How Do You Report Someone Selling Bootlegs? — Page 3

BuddyStarr said: "This is white collar crime."





This fall on Fox!

BuddyStarr said: "If standins want a copy of the show they're working for I'm sure they can get a copy of the show from the production team."

They can't, I assure you.

BuddyStarr said: "If standins want a copy of the show they're working for I'm sure they can get a copy of the show from the production team."

trpguyy said: '"They can't, I assure you".

They can't legally, but I assure you it happens with some frequency. The show is often recorded with deliberately low resolution, so it isn't worth much for entertainment value, but is useful as a learning tool. It also usually something you can't get a copy of, but you can reference it in an office, usually the stage managers', who use such recordings to train other stage mangers to call the show, as a reference piece, and yes, to help train "standins" (by which I assume you mean stand bys and understudies).

Updated On: 3/7/18 at 01:09 PM

leefowler said: "I sometimes ask people, "why isn't there a film of the original production of La Traviata?". They reply, "there wasn't film equipment back then". I then ask, "why isn't there a film of the original cast of My Fair Lady?". They have no answer for that.

There are decades of theater history lost forever because it was illegal to film Broadway shows. I welcome bootlegs. They're preserving history."

That's one of the things about stage shows. They're meant for people to see them on the stage otherwise they'd be films.

"Right. Archival and rehearsal footage (which is getting better now, most new shows have the capability to record from the FOH HD camera, though SMs will often just set up a camcorder or iPad at FOH for the ease), is available for viewing in the stage management office."

It's still illegal to do that, technically, but it's been going on for decades.

"That's very different than someone working on the show "getting a copy," which is what I was referring to. "Getting" and "viewing" are very different."

Yes, I made that distinction. That said, sometimes copies are loaned out.

This gave me flashbacks to the Great Comet casting debacle.

leefowler said: "I sometimes ask people, "why isn't there a film of the original production of La Traviata?". They reply, "there wasn't film equipment back then". I then ask, "why isn't there a film of the original cast of My Fair Lady?". They have no answer for that.

There are decades of theater history lost forever because it was illegal to film Broadway shows. I welcome bootlegs. They're preserving history."

Actually, most shows are filmed and available for educational and professional needs at Theater on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT). Still, I would welcome bootlegs that preserve special moments of a production (e.g. Patti calling out people taking photos midshow, final performances...).

I do not think there is anyone to report this to. Most infringement of intellectual property is handled as a tort rather than a criminal act. That means that the law is enforced by lawsuit rather than arrest. The damages that one could collect from bootleggers is so small that it is not worth the expense in pursuing it.

So unless someone is caught in the act of recording the performance, there is not likely to be much done.

Demitri2 said: "I don't understand your dilemma with the sale of bootlegs. Where do you think the bootlegs you enjoy initially came from? Unless you filmed the show yourself, someone most likely purchased the bootleg at one point and then circulated copies. Who do I report you to for having a collection of unauthorized recordings? "

No one. It's not illegall to own bootlegs.

Bootlegs, the treasures of history where the real magic happens.

I have seen performances in bootlegs with a talent and quality that surpasses anything that has ever been recorded in a commercial way.

As long as we get Hugh Jackmans and Nick Jonases in commercially released versions of the material I will forever stick to bootlegs.

I think it is a crime to mankind that the original 1989 London cast of Miss Saigon was never filmed in a proper way. Cameron Mackintosh should be reported for that.

At least the 25th anniversary dvd is a slight solace. But I still watch my Miss Saigon bootlegs regularly, because the performances on those are sung better and more truthful, natural and sincere. So I take the lesser screen quality for granted.

Updated On: 3/11/18 at 01:05 PM