Show Posts
751
The Green Room / Re: Video / photos during performance
« on: Dec 22, 2010, 07:58 pm »
What you're talking about is a whole other aspect. There are several key concerns along with a slew of smaller ones.
First of all, performers and designers own their work - it's their currency - so if someone makes a bootleg and others watch it, they are cheating the people who make a (limited) living on stage.
Second, the show being taped is not lit or photographed at its best advantage, as it would if the producers paid for a proper shoot with adjusted effects and lighting to meet film/video standards. So you are not seeing the true performance no matter what. And since it then falls under the jurisdiction of SAG/AFTRA, the performers need to be compensated at those rates. which are much, much higher than AEA rates. I can guarantee you that those bootleg/illegal DVDs being sold don't give a dime to the performers, the crew, the designers or any of the artists involved in the production.
And third, theater is a live beast. The experience of seeing, for example, the Library or taped specials of current shows on TV is different than the experience of the audience seeing the same show. What you see on a given night is similar but not the same as what you see on a different night. And that is vital.
Not counting that a flash picture looks a lot like you blew a lamp or something else important, and can cause major safety concerns for those on stage.
I understand wanting to see a Broadway show and living far away or not being able to afford it despite being local - I live across the country and miss getting to see the Tony-nominated/winning casts too. But I also believe that it's really unconscionable to steal someone's livelihood - and their artistry and creativity and originality.
Which brings us back to that original question about these folks who feel entitled and don't understand what goes into the performance they are watching, or that they can't just take it and do what they want with it. How do we battle this, how do we take back ownership of our art?
(and yes, I know, the cows have left the barn or whatever metaphor you want to use)
First of all, performers and designers own their work - it's their currency - so if someone makes a bootleg and others watch it, they are cheating the people who make a (limited) living on stage.
Second, the show being taped is not lit or photographed at its best advantage, as it would if the producers paid for a proper shoot with adjusted effects and lighting to meet film/video standards. So you are not seeing the true performance no matter what. And since it then falls under the jurisdiction of SAG/AFTRA, the performers need to be compensated at those rates. which are much, much higher than AEA rates. I can guarantee you that those bootleg/illegal DVDs being sold don't give a dime to the performers, the crew, the designers or any of the artists involved in the production.
And third, theater is a live beast. The experience of seeing, for example, the Library or taped specials of current shows on TV is different than the experience of the audience seeing the same show. What you see on a given night is similar but not the same as what you see on a different night. And that is vital.
Not counting that a flash picture looks a lot like you blew a lamp or something else important, and can cause major safety concerns for those on stage.
I understand wanting to see a Broadway show and living far away or not being able to afford it despite being local - I live across the country and miss getting to see the Tony-nominated/winning casts too. But I also believe that it's really unconscionable to steal someone's livelihood - and their artistry and creativity and originality.
Which brings us back to that original question about these folks who feel entitled and don't understand what goes into the performance they are watching, or that they can't just take it and do what they want with it. How do we battle this, how do we take back ownership of our art?
(and yes, I know, the cows have left the barn or whatever metaphor you want to use)