Broadway on Demand - complete disappointment

[TaleofTwo]

I mean, they have 2 shows on there. Bandstand, that just streamed on Playbill for $6 and Allegiance that is out on DVD. The rest are all YouTube fillers. 

 

https://www.broadwayondemand.com/

[CATSNYrevival]

Were you expecting a treasure trove of shows no one knew had been secretly filmed for commercial release?

[Sutton Ross]

Right? We all want amazing shows that were just on Broadway and somehow made it to this random channel. Of course, that will never happen.

[TaleofTwo]

CATSNYrevival said: "Were you expecting a treasure trove of shows no one knew had been secretly filmed for commercial release?"

No, but their press releases made it seem like they have *some shows they filmed on their own. When in reality, they have 2 borrowed ones.

[blaxx]

Even worse is that they expect us to watch Ken Davenport or Frankie Grande AND pay for it.

[zainmax]

Most of the stuff is free... but, the launch catalog is disappointing.

[BeNice]

I wish there were a way to allow the Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library to temporarily release some of their filmed Broadway titles. I know it goes against all types of union rules but these are different times.

[HogansHero]

as I posted in another thread, this is DOA, and laughable.

@BeNice, the unions are the least of the problems. It is not going to happen. 

[Jordan Catalano]

And how pathetic is it that BroadwayHD couldn’t get “Allegiance”. Both of these services are jokes.

[zainmax]

HogansHero said: "as I posted in another thread, this is DOA, and laughable.

@BeNice, the unions are the least of the problems. It is not going to happen."

What are the problems?

[zainmax]

Jordan Catalano said: "And how pathetic is it that BroadwayHD couldn’t get “Allegiance”. Both of these services are jokes. "

I’m sure that they tried!

[HogansHero]

zainmax said: "HogansHero said: "as I posted in another thread, this is DOA, and laughable.

@BeNice, the unions are the least of the problems. It is not going to happen."

What are the problems?"

Approval-wise, they would need everyone who has a say to sign off on it. While the unions can speak with one voice [even though they would be unlikely to agree], you would need the consent of the producer of every show, as well as all of the authors. Unanimity is not a typical feature of this business. 

And then there is the matter of logistics. No one is working at the library atm. There would a huge amount of work involved in making this happen, beyond the physical capabilities of the TOFT staff even when working normally. And of course there is also an absurd amount of legal, accounting, administrative, etc. work involved, not to mention negotiating whatever deals this is to function under. I was not speaking lightly when I said this is not happening.  

[LizzieCurry]

Thorough and much-needed post from a TOFT employee here:

 

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2488125

[zainmax]

HogansHero said: "zainmax said: "HogansHero said: "as I posted in another thread, this is DOA, and laughable.

@BeNice, the unions are the least of the problems. It is not going to happen."

What are the problems?"

Approval-wise, they would need everyone who has a say to sign off on it. While the unions can speak with one voice [even though they would be unlikely to agree], you would need the consent of the producer of every show, as well as all of the authors. Unanimity is not a typical feature of this business.

And then there is the matter of logistics. No one is working at the library atm. There woulda huge amount of work involved in making this happen, beyond the physical capabilities of the TOFT staff even when working normally. And of course there is also an absurd amount of legal, accounting, administrative, etc. work involved, not to mention negotiating whatever deals this is to function under. I was not speaking lightly when I said this is not happening."

Makes sense. Thank you!!!

[TaleofTwo]

Jordan Catalano said: "And how pathetic is it that BroadwayHD couldn’t get “Allegiance”. Both of these services are jokes."

Well, you can't call BroadwayHD a joke. They actually have their own studio and filmed nearly 30 shows in the last couple of years, which no one was/is able to do in the industry. I imagined Broadway on Demand would be the same, but it just looks like a lineup of youtube videos

[stoptheworld38]

I just looked at it - not as excited now as I had been. Oh well, I’m hoping they’ll continue adding stuff and hopefully it’ll get better. I am excited to see Allegiance though.

[Sutton Ross]

BroadwayHD has barely anything that was actually filmed on Broadway. That's the problem I have with it. If people think that Matt Henry is the same as Billy Porter, they are delusional. Even Newsies wasn't filmed in New York. Miss Saigon, The King and I, the list goes on. They should call it something else. 

[JBroadway]

Sutton Ross said: "BroadwayHD has barely anything that was actually filmed on Broadway. That's the problem I have with it. If people think that Matt Henryis the same as Billy Porter, they are delusional. Even Newsies wasn't filmed in New York. Miss Saigon, The King and I, the list goes on. They should call it something else."

 

Every single one of the shows you mentioned is a replica production of the one that played on Broadway. What's the big deal if it wasn't filmed in New York? It's the same set, costumes, lighting design, choreography, same production value, etc. It's only the cast that's different, and even then, in most of the cases you mentioned, the leads are actually the same as the ones who played Broadway. 

Billy Porter is far from the only person who played Lola on Broadway. If they had filmed these on Broadway with a replacement cast, would that warrant people's anger, and people calling them delusional? They never promised to stream shows with their original Broadway casts, and that's the only thing separating what they offer from what you say they should offer. Your post also implies that the New York casts, and/or the original casts are inherently superior, which is not always the case. 

The only thing you say that I agree with is that it technically isn't accurate to call them BroadwayHD, since they offer more than just Broadway shows. But the same could be said about this website we're all on - it's called BroadwayWorld, but they cover more than just Broadway. But no one is accusing them of false advertising. 

[Sutton Ross]

Yeah, none of that is true. And particular actors are a huge draw for people, actually. It's cute you think anyone could ever compare to Billy's TONY AWARD WINNING performance.  Oh, and it matters to me if they film it in New York. It's a personal preference. And cool it on the novels, nobody cares. 

[JBroadway]

Sutton Ross said: "Yeah, none of that is true. And particular actors are huge draw for people, actually. It's cute you think anyone could ever compare Billy'sTONY AWARD WINNING performance. Oh, and it matters to me if they film it in New York. It's a personal preference. And cool it on the novels, nobody cares."

 

Last week, in another thread, you thanked me for responding in a civil way to a criticism you directed at me. It makes me sad that you don't offer the me the same courtesy. You also thanked me for being thoughtful, which is what I'm trying to be by expressing my thoughts fully, and in detail, or in "novels" as you call them. 

Kinky Boots ran for years after Billy Porter left, so clearly the average theatregoer is ok with seeing the show without the Tony-winning cast members. And even if that were wrong, that still doesn't change what I said about the fact that BroadwayHD does not promise videos with the original casts.

 

 

[zainmax]

TaleofTwo said: "Jordan Catalano said: "And how pathetic is it that BroadwayHD couldn’t get “Allegiance”. Both of these services are jokes."

Well, you can't call BroadwayHD a joke. They actually have their own studio and filmed nearly 30 shows in the last couple of years, which no one was/is able to do in the industry. I imagined Broadway on Demand would be the same, but it just looks like a lineup of youtube videos"

Physical studio???

[Sutton Ross]

"I imagined Broadway on Demand would be the same, but it just looks like a lineup of youtube videos"

It's crazy that that's basically what it is, no one would pay for this crap. 

 

[Chowd95]

Sutton Ross said: "BroadwayHD has barely anything that was actually filmed on Broadway. That's the problem I have with it. If people think that Matt Henryis the same as Billy Porter, they are delusional. Even Newsies wasn't filmed in New York. Miss Saigon, The King and I, the list goes on. They should call it something else."

So if they renamed it something like TheaterHD would that make the shows more enjoyable? 

[Sutton Ross]

Not for me personally, but it would at least be more accurate. I think there's a certain expectation that's just not met.

[Fosse76]

Sutton Ross said: "Yeah, none of that is true. And particular actors are a huge draw for people, actually. It's cute you think anyone could ever compare to Billy'sTONY AWARD WINNING performance. "

Oh please, Broadway is littered with performances of replacement actors considered better than the originating actor. 

"Oh, and it matters to me if they film it in New York. It's a personal preference. And cool it on the novels, nobody cares."

That's ridiculous. I doubt you'd even know the difference if they didn't disclose the filming location (cast notwithstanding). You're purposefully being argumentative.