Curtain Call Pics and Videos Discussion

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:12pm

I do not want to start anything, so if things get tense here, please take this down. 

I want to know your general thoughts about taking pictures or videos during the curtain call/bows. Some shows allow it and some don't. I personally think it should be allowed to preserve the memory you made while in the theatre. I understand that there could be copyright circumstances, but still, I think it should be something to look back on in the future.  It seems to me though that it's less strict in London than in NYC. That could just be me. 

Again, I do not want to start an argument here, I just would like a calm discussion on this topic. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:32pm

Several years ago (around 2014, when iPhones etc were in the hands of more people) there was discussion among the big three theatre owners that curtain call photos and videos should be made “allowed” as it would ultimately be free marketing.

I think the barrier was/is the unions, and I’m not sure how much progress was made.

But overall there are key stakeholders who do support it (and probably others who don’t).

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 10:53pm

That's what I also see in it. Just wish AEA and other unions would be more accepting of it. For example, when SIX came to Broadway, AEA immediately said no to filming the Megasix even though the creatives wanted it for free marketing. I tried when I went but was yelled at by 2 ushers. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/15/22 at 11:16pm

I don't do it. I do the pic with the playbill before the show. I don't want my memory of a curtain call to be through the screen of my phone. I want to take it in without the distraction of taking a picture or video. Maybe some watch them over and over but I suspect people watch it a few times, post it and it sits on their phone. I could be wrong about that though. Plus, we now get video of opening night curtain calls so that is good enough for me since curtain calls are done pretty much the same at each performance. Just my opinion.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 12:36am

Ultimately things like photos being taken during curtain calls or encore situations are not up to the creative team. For example, When the Jimmy Buffet musical was on Broadway, he had outlandish requests that he couldn’t see why they weren’t able to be met, things like he wanted the ushers to be “of a certain age” that way they matched the age of his fan base. He was told no. Reason he was given was that ushers are employees of The Nederlander Organization which owns the theatre. And, the other reason he was given was because we are in a union that, never in a million years, would allow something like that to occur. 

Now, while I can list more examples of Buffet wanting things that were simply not possible, I’ll spare you. But, overall point I am trying to make is that he, like many other creative staffers can’t always do what they want to do with their show. 

But, as an usher, I make announcements to the audience before the show to turn off phones, there’s no recording or phone use for any reason during the show. I can’t quite fathom why it is that shows that have some sort of encore have the audience believing that now you can take pictures and record video then, but not during the rest of the show. I just don't get it. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 7/16/22 at 5:49am

Personally, I probably would not film a megamix even if it was encouraged, but I'm not really going to get mad at people by that point. Maybe I just have a terrible phone, but I think an issue with curtain call pics is that people get out their phones so quickly that they must be on already. Some phones stay silenced and some people have the willpower to not check the time but it would just give me anxiety that my phone would go off during the performance from a telemarketer call or a flood warning.

I feel like there are plenty of opportunities to film live performances at less formal concerts (e.g. Webster Hall vs. Carnegie Hall). When it comes to theater, like uncageg, I'm satisfied with the professional footage and photos we usually get.