Opportunity for Broadway Archives

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 3/17/20 at 9:24am

Just last week, I was telling my circle of theatre friends that Broadway could release professionally-filmed footage from the archives and sell it on various platforms (Apple, Amazon, etc.) to continue paying performers during this pandemic. There are so so many shows for which I would pay to have professionally recorded versions. I realize there would be a lot of red tape, but it would be a way to raise funds to help performers on Broadway during this pandemic.

Universal will release movies straight to on demand services: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-03-16/coronavirus-universal-to-make-current-theatrical-movies-available-for-home-viewing-on-friday?fbclid=IwAR2xC-yUpBgrGAc5qNGpfPJEZNJbjn9S-pYgAsrkSbklOOJbleK4cSX1Nn0

Hmmm. Your turn, Disney.

 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 3/17/20 at 9:28am

I'm still shocked there's no way to legally watch Bandstand, which had a proshot and a theatrical release.  Maybe the tour would've been a conflict, but multiple dates have been postponed/cancelled (including the location in my area, which would've performed this past weekend).

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/17/20 at 9:30am

Most big movies are just delaying their release dates, not offering VOD. Universal just happened to release a bunch of titles right before the virus really kicked in, so they're already taking a bath at the box office. Plus, no reason to release stuff quickly, as a lot of current productions are shutting down, so there will be a void.

I don't think any performers would pay their rent based on an old production of theirs being available publicly, even if there were a plan and a desire, both of which are probably the case.

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/17/20 at 10:25am

If this happens it won’t be from the Broadway producers, it’ll be by the private historians and academic pseudo-bootleggers.

I can see someone like Aurora Spiderwoman doing this sort of thing as a special occasion and incentive to stay indoors and keep morale up.

[IAMREADING]

Posted: 3/17/20 at 10:41am

someone asked the great comet composer / writer about this and he responded:

alas no, contractual logistics make it a bit impossible to release video from broadway/off-broadway/equity shows without significant legal and financial woe. GQ we can do what we want with, as we are independent and non-union; but there's just 6 of us, and we rule by consensus

https://twitter.com/dave_malloy/status/1239719672846696453?s=21