Are Productions Relaxing Their View of Audio Bootlegs?

At more than one production lately, including Hell's Kitchen last night, I've noticed that, in the pre-show announcement, they specify photos and video recording as prohibited, but no mention is made of audio recording. I could have sworn that, in the past, most shows would discourage "recording of any kind." Do they just not care anymore, and know people are going to do it anyway, without any disturbance to other audience members, or do they low-key want audio clips to get out there as a marketing tool?

Updated On: 11/5/23 at 10:15 AM

I know the law hasn't changed, but I see fewer and fewer video recordings and basically zero voice memo clips being flagged these days for copyright infringement. There were, and still are, tons of Lea Michele in FG bootleg video clips on YouTube, and I don't recall seeing a single one taken down during her entire run.

There was a period of time (especially like, 2008 to maybe 2015) or so that AEA really cracked down on Broadway bootlegs on YouTube. However, especially since COVID in 2020, little to no effort has been made to stop them. From my understanding, many actors do not have a problem with them at all, and consider them free publicity. I imagine that some producers—although certainly not all—feel similarly.

Some producers certainly feel audio/video leaks can help the show and spread it to the masses. And especially for a show that doesn't last long, it's kind of an act of historical preservation.

If theres a bad representation or spoilers, then people get touchy. A version of the show the authors feel is superior, an actor having an off night/voice cracks, things that could be misunderstood out of context, nudity. If it's audio of Lea Michele's first night in Funny Girl, great. If it's audio of Beanie's first night...........not so great.

Equity and the Producers will never want a free for all, because it would basically scrap the approval process (certain actors having contractual approval over press photos/video before they're released, producers creating narratives by selectively releasing footage of certain aspects of the show, not giving away secrets, stuff like that)

Updated On: 11/5/23 at 11:22 PM