I don't know the legalities, etc...I live in Alaska and enjoy B-way shows vicariously through you-all! (Saw a DVD of Cats that was performed for the cameras...)Once in a while a PBS TV-special of a show comes our way...
There is no time when they are officially videotaped. Its entirely up to each production if and when they ever want to tape any show. There is performing Arts library up at Lincoln Center, but isnt it difficult to get into, and I understand some of the b-way shows that they do have tapes of may not be viewed until the show closes, or unless you have like a super-important reason for seeing it.
Only when PBS is willing to broadcast a production is when they're taped for public viewing.
Often, you'd see a PBS Great Performances broadcast of a Broadway musical/play every few years. Our cups runneth over with the airings of Company in February, Antony Sher in Primo in April, and the upcoming airing of the Kevin Kline Cyrano later this year.
Unless they're given a grant to tape the shows by PBS (like the Live from Lincoln Center transmissions of Contact and Light in the Piazza), it's up to the producers of the show to raise the money. Stewart F. Lane and co. (producers of the Company and Cyrano recordings) must have had very generous backers this year.
The Performing Arts library at Lincoln Center has their research archive, which houses gorgeous, professional recordings (better than anything you'd see on PBS) for research purposes - you're an actor researching a role, a student writing a paper, etc.
The entire permission from the various unions and guilds is based on the promise that the tapes will never be sold. Period. The cost of arranging separated rights for everyone involved would be astronomical. And it would be the death knell of the recording agreement. So just go to New York and watch the videos but forget ever buying one of them.
Oh, and of course, the producers of the stage play/musical - unless it's a totally original work for the stage and for that exact producer - don't HAVE the right to make a filmed version of the production for public screening. That would be held by the shows authors or rights holders, who would never give such permission anyway.
They are officially taped when somebody agrees to pay for it and ponies up the money.
For Broadway shows, the Library at Lincoln Center usually uses 3 cameras. For an off-Broadway show or regional production, qutie often it's a one camera deal.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Aren't all shows recorded at one point nowadays for promos, etc.? I mean, I know that that footage is probably locked up somewhere but still, it exists
verynewyork - The rules are strict, but not too strict. You do need a reason to be there - you can't walk in off the street and say "hey, I want to watch footage from the 1994 revival of Grease" and expect them to let you without batting an eyelash. You need a reason to watch it, you need a library card (not hard to get) and an appointment. You're only allowed to watch the same show once (to prevent the stealing of intellectual property for productions you may be working on).
maya - Select clips are recorded as B-roll for commercials and promo packages. Generally, they'll be up on the websites, as well.
yankeefan, will they let anyone into the LC library? or is it strictly actors and theatre students?
You'll need an ACCESS card (different from the regular NYPL card), but that is easy to get, you just fill out a form. When you set up an appointment, as long as you say you want to watch a show for reasearch purposes/for a paper/etc, they shouldn't give you any problems.
i was in new york back in september and just walked in, got a card and watched city of angels. The quality was unbelivable.
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
