NYC In Nov: TOFT Question.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 3:41am

I am going to be in New York for 10 days early November. My first time there--aside from a fly-by-night weekend a little while ago. One of my dreams has always been to see the Company original tour video that the TOFT archive has. Can anyone tell me how hard it is currently to request a viewing? I am a grad student at a major university here in Canada (and my field is connected to theatre...) As well if anyone wants to join me let me know

[Neilfrombrooklyn]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 5:39am

Your ID should do it!  

[cmorrow]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 6:15am

It's a good idea to call TOFT well in advance, to make sure no one has booked your title on the day you want to see it. (You also need to tell them how many people are viewing a video, and why.) The screening room number is [phone].

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:02am

Definitely make an appointment to view the video.  That way you are guaranteed a seat.

Most of the time they don't ask why you want to view it, but have a good "scholarly" answer prepared anyway.  Maybe something like you've seen the revivals and want to see how the revivals deviated from the original. 

[brdway411]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:13am

I would call them, there is a note on the site, video tapes are not available right now. They are transferring them to DVD. Check and see if Company is available. 

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:14am

They are transferring them to DVD.

I'm so glad the NYPL is coming into the 20th Century.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:16am

I was under the impression you had to have a NYC library card, but maybe since you're a student it will be OK. Definitely call them.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:22am

I think you can get one when you go. My sister got one when she went to view something for her grad school thesis and she went to school in Ohio.

[cmorrow]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:24am

TOFT's video of the 1972 tour of Company (call number NCOV 12), taped in Washington D.C., has already been reformatted to DVD. I work at the library and can verify this. But at any rate, definitely call ahead for an appointment. And for what it's worth, the staff is always supposed to inquire why researchers wish to view a particular title, and 99% of the time they do.

 

As for the NYPL joining the 20th century, well, reformatting thousands of videos costs money. I wish we had the resources to be fully up to speed on everything. Donations are accepted with gratitude.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 11:28am

Donations are accepted with gratitude.

Oh sure, you want my money, but you won't let me come and view a show just to revel in the pleasure that it brings.  

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 1:02pm

You should definitely make an appointment. It'll just help speed things up when you arrive, and I think the staff appreciates it, too. They might ask for specifics on why you want to view it, they might not. Do bring your student ID with you. In my experience everyone there has always been very nice. As far as I know there are no unusual restrictions on any of the Company recordings. Have fun!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 4:46pm

Thanks very much to everyone!  For whatever reason, I never thought to make an appointment in advance.  I still have not finalized the dates, but when I do, I'll make sure to do that.  And of course I'll report back here on how it went :)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/5/15 at 4:52pm

"And of course I'll report back here on how it went :)"

Report back?  We expect you to wear a lapel camera and film the entire thing for us.