The Light in the Piazza on DVD?

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 3:07pm

I know this was filmed for PBS Great Performances. Is this also on DVD the way Cyrano is?

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 3:09pm

LitP was Live From Lincoln Center, not Great Performances, and it is not on DVD.

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 3:12pm

thanks for the info

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 7:45pm

For whatever reason, Live from Lincoln Center is usually not released on DVD (I guess to keep it 'live') while Great Performances are taped, then broadcast and sometimes released on DVD

[sondhead]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 11:43pm

Live at Lincoln Center Broadcasts are not released on DVD because of the way that they are contractually set up. In addition, shows that are released on DVD are generally edited after the fact, with additional footage from performances without audiences added in to fix mistakes and allow for otherwise impossible camera angles. Because Live at Lincoln Center broadcasts are shown live, this opportunity is not available and so commercial release is also not possible.

I know it doesn't make sense because none of us would care about little mistakes and oddities from a truly live taping, but that's simply not a quality level that many producers are willing to put out on DVD for whatever reason.

The bottom line is, though, that the lack of DVD release is contractually and financially how Live at Lincoln Center is even able to happen in most cases, and that's the biggest reason that they are not released on DVD.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/8/09 at 11:51pm

They should release them on DVD, consideringeveryone I know records it for their own libraries.

So, I do have LITP on DVD...

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:50am

I could still kick myself for not seeing it. Love the cast recording and play it a lot.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:54am

In addition, shows that are released on DVD are generally edited after the fact, with additional footage from performances without audiences added in to fix mistakes and allow for otherwise impossible camera angles. Because Live at Lincoln Center broadcasts are shown live, this opportunity is not available and so commercial release is also not possible.

Whatever. I thought the camera work and editing for Piazza was pretty flawless.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:55am

I don't know that it has much to do with it being live. Plenty of Live From the Met and other live telecasts are on DVD. It is because of the contracts.

My understanding is that the contracts for Great Performances and Live From the Met (I'm not sure if the latter title is used anymore) telecasts cover the possibility of later video issue. The contracts for Live From Lincoln Center telecasts do not. I think there's no prohibition on them being issued. The difficulty is that it would require a separate contract to be signed by everyone involved after the fact, and this is very complicated and expensive.

[exedore]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 7:41am

As other have implied, it's a contractual issue - one that involves Equity throwing a fit and making frequently unreasonable any time someone tries to make a legit video of a show.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 8:10am

But is it only Equity? For instance, the NYCO A Little NIght Music was also a Live From LIncoln Center, and it hasn't been legally issued and probably won't be any time soon. I'd guess (though I'm certainly not sure) that even the Broadway people in that production worked under an AGMA contract.

There are other NYCO broadcasts that it would be nice to have on commercial DVD. But none has been issued, and I think it's because they've all been Live From Lincoln Center telecasts.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:49am

I wish that it were but probably will never happen. Updated On: 1/9/09 at 11:49 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:52am

There are other NYCO broadcasts that it would be nice to have on commercial DVD.

Candide, for example. I fell in love with that production.

Which reminds me, does ANYONE have Grapes or Wrath or Tru? I lost my VHS tapes of both of those and I'm desperate to replace them.