Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

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Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/2/20 at 12:46am

Hey everyone! Long time observer, but ultimately first post!

I use TOFT all the time, but I'm planning on viewing the 1977 remounting of Fiddler on the Roof with Zero Mostel which was (thankfully) captured. I've yet to deal with additional restrictions to view productions and was wondering how strict the Jerome Robbins estate is with giving out permission to view this material? I usually use the "I'm an NYU student writing a paper on Boris Aronson's scenic design" (for example) excuse or something similar for anything else, but how specific do I need to be when requesting from an estate?

I should also mention that I work for a notorious producer who shall be left nameless and was wondering if I need to go so far as to come up with a reason related to that instead of the student one when contacting the Robbins estate? Anyone who has dealt with this before, your help will be much appreciated! Thank you!

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/2/20 at 1:13am

So for things like that, it’s actually (at least as of a few years ago) pretty damn difficult and time consuming. If possible you might want to ask if your boss can request for you, however they’ll still need to provide sufficient reasoning for the viewing and then it’s still up to the estate. I had to view a video (not from the Robbins estate, though) and it took a few months to get it sorted out.
Needlessly difficult and infuriating experience.

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/2/20 at 1:17am

Good to know. And I'd imagine the Robbins estate is going to be even more of a pain to deal with.

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/2/20 at 11:14am

I work at the Performing Arts Library, with the TOFT archive. First, we're sorry to hear that anyone had to wait months to get permission to view a TOFT video. I don't know what the issues were in that situation, but it isn't at all typical. Assuming a patron has a valid reason to view the material, turnaround time with the Robbins Estate is generally a couple of days, or certainly no more than a week. A student working on a theater-related project, or a staff member from the office of a producer, would be considered well qualified to view the material.

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/2/20 at 7:06pm

Thanks so much! Good to know!

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/2/20 at 8:10pm

I have never had any problem at TOFT. I walk in and say, "I am involved in a production of (name of show here)" and they set it up for me. The staff are very polite and helpful.

I was wondering how strict they are regarding the multiple viewings rule? I read somewhere that you can only watch something once. But what if I had a new and different reason for viewing something? Let's say the first time I was directing a production of such and such a show, but now I have been cast as the lead? I would be looking at the show from an entirely different perspective. Does anyone know how strictly they enforce that rule?

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/3/20 at 9:44am

When TOFT was founded in 1970 the stage unions -- especially SDC -- insisted on the one-viewing-only rule. It's part of our contract with the unions, and they still feel very strongly about it. But if a patron has a legitimate reason to view a video more than once, you can take your request to TOFT's director. Sometimes (though not always) the request is approved.

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/3/20 at 11:28am

Isn't the rule, once a year, though? Not once in perpetuity.

Jerome Robbins TOFT Recordings

Posted: 3/3/20 at 11:47am

Once in perpetuity is the rule.

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