Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Video Taping

Author

Message

Nanette
Celebrity

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399

Posted: 6/21/08 at 10:16pm

This question is for anyone who's ever worked with the MTI/Broadway, Jr. shows ...

I've recently heard of a CT who not only videotapes their performances, but also sells copies of them to the cast/crew (for $45 no less!) and also sells t-shirts for each show with the show font and logo (for $25!). Does anyone know if MTI/Broadway, Jr. grants permission for videotaping and use of their show font/logo? Just curious ...

In a world of margarine, be butter!

IP Logged

laurielu
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 4/07/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 6/22/08 at 2:25am

I don't know about Broadway Jr., but I know for a fact MTI does not allow video taping. I'm the one who posted the original message in this thread and because of cast members who wanted to tape our show (through MTI), I called our representative. She was adament that taping the show was illegal and was not to be allowed. I asked her specifically about the U-tube videos and she said they are following up on those and contacting the producers. I live in fear that somehow, our illegal tape will appear on U-tube someday.

Read your contract from any publishing house and you will see what the policies are. I believe R&H now have some video rights available, for a fee.

I, too, have heard of theaters taping musicals and then giving DVDs to cast members.

Again, read your contract about original artwork on t-shirts. As I recall from my MTI contract, original artwork for any purpose is not allowed. I bought the t-shirts that MTI sold and they were surprisingly nice and not that expensive ($12.50 each + shipping), but had to purchase in lots of six.

As a follow-up to my original post about this a few months ago, we lost a very valuable member of our company due to the taping of the show. He would not be affiliated with a group that would blatantly go against the terms of a contract. Our board is still wishy-washy on this issue. We do produce original one-acts and I always ask the writers if we can video tape. Usually they are quite pleased!

I am now directing another show and in my curtain talk I specifically mention "No video taping". BTW, did you know that some digital cameras can capture several minutes of video? I didn't until I bought a new camera. That explains why I had people in the audience before with their digitals set up on tripods.

Laurielu

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

IP Logged

Nanette
Celebrity

Joined: 8/01/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 399

Posted: 6/22/08 at 2:21pm

Cel phones can also capture video.

In a world of margarine, be butter!

IP Logged

JohnnyOneNote
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 2/18/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7

Posted: 8/31/08 at 9:21am

I just mentioned this in another post but....

There is NO SUCH THING as PERMISSION to make ARCHIVAL video. None. This is a MYTH in the community theater realm.

Just because everyone and their mother tapes it and puts it on YouTube does NOT make it legal.

Now.. MTI does give rights to some of the DISNEY shows. But nothing else.

Theatrical Rights Worldwide (the newest company) also has mechanical rights for some shows.

But in general it is a big old fat NO and if your president was IN on it, Vote him out!

It is a board members duty to uphold the contract they signed or even if they did NOT sign it personally, it is their duty to abide by it. Especially a board member and Most IMPORTANTLY a President or Artistic Director!

I have heard there is something in legislature or one of them government things (I am terribly a-political sorry) about the rights of Archival footage being debated in copyright law. Who knows, maybe one day we will be able to do this. But for now. Why risk it?

Yes you CAN be sued and Yes it HAS happened to little podunk towns.

IP Logged

jayzehr
Celebrity

Joined: 8/11/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 537

Posted: 8/31/08 at 5:18pm

I know I posed this question before, but what do you guys do if you're sitting in the back of a crowded house on the last Saturday night and you spot somebody's Uncle Joe down in the middle of the third row recording video with his cell phone? Do you disrupt the show by going down there? Or do you let it slide?

IP Logged

laurielu
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 4/07/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 9/01/08 at 2:11am

What I have done when this occurs, is to talk to Uncle Joe at intermission or after the performance and tell him flat out that video or audio recording is strictly against the law. Please delete the file at once, while I'm watching. Point out your statement in the program. Remind him that photo opportunities can be arranged for after the performance (at least with our company). We're glad he enjoyed the show, but after all, that's why we have memories. Yeah, it takes a lot of guts (be an actor!). Be firm, be polite, and don't back down. I never disrupt a show (even when someone in the front row is eating popcorn they brought in during M'Lynn's breakdown at the end of Steel Magnolias. Yeah, it happened).

I always make an announcement at the top of the show reminding the audience not to record/take photos and to turn off their cell phones--I turn off mine on stage and I see a lot of people reach into purses and pockets to turn theirs off, too. I think this announcement and the program notice might save your butt in a pinch (write a note to your file that Uncle Joe was a problem).

I think I'm the one who started this thread several months ago. As an update, our president at the time chose not to run for another board position. Our new board of directors is now very firm on the no recording policy. I sincerely hope that the recording issue is behind us!

Thanks for everyone's input.

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

IP Logged

Other Topics
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Author	Message
Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 6/21/08 at 10:16pm
	This question is for anyone who's ever worked with the MTI/Broadway, Jr. shows ... I've recently heard of a CT who not only videotapes their performances, but also sells copies of them to the cast/crew (for $45 no less!) and also sells t-shirts for each show with the show font and logo (for $25!). Does anyone know if MTI/Broadway, Jr. grants permission for videotaping and use of their show font/logo? Just curious ...
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

laurielu Walk-On Joined: 4/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 6/22/08 at 2:25am
	I don't know about Broadway Jr., but I know for a fact MTI does not allow video taping. I'm the one who posted the original message in this thread and because of cast members who wanted to tape our show (through MTI), I called our representative. She was adament that taping the show was illegal and was not to be allowed. I asked her specifically about the U-tube videos and she said they are following up on those and contacting the producers. I live in fear that somehow, our illegal tape will appear on U-tube someday. Read your contract from any publishing house and you will see what the policies are. I believe R&H now have some video rights available, for a fee. I, too, have heard of theaters taping musicals and then giving DVDs to cast members. Again, read your contract about original artwork on t-shirts. As I recall from my MTI contract, original artwork for any purpose is not allowed. I bought the t-shirts that MTI sold and they were surprisingly nice and not that expensive ($12.50 each + shipping), but had to purchase in lots of six. As a follow-up to my original post about this a few months ago, we lost a very valuable member of our company due to the taping of the show. He would not be affiliated with a group that would blatantly go against the terms of a contract. Our board is still wishy-washy on this issue. We do produce original one-acts and I always ask the writers if we can video tape. Usually they are quite pleased! I am now directing another show and in my curtain talk I specifically mention "No video taping". BTW, did you know that some digital cameras can capture several minutes of video? I didn't until I bought a new camera. That explains why I had people in the audience before with their digitals set up on tripods. Laurielu
	Nothing changes if nothing changes.
	IP Logged

Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 6/22/08 at 2:21pm
	Cel phones can also capture video.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

JohnnyOneNote Walk-On Joined: 2/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 8/31/08 at 9:21am
	I just mentioned this in another post but.... There is NO SUCH THING as PERMISSION to make ARCHIVAL video. None. This is a MYTH in the community theater realm. Just because everyone and their mother tapes it and puts it on YouTube does NOT make it legal. Now.. MTI does give rights to some of the DISNEY shows. But nothing else. Theatrical Rights Worldwide (the newest company) also has mechanical rights for some shows. But in general it is a big old fat NO and if your president was IN on it, Vote him out! It is a board members duty to uphold the contract they signed or even if they did NOT sign it personally, it is their duty to abide by it. Especially a board member and Most IMPORTANTLY a President or Artistic Director! I have heard there is something in legislature or one of them government things (I am terribly a-political sorry) about the rights of Archival footage being debated in copyright law. Who knows, maybe one day we will be able to do this. But for now. Why risk it? Yes you CAN be sued and Yes it HAS happened to little podunk towns.
	IP Logged

jayzehr Celebrity Joined: 8/11/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 537	Posted: 8/31/08 at 5:18pm
	I know I posed this question before, but what do you guys do if you're sitting in the back of a crowded house on the last Saturday night and you spot somebody's Uncle Joe down in the middle of the third row recording video with his cell phone? Do you disrupt the show by going down there? Or do you let it slide?
	IP Logged

laurielu Walk-On Joined: 4/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 9/01/08 at 2:11am
	What I have done when this occurs, is to talk to Uncle Joe at intermission or after the performance and tell him flat out that video or audio recording is strictly against the law. Please delete the file at once, while I'm watching. Point out your statement in the program. Remind him that photo opportunities can be arranged for after the performance (at least with our company). We're glad he enjoyed the show, but after all, that's why we have memories. Yeah, it takes a lot of guts (be an actor!). Be firm, be polite, and don't back down. I never disrupt a show (even when someone in the front row is eating popcorn they brought in during M'Lynn's breakdown at the end of Steel Magnolias. Yeah, it happened). I always make an announcement at the top of the show reminding the audience not to record/take photos and to turn off their cell phones--I turn off mine on stage and I see a lot of people reach into purses and pockets to turn theirs off, too. I think this announcement and the program notice might save your butt in a pinch (write a note to your file that Uncle Joe was a problem). I think I'm the one who started this thread several months ago. As an update, our president at the time chose not to run for another board position. Our new board of directors is now very firm on the no recording policy. I sincerely hope that the recording issue is behind us! Thanks for everyone's input.
	Nothing changes if nothing changes.
	IP Logged

Topic: Video Taping( Topic Closed)
	<< Prev Page of 2