Why are benefit concerts most likely to be filmed?
Why are benefit concerts most likely to be filmed?
MarkBearSF
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/11
#1Why are benefit concerts most likely to be filmed?
Posted: 2/25/17 at 12:12pm
I recall that previous discussions mentioned the difficulty and expense of negotiating rights and union rules make it prohibitively expensive to film and broadcast Broadway shows.
I've been quietly hoping that the current Sunday in the Park revival could be filmed. I then started wondering why many of the musicals we've seen on PBS have been benefit performances (NPH Company, Sweeney) or Roundabout productions. Of course a key question is "is there a payback for the money it will cost?" which may be a different question for a benefit, but the beneficiary still has to weigh the same questions, because they will still have expenses and although the art is nice and all, the ultimate purpose of a benefit is to raise money.
Another question is the likelihood that the broadcast might cannibalize later ticket sales. Certainly, 1-2 night benefits don't have to worry about this, but that's also true of some of these limitied-run productions.
Does it come down to the star salaries? In the NPH Company production, were the stars likely paid equity minimum (for whatever contract is applicable) and/or AFTRA scale? ...Or do they commonly waive the payments - and CAN they?
I'm trying to get a sense of the issues and obstacles involved.
- Commercial vs. non-profit production
- Limited vs open run
- Star salaries
- Which unions are involved
- Commercial vs. non-profit (PBS) broadcaster
...and bottom line - is it likely that Jake's Sunday will be taped for broadcast or streaming?
