I came across an odd issue today with a show I am directing, and thought I would see if anyone had any insight. (I searched the archives but didn't find anything on this.)
The production manager said that the rights contract strictly prohibits any audio or video recording of any kind. Not allowed for archival purposes, marketing, anything. He said that they are doing this with many of their shows now. The show is Thornton Wilder, so it isn't that it is new work or something controversial.
Has anyone come across this issue? It seems like it would be in Samuel French's best interest to allow at least some documentation of shows that they own the rights to. I know that AEA has strict video rules, but I haven't ever run into a publisher who has this caveat in the contract.
I don't want to put a full performance on the web or anything like that. It would be nice for the theatre to have an archival copy, and I was planning on using some recorded dialogue for an effect. Does this mean that any words that are recorded can't be from the actual script?
Apologies if this sounds like kind of a rant. It isn't intended that way. I am just bewildered and fairly caught off guard by this.
I appreciate any input anyone might have!
Edited to add topic tag- Maribeth