Bootlegs during Quarantine- Page 3

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/7/20 at 10:31pm

Kad said: "You’re comparing bootleg videos of theatre productions to consumer goods? Seriously? What a specious, facial argument.

All bootleg videos were made without the consent of any person involved with the production and no additional compensation was given to anyone involved. That is a fact.

And I work in the industry and have a vested interest in making sure people are treated fairly.

And who are you, precisely, who feels they are owed any recording of any particular production, regardless of how it came to be?


"

Yes, but not "All" are recorded without the actors knowing it. This I know thru the many actors I've met/worked with. There is almost never a "All" situation in claims like this, there is always an exception case. 

I have traded many a bootleg in my day, and I get messages ALL THE TIME from actors in various productions looking for copies of their shows, which I am more than happy to give them copies- Gratis 

Honestly this is a never-ending debate, there will be those who are okay with it and those who hate it. It's not black and white, like many things, there are many colors involved here. And few are going to change their side on the subject- agree to disagree

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/7/20 at 10:45pm

sparksatmidnight, the difference is that if you do jump your way into a theme park, you can still get the same experience almost anyone else there can. With a bootleg, the viewer KNOWS the experience isn't the same. They're seeing a 2D filmed record of someone else's experience.

I do have issues with people who feel they're entitled to see something, though. If you happen to come across it, great! If you were never going to be a paying audience member because the show opened and closed in Chicago in 2003 or something, and you lived in Germany and had never heard of musical theatre until 2012, then why not?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/7/20 at 11:00pm

sparksatmidnight said: "Fosse76 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "I'd also like to note that people have got to tone down the dramatics. You'll go on living if you don't see a bootleg of a show. I promise."

On that same note, performers and producers will also go on living if someone watches or makes a bootleg."

I'll stick a camera on your job to film you while you work. Without your consent or even making it obvious that I'm filming you. Then I'll post it all online (of course, months after charging those who want to watch it now) for everyone to see. You'll go on living, I'm sure."

True, but other people might die from the boredom. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/7/20 at 11:34pm

People who think bootlegs are bad for business and people who think those who watch bootlegs are entitled truly are the biggest clowns around

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 11:18am

A thread to read (not necessarily about legality, but existence):

https://twitter.com/RLindnerLolong/status/1247905097331294209

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 11:51am

To whom ever made the comment about putting a camera on me at my job...um, you do know you'd need permission for something like that, right? And with bootlegs they never have permission? Bless your heart, that's not a valid argument. 

 

I'd like to note that right now we're in scary and uncertain times. People are allowed to change their minds about things-doesn't mean they're doing the thing they're taking a strong stance on. Even if they do, it's really no one else's business. We're on pause, stuck in our homes, and honestly? It's important to do whatever you can to keep yourself happy and your mental health in a good place, even if it seems difficult. So while I question everyone who applauds bootlegs and says Broadway isn't accessible (seriously, it is. People who have been able to go, go, and people who can't or don't want to find a way to do so) right now, mental health is more important than anything else. Want to watch that grainy last row bootleg? Go for it. Whatever gives you happiness and sanity during these times. 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 2:16pm

hearthemsing22 said: "To whom ever made the comment about putting a camera on me at my job...um, you do know you'd need permission for something like that, right? And with bootlegs they never have permission?Bless your heart, that's not a valid argument.



I'd like to note that right now we're in scary and uncertain times. People are allowed to change their minds about things-doesn't mean they're doing the thing they're taking a strong stance on. Even if they do, it's really no one else's business. We're on pause, stuck in our homes, and honestly? It's important to do whatever you can to keep yourself happy and your mental health in a good place, even if it seems difficult. So while I question everyone who applauds bootlegs and says Broadway isn't accessible (seriously, it is. People who have been able to go, go, and people who can't or don't want to find a way to do so) right now, mental health is more important than anything else. Want to watch that grainy last row bootleg? Go for it. Whatever gives you happiness and sanity during these times."

Lol, Bootlegs have clearly risen up in quality since you saw one.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 4:21pm

This thread is a disgrace. Bootlegs are ILLEGAL. You think all of these shows have had endless hours and money put into them so people can record them illegally and put them on YouTube? This should be shut down by the moderators. It’s basically advertising illegal activity.

Would y’all be happy to watch a show and someone in front of you sit there recording it all?

[trpguyy]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 4:41pm

The most frequent “bootleggers” are actors and stage managers.

[schubox]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 5:09pm

Who would have guessed this thread would end up being exactly like every other bootlegging thread, with the exact same arguments on both sides

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 5:10pm

Dolly80, I'm sure many of us have sat behind or in front or next to or in the vicinity of someone with video capabilities and didn't know it. The most prolific filmers aren't obvious.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 7:11pm

Dolly80 said: "This thread is a disgrace. Bootlegs are ILLEGAL. You think all of these shows have had endless hours and money put into them so people can record them illegally and put them on YouTube? This should be shut down by the moderators. It’s basically advertising illegal activity.

Would y’all be happy to watch a show and someone in front of you sit there recording it all?"

I feel the exact same, but there are people who think, I live so far away! I won't be able to travel to see "x" show, so I need to ask someone else for "content". And then people end up illegally filming or recording the show. Despite it being illegal, despite actors calling people out on social media, even changing lyrics (Lin-Manuel Miranda called someone out for filming), people still think they're entitled to illegal recordings of performances. I know bootlegging is not a new thing, but if people couldn't see shows in the 80s, for example, do you think people begged for audio? For people to record? No. People can't always afford things they want. The solution is not to basically say, "I can't afford this so I deserve to see it for free instead of saving for it like everyone else who wants to see a show", they say, 'can you record this for me illegally and steal from the production, distract performers, etc because I just HAVE to see this show and I won't survive if you don't". Come on. Move on. There are going to be so many shows around that people will fall in love with and you'll grow up, get a  job, save money and be able to afford to see shows. THAT'S how you get what you want. Not by getting it illegally. 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/8/20 at 10:40pm

Yeah my point is that everyone’s discussing how to get hold of illegal recordings of shows.. including CURRENT ones, but I’m pretty sure if they were sat beside someone who was filming a show they were also watching, they’d be pretty pissed off about it.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/9/20 at 3:26am

It's a bootleg if you upload a movie to youtube. Do you consider it a bootleg if someone uploads a professionally filmed recording (e.g. Live From Lincoln Center, NT Live, etc.) to a video sharing platform? Because that's what I've been watching.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 4/9/20 at 6:56pm

I’m just saying...if the bootlegging is being done correctly the people next to them will have no idea the person is filming. Or so I’ve heard from a friend. 
 

Dolly80 said: "Yeah my point is that everyone’s discussing how to get hold of illegal recordings of shows.. including CURRENT ones, but I’m pretty sure if they were sat beside someone who was filming a show they were also watching, they’d be pretty pissed off about it. "

 

[copskid949]

Posted: 4/9/20 at 7:13pm

VintageSnarker said: "It's a bootleg if you upload a movie to youtube. Do you consider it a bootleg if someone uploads a professionally filmed recording (e.g. Live From Lincoln Center, NT Live, etc.) to a video sharing platform? Because that's what I've been watching."

I mean it’s technically a bootleg but also technically piracy.

[chipsandguacplz]

Posted: 4/16/20 at 12:12am

Renee Rapp, who is usually super against bootlegs and talks frequently about how much she hates people filming the show, just tweeted 

"Alright I stand corrected, I support the Ashley De La Rosa bootleg I just saw- thank u to whoever is responsible."

so yeah... people are coming around. Also, the tweet has since been taken down. 

[MCW1227]

Posted: 4/16/20 at 8:37am

I think we’ve reached a stage where going forward, Broadway productions, who are filmed for archived anyway, might consider releasing these videos for pay per view audiences.  Granted, royalties and equity would have to be considered, but in any area of entertainment they have to start thinking of revenue options.  We are a long way off from packed houses in any area of entertainment or sports.  The WWE is still having PPV without fan attendance and generating sponsorship dollars for it.  People are starving for entertainment and it’s much cheaper and safer to stay home and pay to view.  

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/16/20 at 10:37am

Dolly80 said: "This thread is a disgrace. Bootlegs are ILLEGAL. You think all of these shows have had endless hours and money put into them so people can record them illegally and put them on YouTube? This should be shut down by the moderators. It’s basically advertising illegal activity.

Would y’all be happy to watch a show and someone in front of you sit there recording it all?"

Have you ever used your phone and the theater in NYC? Because technically that's ILLEGAL too...

also you don't know what you're talking about, because  9 out of 10 of the people who bootleg full shows make it so people are not aware they are filming. That's kind of the point, to make it so people are not aware so they don't get caught. 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 4/16/20 at 11:11am

I've said this 100 times over my time here, but I'll say it again:

When Broadway actors themselves publicly ask for and post bootleg clips on Twitter and Instagram, they automatically negate any other performer who denounces them. When one actor does it, the argument is ruined for the 100 vocal naysayers. Actors post clips all the time that they/the cast filmed themselves from the wings, that their friends took while in the audience, or clipped straight from the popular bootlegs of their shows. 

The argument against bootlegs will only have legs when actors stop posting/perpetuating them. 

 

[MCW1227]

Posted: 4/16/20 at 11:28am

VotePeron said: "I've said this 100 times over my time here, but I'll say it again:

When Broadway actorsthemselves publicly ask for andpost bootleg clipson Twitter and Instagram, they automatically negate any other performer who denounces them. When one actor does it, the argument is ruined for the 100 vocal naysayers. Actors post clips all the time that they/the cast filmed themselves from the wings, that their friends took while in the audience, or clipped straight from the popular bootlegs of their shows.

The argument against bootlegs will only have legs when actors stop posting/perpetuating them.

I wasn’t aware of this practice but it makes total sense.  For theater actors there wouldn’t be a way for casting directors to see every live show and determine what actors they might consider for future roles.  It’s a way to get their work out there on video.  Thanks for the inside information and you’re absolutely right about bootlegs being filmed from the wings.  

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/17/20 at 8:58pm

VotePeron said: "I've said this 100 times over my time here, but I'll say it again:

When Broadway actorsthemselves publicly ask for andpost bootleg clipson Twitter and Instagram, they automatically negate any other performer who denounces them. When one actor does it, the argument is ruined for the 100 vocal naysayers. Actors post clips all the time that they/the cast filmed themselves from the wings, that their friends took while in the audience, or clipped straight from the popular bootlegs of their shows.

The argument against bootlegs will only have legs when actors stop posting/perpetuating them.

"

You said the tweet has since been taken down, so no, it's not okay. It's never okay to film a show from the audience. I have not seen a ton of actors posting videos from the wings, maybe themselves in the wings, but not of the action on stage. It's 100% not okay to film a show from THE AUDIENCE. I don't work backstage, I can't speak for that, but if you are an audience member no, it's not okay. This is not the only way for actors to show their work. Have you heard of self tapes? That's how actors show what they can do. As for a reel, I've never sent in one or made one so I don't know. But I'm guessing it has B-roll footage rather than crummy bootleg/wing footage. 

[morosco]

Posted: 4/17/20 at 9:17pm

Has anyone ever been convicted of recording a broadway show?

[dangeresque49]

Posted: 4/18/20 at 2:41am

I do not watch bootleg shows for the same reason I do not watch bootleg movies because quality sucks (although they are improving). I have lots of prepaid things to spend time on and I want high quality. Garbage no surround you tube links are not enough. If Broadway wants to solve this problem with a streaming service I will still see some shows live but I would be ok paying  for some I miss out on.  

[binau]

Posted: 4/18/20 at 6:06am

Just putting it out there, for those that live in regions where Marijuana is available legally, such as Amsterdam or certain regions in the United States - you can greatly enhance the quality of bootleg audio recordings by consuming it while listening. It's incredible and makes it feel much closer to listening to being in the theatre. 

Updated On: 4/18/20 at 06:06 AM