Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Photos of a show

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aesaund
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Joined: 2/03/04
Location: United States
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Topic: Photos of a show
Posted: 9/05/08 at 2:18pm

So I've been reviewing my contracts about what we can and cannot do when it comes to videotaping, etc. But in none of my contracts does it say anything about photo-taking.

Does anyone know if it is legal to take pictures of the show and post them online? I know a lot of theaters don't allow pictures at their performances, but what about staged press pics and dress rehearsal pics - or does that infringe on the author's work too?

Alan Saunders
Producer In Charge
www.centerstageplayers.com

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MartyW
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Posted: 9/05/08 at 2:43pm

THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT... (not a lawyer, though I have played serveral on stage) Nope.. thats ALL about you.. (unless of course your "borrowed" someone elses designes... ) But seriously, they are not copies of the work or the perofrmances.. It's video, audio or photo copy of the script that is protected rights.. pictures are just pictures... The reason that it is "prohibited" at most theaters is because it annoys your seat neighbor and distracts the actors... But as far as I know, there is no legal prohibition. (thats that legal disclaimer again)

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."

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aesaund
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Posted: 9/07/08 at 5:38pm

That's what I though too, but in this day and age you never know

Alan Saunders
Producer In Charge
www.centerstageplayers.com

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KEB54
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Posted: 9/08/08 at 5:23pm

It is my understanding that it is a copyright infringement to photograph a performance. However, it is fine to "stage" still shots. So, you can take photographs for your use, just not in front of an audience. That is my understanding.

KEB

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JoeMc
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Joined: 3/13/06
Location: Australia
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Posted: 9/08/08 at 10:31pm

Your right it generally is considered, to take photographs of live performance, as a breach.

one mob here up north, in the bush, was knocked off. Because audience members were taking pics of a live performance. It was during the "Rolf Harris Show. The venue had not posted signs about no cameras being allowed,. Even though it was in a one horse town, beyond the black stump, in the middle of the 'NEVER never'. The venue ended up settling out of court, for quite a few gold bricks. Taking photos is generally considered as a mechanical recording, much the same as video or other forms of reproduction. So I would contact the contract agent, before you go flashing about!

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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dexter74656
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Joined: 12/29/06
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Posts: 36

Posted: 9/09/08 at 6:14pm

My interpretation has always been that the copyright extends to the words. The visual representation (the sets, costumes, props, actors themselves) is going to be up to the individual interpretation of the director and technical staff, regardless of how much or how little guidance is provided by the script... and you can't copyright an idea/concept.

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AngelSong76
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Joined: 5/08/07
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Posted: 12/13/08 at 10:48pm

I'm the publicity person for our community theatre and I always take photos at our final dress rehearsal. It's just so important to have these photos for publicity purposes. I also burn them onto CDs and give them to cast and crew after the final performance as a gift.

Our last musical was captured on video too, the parent of one of the cast members came to a rehearsal and taped it without us knowing. The cast member asked them to do it so that she could make adjustments to her performance based on how it looked on the film. They gave me a copy for our archives.

You can see our photos here: http://www.myspace.com/theatre98

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VisionE
Walk-On
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Joined: 12/19/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6

Posted: 12/21/08 at 12:08pm

Pictures seem to be Ok but video can be an issue depending on if you have the rights to video tape. From what others have said here, some companies will not allow you to do that or the theater company does not purchase the right to do it

Most of the ones the group that I am involved with has the right to video tape which makes it much easier.

http://www.ectheatre.org/
http://www.spotlightmusicals.com/

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Author	Message
aesaund Walk-On Joined: 2/03/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Photos of a show Posted: 9/05/08 at 2:18pm
	So I've been reviewing my contracts about what we can and cannot do when it comes to videotaping, etc. But in none of my contracts does it say anything about photo-taking. Does anyone know if it is legal to take pictures of the show and post them online? I know a lot of theaters don't allow pictures at their performances, but what about staged press pics and dress rehearsal pics - or does that infringe on the author's work too?
	Alan Saunders Producer In Charge www.centerstageplayers.com

	IP Logged

MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 9/05/08 at 2:43pm
	THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT... (not a lawyer, though I have played serveral on stage) Nope.. thats ALL about you.. (unless of course your "borrowed" someone elses designes... ) But seriously, they are not copies of the work or the perofrmances.. It's video, audio or photo copy of the script that is protected rights.. pictures are just pictures... The reason that it is "prohibited" at most theaters is because it annoys your seat neighbor and distracts the actors... But as far as I know, there is no legal prohibition. (thats that legal disclaimer again)
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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aesaund Walk-On Joined: 2/03/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 9/07/08 at 5:38pm
	That's what I though too, but in this day and age you never know
	Alan Saunders Producer In Charge www.centerstageplayers.com
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 9/08/08 at 5:23pm
	It is my understanding that it is a copyright infringement to photograph a performance. However, it is fine to "stage" still shots. So, you can take photographs for your use, just not in front of an audience. That is my understanding.
	KEB
	IP Logged

JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 9/08/08 at 10:31pm
	Your right it generally is considered, to take photographs of live performance, as a breach. one mob here up north, in the bush, was knocked off. Because audience members were taking pics of a live performance. It was during the "Rolf Harris Show. The venue had not posted signs about no cameras being allowed,. Even though it was in a one horse town, beyond the black stump, in the middle of the 'NEVER never'. The venue ended up settling out of court, for quite a few gold bricks. Taking photos is generally considered as a mechanical recording, much the same as video or other forms of reproduction. So I would contact the contract agent, before you go flashing about!
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
	IP Logged

dexter74656 Lead Joined: 12/29/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 9/09/08 at 6:14pm
	My interpretation has always been that the copyright extends to the words. The visual representation (the sets, costumes, props, actors themselves) is going to be up to the individual interpretation of the director and technical staff, regardless of how much or how little guidance is provided by the script... and you can't copyright an idea/concept.
	IP Logged

AngelSong76 Walk-On Joined: 5/08/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 12/13/08 at 10:48pm
	I'm the publicity person for our community theatre and I always take photos at our final dress rehearsal. It's just so important to have these photos for publicity purposes. I also burn them onto CDs and give them to cast and crew after the final performance as a gift. Our last musical was captured on video too, the parent of one of the cast members came to a rehearsal and taped it without us knowing. The cast member asked them to do it so that she could make adjustments to her performance based on how it looked on the film. They gave me a copy for our archives. You can see our photos here: http://www.myspace.com/theatre98
	IP Logged

VisionE Walk-On Joined: 12/19/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 12/21/08 at 12:08pm
	Pictures seem to be Ok but video can be an issue depending on if you have the rights to video tape. From what others have said here, some companies will not allow you to do that or the theater company does not purchase the right to do it Most of the ones the group that I am involved with has the right to video tape which makes it much easier.
	http://www.ectheatre.org/ http://www.spotlightmusicals.com/
	IP Logged

Topic: Photos of a show( Topic Closed)