Ethical question - taking one picture with a cell phone/camera at a production. — Page 2

One of the times I saw "Cabaret" at 54, I had a camera with me (one that you use once and throw away) and I took a picture of my friend sitting at the Banquette (In the OPPOSITE direction of the stage, I wouldn't photograph a Stage, Before, during nor after) at any rate, I was told by an Usher that - since that photo would contain the lamps on the table it would be considered taking pictures of the set, So I apologized and even offered her the camera to destroy the film, and she was very grascious and didn't take it. I didn't think about the lamps, since they were run by the lighting crew and were a PART of the production, So - It is always good to take your pictures OUTSIDE perhaps with the Poster in the background or at the stage door, one more thing I'd like to add, It is always nice to ask if you may take a performers picture other than acting like a wild paparazzi when they come out a stage door, That way, You may allow them to smile, pose and GIVE you a GREAT picture other than just one of them hurrying away which is unflattering as well. That's my 2 bits.

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It's WRONG! If yoou were sitting near me and tried taking a picture with a cmaera phone I'd slap your face. I'm not kidding. I've done it before.

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It's rude. It's distracting. It's selfish. It's wrong.

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I can't imagine that any picture taken with a camera-phone during a show would even come out. They seem to need sooo much light. I have to turn on every light in the room to get a good picture inside my house--and sometimes it is still a bit grainy. My phone is a year old...but I can't imagine they have come that far since. In the theatre with just the stage lights and spots I would imagine any pic would come out dark, grainy, or the subject looking like a bright white ghost due to a spot on them. I don't understand how someone could rationalize breaking the law to take a picture with a camera phone that won't come out anyway! Taking photos of any kind is wrong and illegal. Buy a program...the pictures will look a lot nicer.

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They can go through your digital camera or phone and have you delete just the pictures from the theatre. I've heard of instances where the theatre confiscated the film, developed it, and sent back the pictures that had nothing to do with the theatre.

The afternoon I saw "The Wiz" and someone took a flash picture during "Be A Lion". The show was stopped. Stephanie Mills walked offstage while Ted Ross sat and "licked his paws". The orchestra kept playing while 2 ushers came down the isle, took the camera and asked the man to leave the theatre.

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I busted a girl next to me video tapong at THE BOY FROM OZ. I personally grabbed her camera and gave it to the head usher at intermission.

It seems to me a little bit dangerous for someone to be a theatre vigialnte and take someone's property...best to let an usher know and let him/her run the risk...I wouldn't snatch something from anyone--not in NYC kids...

Dollypop is allowed to hit, but only Dollypop!

It doesn't relate to fair use - when you buy a ticket and enter the theater, it's under an agreement that you follow the laws and procedures of that venue. The works inside or copyright protected.

Most museums don't allow photography for the very same reason. It's intellectual property.

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what happens if you bring a bag into a theatre that has a video-camera in it that you weren't planning on using to film the show. it just happened to be in your bag because maybe you were sightseeing and filming things.

would it be proper to hand it over to the ushers right away? and just ask for it back when the performance was over?

THANK YOU FOSSE.

And to those who are just grabbing people's cameras. Well that is called THEFT! And i am fairly certain regardless of your intent, the person could quite easily press charges against you personally. And quite honestly could very well risk BOTH yourselves getting kicked out.

UMMM... What was she going to say... I was breaking the law and filming hugh and this beast next to me took my camera. She was sitting next to me.. I told her to stop.. she didnt.. so I grabbed the camera as she filmed again.. and I said I was turning over to the usher... I kept it in sight on my lap.. the usher reviewed the film and took the girl and the camera away.

I saw a crime.. I stopped the crime.

Plus it was so distracting to see the screen every 5 minutes.. I paid $200 for my seat.. she was wrecking my experience and breaking the law.

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 03:08 PM

Was in the middle of the 2nd row... in the middle of the act... no need to disturb others. She was warned.. she continued.. she paid the price. I hope she was prosecuted. I know the head ushe thanked me endlessly before taking her away.