Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Using Videos for a Grant?

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   As most theatres do, we videotape performances so the cast and crew members can have a keepsake.
Now we are in the midst of putting together a very important state grant proposal.  Our grantwriter, who does such a great job for us, insists that we include videos as part of our package.

I am adamantly against this, as we did not obtain permission to videotape any performances for any purposes.  I have supplied him with quotes from the standard Dramatists royalty agreement and quotes from Craig Popisil on this forum as proof that we should not send our "bootleg" tapes to grantors.  

He seems to believe that since the tapes were not sold to the public for the theatre's financial gain, then this is accepatble.  I am worried that if the grantors (a California state grant program) do their research, we could get into big trouble.

Any thoughts?  Anyone?

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teridtiger Star Joined: 10/24/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Topic: Using Videos for a Grant? Posted: 12/08/06 at 11:44am
	As most theatres do, we videotape performances so the cast and crew members can have a keepsake. Now we are in the midst of putting together a very important state grant proposal. Our grantwriter, who does such a great job for us, insists that we include videos as part of our package. I am adamantly against this, as we did not obtain permission to videotape any performances for any purposes. I have supplied him with quotes from the standard Dramatists royalty agreement and quotes from Craig Popisil on this forum as proof that we should not send our "bootleg" tapes to grantors. He seems to believe that since the tapes were not sold to the public for the theatre's financial gain, then this is accepatble. I am worried that if the grantors (a California state grant program) do their research, we could get into big trouble. Any thoughts? Anyone?

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B-M-D Celebrity Joined: 11/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 346	Posted: 12/08/06 at 12:25pm
	You are correct and your grant writer is wrong. I'm sure a video of a perfomance would enhance your grant proposal. However, if it were found that it was produced by somewhat questionable means I think that that would negate more than would be gained by including the video. You're in a pickle. You might try throwing yourself upon the mercy of the licensing agency that script belongs to and perhaps try to get some kind of retro active aproval for what you've already done. It's long shot but maybe worth a try.
	BD "Dying is easy, comedy is hard."
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