what about the taping rule for high school musical?  Apparently you can buy a video license for $75... and YOU, the theater, can make a copy for "archival" purposes and then sell it to the cast.

For $75, that really isn't bad - especially for a "scrapbook" production like HSM.

I just worry that some bloke (No, im not British) will take it to public access and ask them to play it.    Should we make people sign slips that say they wont copy, etc etc?

Im dreading the "curtain announcement" about no videotaping, as Im sure there will be 1 or 2 a night that will try and sneak a camera in.

This has recently been a huge issue with our group. Over the years, we've waffled back and forth on this, but since I am a professional video producer, it made me very nervous from a business perspective and from theater perspective.   

Because there ARE people out there who are crazed or malicious, there always is the possibility of being turned in. Particularly in the era of Youtube, it's far too easy for actors to take the copy and put it up on the web with the name of the theater company.

What does disturb me is how angry people get over this issue. I just had a 30 minute argument with a sounds operator over this--after explaining to the cast and crew that we do not permit videotaping. I've had dear friends get in my face because I had to deliver this message to them. I had one actor get the show videotaped on the sly and put it up on the web.

I realize these are nice to have and to do hours of navel-gazing for years to come, but aside from the legal ramifications, the quality of most of these tapings is quite poor. Methinks that memory would be a better (and more forgiving) keepsake of the event.

Several shows do offer a video license, but read them carefully.  The High School Musical License reads "...granting licensee permission to make ONE video recording of Licensee's production of the play entitled Disney's High School Musical"  and also "ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY.  THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW". 

Pretty clear to me, you can make one copy and one copy only and you most certainly CANNOT sell copies to your cast.

It shouldn't matter if it is something that you can get in trouble for, it is the law.  And although the publishing companies make the most profit on these laws, the playwright's work is also being protected.  Most playwrights are struggling artists, and to make money (selling copies to cast and crew) on their work while they receive nothing is not only illegal, it is also immoral and unethical. 

I have very little patience on this issue. 

The taking of pictures is usually more of an issue for local artists.  The work of the designers and directors is also protected by copyright law and their permission should be acquired for pictures.  This is rarely an issue on a CT level, but on the professional level lawsuits are happening based on theft of intellectual property, so cover you butt, have them sign a contract giving the theatre permission to photo.

One of the best things about theatre that it is a temporary art, only exisiting in a single moment in time, eveery performance is different and all that.  Letting people see the show only through video is a disservice to the show (we all know that even when done professionally live theatre never works well on video) the audience, the art and of course the playwrights who supposed to be getting paid for their work.

Also someone earlier asked why publishers get all the money up front as opposed to taking their fee based on actual tickets.  The truth is that for professional contract they do take a percentage of the box office, usually around 10%, I have seen as low as 7 or 8 and as high as 12%. 

We keep talking about being fined for taping a show. Does anyone know what the fine is?