MTI Rules?

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MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:22pm

Someone I am very close to is in the process of getting the rights for a revue from MTI. He is also attempting to write a book for the show (essentially making it a book musical as opposed to a revue). Aren't there rules against that? I just wanted to check so I could warn him before he gets too deep into the writing.

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:26pm

Absolutely. ANY cuts or rewrites must be approved by MTI, and those he is attempting are almost certainly beyond the scope of what they are likely to approve.

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 5:05pm

Yeah I would say little cuts or very small changes aren't that big of a deal even though you aren't suppose to do that but something big is definetly out of the question. A theatre not to far from where I live did something like that and got caught and it wasn't pretty.

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 5:21pm

Thats what i figured now i juat have something to show him. Thank you.

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 5:26pm

"Yeah I would say little cuts or very small changes aren't that big of a deal even though you aren't suppose to do that"

ANY change is a violation of the licensing agreement. If they see or hear about it, they can (and do) cancel the show. No matter how minor it is. (of course, forgetting lines and ad-libbing aren't exactly the same thing...I'm referring to blatant script changes and re-writes).

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 8:00pm

MTI, as opposed to other liscensing agencies, is particularly strict about changes. A production of Songs for a New World, for example, requires Jason Robert Brown's name to be the biggest thing on the playbill, aside from the title, as well as other weird restrictions. But (shh, don't tell) if it's not a high-profile production, no one really cares if you write a book for the revue. They're not gonna check. Just don't parade it around. Or get the rights, and then advertise the show as being based on the original revue. There's usually loopholes, you just have to look for them. And if something's unclear, don't ask if it's okay. If you don't ask, they can't say no.

theatre.

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 8:53pm

Shorty - EVERY contract I've ever dealt with (and I've dealt with literally hundreds)states that the author's names must be the largest in the playbill (on the cover or title page) and must be at least 50% as large as the title ofthe show. That is standard language.

The only time you will see a larger name in in "star" productions (Broadway or on tour). For example, Christine Applegate's name is bigger than the author's names on the SWEET CHARITY program title page. Such "first class" productions don't deal with MTI or Tams-Witmark or whatever. They deal directly with the authors' agents.

And no, you MAY NOT "write a book" for a revue if that means writing new dialogue or narration. If you don't like the revue as it exists, don't do it!

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/11/06 at 9:09pm

I think the precise rule about the author's name is that it may not be smaller than half the size of the largest letter in the title. Or at least I think that's what dramatists mandates.

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 12:53am

All I was saying is a change in a line or something small like that is not going to get anyone in trouble because A)they will not be caught and B)Everyone changes something even a little bit.

#10

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 1:13pm

"All I was saying is a change in a line or something small like that is not going to get anyone in trouble because A)they will not be caught and B)Everyone changes something even a little bit."

Yes it is. The exceptions are if the actor is forgetting a line, or ad-libs on stage. It's the deliberate attempt by a director during the rehearsal period to change the material that is a violation of the agreement to perform the work. If you deliberately changed the word "damn" to "darn", and the licensor hears about it, be sure that you will hear from them.

#11

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 1:31pm

I can't stand when people make changes to shows.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#12

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 1:52pm

OK well whether you think its right or wrong isn't whats important. I know people who work from MTI and have delt with them on numerous occassions. If you have edit a line so that the actor isn't saying god damn it they don't care. You can call and ask them. Everyone changes something every once in a while even if it isn't something big and im not talking about something big. I have seen so many regional theatres do it and they have never had any problems. Do you know how many people I have seen to the original Your A Good Man Charlie Brown and have Patty become Peppermint Patty. It happens and MTI has more things to worry about little petty lines. The only thing they really care about is if it changes the story.

#13

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 3:09pm

Changing damn to darn can very well get you shut down. A community theater here in Utah was denied the rights to perform several of Neil Simon's works because they made that exact change. And it was actually the playwright that asked for the productions to cease.

#14

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 3:18pm

*Threadjack* Is it true that Equity actors can be fined for flubbing a line onstage? I forget where I heard this but was intrigued...

"I don't wanna see that!" -Aunt Sassy (as played by Valerie Cherish) on Room & Bored

#15

re: MTI Rules?

Posted: 1/12/06 at 3:24pm

they can not for flubbing but for actually changing the line then yes.

David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel

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