WICKED: Pics Question...

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:35pm

Obviously, pictures taken by audience members of WICKED in performance are illegal. The only legal pictures are the ones taken by the commissioned photographer (Marcus, Glikas, etc.). We all know this.

Now, I have heard varying answers, but never an official answer to the following question: are pictures taken during the curtain call "legal"? Technically, they are not "in-performance", but it is also said that no pictures taken inside the Gershwin house are legal.

I have searched for answers, to no avail. If you have one, can you please post the source, or link if it is online. Thanks.
Updated On: 4/10/05 at 02:35 PM

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 3:06pm

I would think those don't count because Broadway.com typically takes photos of curtain calls during opening nights, closing nights and final shows of principal performers

[ikmbway]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 3:33pm

When I saw Rent they didn't let people take pics before the show started. The usher yelled many times. Also i dont think anyone dared to at curtain call bu i think its illegal.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 3:44pm

I could be wrong, and if I am, I am sure someone will correct me, but I was under the impression that photos taken during the curtain call are also illegal. It's got something to do with the unauthorized use of the set designer's sets and the costume designer's costume. Both are apparently "copyrighted".

This is just what I was once told, I'm not entirely sure how true it is, but it seems to make sense.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 3:48pm

I'm almost certain that taking pictures during the curtain call is illegal. For example, I went on the New Amsterdam Theatre tour, and we were told not to take pictures of the stage at all because of copyrighted stuff. And this was during the day, not during a curtain call. So if you can't even take a picture of the stage during the day, I'm sure you can't take a picture during the curtain call either.

[Justin D]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 4:00pm

It's funny to see how different theatre personnel react to different shows. Some shows i've been to they dont mind you taking pictures once it is not during the show (intermission was ok for example) other shows like Lion King in NYC and Mamma Mia in Toronto, the ushers were running all over the place on their 2ways trying to stop people.

Honestly i can understand a show like Phantom or Wicked that would have coppyright problems because there are aspects of the show in the auditorium all the time, but shows like Lion King, whats the big deal, all youre seeing is a black curtain with orange scribbles.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 4:10pm

I know on closing night shows the camera flashes are going off like lighting, seems like everyone has a camera, so they don't bother trying to stop people.

[ILoveWicked330]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 4:44pm

I know Wicked does not care if you take pictures of the curtain before the show. When I did once, an usher was about 5 feet from me and she didn't say anything. But thats just a picture of a curtain, nothing really "special"...The reason why Rent doesn't allow photographs is because there no curtain so you are taking a picture of the set...

[stonewall2]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 5:06pm

I am also sure that there are copyrite issues here, but it amazes me how things are randomly enforced. My partner went to take a picture of me with our kids, facing AWAY from the stage- in our seats(!)-before a performance of "Wicked" and an usher almost hauled her out of the theatre. Yet, almost any search engine will yield actual clips of Idina and Taye singing during his brief stint as Fiyero and Saycon was barely off of of the stage before there were photos of her, beaming during her first curtain calls!! Are there really people who go to the theatre with their tiny little camcorder at the ready, and how is it that they can actually manage to get pictures and video-it's not like SOMEONE wouldn't see if I held up my camcorder(yes, it's a mini DV, but still...) and started recording. Sorry for the long rant, it's just that these thoughts have been nagging me for a while now!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 5:35pm

Yes. It is illegal to take pictures in any Broadway theatre. This includes before the show, during intermission, during curtain call, or after the show. Whether the ushers enforce this or not is a different story...

[ShuQ]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 5:46pm

I know on closing night shows the camera flashes are going off like lighting, seems like everyone has a camera, so they don't bother trying to stop people.


The whole show or just curtain call?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 5:49pm

For TABOO's final, cameras were flashing the entire performance.

At every other final performance I've been to, it's only been during curtain call.

Posted: 4/12/05 at 6:52pm

I took pictures in the lobby of WICKED of the Tony set and stuff and they didnt say anything bout that but you shouldnt try to take pictures during a show... its not right.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 8:33pm

The Press Agency for the show coordinates all curtain call footage. Legally, you can take pictures of the curtain call and have video footage of the curtain call, as long as their is no singing or dancing being done...

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 10:44pm

Sorry to appear ignorant, Thesbi, but could you elaborate on the whole "press agency" involvement?

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 10:45pm

Elphabuff, where did you get your avatar? I can't read what it says... are there more like it?

[Aigoo]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 10:46pm

I was interested as well. I see "green makeup" but that's about it.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 10:47pm

It says something about a green make-up test for Saycon as Elphaba. I can't read the last 2 lines.

[jjdude2000]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 10:51pm

It's on saycon's website: saycon-online.com

It's a lot bigger there, so you can read it better. It was a test run of the makeup for her.

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 4/12/05 at 11:10pm

"Personal Green Make-Up Test
for Saycon as Elphaba
Photo by Desmond of JR Studios (ATL)
Makeup: Sengsay"


I am impressed at how "they" have improved her look from her March 9, 2005 performance. Updated On: 4/12/05 at 11:10 PM

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 4/13/05 at 12:38am

last time i saw Wicked i was yelled at by an usher for taking a picture during curtain call... so i'm positive its illegal... but they weren't quick enough to stop me from flashing a few shots of saycon's first! yup... those were mine that were splashed all over the internet before i even got home, lol.


ps. first post. yay!

[vjRichie]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 8:37pm

Eden got really REALLY p.o.'d at the kids taking pics during the post curtain call speech for BC-EFA donations...saying "please stop taking pictures, they are not allowed!"

Photos are forbidden at all times inside the theatre...even of the curtain!

[fliboi78]

Posted: 4/14/05 at 8:53pm

when i went last week to wicked some IDIOT took a picture of shoshana and meghan during for good. its at one part when they were staring at each other and instantaniously shoshana was irritated and looked out into the audience and held her note a little longer than she should have. but meghan came in with her verse. i was so mad! i don't think cameras should be allowed in. same thing happened with cell phones. about 10 of them rang during the first act alone.