It's in the new LORT rules, and part of the new Media rules. I would assume every LOA would be different, right VSM, RIGHT?
I am working under a LORT, but I would push for it under any contract I work with now . . . just saying if this doesn't exist in other contracts for the use of the stage manager - I would see how it to get a ruling on it. (I mean, before the new media ruling, I was able to use the B-Roll for a variety of purposes - especially on very difficultshows - - - what they really want to avoid is my pulling out the video of Actor A's performance and noting Actor A . . .).
I think it is silly to have such a wonderful, easy, painless technology and NOT be able to use it. I will continue to push for the use of the technology on all contracts.
I mean seriously, there should be on ANY contract the ability for an inhouse video be made for use inhouse - for stage manager's to clean up their blocking script; to safely and adequately train SM subs; for understudies IN a show, to watch a show to see scenes they may never be able to see; to train crew members on complicated scene transitions for safety and artistic reasons. Please put a big disclaimer at the top. Put it in BLACK AND WHITE, or some other nonsense the Hollywood trailers do, but the ease at which now we can video tape and play back, it's pointless not.
AND LISTEN.
I understand we are all afraid of this getting out into the world. Yes, but, seriously, if the stage manager has control of it -and destroys it - I feel better then then B-Roll DVD that I know has been passed around marketing for people that have no idea what AEA rules they are supporting. I mean, no that video cameras are so small and on every phone, I bet on any given night in any Broadway house there is one video tape being made - it doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to use them for powerful tool they are.
On my next non-LORT show, which I think is Off-Broadway, I may sit down with the Off-Broadway rep, reference the LORT contract and see - I understand that it's all tied to the New Media payments and so forth, but there needs to a push made by tech savy stage managers AWAY from the producers pushing for use of this - trying not to make this a money thing. (I know, the union's argument is schedule more rehearsal, pay more overtime, hire more stage managers or understudies . . . but the reality is THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN - so here is a bloody amazing tool sitting RIGHT HERE, to make out job easier as union members to make the job easy for other union members. This seems to be a non brainer.)
It's sort of like saying you have to type your daily call, and everyone knows you can use a PC, but the union is going to make you a type writer.
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VSM - I know I am simplifying a very large and complicated union issue . . . but for the sake of my argument and for the sake and wanting to push this technology forward, I am trying to take a simple look at it.
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