Can you take videos during curtain call

[Adescalzo14]

I am seeing the last performance of SpongeBob next month and I see on Instagram people taking videos of curtain call and I want to do the same to remember it since I am in love with the show. I am sitting in the orchestra for the show so I don't know If I can. I wanted to for HOH but chicken out because their curtain call involves a big number. So what do you think?

[JSquared2]

There is no filming allowed during the performance. That includes curtain call.

[Call_me_jorge]

I mean, no, but like are the ushers going to stop you? Probably not.

[SempreLiberal]

JSquared2 said: "There is no filming allowed during the performance. That includes curtain call. "

True. Although there are often many people taking pictures (which could well be videos) during curtain calls, I have never seen an usher intervene, since simultaneously many people are exiting the theater. 

[Malka2]

I've only once been stopped from taking pictures during curtain call, when I was all the way on the side of the theater where the ushers were. Any other place in the theater - once the cast has started to bow, I say film away :)

[Bwayfan292]

Just enjoy the moment. Not everything needs to be seen with a phone in your face.

[CT2NYC]

I get it, you want something to remember the experience. Just take the video, no one will stop you. There are hundreds of curtain calls on YouTube, and none of them, including Hamilton's, get taken down for copyright violations. Some actors have even posted audience members' curtain call videos on their own social media.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

I’ve seen many people taking videos during the curtain call of opening night performances. You also see media photographers rushing towards the stage and taking pictures. I’m sure it’s the kind of thing where everyone sort of looks the other way. And don’t forget who makes up the typical opening night audience. 

[msmp]

Malka2 said: "I've only once been stopped from taking pictures during curtain call, when I was all the way on the side of the theater where the ushers were. Any other place in the theater - once the cast has started to bow, I say film away :)"

The only place I've seen the ushers outright shut down curtain call photos is the current revival of Carousel.

[Wick3]

msmp said: "Malka2 said: "I've only once been stopped from taking pictures during curtain call, when I was all the way on the side of the theater where the ushers were. Any other place in the theater - once the cast has started to bow, I say film away :)"

The only place I've seen the ushers outright shut down curtain call photos is the current revival ofCarousel."

I second that too... and I was sitting in side orchestra at the time. The guy behind me was filming curtain call and an usher yelled out no video/photography inside the theater. Even at Hello Dolly I've never seen any ushers there shut down curtain call photos/videos (though anytime during the show they would!)

 

[uncageg]

I was at the first preview of War Paint and the ushers upstairs swooped in at curtain call and shut down photos.

If you are told in any way that photos or recording is not allowed at a performance then there is the answer to your question.

[annang]

Even if no one tries to stop you, please don’t do this. For those of us who actually want to watch, and for the actors who are receiving well-deserved applause, you’re ruining that moment. Not to mention, if you’re filming, you’re not actually thanking the actors for their work. If everyone did what you’re doing, there would be no applause. There are lots of curtain calls online that you can watch. Please don’t be one more person selfishly putting their own desire to videotape things over the enjoyment of hundreds of other people. 

[LaneBryant]

Why is a curtain call video the way to remember a show??? Why not see the show, keep your program and ticket stub, and see who you meet & take pics with at the Stage door? Just.....do better. LoL

 

[Princeton2]

I would say it is acceptable as I've seen plenty of stage actors film curtain calls and post on social media, including ones who have previously complained about filming!

[JennH]

Maybe I'm completely crazy and wrong, but while some may not think it's moral, it's certainly legal...the curtain call is not part of the show itself/performance, because a good rule of thumb is that it's not copyrighted. It's literally the actors taking a bow. Plus, those who who run the official social media sites of each show have 1000% posted, say, the opening night curtain call as well as closing. If it were illegal to film curtain call, I can't imagine the OFFICIAL social media sites would be doing this. I've only done this once and it was the closing of Bright Star. I wasn't about to miss Carmen in her glory as well as Steve who ended up tap dancing. Plus I seriously doubt an usher is gonna get on your case at the closing show curtain call, BUT...for heaven sake still be a good theatregoer and don't film the actual SHOW. I may appreciate bootlegs to watch for myself, but I'm not about to be the one who films them. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

JennH said: "Maybe I'm completely crazy and wrong, but while somemay not think it's moral, it's certainly legal...the curtain call is not part of the show itself/performance, because agood rule of thumb is that it's not copyrighted. It's literally theactorstaking a bow. Plus, those who who run theofficial social media sites of each show have 1000%posted, say, the opening night curtain call as well as closing. If it were illegal to film curtain call, I can't imagine the OFFICIAL social media sites would be doing this."

The curtain call is certainly part of the show. It is part of the direction, you're still looking at the copyrighted designs, and, especially with musicals, there is still copyrighted music being played.

As for the official sites taking video, that's exactly why it's allowed, because they are OFFICIAL. They have obtained the rights and followed the rules for filming laid out by the various union contracts. 

[haterobics]

annang said: "There are lots of curtain calls online that you can watch."

So no one should record them because they are already online? Umm, isn't that how they get online, though?

[BrodyFosse123]

As mentioned above, filming isn’t permitted at any time but go ahead if you wish.  I’ve done it as have many others.  I even filmed the entire danced curtain call when I saw the fabulous 2010 revival of PROMISES, PROMISES and I was in the 3rd row orchestra center in full view of the entire cast and none of them pointed me out.    

There are even videos of Bette Midler walking on the pasarelle during her HELLO, DOLLY! curtain call and she doesn’t kick or slap the cameras filming her less than a foot away from her.  

[Fosse76]

Do not for one moment think that lack of enforcement is permission to record. The reason people get away with recording the curtain is the simple fact that the ushers can't get to everyone, with the biggest factor being standing ovations blocking access to the scofflaw. As was mentioned above, the curtain call is a copyrighted part of the show, and it is technically illegal. 

[JSquared2]

BrodyFosse123 said: "As mentioned above, filming isn’t permitted at any time but go ahead if you wish. I’ve done it as have many others. I even filmed the entire danced curtain call when I saw the fabulous 2010 revival of PROMISES, PROMISES and I was in the 3rd row orchestra center in full view of the entire cast and none of them pointed me out.

There are even videos of Bette Midler walking on the pasarelle during her HELLO, DOLLY! curtain call and she doesn’t kick or slap the cameras filming her less than a foot away from her."

 

So in your brain, the fact that she didn't physically assault people = permission to film the performance?

 

[JennH]

Wow...I learned something new today. I certainly had no idea that even set designs were copyrighted but it makes sense when I think about it. Alright then, curtain calls count!

[Just_John]

Is it actually illegal? 

Because everything everyone is saying is not true. For the last decade, Broadway shows have allowed cameras of curtain call. The only theatres to enforce not taking pictures are Signature and New World. Producers have encouraged the taking of pics for awhile now. They consider it free advertisement. 

[Kad]

I, personally, just don't understand why someone would want shaky, poorly exposed, typically obstructed, and loud video of a curtain call of a show they saw.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Kad said: "I, personally, just don't understand why someone would want shaky, poorly exposed, typically obstructed, and loud video of a curtain call of a show they saw. "

Um, think again, bro.

https://youtu.be/eMzRenxr134

 

[Kad]

Great. A high quality video of a curtain call. I must paint a factory next.