I want to record three minutes from the end of a Broadway show, and yes I know it's illegal and I'll have to stop recording if I get caught. However, I was wondering if the ushers at the theater have the right to take and keep my digital camera so I would have to buy a new one, or would they simply tell me to turn it off if I get caught?
2007-09-15 05:12:26 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
No. The ushers have only two remedies--throw you out, and/or call the police. But some security forces do abuse the fact that you've done something wrong and thus won't be likely to call the police on them, and go far beyond what the law allows. I associate that kind of vigilante security with rock shows and dive bars, not Broadway, but I suppose it's possible.
Realistically, that late in the show they're not going to be remotely as vigilant for cameras as they would be at the start. And security's first line against unauthorized shooters is almost always to try very hard to coerce you (often by lying to you about what they can do next) into erasing the images before going to anything more drastic.
Be meek, submissive and apologetic when you get caught and all they're going to do is make you erase. Security types are all about power. Acknowledge their (legally nonexistant) power and nothing terribly bad will happen to you.
Have a friend you can hand the tape off to the minute you're done taping, and a blank you can pop in. Have this friend then get far away from you and meet you somewhere outside. Claim "camera malfunction" if questioned.
Don't try this at a movie theater, though. The MPAA has shoved through some VERY draconian anti-movie-piracy laws, and theater personnel get rewards for prosecutions, so they're not remotely interested in just letting you erase.
2007-09-17 02:46:34 · answer #1 · answered by Roger K 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have done a national tour of a Broadway show. If someone on stage saw a flash go off, generally once they got off stage they would let the stage manager know where they had seen the flash. The stage manager would then contact the ushers who would go right to the section where the flash came from. If they caught the person, the least they could expect to happen was to have the film removed from their camera (this was a bit before the days of digital cameras). The fine print that you agree to when you buy the tickets will likely, very clearly state that your camera can be confiscated if you are caught. The bottom line is, if you get caught, you would probably end up loosing your camera.
2007-09-18 05:15:30 · answer #2 · answered by swigaro 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like Part of your world from Little Mermaid, Once upon a December from Anastasia, Ten minutes ago from Rogers and Hammerstein Cinderella, I'm not at all in love from the pajama game and Strongest suit from Aida. An experienced drama teacher once told me that if a show is currently playing on Broadway then its not a good one to sing because its likely been way overdone. Some examples of this are wicked, phantom, les miserables etc.
2016-04-04 22:16:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you asking this? There is a law against it. They would at least make you erase the footage, so will have gained nothing except disturbing those around you who paid a lot of money to enjoy a live performance. You will be kicked out, so why would you do this?
2007-09-15 05:53:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
in the worst possible case they could sue you for intellectual theft and you could get a substantial fine and a criminal record.
if they chose to take and keep your camera instead, what are you going to do about it? if you complain the theatre can sue you for intellectual theft &c. maybe you will get your camera back, but if you get fined and a criminal record with it, what good does that do you?
when you break the law the lose the law's protection. don't break the law.
2007-09-15 06:00:03 · answer #5 · answered by synopsis 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The theater should have their policy posted, but yes, they can take it away. And if you know it's illegal, why put yourself in that position?
2007-09-15 05:20:12 · answer #6 · answered by thedarksideoflife524 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as an attorney friend in NYC has told me, they can
confiscate your camera (etc.) forever,
have you arrested and get you at least a night in jail,
fine you,
and possibly pursue conspiracy to commit pirating.
I would say it is not worth it.
2007-09-16 07:01:28 · answer #7 · answered by Bucky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they do have the right to confiscate cameras, and so do ushers at concerts.
2007-09-15 07:50:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
i dont think they cant take your camera but they can kick you out or see to to it that youve deleted the footage.
2007-09-15 05:51:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I hope they throw your criminal butt in jail for violating copyrite laws. What makes you think you are so special you can break the rules?
2007-09-15 05:36:36 · answer #10 · answered by Theatre Doc 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋