the tension and suspense, ready for the climax of the storyline. The aim of the protagonist is to restore the equilibrium, where as the antagonist seeks to destroy it.

Conventions Of Thrillers Include: 

Low Key Lighting

Quick Cuts

Shadows

Tension Music

Changes in Angle of Shots

Exaggerated Diegetic Sound effects

Montages

Protagonist at mercy of Antagonist

Character Conventions:

The protagonist is a brave courageous person, who is innately good 

The antagonist has a hidden identity which the audience will uncover as the film progresses. Often wants revenge on the protagonist because of a past event. 

Cinematography Codes for Thrillers: 

Close up, and extreme close up shots. Used to show emotion, and to help the audience notice certain things, or link sequences together, important for the narrative. 

Shots of antagonist are ambiguous. They often are cut quickly, have low key lighting. Or focus on a silhouette, or shadow.  

Editing Conventions:

Jump cuts- helps the narrative

Cross Cutting - helps audience link the narratives into a story

Sound Conventions:

Jumpy non-diegetic, tension building music. 

Mise en Scene:

Dark often gothic setting

Low key lighting

Antagonist in dark clothes, Protagonist in everyday clothes

Make up and hair of antagonist often is warped and strange, Protagonist's is usually more normal.

Filmstoke (Often black and white in parts, or even grainy) 

Coursework Progress Report

I have encountered lots of problems so far in my coursework. I have not actually finished my research yet, as I never analysis any film reviews, and I also didn't analyse more than a few short films, because I really wanted to move on to the planning of my short film. Because of this I never completed a research summary, or an analysis of my market research. I have however completed a lot of the planning tasks involved including evaluation questions, actor profiles, research into my genre/ style and features of my film. I have completed a storyboard which will be up on my blog soon, and I am in the process of filming test shots and editing together my animatic. I have completed a inspirations page, and mock up for my ancillary task and am about to make the first draft of it. I have done research into the editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro, which is what I will be using to edit my short film. Talking over the plot of my film with my media teacher helped me to refine the smaller points of my film, and I ended up changing some of the premises of the story, including the location where it is set and the age of the characters. I will go back and finish my research before the end of my project.

Media Principles and Issues Related to my Chosen Brief

Principles to think about while researching, planning, making, editing, and evaluating my short film. 

Representation
Audience             -stereotypes, age, race,class,gender, abilities
Institutions
Language
Ideology             - beliefs and values
Narrative
Genre

If I do not address these principles properly they could become issues. I will be looking further into three of them below. 

Representation is about how and why I present certain character types in my short film. Different categories such as gender, age ethnicity, and class all play a important  role. I have to take into account how I represent them in my short film. This will create a challenges for me as representation is a significant aspect and will have to be dealt with carefully and properly throughout the planning and making of my short film as to not demonize one group of people over another.

Another theoretical issue is the audience of my short film. Audience is very important especially target audience as it can determine many features of the film, including language and whether or not you should include certain themes/ images. As a result, I have researched into the BBFC and created a short film survey to determine what my target audience should be for my short film idea. If I was to steam ahead without this research,  I would be making a short film that my target audience wouldn't like and may not even be appropriate for, and therefore wouldn't watch.

The last issue I will be analysing in depth is genre. The genre of a film will determine the style, craft, and tone of the text. This is why I have been researching into my different chosen genres, so when I am in the planning and production stages I am aware of the codes and conventions of my genres. Genres have their fixed standard codes and conventions, so if I want to make my film within a genre and completely change the conventions around, the audience may not like this, as it would make them feel uncomfortable, and they be unsatisfied with the piece.It's okay to challenge and mix up some conventions, but it has to be done within certain boundaries. 

Thriller Films and the Sub - Genres Of Thriller

Thrillers: Thriller is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense. The aim for Thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. The protagonist in these films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will emphasise the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax.

Action Thriller: An Action Thriller uses physical action to create suspense within the film. Like a traditional Action film, this sub-genre will often have continuous motion and action including physical stunts, chases, fights, battles, and races. Often, these scenes will contribute to the overall sense of danger that the protagonist is facing. Examples: Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Bourne Identity.

Crime Thriller: Crime Thriller film is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This sub-genre's plot usually centres on a serial killer, murderer, robbery, or manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the storyline focuses both around the criminal and the protagonist. Crime Thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build tension and suspense. Examples: The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge.

Film-Noir: Film Noir is not simply a sub-genre, but rather a term for a distinct, stylis
tic type of crime-drama or thriller that was popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Film-Noir is characterised by a black-and-white style with stark lighting effects. The main character is usually a cynical hero. Film-Noir relies on a narrative voice and various flashbacks to explain the intricate plot. Examples: Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success.

Psychological Thriller: In addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama and mystery film. The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a psychical threat. The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the situation. Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre. Examples: Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver.

Science Fiction Thriller: Science Fiction Thriller incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film. Traditionally, a Science Fiction film will incorporate heroes, villains, unexplored locations, fantastical quests, and advanced technology. These elements can be used in a Science Fiction Thriller to create anticipation and suspense. Often, this sub-genre will explore the “future-gone-bad” theme, including plots that revolve around alien invasions, dystopian scenarios, and super-diseases. Examples: Aliens, Inception, District 9.

Religious Thriller: Religious Thriller film incorporates religious themes, including religious questions, ceremonies, and objects. Though some films can revolve around a specific church, many Religious Thrillers include supernatural experiences not pertaining to a certain religion. Exorcisms, demon possession, and church cover-ups are typical themes of Religious Thrillers. Examples: The Devil’s Advocate, The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code.

Like genre, sub- genres are also not clear cut. There is often many sub- genres and genres in any film, therefore reinforcing the idea that there is in fact no such thing as genre, since every piece of media has so many different genres. 

My Chosen Genre

I have chosen to further study into the thriller genre of film. I have experience in this genre from last year and I feel confident that I understand its conventions and how to make a good film. I have decided to push myself this year, however, in that I am also planning to includ elements of the genres of art film and film noir. I have done some more secondary research into these genres

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a concept in photography and film, in which the frame is divided into 9 imaginary sections. The Points of interest should fall on the crosses, or on the grid lines, either one third or two thirds up the frame horizontally, or across vertically, compared to being positioned in the center of the frame. 

This technique is used throughout film and photography and helps divide the frame up into a more interesting composition.

I will be sure to utilise this technique throughout my work this year in every shot and picture.

The examples below are from animated film "The Incedibles"

Everything is a Remix

Everything is a Remix by Kirby Ferguson

Part One - Music

• Remix - To combine or edit existing materials to produce something new
• People began remixing last century, sampling beats in different songs
• Anyone can remix anything, (music, video, photos) people can distribute it globally pretty instantly
• You don't need expensive equipment/ a distributor/ or many skills
• The basic elements of creativity - Copy, transform, combine
• Lots of contorverys around Led Zeppelin 
• Paris 1961 The term heavy metal is made up in a novel which was made up of cutting existing books together - the first known remix
• Led Zeppelin clearly stole part of Willie Dixon's 'Bring it on Home' for their song 'Bring it on Home'
• They also stole other lyrics and melodys from other artists from a range of genres
• E.g. 'Dazed and Confused' - Led Zeppelin is clearly a cover of 'Dazed and Confused' by Jake Holmes
• What differentiates Led Zeppelin from other artists who copy is that they never attributed the original artist, and they didn't modify they're version enough to believably make it original.They Copyed without making fundamental changes
• Zeppelin got copied alot as well so 
• Covers and knockoffs are copys that stay within legal boundaries. They are legal remixing. 

Part Two - Movies (and other fiction)

• Graphic novals, tv shows, books,  video games, and the like are rich sources of material
• Audiences prefer the familiar
• Most box office hits rely heavily on existing material 
• Out of last years top 100 films, 74 of them are sequels, remakes, or adaptations of other texts
• Transforming the old into the new is what Hollywood does
• E.g. Alice in Wonderland and James Bond
• Hollywood films that arnt remixes, are genre films that stick to standard templates and predictable codes and conventions
• Subgenres also have there own rules
• Film are built on other films/ actual events/ plays/ books/ tv shows/ adverts/ toys
• This is inclusive of genre product all the way to indie art film, including even blockbusters
• Pop culture
• Star Wars - 
• the mono myth = the call to adventure, supernatural aid, the belly of the beast, the road of trials, "meeting with the goddess", and other cliches
• It stole a bunch of shots, plot ideas, character types, shot transitions,  from different media inc Flash Gordan
• Also a bunch of inspiration for all different parts of the films came from western films
• George Lucas didn't copy materials, he transformed them
• Without the films that preceded Star Wars, there could be no Star Wars
• Creation requires influence
• George Lucas was the most movie saturated director of his era, now it is Quentin Tarantino
• 'Kill Bill' by Quentin Tarantino is a remix masterpiece
• He used shot styles and types, costume ideas, set design, plot divides from a wide range of many films

Part Three - Elements of Creativity

• Creativity isn't magic, it doesn't appear instantaneously 
• It is applying ordinary trails of thought to existing materials
• Copying is how we learn 
• We can't make anything new until we are fluent in the language in the language of our domain, which we do through emulation
• Nobody starts out original, we copy to build a foundation of knowledge and understanding
• Transforming is taking an idea and creating variations 
• Everything is a tipping point in a continuous line of invention
• By combining thing together creative leaps can be made
• The basic elements of creativity are copy, transform, and combine
• Xerox - invented the first personal computer in the early 70s - was inspiration for Apple's first Macintosh
• The Xerox used desktop metaphor icons for documents, folders, etc. It also had a pointer and pop up menus. The Mac copied all of these things.
• Apple was the first to make computers viable to the everyday person, in the home
• Apple needed Xerox and Xerox needed Apple
• The interdependence of our creativity has been skewed by powerful cultural ideas
• Is innovation inevitable?

Part Four - 'System Failure'

• LUCA - the Last Universal Common Ancestor 
• The copying of his cells, and sometimes mutations have evolved into every life force on earth today
• Evolution - Copies, transforms, combines
• Memes - Ideas, behaviours, skills
• Social Evolution - Copy, transform, combine
• New ideas evolve from old ones
• Society and law see ideas as individual things that are property of a person, but in reality they aren't so clear cut
• The growing dominance of the market economy, where the products of our intellectual labors are bought and sold, produced and unfortunate side effect
• Manufacturing costs + development costs + margin > manufacturing costs + margin = copies cost less than new things = copies sell more
• Original creations cant compete with the price of copies
• Hense the creation of Copyright and patent acts
• Intellectual property came about due to 'Loss Aversion' (we hate losing what we've got)
• This applys to Disney, Shepard Fary, and Apple
• New different laws. legislation, and agreements are being made all the time about this
• 62% of patent lawsuits are over software
• Opportunistic litigation - suing to make money

everythingisaremix.info

This reminds me of another video I have seen with the same principles as everything is a remix, but explained in a way of addressing a creative, instead of a general audience.

"Good artists copy, great artists steal." - Pablo Picasso