Middle Finger to Bootleggers
October 19, 2010 7 Comments
Imagine everything you worked so hard for, gone down the drain. The blood, the sweat, the tears, the time invested, the sacrifices you made, the constant strain on your brain to create whatever it is that you created. I’m not saying that everybody creates something for the purpose of compensation, because some people create just for the sole purpose of recognition, just for the props, just for the credit or acknowledgement.
But on the flip side, what if this is your job, what if this is something that brings extra income into your home, what if you depend on your craft to bring in a few extra bucks a week? What if this is your passion, your niche, your inner urge, the gift that God has given you……
How would you feel if someone bootlegged your work? How would you feel if you walked to your local store and a man had your music, your book, your portraits, selling them for 75% off of the original price. Would you approach him, pull him to the side, knock his entire stash on the ground, or simply act as if you failed to notice your work in his possession?
It really irks me when seeing people selling products that they bootleg, and what’s worse is the fact that consumers actually support the bootlegger. Understand that you aren’t supporting the artist when engaging in such behavior, you are only supporting the bootlegger. So, how would you like it if I came in your home and took whatever items I thought was of value? Not fun is it?
I was in a barbershop that was far from my first choice and got into a heated debate with the barber that was cutting my hair. (Now that I think about it, maybe that’s why he gave me one of the worst haircuts in life. Now I know not to piss off the man with the clippers.)
It all started when he asked me about a few movies. Most of the movies he inquired about were still playing at the theater. I’m thinking to myself like….This guy must really make a lot money from cutting heads to afford to take his wife to so many movies. But I learned later in the conversation that my theory was wrong.
He was setting me up for his sales pitch.
“No, I haven’t seen any of the movies you just mentioned.” I replied.
“Oh, well I have them for sale if you would like to see them.”
At first I played along as if he may have a potential buyer.
“How much?” I asked.
“Three bucks.” He replied.
“Damn, that’s cheap.” I stated sarcastically, but he didn’t follow my tone.
“Yea, I am pretty reasonable.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.” I fired back.
The clippers stopped buzzing.
“And people wonder why going to the movies are so expensive.” I continued.
He stood idle with the clippers still in his hand.
“I only do the blockbusters.” He said as if that made it better.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he believed his own words.
“So local art/artists you support?”
“Yea, I mean, I only bootleg the stuff that makes money. I don’t bootleg people who are up and coming.”
Something inside told me not to argue with a fool, but I couldn’t help it. Blame my animal instincts.
“So, how would you feel if you spent at least 6 months filming these movies, editing them, then making sure the soundtrack relates to the movie, the makeup artists, and ect. How would you feel working for free?
He paused.
Checkmate.
After he was done cutting my hair, I paid him and said “I can’t knock your hustle. But just think about my words.”
He averted my gaze and showed signs of being timid by not looking me in my eyes.
Maybe this is a touchy subject, maybe I overreacted, but knowing that it took me close to 3 years, over 1000 days to complete my first Novel, Married 2 Struggle, If someone was bootlegging my creation, I’d snap!
Point
Blank
Period!!!!
Who would be willing to pay my bail????
Until next time, Comment and Subscribe…
Sincerely
Varrsity
