Other Topics: Archival Recording

Archival Recording

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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4238
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Topic: Archival Recording

Posted By: StarDiva
Subject: Archival Recording
Date Posted: 9/10/09 at 11:12pm

Hello all!

I'm sorry if this has been posted before, but I've just spent the last half hour searching every key word I could think of on this and other forums.

My question is this... is it legal to make an archival recording (to stay at the theatre with no copies made for cast members, etc) of a show?

It's amazing that I can't find any info anywhere on this! I would appreciate any info!

Thanks!!

Replies:

Posted By: DWolfman
Date Posted: 9/11/09 at 11:32am

Welcome to the forum, StarDiva! Glad you've joined us.

An in-depth article on your question

is located here on Dramatic Publishing's site

(although all companies have similar stipulations):

http://www.dramaticpublishing.com/download/pdf/Videotaping-The%20Ugly%20Truth.pdf - Videotaping - The Ugly Truth

In short, the only way you can legally film

a performance is to obtain permission from

the publisher (which most often is not given).

-DW-

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Even a man who is pure of heart...

Posted By: Rorgg
Date Posted: 9/14/09 at 11:23am

I think it's loosened up a slight bit since then -- I've heard that one or another of the larger houses does offer taping rights on some of their shows for internal purposes -- but it's an additional licensing fee.

Still, not a generally good situation all about.

Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 9/16/09 at 11:51am

On this same topic .....

When possible, we record an archival copy on tape and then have it transfered to DVD. I have purchased a new camera that records directly to a memory card to save the extra expense of having it transfered to DVD.

Ahem ... the tricky part. The lady who usually tapes for us told me she intends to still record to tape "for her own copy". We'll see about that! (Board meeting tonight!)

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 9/16/09 at 2:12pm

If I were a member of a group that made any kind of recording of a show, I don't think I would put it in writing in a public forum or even email. It would make it much too easy for them to track you down, but that is just me.

I understand some of the reasons that the rules are the way they are.

If you do a great recording and it gets out you will be competing with official productions that pay the owners royalties.

If you do a bad production and let it out then you might make the show look bad.

If people can find a recording of a show, they could steal the set design. Perhaps not a big issue in a community theater, but might upset the designer at an equity theater.I often check online for pictures of shows I am about to do for inspiration. If I can't find much, I might buy or rent the movie. When I say inspiration, I mean it. I have no interest in making a poor copy of a recognizable set. I'd rather use my own design.

If an actor blows it on the night the show gets recorded, then that actor and the troupe in general will look bad for all eternity.

I'm sure we could all come up with other reasons.

I also understand why people would want to have a DVD of a show they worked on. If you do record your shows don't admit it in public. They don't come after people all that often, but if you make it too easy, you might be one of those that get to be an "example".

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David M

Posted By: musikman1
Date Posted: 9/17/09 at 5:54pm

When I've worked Equity (AEA) shows, I've had to get written permission privately from each and every actor. That was always fun!

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Rick
http://www.bway2.com/tracks

Posted By: JohnnyOneNote
Date Posted: 9/20/09 at 7:31pm

There are changes coming in the Fair Use Copyright act that will solve some of these issues. Just have to wait for that to pass this January I believe it is?