Is Diana going to Netflix?- Page 4

[Tag]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 11:21am

It's enjoyable to read the early comments from the naysayers in this thread, who think they know all.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 11:26am

troynow said: "SO... am I still posting gossip?
2/2... Jokes aside, I am very confused how this possible..."

Yes, troynow, you had accurate information, once again, but I think your presentation is part of the reason that people were dubious. In your original post on this thread, you started talking like it was already common knowledge, which automatically raises eyebrows. I'll admit I found it off-putting, so I'm sure others did as well. So, rather than focus on the question you asked about how Equity could allow it, a lot of people jumped down your throat about the filming happening at all. It just didn't sound like it came from anyone with inside scoop, unlike your post today about For Colored Girls, which reads much better.

 

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 11:50am

Good for you Troy. And LOL at the amount of "THERE IS NO WAY THIS WILL HAPPEN!" "The Shuberts are never going to approve this!" Etc.

 

This does lead me to believe other shows may be considering their options...

[perfectliar]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 11:58am

Tag said: "It's enjoyable to read the early comments from the naysayers in this thread, who think they know all."

It's delicious! I know everyone here likes to think of themselves as an "insider," but then when someone who actually does have inside information posts, they dismiss that person for not being believable or not presenting the information in a more professional way or whatever. Eat your crow and admit you don't know everything.

Updated On: 8/12/20 at 11:58 AM

[AntV]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 12:02pm

Why the long wait for release til next year though? Hell, they should just stream it live.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 12:07pm

perfectliar said: "Tag said: "It's enjoyable to read the early comments from the naysayers in this thread, who think they know all."

It's delicious! I know everyone here likes to think of themselves as an "insider," but then when someone who actually does have inside information posts, they dismiss that person for not being believable or not presenting the information in a more professional way or whatever. Eat your crow and admit you don't know everything."

Actually, I was one of the people who didn't automatically dismiss it, and tried to address the question being asked. My thoughts on how the information was initially presented are simply an observation. Believe me, I like it just as much a the next person when the "aggressively ignorant" are proven wrong.

Updated On: 8/12/20 at 12:07 PM

[Tag]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 12:11pm

AntV said: "Why the long wait for release til next year though? Hell, they should just stream it live."

I'd imagine it has something to do with The Crown Season 4, which is most likely being released on Netflix in late 2020, and deals with the same subject matter.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 12:13pm

There may very well be logistical issues to streaming it live, in terms of having so many people in the space at once.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 1:01pm

Kad said: "There may very well be logistical issues to streaming it live, in terms of having so many people in the space at once."

That is most definitely true. Likewise, it is inconceivable to me that Netflix wants to show an unedited straight run. You don't just snap your fingers and produce something that looks like Hamilton. 

[LexiGirl]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 1:32pm

I’m now inclined to believe everything Troynow posts.

My husband works in the film industry and had an interesting take since he knew nothing about the Diana musical itself. Netflix needs new content. Princess Diana will be an immediate draw since she’s beloved and well-known, so people will watch. I was baffled by this choice as well, but he thought it made perfect sense. And it’s great for the musical production financially and advertising-wise, while also reaching a very different audience from the typical Broadway audience. I’ll watch, even though I had no intention of seeing it on my NYC trips. But if I do like it, and it does end up still opening on Broadway next year, I’d go see it live.

And as far as the film industry, I know he and his colleagues are budgeting and planning for COVID teams that are responsible for rigorous testing and ensuring protocols are followed. There are already things being filmed with these COVID teams on set. With proper quarantine, testing, and closed communities on set, it sounds like it could be safely done.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 2:09pm

They are releasing it on Netflix AND planning to open it in May too?

Who in earth will pay Broadway prices to see a random show they can stream for free? I understand something that is a proven box office mammoth like Hamilton, but this...?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 2:10pm

Don’t underestimate Americans obsession with Diana (or the royals in general).

[cliffordbradshaw2]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 3:18pm

All of the critics who would review a new Broadway musical on its opening night ---plus many others---will no doubt review "Diana" on the basis of the stream/telecast.  That could have an affect on whether or not the show actually returns to Broadway next spring.

Also interesting to note that "Diana"'s writers and director also did "Memphis," which was videotaped and commercially released even before the show concluded its Broadway run.

Updated On: 8/12/20 at 03:18 PM

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 3:19pm

Tag said: "AntV said: "Why the long wait for release til next year though? Hell, they should just stream it live."

I'd imagine it has something to do with The Crown Season 4, which is most likely being released on Netflix in late 2020, and deals with the same subject matter."

Netflix also currently has The Queen, The Windsors, Reign, and several other royalty themed titles. I would love to see them strike a deal with SIX producers as well.

I had tickets for this on March 31 so am very excited to be able to see it online now and hopefully still in person next year. Nice creative way for the show to earn some money during the shutdown.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 3:47pm

blaxx said: "They are releasing it on Netflix AND planning to open it in May too?

Who in earth will pay Broadway prices to see a random show they can stream for free? I understand something that is a proven box office mammoth like Hamilton, but this...?"

It has been demonstrated that these filmed productions have had little, if any, negative impact on a show's box office. Even movie versions have proven to help increase theater box office.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 4:00pm

Fosse76 said: "blaxx said: "They are releasing it on Netflix AND planning to open it in May too?

Who in earth will pay Broadway prices to see a random show they can stream for free? I understand something that is a proven box office mammoth like Hamilton, but this...?"

It has been demonstrated that these filmed productions have had little, if any, negative impact on a show's box office. Even movie versions have proven to help increase theater box office."

How many productions have been filmed and released while the show is still running? 

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 4:04pm

Fosse76 said: "It has been demonstrated that these filmed productions have had little, if any, negative impact on a show's box office. Even movie versions have proven to help increase theater box office."

Source: I was once told in a dream

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 4:23pm

Legally Blonde is a big one for filmed/aired while still running, and I've heard Jerry Mitchell say that he attributed a lot of the later Broadway/touring audience to people who had first seen it aired on MTV.  I believe Kate Shindle's also said something similar when she mentioned talking to people at stage door. 

To a lesser extent, I believe Daddy Long Legs was as well during the run off Broadway.  I think the interesting thing here is that despite the first few previews and the San Diego run, this show is largely unseen and has no cast album yet (they announced they were recording it so I wonder if it'll help stir up interest if they release it before the film).  Legally Blonde (I presume) already had its fans of the musical based on the music/actors and not just the original movie.

Personally, I found the show fairly mediocre so I don't see a filmed version helping its ticket sales, especially since it doesn't seem to be a "bring the family" kind of movie where kids/teens would become super invested in it and see it over and over again (which I feel was the demographic for Legally Blonde).  But if this turns into a success, it could definitely change how other producers approach shows.  Then again, we're in pretty unique circumstances so maybe not...

I'd love to see the new Company filmed though 😁

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 4:40pm

This makes me think about Jule Styne's comment on winning his only Tony Award for "Hallelujah Baby!". He said something to the affect of that you get the awards for the shows you don't think you'd get one for, and you get nothing for the shows you think you would win for.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 4:40pm

trpguyy said: "Fosse76 said: "blaxx said: "They are releasing it on Netflix AND planning to open it in May too?

Who in earth will pay Broadway prices to see a random show they can stream for free? I understand something that is a proven box office mammoth like Hamilton, but this...?"

It has been demonstrated that these filmed productions have had little, if any, negative impact on a show's box office. Even movie versions have proven to help increase theater box office."

How many productions have been filmed and released while the show is still running?"

Memphis and Legally Blonde on Broadway. Hamilton also likely won't suffer any loss. Billy Elliott and Miss Saigon in the West End (I'm not sure when The King and I or Kknky Boots were released). And although not exactly the same, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar (the latter was adapted from the then-current revival). London's National Theatre doesn't seem to experience reduced attendance despite the popular NTLive series. And as far as movie versions, Hairspray, Phantom, Rent, and Chicago all saw increases in their box office (though The Producers did not).

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 5:26pm

yeesh what a weird deal

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 5:28pm

Wish the National Theatre live shows had a permanent home, I’ve been itching to rewatch Angels and America

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 5:29pm

As Blaxx said, it's easy to name examples of POPULAR Broadway shows that managed to come out unscathed after releasing a video. Not so easy to name cases where the show in question had yet to prove themselves in the market, and hasn't even received strong word of mouth.

You have Off-Broadway shows that were filmed, but most of those are limited runs in small houses, and their audience is mostly New Yorkers, who don't have as much to lose by seeing a show live even if it's already filmed. By contrast, a Broadway show like Diana has a larger house, an open run, more expensive tickets, and needs to appeal to a tourist market, who are less likely to see a show if it's playing on Netflix, especially if it's already an unpopular show. 

NTLive is also a bad comparison for a number of reasons:

(1) similar to Off-broadway, NTL tends to film limited-run shows. So again, it's not as hard to keep demand high. And with the less popular shows, once again, the audiences for these are usually locals (see my paragraph above).

 (2) When they do happen to film a show that later transfers to an open commercial run, it's often a show that has gained enough popularity that it can attract audiences regardless of having been filmed. Especially if it's a spectacle-driven show like War Horse, which benefits from a live viewing.

(3) There's a big difference between screening a show in cinemas for a few weeks, and making it available on Netflix. The cinema tickets cost $15-$25 dollars, with screenings on scattered dates and times, during a short window of time, only in art-house theatres, only in some cities. That's HUGELY different from dropping it permanently on one of the most popular home streaming services, for no additional cost.

Even just the fact that it's Netflix, and not BroadwayHD (or some other streaming avenue) makes a huge difference. The average tourist is unlikely to be aware that services like BroadwayHD, DigitalTheatre, etc. even exist, let alone what their library contains. Netflix is massive, and virtually ubiquitous. I think the combination of "highly-publicized streaming" and "otherwise unpopular show" will be a deadly one. 

 

I'm no expert at predicting box office results. In fact, I'm generally very bad at predicting what will sell and what won't. But for the reasons I stated above, I think streaming Diana on Netflix is not a good idea, and not comparable to other examples of shows being filmed while still running. 

Updated On: 8/12/20 at 05:29 PM

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 5:37pm

LexiGirl said: "I’m now inclined to believe everything Troynow posts.

My husband works in the film industry and had an interesting take since he knew nothing about the Diana musical itself. Netflix needs new content. Princess Diana will be an immediate draw since she’s beloved and well-known, so people will watch. I was baffled by this choice as well, but he thought it made perfect sense. And it’s great for the musical production financially and advertising-wise, while also reaching a very different audience from the typical Broadway audience. I’ll watch, even though I had no intention of seeing it on my NYC trips. But if I do like it, and it does end up still opening on Broadway next year, I’d go see it live.

And as far as the film industry, I know he and his colleagues are budgeting and planning for COVID teams that are responsible for rigorous testing and ensuring protocols are followed. There are already things being filmed with these COVID teams on set. With proper quarantine, testing, and closed communities on set, it sounds like it could be safely done."

I think a lot of it has to do with having a Producer with Hollywood connections who understands the medium and economics better, and more importantly has those connections. Frank Marshall in the case of Diana. 

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/12/20 at 5:56pm

Wow! What a curveball, didn't see this one coming (except for those who did, kudos to you all!). While I did not love this in San Diego, I'll take any type of theater at this point. So happy for the entire cast who must be over the moon with excitement.

Best wishes for a completely safe and easy filming...and then do more shows please!!