No pictures allowed though - only "of them, not with them."

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:32pm

I have noticed people reporting back from shows and meeting their favorite stars with the same phrase:

No pictures allowed though - only "of them, not with them."

When did this become normal behavior? I've heard these rules pertaining to V.Woolf with Turner and now DRS. When I attended both shows not so long ago (April and May), I was able to take pictures with John, Sherie, Joanna from DRS and Bill Irwin from V. Woolf. I'm really honestly shocked by this new rule to say the least and find it vain that actors would worry that much about their appearance as to not take pictures with fans.

Can anyone fill me in on how this rule came to be or why it started?
Thanks! :)

[taperina]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:36pm

I have no idea...when I was at Avenue Q less than a month ago, I asked Stephanie and Jennifer if I could take pictures "of them" and they both said "do you want to be in it with me...let's find someone to take it". Same thing with Carolee Carmello at Mamma Mia and Shoshana at Wicked. I haven't heard of the "only of them" thing...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:40pm

For some people it's a safety issue. It can also be a time issue.

My goodness--first we have threads where people complain if the actors don't sign. Now, they won't take a photoshoot with you. What's next? They didn't give a personal masterclass after the show??

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:44pm

It's because so many people nowadays look too meet the actors it is very timely for all the actors to take pictures with everyone.

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:45pm

I got take a picture with Norbert after DRS. Of course, that was before he won the Tony so I am not sure now. He was such a sweetheart.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:46pm

Well its a personal opinion that if I pay roughly $50-100 for a ticket and wait 30-45 minutes afterwards that the kind and respectful thing to do on the actor's is to be gracious enough for a autograph and picture.

Clarification: It does also depend on the amount of poeple waiting at the stage door. If its like Monty Python (when i went) 100- 150 poeple than of course not. On the other hand, when I saw DRS, there were about 20 poeple at the stage door and everyone was more than gracious with autographs and pictures.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:49pm

We've had this debate before. And here's the deal. You paid for a performance. That's it. It is certainly in an actor's best interests to sign for the fans. But they DO NOT owe you that. And there are nights when they are too busy or too tired--TOUGH.
And, they sure as heck don't owe you a photo.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:53pm

Thank you jrb


Maybe, it because people abuse those photos. Like posting them on a web site.

The actors owe you NOTHING but a great show. Once they hit the back stage door, they are off the clock. How moronic is it that people feel that the actors need to stick around after the show and take pictures.

Do they ask you for your autograph and picture when you leave you job at Mc Donalds (Or, where ever you work)?

[Beergoggles]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:56pm

i was the only person at the cabaret stage door... they all spoke to me! They didn't seem to mind lol

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 6:57pm

The only thing I expect from an actor/actress is to give 100% in a performance. That is all you pay for. Its icing on the cake if they decide to stop and sign playbills or take pictures. In no way are they obligated to do so. I can see why some might be a reluctant at times given the crazy people out there.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:00pm

and the rudeness I have seen--barking orders at actors:

"Look at my camera!"
"Smile!"
"Take a picture with me!"
"Sign my Playbill!"

Most people are very respectful to actors, but some treat them like trained monkeys.

[BwayBoy25]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:01pm

a couple of years ago i saw cabaret when it was still open with john stamos and jane leeves. because john was performing as the emcee-tons of people were back there. about 50 i would say. he was one of the first to exit the SD and was soooooo amazingly nice to everyone. he was taking pictures, signing everything, and even took a few phone calls. he was nice enough to speak to my friend and i and even complimented her on her outfit and how nice she looked. soon after, jane leeves exited and her security person insisted that NO photos be taken, of or with her..she only signed a few programs(lucky me) and left swiftly..

just shows the variations you can get within a single cast..

[Letty2]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:01pm

when I asked Christina Applegate if I could take a picture she asked me how old i was and when i said I was 15 she said "ok sure! b/c i only take pictures with 18 or under" LOLL maybe she was joking? I was the first person to ask her for a pic "with her"

[Becky]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:01pm

The DRS stagedoor guy told the crowd that if they take a photo with one person, they have to take one with everyone (and with the size of the crowd, they'd have been there for another hour easily).

On the flip side, some actors want you to be in the picture too because it's less likely you will be selling their picture up on Ebay.....and some are just trying to be nice.

[Cabchic]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:02pm

Actually the Spamalot actors do all pose for pics with people even with the big crowds.

[milliemarch]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:04pm

I once heard a broadway actor(I don't remember who) say that their jobs aren't over until they leave the theatre, and I agree with that. I don't think they technically "owe" us pictures and autographs, but if I had fans I know I would always always always pose for pictures/autograph. I've never had any horrible experiences with any actors yet, but I know how heartbroken I would be if one of my "role models" on Broadway would take a couple of minutes to take a picture with me. That's just my personal opinion though.

[Becky]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:05pm

Actually the Spamalot actors do all pose for pics with people even with the big crowds.

Well, Norbert had his children waiting in the car, so I completely understand why he couldn't stand out there forever posing. He did sign for people which was nice considering....

[Kevo711]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:16pm

when i went to Wicked in September, Idina wouldn't pose for pictures... and the stage door manager at DRS said that john and norbert would not pose for pictures when i was there... do the folks at PIAZZA usually come out and sign autographs and pose for pictures?

[babygiraffeboots]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:30pm

You can't expect Actor's to always have time for pose for pictues. Many times I have just gotten pictures of them and they only pose with the people at the end of the barricade. I think actors have sometimes thought though that I meant a picture of them and it's just kind of woah, you're taking a picture with me, but that's just because I am extrememly paranoid. Then there are the cases where actors take their time and pose with everyone and do voices from their cartoon show but your camera decides not to work. . . . .

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:34pm

With Idina, I'm pretty sure it was a safety issue...I'm not sure when those threat letters came about, but regardless people were always grabbing at her and shoving and it was out of hand. I would imagine that if this has become the case for shows like DRS (or with any other acotr), the rule makes every bit of sense. Sometimes it's a compromise. The actor may be in a rush for some reason, but they still want to go out and sign. So they don't allow pictures as it would be to time consuming.

Kevo...I never waited after for Piazza, but I've heard the cast is very nice.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 7:52pm

Wow, I hope this new rule is optional as far as DRS goes ... because it's really gonna put a damper on the "Friends of Andre" photo gallery at Greg's web site if we can't get new photos of him *with* fans at the stage door. I know for a fact that he would rather have his photo taken with a fan at the stage door than to just have his photo taken. Plus the ones of him with the fans are much more interesting to post. We've put up a couple or so of just him, or him with the crowd outside, but obviously there's not as much variety in that.
I'm gonna be bummed if this rule is strictly enforced and am hoping Greg can still opt to take pics with fans. Ah well ... guess we'll see once he's back at work on Sunday! :)

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 8:07pm

Barb, I'm sure even if this is a rule, Greg would completely disobey it. Everytime he takes pictures with someone he asks them to post it on the website. God I really think I'm sounding like a broken record lately...Greg's great, I love Greg. He totally deserves this of course but hmm...maybe it's time for me to bump the Gerry thread...

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 8:08pm

the pic that my icon was a bitch to get, i literally climbed up on the tower signing platform ignoring the security guy yelling at me and waiting for john to look up- his exact words when i very politely asked for a picture with him were "you may do whatever you wish as long as i don't have to pose"

[TGIF]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 8:26pm

This is a debate that will never be won or settled; however, like always I feel the urge to add my opinion.


Actors are paid to perform and only to perform and I could never be mad at an actor for not signing/posing for pictures - as long as it is handled correctly. I have heard horror stories about people (actors AND fans) being very rude. That being said, I think it is a very smart move to be as nice and accomodating to your fans as possible. This goes especially for those who are trying make their own music and need a large fan base to sell their albums. The people waiting at the stage door are the ones who will buy your music and go to the concerts your doing.

Its all about good PR. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to; however it *might* have negative impacts. The bottom line is that they have no obligation to do this, but in my opinion it is a smart thing to do.

[marvin2]

Posted: 7/1/05 at 8:42pm

My opinion is that the signing of autographs and the taking of pictures is something that the actor or actress does because they want to. It is certainly not their job to sign and pose for pictures, their job is to act. I greatly appreciate the actors/actresses who come out and meet with audience members, but I don't think less of actors/actresses who don't sign autographs and pose for pictures. The thing I think most people forget is that the actors/actresses have outside lives as well, and I think we (the audience) should be respectful of that.