Why Musicals SHOULD be VIDEOTAPED — Page 2
Posted: 10/30/05 at 11:58am
Go back and read my posts. Don't put words in my mouth.
THAT'S a personal attack.
Updated On: 10/30/05 at 11:58 AM
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:01pm
If we take it one step at a time like I have.
1. Use it as a marketing tool, trailers etc to encourage audiences.
2. Start to use it for New Writings and Fringe Plays for much needed publicity.
3. From there, work out the cost models, copy protection and performers rights for the big productions.
That's the steps I'm taking and 1 and 2 commenced last week. Waiting on the debate in the industry before 3. There's a lot of people with strong and assertive opinions over it but if we discuss these in a calm way, we can resolve them and work out the best for all concerned. I have been in discussions with Equity and several other industry bodies on these very matters and they have also been thinking about them for a while and have their plans in place ready for its growth.
Keep 'em coming.....
USTHEATER.TV - Passionate About Theater (Live and Online)
Updated On: 10/30/05 at 12:01 PM
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:03pm
Those who do not want them do not buy them. It should be availble to those who want it. Imagine DVD'S of flops. If people bought them they would reduce the loses incurred by investors & this would get more people to invest . The problem is the cost would be prohibitive
Another option is taping it & than putting it on Pay per View after the show has run its course. One person shows should definitely be filmed
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:05pm
To Kill A Mockingbird
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:08pm
Yes you can lift a performance by memory.. but it will never be exact.
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:11pm
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:13pm
LET the music and television and movie industries take over the internet. There will soon no longer be a reason to go out to the movies. And then the only thing left to do aside from sitting on your ass all day would be to go out and see a show!
It would only HELP the theatre industry!
--Aristotle
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:14pm
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:14pm
I am ONE PERSON. I am not an industry and I am not a multi-national. I am not about to take over the world, though perhaps because I have a great brand name and concept that people feel threatened. I'm an actor with some web design skills. Remember that in your replies please. I feel rather intimidated by some bullying remarks.
http://www.ustheater.tv
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:15pm
Back in the Golden Age, America looked to Broadway for art and culture. Its shows affected the nation. Today, America does not do that. Only New York and the small cultural societies around the country do that. (The "PBS" crowd.) But the masses at large barely know that Broadway exists. A plain, simple fact.
So, really... the big question is, do we want to keep Broadway as the relatively small, elite art form that it has become, or do we want to go out an reach the masses again. The millions of people who would otherwise never see a stage show. Since they won't come to us anymore... should we go to them now?
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:19pm
>>>People who want shows taped so they can enjoy them in their own homes are twirts who are wither too lazy to travel to NYC to see them.<<<<
Excuse me, but I find this generalized statement rather insulting. How do you know why some people can't get to London or NY or wherever else to see plays if they don't live in the area? There are several plays each season I've wanted to see in London, but in the past couple of years I've had a significant financial downturn. I was out of work for almost a year, ran out of unemployment and most of my savings, and was just barely keeping my head above water. Couldn't afford a play where I live just a quick train ride away let alone a plane ride across the ocean away.
I live in NYC and just in the past couple of months have been able to afford an occasional play if I got a really good discount. I had a trip planned to London 2 years ago, but had to cancel as the closing to buy my apt happened at the time I had set aside and I wasn't jetting off on a vacation literally a day after I moved when I had stacks of boxes and furniture to come back to. It was the only time I could go, which is why I planned it then in the first place, but the closing date came up after months of delay and I couldn't change it.
I'm happy if I can afford a cheap weekend vacation away now, which usually entails going somewhere I can stay with friends.
I've had a few friends get over to London in the past 6 months who saw some things I won't ever get to see that I'd been dying to see, so this would be an option for people like myself. At least I could see it in some form and have a discussion with them about it. Does that mean I'd actually utilize it? Not necessarily, depends on cost, but it's still an option for people like me. If I saw it after the run was over vs. while it's still playing so as not to affect ticket sales, that's fine.
I love live theater and there is nothing like it, but as someone brought up above, I also love live concerts (probably more than anything). I have some DVD's of concerts and while it's nothing like the real thing, with a decent hookup to my stereo, it's an enjoyable substitute, especially if it was a concert I enjoyed in person and would like to see it again and again.
I'm certain to be flamed over this, but just wanted to express my opinion as I didn't appreciate that one blanket statement. Now if it's someone who lives nearby the theaters and just doesn't make the effort, I'd agree with that statement wholeheartedly. :)
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:22pm
While I can see the value of taping musicals for posterity,
I cannot see pay-per-view Broadway....it's just wrong....
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:24pm
USTHEATER.TV - Passionate About ALL People Seeing Theatre
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:28pm
...this isn't going to work, period. It's very wrong, and ruins the thrill of live theatre.
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:32pm
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:33pm
Good feedback, all of a sudden, is only feedback from people who are ignorant enough to support you? But, constructive criticism and voices of reason who oppose your website is not feedback?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:33pm
Passionate About Promoting Theatre
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:35pm
Nothing can ever replace a live performance of a show, but that doesn't mean a video recording is a bastardized version of the show. Case in point are the Sonheim musicals currently on DVD. While they can't replace sitting there in the audience watching, they certainly are a great opportunity to relive the show - and for those people that might not ever get the chance to see the show (or because it's cost prohibitive).
I think some shows could never truly be captured in the way they should be on video. Some things just work better live. I don't think I would want to watch City of Angels on video because there was just something so magical about being there.
I also think that any video release of a show should come a few years (at least) after a show has closed. It should never be released during the run (for obvious reasons).
There definitely needs to be a REASON to release a particular show to the masses. A once in a lifetime performance, an important piece of work, a show not likely to be revived but worthy of preserving, etc.
All that being said - all parties involved should be compensated for their efforts. Which is why many videos do not get released. It's very expensive to make everyone happy. You can't think of releasing a video without making payments to all the unions, there's the cost of the production, marketing, etc.
We all know that cast recordings are incredibly expensive to produce and quite often do not make their money back. Video is a far greater endeavor.
Updated On: 10/30/05 at 12:35 PM
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:35pm
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:35pm
Stop promoting your stupid website because someday, you're going to get caught.
"so wrong in my opinion...theater should be LIVE and should be an experience one should never forget!! NOT on the computer!!Going to see the show and watching it at home are completely different things!! Sure it is the same show but its not LIVE, which it should be!! its just so so so wrong...sry but i believe going to NYC and seeing a show should be an EXPERIENCE..not played on a computer."
Brava!
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:36pm
Updated On: 10/30/05 at 12:36 PM
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:37pm
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:38pm
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:38pm
Well, do you expect ALL good feedback? Do you expect for your site to be a winner in everyone's book?
I expect for your damned site to be shut down, that's what I expect.
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