"If/Then" to be filmed?

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 10:07am

Does anyone think this would be a good idea? Being as how Idina is the main selling point of the show, I'd imagine it may be a good way to preserve her performance and have all her new fans who can't make it out to see the show.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 10:31am

Maybe but I doubt it.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 10:39am

The show is being filmed by fans in the mezzanine. It may not be legal but a filmed version does already exist.

It would be great to film it after it closes.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 10:49am

You mean people illegally film the show?

I thought that was against the law. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 10:53am

Haha. No no, I mean an official, professionally filmed version.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:09am

Like most shows, I really don't see this happening other than for archival purposes.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:24am

"You mean people illegally film the show?

I thought that was against the law. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge"

Nothing can hold back the Idina fans.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:26am

I looked into this a while ago. Most shows are filmed for the NYC Public Library Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center. Not sure how they do it. If it is multiple cameras or just the stationary one most theaters have. If you are a student or in the theater you can set up an appointment to screen the films (tapes,DVDs, not sure what format they use). There is a list of stuff available on the website, but the last time I tried to see the list, it was not working properly. I did search for Big Fish (stage version) and they have that on film. Also, a friend of mine was the dance captain for a few shows said they do tape shows so that the replacement actors can watch and learn the staging and blocking and choreography, which cuts down on the time needed for extra rehearsals. Again not sure if the films they use for this purpose are full productions or just films of rehearsals.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:49am

"If/Then to be filmed?" implies you are looking for confirmation of into you already have.

Do you mean "Should If/Then Be Filmed"?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 12:01pm

Not sure how they do it. If it is multiple cameras or just the stationary one most theaters have.
It's usually multiple cameras, depending on the budget. House camera recordings are often made, but don't generally get archived at Lincoln Center.

If you are a student or in the theater you can set up an appointment to screen the films (tapes,DVDs, not sure what format they use).
ANYONE, with a legitimate-sounding research reason, can view them.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 12:01pm

Double post.



Updated On: 5/6/14 at 12:01 PM

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 12:02pm

Thanks for the 411. I have always wanted to do this, but was afraid to try. I missed some shows awhile back and would kill to see them.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 12:15pm

If they film it, then I doubt they'll make money on it.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 1:21pm

There is something magical about knowing that only X number of people who went to the Richard Rodgers theater for X years, X months, and X days got to experience If/Then live. That the cast, crew, orchestra, ushers, and audience came from all over to meet in this one moment in time and experience a performance that was similar but different to every other performance of the show.

As for those who aren't (or in the future, weren't) able to see it? They will be able to see regional versions, touring versions, revivals, see old performance footage, press photos, (**cough*audience bootlegs*cough**)and listen to the cast recording, and through all of those things, they will also construct a unique version of what it was like to see it live.

That seems like a pretty good system.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 1:48pm

I don't know how they chose want gets filmed (Memphis, Rent, Shrek) but I wish they would do it more often. I don't think it will happen with this one though, for the reason Kad stated.

"As for those who aren't (or in the future, weren't) able to see it? They will be able to see regional versions, touring versions, revivals, see old performance footage, press photos, (**cough*audience bootlegs*cough**)and listen to the cast recording, and through all of those things, they will also construct a unique version of what it was like to see it live."

That's a really great way of looking at it. I never saw Next To Normal on Broadway, but listening to the recording and seeing a regional performance of it gave me a sense of what it was like on Broadway. Can't replace that cast though. Sigh.

[brdway411]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 2:00pm

N2N is one of my favorite shows. I was glad to see it early in the run and know nothing about it before going in. It was a total surprise.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 2:02pm

Horribly jealous ^^

[James885]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 2:47pm

I don't know how they chose want gets filmed (Memphis, Rent, Shrek) but I wish they would do it more often

There really isn't a 'they' that chooses. It's up to the producers of the show whether or not they want to spend the money to have their show professionally recorded.

It's not like there's a committee that meets and decides "we'll film Shrek and Memphis, but not Matilda and Kinky Boots" - it's up to the producers, pure and simple.

Updated On: 5/6/14 at 02:47 PM

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 2:56pm

So my question is the shows that are in the archives- like Priscilla and Hairspray- are they full show or highlights?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 2:59pm

^ Lincoln Center archives? Full show.

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 3:04pm

Yeah, I somehow managed to go into N2N completely unaware of the story pretty late in the run and was completely shocked and amazed by it. I still try and graze preview threads here only to sort out whether to skip a train wreck. Otherwise, I rather know nothing...

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:49pm

Oh god, I didn't knew about the Lincoln Center recordings, I would love to see Carolien, or Change, but I'm not professional or something. A regular person just can't watch in any way?

[haterobics]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 12:26am

If/Then is going to be filmed!... on Thursday when they go on Letterman! Idina has an interview spot beforehand, as well...

[cmorrow]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 6:00am

If you're interested in the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT), i.e. the Lincoln Center video archive, they have a Wikipedia page with information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_on_Film_and_Tape_Archive_(TOFT)

[candydog2]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 12:59pm

Usually for the Lincoln Centre archives they just film it with a single camera, with the occasional bit of zooming in on the action from what I understand. I was the house manager of an off-broadway theatre when the Lincoln Centre came to film a play. It was only a small theatre so maybe they use a second camera for Broadway shows, but I don't think they do.

Anyway, the style in which they film for the library is certainly not "commercial" enough to sell on DVD.