Taking Pictures

[BroadwayNYC]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:55pm

Are we allowed to take pictures after the performance has ended? I'm talking about when the cast takes their bows - are pictures allowed then?

[eandan]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:57pm

I don't think so

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 9:59pm

Your flash might momentarily blind the performer and he or she might fall off the stage.

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 10:51pm

i dont know if this applies to your question but i love the map that is hanging before the show starts. My friend and i asked one of the ushers if we could take a picture of it and he said sure as long as we do it quickly. If it is during a bow im not sure, i wud agree with the previous posts you have the potential to disorient the actors/actesses. Its not likely that they will fall of the stage, but anything is possible and im sure they wudnt want to chance it!!

[BroadwayNYC]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:16pm

Well it really would be taken when evveryone has come onto the stage and is holding hands, I guess. Plus if you're not really in the front-front, the flash wouldn't be that bright. But you all are saying no?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:17pm

You probably werent supposed to take that picture either, the usher just didnt mind. Ive been told no pictures on the stage and backstage at shows when there isnt even a show going on.

-Christina

[lc1965]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:25pm

the taking of photographs inside broadway theatres is illegal. i'm not sure of the origin of the law, but i suspect it had something to do w/ copyright law. also, if people are allowed to take photographs before/after the performance there will always be some yahoo who thinks by extrapolation that it is okay to do so during the performance. it is ALWAYS dangerous, even if you are not up close. (i had a friend who was a competitive figure skater & he said a flash anywhere in the entire 10,000 seat arena could disorient him if it happened at the wrong time or was at the wrong angle.) if you take photos at any time, btw, theatre management has the right to confiscate & destroy your film, which they have done & will do.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:30pm

I have been told your aloud to take a pictuer inside a theater but not of the stage. Lilt you could talke one of you sitting in one of the seats. Why you would want or need to I don't know but thats what I have been told. Of course at last perfromances people have been picture happy and I don't think anyone has said anything to anyone.

[CJR]

Posted: 2/10/04 at 11:34pm

While it *has* been done, the taking of photographs inside the theatre (unless you're press) is strictly prohibited. Not only can you not have pictures of the actors/actresses onstage, you can't have pictures of an equity set.

Sometimes though, your flash can be caught up with the presses flash (if there is press there that night and taking pictures) and you won't get into trouble. But be careful, there's always the chance that your film and/or camera be confiscated and you're thrown out of the theatre.

[StarUsher]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:45am

On behalf of house staff responsible for that sort of thing, please don't take pictures at any point inside the theater. It is, as several people have said, completely illegal because everything about the show, especially sets and costumes are copywritten. I have had police officers confiscate film at Shakespeare in the Park when patrons didn't listen to my first 2 requests to stop taking pictures. Certain theaters are particularly vigilant about that sort of thing and it's just easier not to do it than have an unpleasant experience being asked to surrender your camera/film.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 6:56am

I agree about the copyright law, but I have to say that the reason stated that you may blind the performers sounds competely absurd to me. I mean if they are not blinded by the huge spotlights during the show, they will be from a single small flash far in the back ?

Take care

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 8:48am

I know you're not supposed to, but I guess in some cases it's ok. Ex: On Saturday night, people who saw Taboo were saying that one person went to go take a picture and the Usher said something to them. Boy George saw what was going on and said something like, "Oh go ahead. Take as many as you want." To which everyone in the theater went camera happy. lol

Normaly you're not allowed; but this was a different situation.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 9:04am

The 'Taboo' incident sounds like fun...
But unless Boy George was the Design Staff (Set, Light, Costume, all included), I don't think he has the opportunity to allow pictures of their work. Thats the main issue, protecting their work. Imagine if I came to your job, and snapped pictures of everything you do. (might not apply: n the case of porn stars and/or models)

As a house manager, I once had to take someone's digital camera flash card because the fellow was taking pictures in our house, and he didn't stop. I gave him the card back after the show. It's not as dramatic as destroying film... darn digital.

I'd also like to beat people who snap their gum.

[DoubleDown11]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 9:32am

Also...after paying $100 a seat would you want someone behind you going camera happy and ruining your experience? Updated On: 2/11/04 at 09:32 AM

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:33am

There's a surge in people taking camera photos too, I've seen it loads.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 11:08am

Greekmusicalfan - The flashes still can be dangerous simply because they are unexpected. Theatrical lighting requires hours of technical rehearsals so that the actors are used to them and that they are placed so as not to be dangerous to the actors. It's a very tricky thing to do. The lighting for An Inspector Calls was often directly in the actors' eyes, but it was staged and rehearsed in a way that did not put the actor in danger of being blinded and disoriented. An unexpected flash in the eyes during the wrong movement or choreography could be disastrous.

[lc1965]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 11:09am

Re: the Taboo thing. I was working there & it was a complete nightmare. Geore was extremely upset at his own mistake & kept apologizing. It ruined things for the rest of the weekend because the cameras were completely out of the control. The rest of the cast was also upset, not so much at George necessarily, but at all the twits who think it's funny to blind performers & disturb the people around them. It ruined the show. During Ich Bin Kunst when George is posing it's not big deal in terms of ruining the mood, but it continued throughout all the following scnes & musical numbers. Like friggin' Disney World. We had patrons so upset they were ratting on other people. As it should be.

[eponine88]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 8:55pm

Hmmm, never knew taking pictures inside the theater was *illegal*... I guess I should have a criminal record then. (ducks and avoids cops) Can I get time off for good behavior if the CAST was taking photos of ME instead of vice versa?
I'll make sure to remember this in the future.....

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 8:58pm

during the bows you probably can without it being a big deal. i know people who have. you're probably not technically allowed to, but it's not nearly as bad as doing it during the performance
just don't use the flash... it won't come out as good, but you'll have it and you won't cause any trouble if you're worried.

[gherbert]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 9:56pm

I think that if you ask an usher politely to take a picture of the show curtain well before the show you'll be okay. But taking a picture of the bows when the houselights are down? NOT a good idea. It is illegal and the ushers would probably get VERY angry and confiscate your film or even camera since they have the power to do so. Plus, it is rude to the people around you. I know I would flip out if someone was taking pictures of next to me, even at the bows. I understand you want to commemorate and preserve your experience at the show, but taking pictures during ANY part the show, bows included, is just unacceptable and, frankly, illegal.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:02pm

During the New Amsterdam tour, we were instruted to not take pictures of the stage and anything on it due to the copyrights.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:10pm

All of you saying that it would be ok in certain situations, w/o flash, during curtain call, of the curtain warmer, not facing stage, etc. ARE WRONG!

Sure there are ushers who will let you--but they are wrong. Boy George (love him) was wrong.

Copyrights, safety, and other reasons I don't even know but it doesn't matter because it is the rule and LAW.

[etoile]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:32pm

Do people ever really read? Really? Or are they so wrapped up in their own little hedonistic desires that they can't be bothered showing consideration to others. Let alone have them follow the desires of the house in which they are merely paying guest. Have those photos buffs ever read the back of a ticket? You know, the part that states, "The taking of pictures or the use of recording devices is prohibited by law." Or how about playbills where it's written, "The use of ANY recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited." Oh, and then there are those pesky announcements at the beginning of performances. But when the world revolves around you, guess it all okay.

Updated On: 2/11/04 at 10:32 PM

[jo]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:59pm

I like the way the Imperial Theatre announces such a prohibition --

"The seats are equipped with automatic ejection facility, and in case your cameras or recording equipment are not properly stowed under your seats, management will not be responsible for any damage to them wherever they may land" ( or words to that effect)

Jo

[Bway_Mill_Fan]

Posted: 2/15/04 at 11:25pm

they did an announcement today at Millie and at final bows everyone went crazy w/ the camara. no one said no though. i dont know who started it, if a fan or the people that were filming.