Do We, As Artists, Have The Right to Change Our Work?

After watching the documentary entitled The People Vs. George Lucas, I began to ponder whether or not if we, as artists, truly reserve the right to change our artistry based on any arbitrary whim or firm conviction?

The premise of the documentary, in the proverbial “nutshell”, is that hard-core devoted fans of Star Wars (like myself), believe that Lucas has no right to go back and make changes to our beloved films, especially the original trilogy. Now, before I reveal on whose side I reside, I will further discuss the fundamental issue at hand: does Lucas maintain the right to change his work as he sees fit?

Many fans in the film argued that once Lucas filmed and released the movies, they no longer belonged to him, that they essentially became the property of us: the fans. We are the reason why SW is so successful; without us, he never would have been able to make the ensuing films.

Let’s explore one of the most infuriating changes Lucas made, and it occurred in episode IV “A New Hope”. In the cantina scene where Han Solo is confronted by Greedo, a bounty-hunter looking to turn him over to Jabba the Hutt, Solo and the alien sit down at the table and discuss the situation. This is where the now famous geek war-cry of “HAN SHOT FIRST” comes into play. While bantering with Greedo, Solo surreptitiously shoots the would-be bounty-hunter under the table before Greedo has the chance of capturing him. In the revised version of the film released in ‘97, Lucas chose to portray Greedo as having shot at Han first (and MISSING his target, at POINT BLANK RANGE!), and Han retaliating by shooting him in return. Millions on geeks screamed out in horror and agony as this was deemed a deplorable decision on the part of Lucas. Solo was meant to be perceived as a dangerous smuggler, and not one to be crossed. What Lucas did essentially was change the very nature of this character whom we had all grown so fond of and thought we knew so well, and the justification he gave for changing this scene was that it was too “violent”; that Han had acted erroneously; that Since Greedo had not shot first, Han had no right to shoot him so callously in cold alien blood. Fans scream “HAN SHOT FIRST!” but the reality is, Han was the only one who shot period, in the original film.

Other changes, less infuriating but no less irritating, have nettled fans since the re-release of the original trilogy. Some of the more zealous fans have come out and proclaimed, “George Lucas ‘raped’ my childhood!” (which I find silly and extreme). While I don’t like or agree with many of the changes George has made to the movies, what we are really discussing is whether or not this was his right, being the creator.

It made me start thinking about my own art, and how I go back and make routine revisions in the hopes of improving my work. Hypothetically speaking, what if da Vinci were alive and decided to go back and make the Mona Lisa’s smile into a smirk or grimace or sneer (etc.)? This is one of the most famous works of art in the world and we are all accustomed to seeing that portrait in one particular way, so what if he decided he wanted to change her expression? And the same argument can be made for any work of art, including music. Once we create a work of art, is it still ours or does it belong to the “fans” or “admirer’s”?

I must say that I believe that Lucas has the right to make the changes to his art that he believes appropriate. I may not agree with his revisions, but I must respect his right as the creator to make the changes he wants. In the end, George Lucas has given me much more joy than grief through his films; despite any anger, anguish, frustration or aggravation I have experienced since he changed the movies, he has enriched my life with a fantasy world that I deeply love and I cannot imagine my life without Star Wars. He may have changed some scenes, but he didn’t destroy the integrity of the films or dampen the happiness his artistry has provided me over the years.

So I ask you, fellow artists: whose side are you on? The People or George Lucas?

Please stay on topic with your comments. Off topics comments may be removed. Thanks.

Poet Destroyer A Date: 12/23/2013 10:53:00 PM Wow, I never thought of it this way. I told a friend this morning, I belong to everyone :-)... So, I have to stand by the fame ... "WE THE PEOPLE" <---- xox... LINDA Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:45:00 AM I hadn't thought about it that way either until I watched the documentary and it got me thinking. I don't think there's anything wrong with your perspective at all. I guess it all depends on the artist. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Linda :)

Carrie Richards Date: 12/23/2013 7:42:00 PM If the work was my own original,...I feel justified to alter, tweak it as much as I think might improve it. It is still mine. I have done that since day one, since I've joined the Soup. I often take a look at a poem that seemed "right" at the time.....go back a few days later, and make changes if I think they might be better......even after I've entered a contest. Perhaps that drives the judges nuts? I don't know, but, often reviewing my own work, I see something awkward, or missing, or lacking. Sometimes a poem needs to simmer on the stove for awhile, before calling it "done". (That's how it works for me, at least)... Login to Reply James Marshall Goff Date: 12/24/2013 1:45:00 PM Very true, Carrie...I often do same... Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 10:03:00 AM Dang, should say * "I understand your point of view"* Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:46:00 AM An understand point of view, Carrie, and I am inclined to agree with you. Thanks for reading and sharing your opinion! :)

Debbie Guzzi Date: 12/23/2013 6:42:00 PM tHE ARTIST OWNS HIS OR HER CREATIONS, AS TO PAINTERS MANY, oopsie, many, many artist painted over their other work, there might be 3 layers of painting on a single canvass Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:48:00 AM This is true, Debbie. I'm glad this blog has generated discussion (that was my hope). I wouldn't like to be told I cannot change or tweak something I can improve upon just because the reader likes the original verse, etc. Thanks for your insights! :) Karen Anglesey Date: 12/23/2013 8:04:00 PM Glad to hear this. I've done it many times :)

Karen Anglesey Date: 12/23/2013 5:31:00 PM When my daughter was in high school, a piece of her art was selected to design the cover of a school magazine. The teacher told my daughter to make some changes to the design (because the teacher thought her own idea would improve the piece). My daughter came home very upset and said she didn't want to change the design, but was also afraid of upsetting the teacher. I told her that it was perfectly fine to tell the teacher no and that is exactly what she did. I was very proud of her for taking a stand and doing what she thought was right. I have re-edited poems I've posted here even after comments have been made. Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:49:00 AM Good for her! I always liked the adage of "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Thanks for reading and sharing your anecdote, K :)

Roy Jerden Date: 12/23/2013 1:54:00 PM Actually, PS has no controls or even any audit of what you have changed in a poem. I always thought it would be a good practical joke to win first place in a contest and as soon as the results were posted, change my poem that won with a complete piece of crap. Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:52:00 AM LOL@ Andrea! xD Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:51:00 AM Funny thought, Roy. I wasn't implicating TPS here, though, as far as changes or revisions go. But thanks for sharing your humorous idea ;) Andrea Dietrich Date: 12/23/2013 4:57:00 PM hahaha. Please don't ever do that in one of MY contests.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 12/23/2013 1:51:00 PM I think the mood..life..mind..thoughts of a persona change during the years,so does his artistry and creations.I do believe He reserves the right to do any changes He likes ..Of course doing such changes He knows He 's challeging himself to please the public viewers in an innovative way.It is risky and can go both ways..For better..for worse..But every artist loves challenges and risks I guess. Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:52:00 AM Much agreed, Charm! Thanks for reading and sharing your opinion! :)

Roy Jerden Date: 12/23/2013 1:49:00 PM We need to remember that episode IV was the first movie, and no expectations had been made at that time. I think Lucas copped out for political reasons in order to redeem the image of Solo as one of the "good guys". There was no discernable improvement to the movie. I have no problem with a revision if it's done for artistic reasons. In any case, I would have to hold on to a poem for at least 2 years to not be held guilty of artistic disintegrity if I could not make tweaks after it was published. Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 8:54:00 AM I agree with you, Roy. I didn't like the fact that Lucas changed the very nature of Solo via that one scene alone. But changing that scene didn't alter my lifelong perception of him. Thanks for reading and sharing your opinion :)

Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/23/2013 1:36:00 PM Just so there is NO confusion, I hope everyone understands that I side with Lucas on this matter, that an artist reserves the right to change their work. I'm just posing a philosophical question here and will be responding to everyone's comments and insights soon. Thanks, ~Chan Login to Reply

James Fraser Date: 12/23/2013 12:35:00 PM Poetry is a classic example of sometimes having to change ones work. One day words laid down appear to have a firm foundation as delivered that day. The next day, ones work may require tweaked. As being the Artist, it's he/she's given right to alter as they see fit. <*> As for the Star Wars question. Again if the Artist sees fit, then do it. What's changed may not be ideal to whomever, but it may be ideal to many others. Just my thoughts...... Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 9:08:00 AM I agree, James. Thanks for reading my blog and sharing your opinion :) Charmaine Chircop Date: 12/23/2013 1:53:00 PM Hi James..Merry Christmas.to you and your loved ones...Hope you re back at the soup for good..

David Williams Date: 12/23/2013 12:17:00 PM Firstly I have never seen Star Wars so I have no idea about the scene you describe, secondly any artist has the right to change whatever they want to in THEIR work…as many times as they like surely it just adds another reason to view it again? Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/24/2013 9:09:00 AM Agreed, David. Thanks for adding your opinion to the discussion :)

Carl Fraser Date: 12/23/2013 11:42:00 AM Well , this certainly made me think and mull over some options but in the end i believe that the artist reserves the right to alter his work and as long as its on his terms and not under the judgement of others. Whether we are fans or not it is not our creation and therefore, not for us to decide. We may not like the alteration but if we respect the artist original genius, then we should also accept that his alteration wil remain in that same genius context. Just one poets opinion, Carl Login to Reply Just That Archaic Poet Date: 12/23/2013 11:59:00 AM I appreciate that you read my blog, Carl; thanks for your insightful comments. I agree with what you have to say. Thanks for the reply :)