What is so bad about bootlegs?

Phan#24601 Profile Photo
Phan#24601
#1What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 4:57pm

So, why do most of the posters on BroadwayWorld.com hate bootlegs of shows so much? I know the obvious answer is that bootlegs can distract from the ticket sales, but if I see a good recording of a show, and enjoy the show, it only encourages me to actually see the show. I mean, I saw this great bootleg reording of "next to nomal", and was inspired to buy the OBC because of it. I would still love to see it onstage, too. I guess they could work either way, depending on the person, bu doesn't the same thing happen with film versions? Fo example: I, personally, love the movie version of "Little Shop of Horrors", but would never really want to see it on stage. What's your take on all this?


My biggest pet peeve right now is when people pronounce it "Marry-us" and not "Mah-ree-us".

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Jordan Catalano
#2What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 4:58pm

People don't hate them, they hate the public discussion of them in threads that just call attention to their existence.

Like this one.

Phan#24601 Profile Photo
Phan#24601
#3What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:05pm

Ok, sorry.


My biggest pet peeve right now is when people pronounce it "Marry-us" and not "Mah-ree-us".

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aasjb4ever
#4What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:08pm


and

DooWahDiddy Profile Photo
DooWahDiddy
#5What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:17pm

To this I will only say that you SHOULD want to see Little Shop live on stage, because it's very different from the movie and that score deserves to be heard as many times as is humanly possible in one's lifetime.

That is all.

FindingNamo
#6What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:22pm

What is so bad about bank robbery?


Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

N2N Nate. Profile Photo
N2N Nate.
#7What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:31pm

I think bootlegs are fine to watch once the show has closed. Many Broadway performers have bootlegs of the shows they have been in. Seth Rudetsky has always been open about himself owning bootlegs of musicals. I'm positive most on here have watched a bootleg or two.


So Lauren Bacall me, anything goes! *wink*

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#8What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:36pm

Should you than go to the day every night to hear it?

Some cannot afford it while others may not be able to access it for whatever reason. The answer to the question sometimes the quality is bad.Since you cannot buy them legally I see no problem with it

Somes go to Canal St in NYC for a knockoff Rolex as they cannot afford the realone.Same thing here


Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 9/15/13 at 05:36 PM

Liza's Headband
#9What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:38pm

Alright broadway guy/N2N Nate, we'll let you take on the job of regulating when people can watch a bootleg and when they cannot.

N2N Nate. Profile Photo
N2N Nate.
#10What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:42pm

I could care less if/when people watch Bootlegs.


So Lauren Bacall me, anything goes! *wink*

Liza's Headband
#11What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:51pm

Read your original post. Then read my response. Then stop and think about it. Cheers

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bwayphreak234
#12What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 5:59pm

^ Hahahaha, that made me laugh, Liza What is so bad about bootlegs?

I have no problem with them whatsoever, and I actually have an extensive collection of them, but it's taboo on here to talk in detail about them, and rightfully so.


"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

Sutton Ross Profile Photo
Sutton Ross
#13What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:06pm

There's nothing wrong with bootlegs. Talk about them, don't talk about them. Just enjoy them and ignore rude people on here with absolutely nothing to contribute to the discussion.

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#14What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:10pm

Imagine how many legal DVD'S of the Boy From Oz could have been sold either inside the theater or after the show closed. All involved are shooting themselves in the foot by not being more flexible on the matter of recording shows.


Poster Emeritus

AEA AGMA SM
#15What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:17pm

I generally don't have a problem with them, until I see people charging for them. That does bother me because then people are indeed making money (and I'm not talking about the cases where it's clearly just covering the costs of shipping and the blank DVD, of VHS in the olden times).

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Mr Roxy
#16What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:23pm

$ 8 for one is not exactly making a fortune for the person selling them.

The unsung heroes are those who hold a camera for 2 hours to record it.


Poster Emeritus

AEA AGMA SM
#17What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:29pm

$8 seems very reasonable to me (probably just covering postage and supplies), but I've seen people ask for much more than that for bootlegs. Back in the days of Yahoo Groups I was part of one that would regularly see people asking for $50 for one, and then they would only actually "sell" it if a certain number of people would agree to pay. In the earlier days of ebay I remember a CD-R of Carrie could go for quite a bit of money (assuming that the auction didn't get shut down). I've been out of the bootleg loop for quite some time, but I can't imagine that nobody out there is trying to make money off of these.

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CATSNYrevival
#18What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:39pm

Not gonna say who, but some of the posters on here who jump on others for even mentioning bootlegs are the ones with the biggest collections. What is so bad about bootlegs?

Personally, I don't mind bootlegs. I own a few. I enjoy them and it would never keep me from seeing the show live if a tour came to town. Audio bootlegs are often my first exposure to new musicals opening on Broadway as well, prior to getting the cast album.

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songanddanceman2
#19What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 6:45pm

I love them, I have about a 1000 on DVD and go to the theatre every week


Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna

best12bars Profile Photo
best12bars
#20What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 7:06pm

I have a love/hate relationship with them. I'm grateful for their existence and for the opportunity it gives me and others to see an original production from 30, 40, or even more years ago. But I aslo understand this opportunity comes at the expense of other people. And t's absolutely akin to robbery.

But at the same time, I do see that it serves as a tool to get people interested in the shows and the performances. Often it can lead to future tickets or cast recordings being sold because of an exposure to a bootleg recording.

I'm sure some feel it can serve as a replacement for seeing a show, but for some it can also get them so worked up they have to come to NY and see it.


"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

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Jane2
#21What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 7:11pm

this is one of the dumbest and most clueless threads I've read in a long time.

Namo, that went right over their heads.


<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

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darreyl102
#22What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 7:39pm

I LOVE bootlegs and have many (as I have mentioned before). I see both sides of the opinion- good and bad. They have never stopped me from seeing a show as there are certain things you can’t experience on DVD that you can seeing it live. There are certain things- rushes, Goosebumps ect. That I get from Live theatre that I can’t from a DVD. One example is during the overture from ‘The Addams Family’ When the Addams Family Ancestors start vocalizing while the curtain rises. And during Material Girl in ‘Priscilla’ when there is this bass build up that gets louder and louder. Those kind of things I can’t experience on a DVD. I am very thankful for bootlegs because many shows would be lost forever without them and we would only have our memories of them. Many actors also love having copies of their shows- in fact, I actually get emails all the time from Broadway actors looking for copies of their shows.
I can only Imagine Patti Lupone’s opinion on this.
- I also agree that making a profit is NOT okay at all.


Darreyl with an L!

nsguy45 Profile Photo
nsguy45
#23What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 7:51pm

The press reel for Oz was ninety minutes long and included all of the musical numbers in crystal clear quality.

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Kelly2
#24What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 7:52pm

I have a problem with people who sell bootlegs. Making money off of other peoples' time and talent is pretty gross and I wouldn't want to have any part of that.

That being said, I do have several bootlegs that have been given to me over the years, so I'd be a hypocrite to decry their existence altogether. They just leave me a bit uneasy. I also have issues with those who film them so obviously that it is a distraction to the audience and performers. I sat near to a girl trying to video Kinky Boots once and she was too far for me to say anything, but the light was so irritating and she was only a few rows from the stage. Luckily, an usher dealt with her before long.


"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell

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Sutton Ross
#25What is so bad about bootlegs?
Posted: 9/15/13 at 7:54pm

"this is one of the dumbest and most clueless threads I've read in a long time.

Namo, that went right over their heads."

Aw Jane, bless your heart. Nothing went over anyone's head, we just chose to ignore something stupid (bootlegging, hahahahahaa prohibition) because it has nothing to do with the thread. If you think the thread is clueless and dumb, then don't comment on it. Easy enough.

I have been looking for a bootleg copy of Next To Normal since I have even never seen it. Bootlegs are awesome except for weirdos who want like 50 dollars for them.