Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
jaso_n
Stand-by Joined: 5/5/05
#0Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:24amI know some musicals are on video because of the movie version, but why aren't musicals routinely taped and released on video to the public?
#1re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:26am
Well, if it's a hit and runs for years, many people would prefer to watch the tape than pay $100 for a decent seat. And it would really cut down on people seeing a show more than once, I would think. And for the sucky shows, people would never go once they saw them on video.
Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!
Updated On: 10/30/05 at 12:26 AM
#2re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:29amTheater is never ment to be taped. Theater is ment to be viewed live. And thats the soul reason. Its unorthadox.
#3re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:31amaren't they taped and put in a vault or something?
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#4re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:33am
no. when it comes down to it they would rather archive a tape of the theatre version for reference purposes and then sell the film rights for a sh!tload of money. that's why they don't film stage productions often.
there have been some exceptions:
applause
sweeney todd
cats
pippin
purlie
oklahoma
sunday in the park with george
jesus christ superstar [revival]
jekyll and hyde
but those are few and far between. the norm is to go the feature film route and make the big $$$$$$
#5re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:33amMaybe for records, not to be watched.
#6re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:40amAlmost all shows are archived at the Lincoln Center Library.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#7re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:51am
"Almost all shows are archived at the Lincoln Center Library."
I don't believe that to be true. It's very cost-dependent on what is recorded for the Lincoln Center Library. I think they do try to get most, but I don't believe they actually do. Also, the REAL reason that they aren't filmed and release (despite what the previous posters said) is cost. Pure and simple. Because the actors are stage actors, the contracts aren't negotiated with a comercial release of a video of the production in mind. It therefore becomes very costly. A commercial release also probably wouldn't pull in nearly the profit that would justify it. It's all costs, with maybe a hint of "it's meant to be live", but that hardly plays into it at all.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#8re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:52am
the shows that are archived are usually the shows that are more popular than others.
for example, one would have no problem viewing an incarnation of Guys and Dolls, but not able to see The Graduate.
#9re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:53amWas Cabaret with Alan Cuming and Natasha Richardson ever videotaped? I ask this because the cast recording appears to be in front of a live audience.
"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe
#10re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:56am
Since 1970, the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) has been engaged in a unique documentation effort, recording Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre productions, and dialogues between notable theatre personalities. In accordance with its selection criteria, TOFT identifies outstanding productions and creates videotape records with the consent of the theatrical unions and each productions artistic collaborators. In addition, it facilitates preservation of live performances by assisting and supervising theatre companies that wish to videotape their own work under TOFTs auspices in accordance with its agreements with the theatrical unions. These projects ensure that todays performances will be tomorrows legacy, available to future generations for study and enjoyment. Endowed, in part, by producer Lucille Lortel, TOFT is housed in a state-of-the-art viewing room named in honor of Miss Lortel.
TOFT
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#11re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 12:57am
The Cabaret album was recorded in a studio. The audience noise was added later.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
Updated On: 10/30/05 at 12:57 AM
Ebonic_Singer
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/18/04
#12re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:04amI know there is a professionally recorded video of Cabaret at the Donmar Warehouse, but I'm not sure if it's officially released. Doubt it.
#13re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:14am
I should've made that clear, that it was shows after 1970.
So looks like I wasn't too wrong. Looks like almost all shows after 1970 are archived.
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#14re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:15amI have the Donmar thing on tape...it is really sad that the MC got less laughs then Sally...
CrAzIaBoUtReNt
Leading Actor Joined: 11/26/04
#15re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:18amWas RENT every videotaped? I heard they used to have videos of some songs on the website, which I have also been desperatly trying to find. Was the whole show videotaped or just those songs?
erinrebecca
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/29/04
#16re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 1:21amThose scenes that were on the website are from the press reels. Every cast prior to the non-Eq tours had various numbers taped for press reels.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#17re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 8:16am
The Lincoln Center tapes can be viewed only AFTER a show has closed - otherwise it would hurt ticket sales because people would just watch the tapes for free. The only exception is if you have written permission of the producers, for example, of you are an actor who is going into a show as a replacement.
In fact, most shows don't get taped until they already know they are closing soon.
#18re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 8:20am
I know there is a professionally recorded video of Cabaret at the Donmar Warehouse, but I'm not sure if it's officially released. Doubt it.
It was filmed for the BBC and aired several years ago. DVD and VHS copies are always floating around eBay, usually at very good prices.
#19re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 8:28am
In London, there is an archive of taped theatre productions at the Theatre Museum, Covent Garden. These can be viewed, but only for study/research purposes.
A lot of shows are filmed once for promotional and advertising purposes (for highlight video clips etc.) but never commercially released,as someone said, because that defeats the object of them being stage shows - for people to watch on stage.
Most videos released are specially filmed versions in studios, such as Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cats (which was actually filmed in theatre, with no audience). Jerry Springer the Opera was filmed for BBC TV (with audience) and is being released on DVD in the UK in November, possibly due to its unpopularity (people weren't sure whether to see it or not).
Give em that old RAZZLE DAZZLE and shine...
#20re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 9:19amDoes anyone know if the entire tour of Wicked was actually filmed for those press reels, or was it just the scenes that are constantly used?
jaso_n
Stand-by Joined: 5/5/05
#21re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 9:57am
I can see why it might be detrimental to ticket sales to release these shows commercially before the show ends. But still they should. Not everyone lives in New York and can afford to go to these shows.
Also, about musicals not being recorded because that would sullying the nature of a musical. Uh... music is supposed to be performed live. Not recorded, canned, Pro-Tooled and released in a shiny little jewel case with book and sold at Wal-Mart for $11.88 but it is.
Just saying.
greenegirl87
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/11/05
#22re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:00amhas anyone actually gone to the lincoln center library and watched any of the musicals that are videotaped? i have always been tempted to but never have
"But now the air is filled with confusion. We replace care with illusion."
#23re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:38amNot a musical, but a few years ago I watched "Waiting for Godot" with Robin Williams and Steve Martin for a class assignment. The only problem was they shushed me because I was laughing too loudly...in the closed room. Ah, well.
"Nothing's lost forever. In this world, there is a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead." -Tony Kushner's Angels in America
#24re: Why aren't Musicals videotaped?
Posted: 10/30/05 at 10:57am
There are other BBC musicals that have aired overseas, such as Ragtime (with Maria Friedman). I would caution all of you though, that these aired in the PAL video format. Most copies avialable on eBay are PAL, unless they say they've been converted to our NTSC video standard (used in the U.S.).
Just because they say they are "region free" doesn't mean they are also NTSC. You should check first.
Note: Both PAL and NTSC "region free" DVDs are viewable on computers, but not TVs. You will need a DVD player that plays BOTH formats (basically converting the PAL signal to NTSC) to view your DVD on an American TV set.
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