Review of Harry Potter Puppet Pals

Hey there, today I want to talk about an aspect of creativity I call Piggybacking. Piggybacking is taking an exisiting work or idea and changing it in a new a original way.

At the end of this blog there's a hilarious video you need to see by a talented video producer named NeilCicierega, He's on YouTube.

Neil took a a pop icon, (Harry Potter) and made some of the best videos on YouTube, in my opinion. These are Hilarious satires of Harry & Friends called, 'Harry Potter Puppet Pals'.
There is a series of these videos and they are getting thousands of hits on YouTube.

If you don't split a seam laughing at these, check your pulse.

Many times the creative artist will often pine & whine about not having any ideas to work on. Well, maybe at that point you can look at collaboration with other artists, or look for something to 'piggyback'. That is, take something very successful in the mainstream and add to it. You can make a satire, or a parody of a well loved but stale icon and turn it into something fresh again.

I don't claim to know where the legalities lie, but no one is suing Weird Al, and how could anyone be angry with Neil for his Harry Potter Pals Productions? I'm sure if JK Rowling saw these videos that she is still laughing!

Artist's and producers are also starting to realize that parodies, satires and mashups have a way of bringing a new audience into the fold.

Of course you have to follow certain rules when you attempt something like this:
You must name your production in a way that identifies, but doesn't infringe on the copyright.

If it's a satire, it's got to be really funny, not just funny, but hilarious.

Don't forget, if they want the status quo, they can see the original, your piggyback must offer a significant twist and be fresh.

Know your audience potential. If your doing a spoof on something you have wide audience potential because you have the fans of the original, but ones who hate the original will most likely get just as much of a kick out of your production as the loyal fans.

This art form isn't for everyone, but it's a great and fun way to come up with fresh content without ever running out of material.

Now check out the video and see if this isn't as funny as I promised.

Peace.