Creator Retrospective 2024: Career Shifts & AI Implications
We’ve interviewed many creators in our Creator Spotlight series over the years, and we love watching their journeys as their careers develop. This year, we’re catching up with a few creators who continue to create and protect their exceptional work through copyright as they discuss new developments in their careers, and how AI Technology has impacted your works.
Ernie Mansfield
Ernie Mansfield is a composer and musician. Ernie participated in the Copyright Alliance’s Creator Spotlight series back in 2021.
How has your creative career evolved since we last spoke, and how has copyright helped to fuel your growth?
I have spent most of my time teaching and performing at churches in my area, so that has been my main focus. As far as a “creative career,” I curated and produced a new album, which is posted on Bandcamp. It is actually a “Live” concert from a “progressive folk” band I used to play with in France, many decades ago, so it has a niche audience. (Mormos: Live at Le Chat Ecarlate.) I created the album because this was a unique band; some of the members have passed away, and I wanted to preserve the performance of this unique ensemble.
I have also been creating and organizing material for several other album projects but have mostly been pre-occupied with other musical activities. My other projects are in the “new age/meditation” category. I have also been working on a project that commemorates our upcoming United States 250th anniversary. The challenge with producing new music is promoting it to an audience. This takes time away from the creative side.
How has copyright helped to fuel my growth? First of all, my music generates very small royalties, so on the financial side, what I am doing is mainly a “labor of love.” However, in the last few years, the U.S. Copyright Office has made it much easier (and less expensive) to copyright entire albums on one form. They also allow composers to register a group of up to twenty unpublished works on one form. Restrictions apply to what can be registered, but it is still much easier this way. Royalties for music still need to be higher, but online services are tracking royalties more than ever, so that is a good sign.
How has AI impacted your works and career?
Strangely enough, I was not affected directly by AI until quite recently, and it was beneficial! A few months ago, an article appeared on the internet that linked my name to a “significant” list of science fiction songwriters, so I was included in an article with superstars such as Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Neil Diamond, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, and Genesis! Although I only had a minor role in a song they referred to, it was still an honor! I strongly suspect that article was created by AI.
As far as my thoughts on using AI for creating compositions, creating music is so much fun, I would not want to delegate that experience to a “robot.” What I would like to see is more AI used to explain and simplify complex computer apps used for music notation and recording. Often, I find that my creative process is slowed down by having to stop and figure out how to do something in apps like Logic Pro and Dorico.
Addie Clark
Mary Adelaide (“Addie”) Clark is a fine artist. Addie participated in the Copyright Alliance’s creator spotlight series back in 2020. You can follow her on Instagram.
How has your creative career evolved since we last spoke, and how has copyright helped to fuel your growth?
During the past few years, I have definitely spent a lot of energy immersing myself in my community and learning the ropes of being an artist. I’ve been painting and teaching more, while trying to sort out exactly what I’d like to add to the world. I have narrowed down my main goals to expressing who God made me to be and encouraging others to find their own form of expression. I want the world to be full of different people, all being their most true selves. Today, especially with soundbite trends, such as AI and algorithms, if we’re not careful, everything can start to look the same. It’s a relief to know that with copyright laws, my authenticity will be protected and encouraged in those spaces.
How has AI impacted your works and career?
AI has definitely shifted my perspective when it comes to marketing my art. While AI can technically create visuals faster, people are wanting to connect to real human artists. I’ve become more aware of branding and overall style, knowing that when someone buys something from me, they’re not just buying that piece but supporting my entire brand. It’s forced me to look at why I create in general. With an overload of information and content, I don’t want to just push out more of whatever. I need to understand what I’m putting out into the world. One thing that AI can’t replicate is the full soul experience, and I believe that is the true core of art.
AI has also made some things (that I don’t always enjoy doing) easier. For example, I use it for summarizing and prioritizing. I don’t ever want to rely on it too heavily though. I take care to ensure I’m using it as a tool and never as a replacement for my work.
Thank you to Ernie and Addie for participating in our 2024 Creator Retrospective series. We look forward to catching up with additional creators in 2025!
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