Kirby Ferguson

Kirby Ferguson is a Canadian filmmaker, writer, and speaker whose work covers creative works and popular culture; particularly remix culture. He is best known for his documentary series Everything is a Remix and This is Not a Conspiracy Theory.

Kirby Ferguson
Ferguson at XOXO 2015
Years active2010–present
Known forDocumentarian
Websitekirbyferguson.com

Career

In 2010, Ferguson created the four-part web-series Everything is a Remix which discussed issues of fair use and how creative works derive inspiration from existing works.[1] The inspiration for the series came from Ferguson seeing the media portray derivative works as taboo. [2]

Defining remix culture Ferguson states, "It's about whether or not you can recognize chunks of other people’s work. And if you look closely enough, every work contains pieces from previous works." Ferguson believes that creativity is based upon three elements – "copy, transform, and combine". These building blocks are the basis for all novel ideas.[3] On the topic of music samples in popular music Ferguson points out that the reuse and inspiration from other musical sources has happened since the early days of popular music. He argues that musicians have been doing this across genres and time, most clearly with the reuse of classical folk music in rock music.[4][5]

In a follow-up to Everything is a Remix, Ferguson explored Star Wars: The Force Awakens as an example of remixing in popular culture.[6][7][8][9] Ferguson's work led to a TED talk titled Embrace the Remix which expands upon the ideas in Everything is a Remix.[10]

Ferguson's second documentary series, This is Not a Conspiracy Theory, covers the culture and tools surrounding conspiracy theories.[11][12]

Filmography
Years Project Credit
2010–2012 Everything is a Remix writer, director, producer
2014–2018 This is Not a Conspiracy Theory writer, director, producer

References
  1. Macaulay, Scott. "The Economy of Web Series and Five Questions for This Is Not a Conspiracy Theory Director Kirby Ferguson | Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  2. "Q&A with Kirby Ferguson (Everything is a Remix)". www.shortoftheweek.com. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  3. Ravenscraft, Eric. "The Three Key Steps to Creativity: Copy, Transform, and Combine". Lifehacker. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  4. Golshan, Tara (2016-04-12). "Led Zeppelin's been accused of rip-offs before. Now "Stairway to Heaven" is going to trial". Vox. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  5. "Kirby Ferguson: Is Everything A Remix?". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  6. ""Everything Is a Remix" Takes on Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Slate. 2016-05-20. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  7. "Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens was 'little more than a remix' | The Week UK". 2016-07-04. Archived from the original on 2016-07-04. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  8. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens Is the Apex of Remix Culture". WIRED. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  9. PBSoffbook (2013-10-03), How To Be Creative | Off Book | PBS Digital Studios, retrieved 2019-06-12
  10. Ferguson, Kirby, Embrace the remix, retrieved 2019-06-12
  11. Lyne, Charlie (2015-08-07). "This Is Not A Conspiracy Theory: debunking crackpot beliefs one video at a time". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  12. Macaulay, Scott. "The Economy of Web Series and Five Questions for This Is Not a Conspiracy Theory Director Kirby Ferguson | Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
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