Licensing Question - Need Advice

How extreme are the changes, if any, to the material? Are unauthorized video or audio recordings being sold? What is the situation here?

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Updated On: 4/6/13 at 10:32 AM

Well to begin with: They sell video recordings, use backing tracks (like Stage Stars) instead of a live pit, resulting in changes to the score including deletion of numbers. They also use photocopied scripts and scores, which makes me doubt that they even obtained the rights. How do I send an anonymous email to them?

I will most likely write an email to them. I was in one of their productions, and I felt very uncomfortable with what they were doing the entire time. They are doing Shrek now, and I know they got the rights (checked with MTI's find a show thing), but I've NEVER seen them do a production with live music in 10 years. As far as I know, MTI doesn't offer an accompaniment CD for the show.

MTI only offers accompaniment CDs for their Jr. adaptations.

^ I was going to point that out as well. MT Pit will not license you their tracks unless you show them a copy of your contract with the orchestrations rental included.

I have also distributed photocopies of scripts for shows I've produced. It doesn't mean I did not obtain the rights to the show. I received the large box of scripts and scores, but I have found that it is much easier, and the actors prefer, to work off photocopies in binders than the original scripts. For one thing, I don't have to worry about scripts getting damaged or lost, thus losing my deposit.

It might be worth looking into, but what you are saying made you uncomfortable does not necessarily indicate anything illegal or unethical.

Edit: I just looked it up on MT Pit, and they list SHREK, but state that it will not be available until July. Still, this theater could be using a different company, and any legitimate company that provides orchestral performance tracks should require a licensing contract.

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Updated On: 4/6/13 at 01:31 PM

I think the only legitimately worrisome thing that you brought up was selling video recordings, which I think you're completely within your right to email MTI about.

They do turn a blind eye to providing videos to the cast, crew, parents, etc. With the advent of home video it became all but impossible to regulate parents filming their little darlings. But selling them in the lobby? Absolutely not. To begin with it's very seldom that a licensing company acquires the rights to license video or film reproductions, especially if those rights have been granted to a motion picture company i.e. The Sound of Music, Brigadoon, Rent, My Fair Lady... In the last decade they have managed to obtain LIMITED video rights for newer titles, but you can't abuse those rights. Many years ago the high school production of Guys & Dolls which starred teenager John Travolta showed up on a local cable outlet in NJ and all hell broke loose.

It's easy to check if they licensed the show. Go to the MTI site and see if that company is listed in upcoming productions.

It's not uncommon to photocopy the script and score on a licensed show. Actors like to highlight and production staff like to write in pen or multiple colors to keep track of notes and direction. It does not mean the show was not licensed. If it's a community theater, the material was probably shipped to someone's house rather than the theater or rehearsal space.

Even better. MTI just start licensing stage manager scripts. These are single sided photocopies on 8.5x11 paper designed to be written on with pen and highlighters. They could have licensed the stage manager script and copied that for the cast, as well.

As for the canned music, it could have been licensed. 24 of their shows have Orchextra, which is intended to fill in for missing parts or replace a live orchestra for a production. Another 18 have full accompaniment CDs. If it was just synth piano sounds, it could have been Rehearscore. 66 shows have the digitized orchestrations so you can set tempos and rehearse with all the orchestral sounds. They are not intended to be used live.

Updated On: 4/6/13 at 03:07 PM

I choreographed a massive high school production of "High School Musical' a few years back. MTI provided instrumental tracks as well a form to be signed if we wanted to record it for cast members if I can recall correctly. The only thing I do remember is MTI didn't play with altering a script or cutting numbers.