Video Killed the Radio Star - theatre take note
No, this is not another diatribe about how tv and movies are replacing theatre.
It's a diatribe about how arcane and outdated union rules and copyright law are costing all of us in theatre money.
I've been bobbing, weaving, and taking in stride the overlapping rules regarding the the shooting a pictures and video for promotion of our theatre and productions. Some of these no doubt sound familiar:
It's a diatribe about how arcane and outdated union rules and copyright law are costing all of us in theatre money.
I've been bobbing, weaving, and taking in stride the overlapping rules regarding the the shooting a pictures and video for promotion of our theatre and productions. Some of these no doubt sound familiar:
- No full musical numbers
- No shots longer than 3 minutes
- No produced promotions can contain more than 30 seconds of show footage
- No video
- No audio
- No video, except for rehearsal purposes
- 24 hours notice before shooting stills or footage
- Video must be hosted on the theatre's website (my personal fav - what does that even mean?)
In these days where youtube can make or break a product or a news story in 24 hours, diminishing subscriptions, aging audiences, and last-minute ticket buying, Actors' Equity and the play publishers are keeping a foot on the neck of promotion and marketing - at their own peril.
I need these tools to sell tickets. I need them to be fast, flexible, and spur-of-the-moment. I need to use youtube to build audience anticipation by posting rehearsal videos. I need to put photos on facebook ASAP without trying to sort out how to make sure the lo-res digital photos are all properly credited.
It's time for everyone to get on board and demand some changes to these rules. Most of us are nonprofits - the rules seem to imply that we're going to take every opportunity to ambush our own employees and sell them down the river to line our pockets and stock up on top-shelf yacht wax. In reality, most of the royalties, salaries, and pension payments are pouring in from nonprofits who tend to place fiscal and artistic integrity on a high pedestal, and only use their proceeds to underwrite yet more salaries and royalties.*
Grow up and move on MTI, RH, Sam French, Dramatists, Equity, et. al. It's a hard enough business to sell people on - don't cripple those of us trying to keep your people in work.
*This statement is completely unsubstantiated at the time of this post - Se non è vero, è ben trovato.
I need these tools to sell tickets. I need them to be fast, flexible, and spur-of-the-moment. I need to use youtube to build audience anticipation by posting rehearsal videos. I need to put photos on facebook ASAP without trying to sort out how to make sure the lo-res digital photos are all properly credited.
It's time for everyone to get on board and demand some changes to these rules. Most of us are nonprofits - the rules seem to imply that we're going to take every opportunity to ambush our own employees and sell them down the river to line our pockets and stock up on top-shelf yacht wax. In reality, most of the royalties, salaries, and pension payments are pouring in from nonprofits who tend to place fiscal and artistic integrity on a high pedestal, and only use their proceeds to underwrite yet more salaries and royalties.*
Grow up and move on MTI, RH, Sam French, Dramatists, Equity, et. al. It's a hard enough business to sell people on - don't cripple those of us trying to keep your people in work.
*This statement is completely unsubstantiated at the time of this post - Se non è vero, è ben trovato.
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