Directed by Jae Shim
United States
73 minutes
Documentary, Music, Art, Science

ABOUT THE FILM

David Cope was commissioned to write an opera in the 80's when he suffered a major composer's block sparking interest in an algorithmic partner named EMI, Experiments in Musical Intelligence, that could generate compelling works in the style of western classical music composers. Widely recognized as a pioneer of artificial creativity, David wields a body of work that spans art, astronomy, and literature, in addition to music. Featuring excerpts from the completed opera, the algorithmic composer imagines creativity through human and machine perspectives.

“Aussi fort que le ressac des vagues, aussi sensible que la cime des grands sequoias et vibrant que les carillons qui hantent littéralement le film, Opus Cope est une enquête policière captivante, tout à la fois fouillée, fournie et foutraque, sur la vision créatrice et rhizomique du vertigineux David Cope. Imparable!”

”As strong as the surf of the waves, as sensitive as the tops of the tall sequoias and vibrant as the chimes that literally haunt the film, Opus Cope is a captivating detective investigation, all at once detailed, rich and wild, into the creative and *rhizomatic vision of the vertiginous David Cope. Unstoppable!”

⎯ Catherine Fontaine, Le Parvis Center for Contemporary Art
*From philosophers Gilles Deleuze and and Félix Guattari, 'rhizomatic' thinking is open ended, has no central structure, and is constantly changing.

“If only Beethoven or Chopin could explain their methods as clearly as David Cope. So when Cope's program writes a delightful turn of musical phrase, who is the artist: the composer being emulated, Cope's software, or David Cope himself? Cope offers keen philosophical insights into this question, one that will become increasingly compelling over time. He also provides us with brilliant and unique insights into the intricate structure of humankind's most universal artform.”

⎯ Raymond Kurzweil, inventor and author of The Age of Intelligent Machines and The Age of Spiritual Machines

We invite you to join us on our PBS journey in delivering this essential story on the origins of AI x creativity to millions of viewers nationwide!
For underwriting inquiries, please speak with our team at efi@opcopefilm.com.

SPECIAL THANKS

DATABASE

Thrilled to release our first educational copy of 'OPUS COPE' at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the very institution where Professor David Cope inspired hearts and minds for decades. 💿📚🏫
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@ucsc_library @ucsc @ucsc_arts_division
#opco

Many thanks to film critic @oookejun for the detailed and thoughtful piece on OPUS COPE featured in @offscreenmag.
🔗 LINK IN BIO
— with @indierightsmovies and @teamsmarthouse
#artificialintelligence #AI #classicalmusic #music #film #documenta

Director Jae Shim dreams of creativity in this @talkhouse article (🔗 LINK IN BIO)
— with @indierightsmovies @teamsmarthouse
#artificialintelligence #ai #classicalmusic #music #composer #documentary #film

Composer David Cope makes a surprise appearance at UCSC for a colloquium screening of our film moderated by music professor Matthew Schumaker. Thanks to all students, faculty, staff, and members of the public who were able to join and celebrate a lif

48 hours later, director Jae Shim and sound designer Mike James Gallagher conclude a historic recording session in David Cope's "asylum," a creative sanctuary that evokes endless possibilities with its collection of 200 wind chimes.
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Explore a colorful world of music, creativity, and science with the godfather of AI music David Cope.
💬 efi@opcopefilm.com