Comments on: R.E.M. Blatantly Rips Off Improv Everywhere

By: ed

ed — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:36:55 +0000

I think it’s kind of absurd that this group is up-in-arms over credit for an idea that they did not originate.

Also, if you plan it out ahead of time, it is not improv. They should change the name of the troupe to “mess with people everywhere”.

By: Scott Beale

Scott Beale — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:19:50 +0000

bobo – I agree, Scott Thill should have though twice before writing his Wired blog post and actually did some fact checking first. In this specific case, a representative from Warner Brother (R.E.M.’s label) has publicly stated that Improv Everywhere was the direct inspiration for the video and in their rush to post the video forgot to give credit.

By: bobo

bobo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:50:16 +0000

http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/04/rem-removes-big.html

think twice.

By: Tempest T. Pot

Tempest T. Pot — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:57:48 +0000

I get why everyone gets in a tizzy when a photo or other creative work is included without permission, but since when did it become necessary for creative works have a list of inspirations?

Surely Improv Everywhere is not the first to have executed a “frozen crowd of people” artwork. Did IE list their inspirations? No. That’s fine with me.

By: Scott Beale

Scott Beale — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:12:38 +0000

J.C. – Improv Everywhere was not contacted in advance. I think this could have all been avoided if that were the case.

Ezara – remhq took the video down to re-edit and will add a credit for Improv Everywhere then re-post.

Danger Ranger – Unfortunately it was not an April Fools Joke. I confirmed that before posting.

By: Danger Ranger

Danger Ranger — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:51:06 +0000

07:45 PST, April 2 – It’s been removed.
I assume that it was an April 1st joke?

By: Ezra Ball

Ezra Ball — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:50:56 +0000

Looks like the video has been taken down, so I can’t see how blatant the rip off is.

But, personally, I’m not sure R.E.M. is better than that; the “Everybody Hurts” video 15 years ago was a pretty blatant rip off of Wim Wenders’ “Wings of Desire”.

By: J.C. Hutchins

J.C. Hutchins — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:16:11 +0000

Hey Scott, love the blog. Yours is one of my favorites.

I’m no REM fanboy, but the band / label / etc. may have received permission to reenact the concept, but may not have been required to include the source of inspiration in the video.

This happened with the All American Rejects’ video for “Dirty Little Secret.” While the filmmakers used actual postcards from PostSecret.com with permission from (and compensation to) PostSecret’s creator (which went to charity), the inspiration for video wasn’t included in the video itself.

I have no idea if a similar “behind the curtain” agreement was struck between REM and Improv Everywhere, but I’m pointing out that possibility. The video has been pulled from YouTube at the time of this writing — whether that’s because of the issue you describe or something else, it’s unclear.

I certainly hope the filmmakers approached Improv Everywhere, and that the group was compensated for their concept.

By: Larry Rubin

Larry Rubin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:19:00 +0000

No nod, no nothin’. Blatant is right. Very tacky.

REM- you’re better than that.

By: Beatrice M

Beatrice M — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:08:16 +0000

If you go to the YouTube page itself it says:
About This Video
Added: April 01, 2008
Credit to Improve Everywhere for the inspiration for this. Sometimes deceleration makes sense. (less)