The Ethics of Bootlegs w/nudity

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 4:05pm

I'm not here to discuss the ethics of watching regular bootlegs of shows, that's an argument for another day. What I've wondered recently is that there are bootlegs of shows such as Spring Awakening, Alan Cumming's Macbeth, and Equus that contain actors being nude onstage. I feel like this raises an ethical dilemma of whether or not it's okay to film an actor in that state.

Putting aside the regular issues associated with bootlegs, I feel it's far worse to do so with a show that involves nudity. On one hand, by being onstage, the actor has consented to being seen nude. But on the other hand, they may only choose to be seen nude by the specific live audience. I've attended performances involving partial/full nudity in which performers only consent on the condition that no one photographs them.

Thoughts?

[Kad]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 4:11pm

I think the ethics here are inextricably tied to the ethics of bootlegs in general, since the entire premise of them hinges on the fact that the performers are being filmed without their consent. 

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 4:33pm

Kad said: "I think the ethics here are inextricably tied to the ethics of bootlegs in general, since the entire premise of them hinges on the fact that the performers are being filmed without their consent."

This. You really cannot separate one from the other.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 5:24pm

You don't get to be "selectively" outraged at bootlegs. In for a penny, in for a pound.

[binau]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 5:44pm

Of course, as you have identified OP, there is a difference between nudity in bootlegs vs not. Where nudity in bootlegs is worse. Seems rather inflexible thinking/conservative of anyone to claim otherwise and see it as "all the same".

[Rainah]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 6:56pm

I think there are two separate issues

one is the right of intellectual property, basically the idea that the show belongs to certain people and they are the only ones with the right to determine who gets to see the show

the second has to do with sexual consent. Consent to be seen nude in front of an audience is not the same thing as consenting for it to be filmed and shared. It's a violation of the actors in a different way.

I'm not arguing legally or morality but it is an issue that I think needs to be talked about more.

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/3/19 at 7:38pm

Rainah said: "I think there are two separate issues

one is the right of intellectual property, basically the idea that the show belongs to certain people and they are the only ones with the right to determine who gets to see the show

the second has to do with sexual consent. Consent to be seen nude in front of an audience is not the same thing as consenting for it to be filmed and shared. It's a violation of the actors in a different way.

I'm not arguing legally or morality but it is an issue that I think needs to be talked about more."

 

They're part of the same issue. Those behind bootlegs bend ethics and morality to their convenience. You don't need to be nude for your image to be violated.

[missthemountains]

Posted: 6/4/19 at 10:43am

I love it when we talk about bootlegs here and everyone acts completely absolutist and that they're the most vile, harmful atrocities against mankind, and yet, are active consumers of bootlegs on Youtube and DM for PMs. The hypocrisy around here is very funny. I bet half of this board, if not more, are members of Forgotten Musicals or Broadway by Broadway on FB, which is bootleg sharing heaven.

There are definitely many layers of ethics to the whole thing--but I think most performers would concede that if they were nude for full houses night after night, that if those moments are on bootlegs, that it doesn't make a difference really. Of course, everything is subjective, and every performer has a different stance on bootlegs period. There's certainly an argument to be made of "I agreed to be naked for a limited audience in a theatre not on a bootleg for millions of people" which is valid. Truthfully, I think things only become "unethical" when it becomes for profit. I can't remember who said it, but I heard the quote "theatre for is for creating, film is for preserving", and I'm in agreement with that. So make of that what you will.