The other night at rehearsal, a professional videographer showed up. I'm the producer....it's my butt on the line.

 

Thanks.

Make that part of the meeting at the first read through or rehearsal so you nip it in the bud and don't have to confront it later.  Make that part of whatever your process is right from the get-go.  It's all in how we set the expectation.  Then, when you hand out other information like bio sheets to fill out, or contact sheet info, or do's & dont's, whatever is your process, hand out copies of the license agreement you signed to people so that it's official, legal and spelled out.  Just make it one of many things you talk about at that first meeting, read through or whatever your process is.

For us, it's in our playbill, it is posted in our lobby and we announce it during the shows.

 

Later,

John

Either you or a Board member would have signed the Performing Licence contract?

Grab a copy & highlight the no recording/video bit. I assume you would be an Ex-officio of the Board for the duration of the production season - which is normal. Even if your not, get the contract copy &/or Licence info tabled at the next meeting, as corespondance or an agenda item!

The hiccup is it would be far too later, if the performance licences is pulled. Or the theatre is hit with an injunction. effectivly closing the season. It is not likely - but I know of cases it has happened & became very costly.

I realise your frustration, when these warm props, luvvies & twirlies, become all powerfull & believe they are the Pres & only member!

But the good old green backed dollars, can talk volumes, every time!

Besides applying 3 Phase Voltage in thier ears, inducing a frontal labotamy. this may be the easiest way of getting the message to sink in!

At least you won't have to hide the bodies or put them in a 'Glad Bag' outside the gate!

Although on the other hand  it does save a lot of paper work?

 

I'd think I would rather pay upto the 45000 penalty, for breaches of the Health Act, than throw a heap of gold dust & flushing it down the Dunny, by contesting.

So it would be less costly to design your own show logo & forget the video. 

Actually I think it may be close to the time the copyright industry took action &  hit one or two schools on utube or whatever. Just to keep bar stewards honest. But I think they would rather create less waves, by keeping the honest - more honest!.

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 ...

 

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

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.

 

 

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.