Broadway Theatre Owners Alter Photography Rules- Page 3

[SamIAm]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 7:20pm

No, she wasn't (although her tone might have been too strong). These rules are in process. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 7:46pm

Fosse76 said: "As to the pre-show picture taking, I'm not sure what drugs HogansHero is on, but the design for a show, which includes the pre-show set-up, is absolutely protected by copyright (whether the designer him/herself retains the rights or they are held by someone else such as the producer of the show). However, the no pictures rule doesn't really have a basis in copyright law. Fair use only applies to publishing photos of copyrighted material, not taking pictures for personal use. However, when you purchase a ticket to a show, you are contractually obligated to follow the rules established by the landlord and producer. If they say "No pictures or video recording" then you absolutely have no right to take photos or record video, and can be legally removed. With that said, they cannot force you to delete the pictures or show them the camera/phone . "

I never said, nor would I, that a design cannot be copyrighted. So I guess we are on the same drug. What I said (and I think this is pretty clear, but perhaps it has been sliced and diced so much that it isn't) is that a set designer's copyright cannot impede a non-commercial photo of a set. It is of course possible that the license that the ticket represents prohibits photography, but as we both agree that has nothing to do with copyright. I don't think there is a molecule of air separating what the two of us are saying. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:10pm

Mr Roxy said: "At the last 1 man show by Hugh Jackman, a uber aggressive usher almost stepped over people to get to someone who took pictures of the cast taking bows after it was over. He refused to let them leave until they deleted them threatening to call the police if they did not comply. Other people there commented this guy's reaction was over the top."

 

It's beyond "over the top", it's borderline illegal. The usher has absolutely no legal authority to detain anyone. Even if it is mostly verbal or through aggressively blocking the exit. And second, copyright violations are generally a civil law violation; the police can't do anything. They would technically need a warrant to look at your phone and they can't force you to delete photos either.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:25pm

Bottom line was people were probably tourists. They were scared to death and guaranteed they will never ever see a show again. They have probably recounted the story to their friends and this is not a success story for NY tourism.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/10/16 at 11:28pm

There is nothing wrong with taking a picture of pre-show/intermission/post-show. As long as it's not disrupting the show itself, I'm fine with it. Though I don't think is flash is necessary either. 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 9:54am

Call_me_jorge said: "There is nothing wrong with taking a picture of pre-show/intermission/post-show. As long as it's not disrupting the show itself, I'm fine with it. Though I don't think is flash is necessary either. 

 

"

 

Yes, Jorge. We know how you feel. Thanks. Your opinion in the world of intellectual property and copyright law means very little, though. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/11/16 at 5:05pm

Liza's Headband said: "Yes, Jorge. We know how you feel. Thanks. Your opinion in the world of intellectual property and copyright law means very little, though. "

I can't understand why Jorge should not be able to express that he is fine with non-flash photography. The issue is not intellectual property or copyright law -- they are givens and not something susceptible to meaningful opinions -- but rather what we as a society feel should be allowed (or not) in a theatre and the mores relating to that are actually (and obviously) evolving and thus more than apt as a subject of the expression of opinion. 

But thank you, Headband, for your faux assertion of import. I could say pompous arrogance but I won't...

 

[LxGstv]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 10:17am

So what is the "rule" now?!

Is it still allowed in those theaters or by based by production?! I enjoy taking a picture from my seat, I find the website "a view from my seat" very helpful when buying tickets and I like to add to that website...

I'm just curious because the Belasco is listed on the ones that do allow pictures being taken but I was told last night by an usher at The Glass Menagerie that no photos of the stage were allowed and I would have to delete them... which really surprised me because Instagram was flooded with pictures of the stage even after the dress rehearsal, heck, there is even one during curtain call on Instagram!!

So I wasn't really sure if it's allowed or not, despite being on the list...

 

Also, on a side note after reading this thread:

1. When I saw waitress everyone was taking pictures of the curtain and no one complained.

2. After snapping a view from my seat I immediately turn my phone off, I don't like it disturbing me, let alone other audience members. I've had so many sho moments ruined by people checking their phones.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 10:25am

Their presence on Instagram probably means nothing more than that individual who uploaded it wasn't caught by an usher.

[LxGstv]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 1:36pm

Interesting PThespian, reading that makes me think it really depends on the production...

Its kinda silly for the organization to say pictures inside the theater are ok though... sounds like a miscommunication issue...

And I agree LizzieCurry, whoever posted just didn't get "caught", but what surprised me was the amount of pictures, I usually look for pictures of the stage after previews start and it's easy to find one or two, but for The Glass Menagerie there were so many I assumed it would be fine... that and the fact that the Belasco is on the list of theaters that allow it!

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/21/17 at 9:21am

If the "no photos" rule is in place because set designs are copyrighted, then why is it quite permissible to take pictures of those same sets - and much, much more - when one is taken on a backstage tour?

Also, if a house does not want patrons to take photos, it seems to me that providing free wi-fi inside the venue does not help their cause. Obviously, wi-fi can be used to play on the internet while waiting for the show to start or during the interval, but what does the house gain from providing that free access if they're not doing so in the hopes that patrons will in turn generate free publicity for the show on social media?

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/21/17 at 10:42am

PThespian said: "Many shows don't allow pics of the sets to be taken during backstage tours. 

If you're taking the tour because you won it at a charity auction/raffle, or the tour is being conducted for publicity purposes, it is usually not a problem. 

However a lot of shows, including a show I've worked for awhile, do not allow set pictures as part of other backstage tours. The Stage Managers usually announce it. 

If you look at pictures taken with cast members onstage you will notice most of them are taken facing the house."

To be clear, I'm not advocating the taking of photographs in situations where a set designer has concerns about their rights, and you are correct that pictures taken with cast members onstage are usually taken facing the house. However, it is quite curious when such a photograph is taken during a tour where you're also allowed to take pictures of various set pieces, costumes, etc. There are many of these photographs on social media.