Derivative is worse?

So I stumbled across this story on slash film a couple of months ago, but our in class discussion made me think about it so I thought I’d share it with everyone.  The article talks about movies of the last decade (specifically the ones nominated for best picture) and how the vast majority of them were not original. Check out the article and click “more” to read my thoughts.This article jumped out at me because as a big fan of films, I tend to think that the films nominated for best picture should be good representations of what good art and creation in our society should be.  But after our discussion in class it seemed to me that most people defined the word derivative as “worse.”  I was hesitant to agree with this idea, and maybe this has something to do with it.  I feel like it is almost impossible to do something completely original, and I think that even if you are borrowing ideas, concepts, elements etc. from another source, it is an artists ability to take it and make it their own.  To me the significance and creativity of a work comes from the final product and not from the inspiration.  Whether it be a music mash-up, a film remake/sequel, or any kind of “unoriginal” “derivative” work, I like to think of it more as a large collaboration then something that is stolen or less-than.

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