Is Video Taping A No-No? — Page 3

allant---when you first posed your question, I assumed you meant "from all perspectives," not just yours. "Is it a no-no to you?" It doesn't sound like it.

But you're not the subject in the videos. Someone else is.

Try seeing it through their eyes, rather than your own.

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Best12 and Dramamama- it may be hard to follow with all the varying opinions, etc., but if you'll reread my posts you'll find that the Carrie Fisher and Patti Lupone experiences are what engendered my question. They were the experiences that led to my feeling that videotaping was crossing the line and, after Lupone, I came to my OWN DECISION to no longer videotape. But, somewhere in this discussion, videotaping became the background and it moved to not taking photographs at all. The issue of taking still photographs is where the debate remains (as far as I can tell). Got it? The videotaping issue has been settled.

So, regardless of your own personal opinion, the fact is....the "stage door" routine was a LONG-standing tradition before little old me came along with the videotaping topic. My statement that the "stage door" is to be expected is just a fact....sad or not. For celebrities who find the stage door tradition a pain in the backside, there are other ways of exiting the theater. As another matter of fact, many celebrities USE the "alternate" exit. More power to them. So, logically, if celebrities CHOOSE to exit through the stage door, knowing what's on the other side, it is THEIR decision to do so. How they choose to handle the situation from that point is entirely up to THEM. Some sign for anyone who wants a signature. Some pose for photos. Some don't. Some merely exit the door, wave to those waiting, and head straight for their transportation. Speaking from my own perspective, I take the lead from how the celebrity behaves. If they aren't signing, I certainly would not press them otherwise. If they aren't allowing photos with individuals, I would not ask them to do so. I am following the leads that are given. And, IF the request was made that NO photography take place, I most certainly would honor that request. However, I've NEVER heard that request. Ergo, it is ALLOWED!!! Please keep in mind I am not talking about the over-zealous, entitled, pushy, pleading kind of "stage door" person. For sure, there ARE those. Hades, you don't have to be a celebrity to endure that, you find that kind of encounter whatever your profession.

Updated On: 4/26/12 at 11:42 PM

" IF the request was made that NO photography take place, I most certainly would honor that request. However, I've NEVER heard that request. Ergo, it is ALLOWED!!! "

Wait. What? Because you've never heard that request, it's allowed? (I'm sorry, "ALLOWED". What's with the caps?). Your logic is a little faulty there.

" For celebrities who find the stage door tradition a pain in the backside, there are other ways of exiting the theater. As another matter of fact, many celebrities USE the "alternate" exit. More power to them. So, logically, if celebrities CHOOSE to exit through the stage door, knowing what's on the other side, it is THEIR decision to do so. How they choose to handle the situation from that point is entirely up to THEM. "

Again, logic fail. Many theaters do not have alternate exits that are far enough from the stage door that they still cannot be seen by the stage door crowd. Most broadway theaters don't have "back doors". Even if there was, simply because a performer chooses to exit via the stage door rather than sneak out, it doesn't entitle audience members to anything - because that's what's being discussed here. Entitlement.