FAQ

Here's Nina's request:

Ask questions here.

She'll see them and answer them.

We'll transfer material over to the permanent FAQ as needed. It's maintained as a separate, static page partly for technical reasons (to save server load), and partly because it's important that the authoritative FAQ not be a wiki (because the answers come from Nina Paley).

Ask away!


 * There is a discussion here about whether people who are making subtitles for the film are allowed to translate the songs or not, and whether the English transcription itself which is currently on the website is illegal. Please clarify this issue. Esn 10:02, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
 * We're asking a lawyer... Please see the Subtitles talk page for all further discussion on this (just trying to keep the topic in one place, so we don't have to update two pages every time there's new information). Kfogel 21:04, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Another subtitle-related question: would you consider adding those subtitles that have been made by fans to the DVD release? Esn 10:24, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, see the Subtitles page for more information on this. Kfogel 21:04, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
 * I'd love to read about the technical process of creating the movie. What tools did you use?
 * (Answering for Nina.) Flash :-). Kfogel 07:30, 23 March 2009 (UTC)
 * What has reception to the film been in other countries, or to Hindu communities in North America?
 * (Answering for Nina, who should feel free to replace these answers with better ones if she wants.) All over the map. Some love it, some hate it.  A few hate it without ever having seen it, which is quite a feat.  I believe Nina's seen far more positive response than negative, though. Kfogel 07:30, 23 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Does the licensing for the film allow you to release the source files used to make the film so that others may modify it or make their own films using the same characters? Such as downloading the Flash files and audio tracks used making the film.(Example: I would love to see a version of the film using traditional Bollywood music as well.)
 * The licensing certainly allows it, and anyway, Nina Paley is the copyright holder so she can do what she wants regardless of the license. However, those files are HUGE, so I'm not sure she's ever going to bother putting that stuff online (there are also potential attribution issues, although those could maybe be handled).  I don't speak for Nina, though; just putting some thoughts here. Kfogel 05:32, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * What license are the original musical score and songs composed for the film available under? Where can I get copies?
 * I think that independently of the film, they're copyright their respective composers, which may mean that the answer depends on the song. Kfogel 05:32, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Has Nina ever considered redoing the score/soundtrack with original (as in "specifically composed" for this movie") music? (The reason I ask is that I'm a composer in Australia who'd be interested, and I'm sure there would be many others around the world willing to collaborate. And while the Annette Hanshaw songs are awesome, I think both the style and the "vintage sound" could be homaged.)
 * Ah, found the answer to my own question: Why I can't "just swap out" the Annette Hanshaw songs in "Sita Sings the Blues"
 * Are the shadow puppets, among other things, an homage to pioneering animator Lori Reiniger, who worked with cut-outs?
 * No, they are not. They are based on traditional shadow puppets, which existed long before Reiniger's seminal work. -Nina
 * Can we show the movie to our students at our city university or any such place non-commercial & strictly for knowledge and educational purpose? (art & animation students).please!
 * You don't have to ask permission. The film is freely licensed -- that's "freely" as in "freedom".  Commercial and non-commercial uses are permitted equally.  You are free to send me money if you want, but there is no obligation to do so.  Please read the front page of sitasingstheblues.com and believe what you see! :-)  -Nina
 * I'm jumping on this question, too. We want to show this film on our university television channel, possibly with commercials. Would we this be a problem in regards to the soundtrack? Joshua @ OwlTV
 * nina, love ya!
 * I love you too! -Nina
 * Nina, I rented a theatre and screened the film for a private Diwali party of about 30 people. How do I pay you and what amount do you suggest per person? I asked for donations of $7 each to partially defray the cost of renting the theatre and other expenses and have set aside $2 each to pay you.
 * Thanks for setting aside some money! The Sita Donation Page is the place to go -- there's a link there.  If neither Google Checkout nor PayPal works for you, there are instructions there for other ways to send the money.  Whatever amount you feel comfortable sending is great; $2 per person sounds fine.  -Nina
 * From Russia with love, Nina.
 * Nina, I've watched Sita Sings The Blues four times now as of 30 minutes ago. It's a brilliant piece of work and I must ask if your ex-husband has had the pleasure of seeing it?
 * Is there any plans for Sita Sings the Blues to have a Blu-ray Disc?