Bootlegs during Quarantine — Page 3

sparksatmidnight, the difference is that if you do jump your way into a theme park, you can still get the same experience almost anyone else there can. With a bootleg, the viewer KNOWS the experience isn't the same. They're seeing a 2D filmed record of someone else's experience.

I do have issues with people who feel they're entitled to see something, though. If you happen to come across it, great! If you were never going to be a paying audience member because the show opened and closed in Chicago in 2003 or something, and you lived in Germany and had never heard of musical theatre until 2012, then why not?

To whom ever made the comment about putting a camera on me at my job...um, you do know you'd need permission for something like that, right? And with bootlegs they never have permission? Bless your heart, that's not a valid argument. 

 

I'd like to note that right now we're in scary and uncertain times. People are allowed to change their minds about things-doesn't mean they're doing the thing they're taking a strong stance on. Even if they do, it's really no one else's business. We're on pause, stuck in our homes, and honestly? It's important to do whatever you can to keep yourself happy and your mental health in a good place, even if it seems difficult. So while I question everyone who applauds bootlegs and says Broadway isn't accessible (seriously, it is. People who have been able to go, go, and people who can't or don't want to find a way to do so) right now, mental health is more important than anything else. Want to watch that grainy last row bootleg? Go for it. Whatever gives you happiness and sanity during these times. 

Who would have guessed this thread would end up being exactly like every other bootlegging thread, with the exact same arguments on both sides

Dolly80 said: "This thread is a disgrace. Bootlegs are ILLEGAL. You think all of these shows have had endless hours and money put into them so people can record them illegally and put them on YouTube? This should be shut down by the moderators. It’s basically advertising illegal activity.

Would y’all be happy to watch a show and someone in front of you sit there recording it all?"

I feel the exact same, but there are people who think, I live so far away! I won't be able to travel to see "x" show, so I need to ask someone else for "content". And then people end up illegally filming or recording the show. Despite it being illegal, despite actors calling people out on social media, even changing lyrics (Lin-Manuel Miranda called someone out for filming), people still think they're entitled to illegal recordings of performances. I know bootlegging is not a new thing, but if people couldn't see shows in the 80s, for example, do you think people begged for audio? For people to record? No. People can't always afford things they want. The solution is not to basically say, "I can't afford this so I deserve to see it for free instead of saving for it like everyone else who wants to see a show", they say, 'can you record this for me illegally and steal from the production, distract performers, etc because I just HAVE to see this show and I won't survive if you don't". Come on. Move on. There are going to be so many shows around that people will fall in love with and you'll grow up, get a  job, save money and be able to afford to see shows. THAT'S how you get what you want. Not by getting it illegally. 

It's a bootleg if you upload a movie to youtube. Do you consider it a bootleg if someone uploads a professionally filmed recording (e.g. Live From Lincoln Center, NT Live, etc.) to a video sharing platform? Because that's what I've been watching.

VintageSnarker said: "It's a bootleg if you upload a movie to youtube. Do you consider it a bootleg if someone uploads a professionally filmed recording (e.g. Live From Lincoln Center, NT Live, etc.) to a video sharing platform? Because that's what I've been watching."

I mean it’s technically a bootleg but also technically piracy.

I think we’ve reached a stage where going forward, Broadway productions, who are filmed for archived anyway, might consider releasing these videos for pay per view audiences.  Granted, royalties and equity would have to be considered, but in any area of entertainment they have to start thinking of revenue options.  We are a long way off from packed houses in any area of entertainment or sports.  The WWE is still having PPV without fan attendance and generating sponsorship dollars for it.  People are starving for entertainment and it’s much cheaper and safer to stay home and pay to view.  

I've said this 100 times over my time here, but I'll say it again:

When Broadway actors themselves publicly ask for and post bootleg clips on Twitter and Instagram, they automatically negate any other performer who denounces them. When one actor does it, the argument is ruined for the 100 vocal naysayers. Actors post clips all the time that they/the cast filmed themselves from the wings, that their friends took while in the audience, or clipped straight from the popular bootlegs of their shows. 

The argument against bootlegs will only have legs when actors stop posting/perpetuating them. 

 

VotePeron said: "I've said this 100 times over my time here, but I'll say it again:

When Broadway actorsthemselves publicly ask for andpost bootleg clipson Twitter and Instagram, they automatically negate any other performer who denounces them. When one actor does it, the argument is ruined for the 100 vocal naysayers. Actors post clips all the time that they/the cast filmed themselves from the wings, that their friends took while in the audience, or clipped straight from the popular bootlegs of their shows.

The argument against bootlegs will only have legs when actors stop posting/perpetuating them.

"

You said the tweet has since been taken down, so no, it's not okay. It's never okay to film a show from the audience. I have not seen a ton of actors posting videos from the wings, maybe themselves in the wings, but not of the action on stage. It's 100% not okay to film a show from THE AUDIENCE. I don't work backstage, I can't speak for that, but if you are an audience member no, it's not okay. This is not the only way for actors to show their work. Have you heard of self tapes? That's how actors show what they can do. As for a reel, I've never sent in one or made one so I don't know. But I'm guessing it has B-roll footage rather than crummy bootleg/wing footage. 

I do not watch bootleg shows for the same reason I do not watch bootleg movies because quality sucks (although they are improving). I have lots of prepaid things to spend time on and I want high quality. Garbage no surround you tube links are not enough. If Broadway wants to solve this problem with a streaming service I will still see some shows live but I would be ok paying  for some I miss out on.