COPYRIGHT AND OTHER ISSUES

While filming the shots for the opening, I often listen to the soundtrack I intend to use as background music for the scene. That is, at every minute spent shooting, I envision the image set to Chopin's "Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2." At this point in producing the flick, I imagined it was time to actively look for downloadable versions of the song, when I noticed that simply stating that the composer's work is on the public domain is not enough to be allowed unrestrained use of the tune. What I mean is that, although the famed piece is available for widespread use, each player holds rights on their interpretation of Chopin's song, and those audios are not free for use.

This factor had not been taken into my account when I first decided on the song to which the scene is set. In fact, I had even rejoiced, celebrating that my desired soundtrack was available for use. Once I found out otherwise, the realization at first frightened me, but I soon got to work, wondering if there was any version that was, in reality, in the public domain. Luckily, after researching for a while, my hypothesis was not rejected: I found an non-copyrighted file! The track, performed by Martha Goldstein, appears to be free for sharing.

Now armed with the fitting audio, I should be able to proceed with no complications, right? Well, not quite. Although I had the track, I was still faced with another problem: the Goldstein audio is about 4 minutes long, and the opening is 2 minutes at most. This issue, however, I had already envisioned, as you can see from one of my earlier posts. 

There were two ways of approaching the length problem: making the track faster or cutting it. I have attempted the first one, and, despite the quicker tempo being somewhat appropriate, I still have not found a way to accelerate the tune without it distorting. One could argue that such distortion would also be suitable for the story I am trying to tell in the opening, since it follows the corruption of the scientist's mind. Still, I am afraid it may look amateurish or be seen as an excuse for my lack of digital skills. Thus, I opted for chopping the file. This option turned out to be far easier than expected, given the song's own nature: it repeats again and again, only increasing in the number of flourishes overtime. Although chopping bits may cut the "development" of the song, it still includes the rise and fall that has inspired much of the story. 

Now is perhaps the time I should mention that I did manage to get my computer working again! So, using my loyal companion, iMovie, I shortened the once 4:13 minute song into a 2:05 piece, sewing segments together in such a way as to disguise the abrupt cuts. However, as I've mentioned before, the repeating themes within the track help in hiding the edits made. Below you can see some of the "matches" made when trying to piece together the fragments of Chopin's "Nocturne." 

rearranging a masterpiece

Although I have used the trustworthy app for this part of the project, it is worth noting that it does not necessarily mean that it will be the one I will go to when editing the video: the options mentioned in my previous post were rather appealing, and could be useful in making a satisfactory product. But, for now, good old iMovie is my preferred editor.

SOURCES:

Culture. (n.d.). Set Chopin Free. Culture.Pl. Retrieved March 20, 2021, from https://culture.pl/en/article/set-chopin-free

Rosen, R. J. (2013, September 9). The Complete Works of Chopin, for Everybody, for Free. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/09/the-complete-works-of-chopin-for-everybody-for-free/279471/