How I would love a Gatsby pro shot! As someone who lives far from New York but is lucky to go a few times a year, I would pay to stream everything. It would make me want to go see them in person more, nothing compares to sitting in a theater.
I wish the Lincoln Center archives were more available to the public outside the city. I would pay a subscription to have access or even pay per stream/viewing of a show.
gosh same here... we do it also in the UK but the trouble I have had trying to access the UK archives to see one specific show ... i have been trying 6 yrs
The only way to beat bootlegs is to provide a better quality product at a reasonable price. The technology is not going away (sort of like the way the movie studios tried to ignore TV, and we know how that turned out). Might as well be on top of it. Decades ago, when Broadway shows were sold to film, there would be a contract clause that the movie couldn't be made until after the stage version had closed, to avoid competition. But that turned out to be not the case: "Chicago" continues to run more than 20 years since the Oscar-winning (and frankly overrated) film version was released. You can see a professionally filmed original cast performance of "Hamilton," and people still pay hundreds to see the play. Nothing beats live theater, but sometimes people aren't able to get there, so why not offer them the next best thing? In fact, shows that flop on Broadway could probably be sold profitably to TV. Just because people don't feel like paying uptown prices for something doesn't mean they'd be adverse to watching it at home.
I think this would revolutionize broadway and be a work around for so many accessibility issues that the theaters currently have. Would be super interested in how the actual theater owners would handle this and if they’d be a major block in making this happen or if their fees to allow live-streaming would be prohibitive. Love your brain!
As someone who lives on the opposite coast, I would love to be able to just go to NYC for a show. Unfortunately for me, that is a luxury that hasn't fit into my budget. I would totally pay for a proshot/livestream to be able to see a show. For me, at least, it would never replace wanting to go to the theater. However, seeing as I don't see myself getting to NYC anytime soon, it would give them an audience member they wouldn't have had before. I'm all for it, done the right way! Pay everyone what they deserve! ❤
It's tricky but one word why we must do this in some way... accessibility... far more people will see your show , Folks who can't visit Broadway for whatever reason - distance, costs etc and above all disability
The great thing about pro shots too is that they help keep a show alive after it ends. Legally Blonde the Musical closed in 2008 but it’s STILL talked about to this day because of the pro shot. There’s never been a full on revival but people still know the lyrics by heart.
I think it would depend how the livestreaming is done. If it's just a camera that shows the entire stage (no closeups), I have my doubts. I've been late a few times to Bway shows and for some of them, latecomers aren't allowed entry until intermission. Instead, they have us watch a TV screen from the theater lobby. Most of the time the video is overexposed and honestly just not the same from watching the show in person. If the livestream shows closeups, angle changes, panoramic views, etc. similar to the Hamilton/Waitress proshot (and MetOpera proshots), then I think it has potential.
For 'Hamilton', 'Purple Victorious' etc to have those closeups, different angles the Proshot was done at least 2 times. With an audience and without one. Plus editing. Which makes it tricky for livestream...
I am so here for this! Devoted theatre fans will happily consume theatre however they can get it and still want more. This could easily bring in a whole other group of people, who otherwise would never set foot in a theatre. It opens up accessibility for so many people. Im sure the added cost is probably scary for producers so people would need to be willing to pay to play in order for it to work for everyone. Ive never skipped a live performance if Ive seen a proshot or slime tutorial (guily, not something I do often, and try to avoid currently running shows - the people who do the work should be paid). I feel like it will just take one brave production team to take initiative and figure it out for others to follow suit. Time will tell.
in SK, live stream happen more freaquently, and it has good impact on gross! in recent new musical "홍련", they live streamed it for purpose of marketing , and it became huge success! so yeah, it works if it's good. cuz there are just so many shows and it's so expensive, people want to know if it's gonna worth the money.
I had the same idea about the flat out fee for the actors for streaming a show. It should be in the initial contracts before they start production. The other problem is bootlegging. It's increasingly easy to rip something off the computer and post is for free or sell it. This is something the film industry has been dealing with for the longest time. However, it kind works both ways. I think back to the days of Limewire and how it was a great tool for people to discover new music. I know a lot of people who would go out and buy all the artist's albums or attend their concerts after discovering them online. Just like the pro shot of Hamilton, it entices the viewer to go see it live. So, like anything, there is some good and some bad. It just depends on what the Theater community and the unions are will to let slip under the rug for exposure.
We NEED a Gatsby pro-shot!!! I am begging!!! I also really want a Hadestown pro-shot! I am writing a paper for a college project on why we need pro-shots!
I have so many mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, yes to increased visibility and accessibility. But unlike the movies in a theatre vs at home comparison, when you go to a live show you are part of a unique communal experience with those performers and other audience members. I feel very passionately that that remains the "standard" way to experience a show and no part of that is sacrified in the name of maximizing the "at home" experience. The pessimist in me wonders whether a future exists where theatres basically function like sitcoms on TV, where the live studio audience is getting a VIP/BTS/extra experience but the product is catered to the majority viewership (I don't think it should, but it definitely could). Also, I definitely see the role for streaming in preserving shows that are gone, but it sounds like you're advocating streaming shows while they are still running as an advertising tool and that begs a dozen other questions from me. How soon into the run should a show be filmed and released (when some this season closed in a matter of weeks)? Would this be permanently hosted on a service like Broadway HD or would the stream be a singular "event" of its own? Again, I'm all for it as everyone involved agrees the goal is to maintain the live experience. I iust don't know how best to do that once there's an expectation for a recording eventually and there's suddenly less urgency to catch it live before it's gone.
I just thought of a more succinct way to say this: I rarely, if ever, go to movie theatres anymore because they're expensive and uncomfortable (cold and loud) and I don't mind waiting to get the same experience at home, because everything becomes available to rent or stream eventually. But live theatre to me is not the same experience streamed and I think most of us who regularly attend know that. But I worry that audience members who don't know what they're missing or someone financially minded enough to not care won't prioritize the live experience. Hopefully that makes sense.
It would be a great research paper for an industrius and interested graduate student to evaluate and compile the data we have on this subject through things like Hamilton, PBS Great Performances and Ja Ja's African Hair Braiding. As I write this there is probably a ton of data out there that could lend itself to some good bets on how live-streaming would be received and if it could be revenue producing. I think I read that the Waitress Pro shot was financially successful and I'll guess that Bonnie and Clyde even made money? We as the consumer could also urge shows to Livestream but then we also need to be willing to pay. Lastly, I am always willing to pay to see my favorite performers if it benefits something like the MCC miscast or many of the events that were put together during COVID. I've often thought Elsie Fest would be fabulous livestreamed. I would even pay to watch just the performances at the Tony's or the Macy's Day parade especially if it benefitted some cause that I am passionate about...Thanks for opening up conversation!
I got to see Merrily a week before the Tonys, and it was announced pretty much right after I saw it that they were making a proshot, and I was so thrilled, I found a slime tutorial from new york theater workshop, and that's keeping me sane for the time being
yes streaming should shappen it could benifit the actor, musiican if every one is involved i feel after a time when when a broadway show open they should wait a few month then stream it .they would make so much money and every one could benifit from it if it is done right i live in newyork city so im fortunate and luck i can go and see a broadway play anytime i want but others can not if it happans i will alway go see live theather because there is nothing like it. it would be great if evey one could to.
i get why a star headliner would want to be paid - but it seems like the rest of the cast would only benefit from having their work out there...even if it was at NO extra pay since its advertisement.
I think the actors and other creative people associated with a show would argue that stage performances are not designed for the screen. While it works sometimes, many Broadway shows would not present well on television.
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How I would love a Gatsby pro shot! As someone who lives far from New York but is lucky to go a few times a year, I would pay to stream everything. It would make me want to go see them in person more, nothing compares to sitting in a theater.
I wish the Lincoln Center archives were more available to the public outside the city. I would pay a subscription to have access or even pay per stream/viewing of a show.
gosh same here... we do it also in the UK but the trouble I have had trying to access the UK archives to see one specific show ... i have been trying 6 yrs
The only way to beat bootlegs is to provide a better quality product at a reasonable price. The technology is not going away (sort of like the way the movie studios tried to ignore TV, and we know how that turned out). Might as well be on top of it. Decades ago, when Broadway shows were sold to film, there would be a contract clause that the movie couldn't be made until after the stage version had closed, to avoid competition. But that turned out to be not the case: "Chicago" continues to run more than 20 years since the Oscar-winning (and frankly overrated) film version was released. You can see a professionally filmed original cast performance of "Hamilton," and people still pay hundreds to see the play. Nothing beats live theater, but sometimes people aren't able to get there, so why not offer them the next best thing?
In fact, shows that flop on Broadway could probably be sold profitably to TV. Just because people don't feel like paying uptown prices for something doesn't mean they'd be adverse to watching it at home.
I think this would revolutionize broadway and be a work around for so many accessibility issues that the theaters currently have. Would be super interested in how the actual theater owners would handle this and if they’d be a major block in making this happen or if their fees to allow live-streaming would be prohibitive.
Love your brain!
I hope that Broadway gets this message soon!
As someone who lives on the opposite coast, I would love to be able to just go to NYC for a show. Unfortunately for me, that is a luxury that hasn't fit into my budget. I would totally pay for a proshot/livestream to be able to see a show. For me, at least, it would never replace wanting to go to the theater. However, seeing as I don't see myself getting to NYC anytime soon, it would give them an audience member they wouldn't have had before. I'm all for it, done the right way! Pay everyone what they deserve! ❤
It's tricky but one word why we must do this in some way... accessibility... far more people will see your show , Folks who can't visit Broadway for whatever reason - distance, costs etc and above all disability
The great thing about pro shots too is that they help keep a show alive after it ends. Legally Blonde the Musical closed in 2008 but it’s STILL talked about to this day because of the pro shot. There’s never been a full on revival but people still know the lyrics by heart.
I think it would depend how the livestreaming is done. If it's just a camera that shows the entire stage (no closeups), I have my doubts. I've been late a few times to Bway shows and for some of them, latecomers aren't allowed entry until intermission. Instead, they have us watch a TV screen from the theater lobby. Most of the time the video is overexposed and honestly just not the same from watching the show in person. If the livestream shows closeups, angle changes, panoramic views, etc. similar to the Hamilton/Waitress proshot (and MetOpera proshots), then I think it has potential.
For 'Hamilton', 'Purple Victorious' etc to have those closeups, different angles the Proshot was done at least 2 times. With an audience and without one. Plus editing. Which makes it tricky for livestream...
Change is hard for the older Theater folk. They don't want to mess with the system what works, even though it's starting to see it's age. :)
I am so here for this! Devoted theatre fans will happily consume theatre however they can get it and still want more. This could easily bring in a whole other group of people, who otherwise would never set foot in a theatre. It opens up accessibility for so many people. Im sure the added cost is probably scary for producers so people would need to be willing to pay to play in order for it to work for everyone.
Ive never skipped a live performance if Ive seen a proshot or slime tutorial (guily, not something I do often, and try to avoid currently running shows - the people who do the work should be paid).
I feel like it will just take one brave production team to take initiative and figure it out for others to follow suit. Time will tell.
Literally could not agree more with everything you're saying and I've been saying this forever!!
There's also the broadway archive at the public library, given I don't live in NYC I've not been able to go, but I know it's a thing!
in SK, live stream happen more freaquently, and it has good impact on gross! in recent new musical "홍련", they live streamed it for purpose of marketing , and it became huge success! so yeah, it works if it's good. cuz there are just so many shows and it's so expensive, people want to know if it's gonna worth the money.
Ooh I love hearing this!
Not only is Hollywood struggling, but the behavior of the average movie-goer has gotten worse over the years.
I had the same idea about the flat out fee for the actors for streaming a show. It should be in the initial contracts before they start production. The other problem is bootlegging. It's increasingly easy to rip something off the computer and post is for free or sell it. This is something the film industry has been dealing with for the longest time. However, it kind works both ways. I think back to the days of Limewire and how it was a great tool for people to discover new music. I know a lot of people who would go out and buy all the artist's albums or attend their concerts after discovering them online. Just like the pro shot of Hamilton, it entices the viewer to go see it live. So, like anything, there is some good and some bad. It just depends on what the Theater community and the unions are will to let slip under the rug for exposure.
We NEED a Gatsby pro-shot!!! I am begging!!! I also really want a Hadestown pro-shot! I am writing a paper for a college project on why we need pro-shots!
I wish I had that power--a lot of folks on the team would be into the idea. It's just a big, big project to get together!
I have so many mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, yes to increased visibility and accessibility. But unlike the movies in a theatre vs at home comparison, when you go to a live show you are part of a unique communal experience with those performers and other audience members. I feel very passionately that that remains the "standard" way to experience a show and no part of that is sacrified in the name of maximizing the "at home" experience. The pessimist in me wonders whether a future exists where theatres basically function like sitcoms on TV, where the live studio audience is getting a VIP/BTS/extra experience but the product is catered to the majority viewership (I don't think it should, but it definitely could).
Also, I definitely see the role for streaming in preserving shows that are gone, but it sounds like you're advocating streaming shows while they are still running as an advertising tool and that begs a dozen other questions from me. How soon into the run should a show be filmed and released (when some this season closed in a matter of weeks)? Would this be permanently hosted on a service like Broadway HD or would the stream be a singular "event" of its own? Again, I'm all for it as everyone involved agrees the goal is to maintain the live experience. I iust don't know how best to do that once there's an expectation for a recording eventually and there's suddenly less urgency to catch it live before it's gone.
I just thought of a more succinct way to say this: I rarely, if ever, go to movie theatres anymore because they're expensive and uncomfortable (cold and loud) and I don't mind waiting to get the same experience at home, because everything becomes available to rent or stream eventually. But live theatre to me is not the same experience streamed and I think most of us who regularly attend know that. But I worry that audience members who don't know what they're missing or someone financially minded enough to not care won't prioritize the live experience. Hopefully that makes sense.
only thing i disagree with is that this won’t work for the very first show who tries frequent livestreams in earnest.
It would be a great research paper for an industrius and interested graduate student to evaluate and compile the data we have on this subject through things like Hamilton, PBS Great Performances and Ja Ja's African Hair Braiding. As I write this there is probably a ton of data out there that could lend itself to some good bets on how live-streaming would be received and if it could be revenue producing. I think I read that the Waitress Pro shot was financially successful and I'll guess that Bonnie and Clyde even made money? We as the consumer could also urge shows to Livestream but then we also need to be willing to pay. Lastly, I am always willing to pay to see my favorite performers if it benefits something like the MCC miscast or many of the events that were put together during COVID. I've often thought Elsie Fest would be fabulous livestreamed. I would even pay to watch just the performances at the Tony's or the Macy's Day parade especially if it benefitted some cause that I am passionate about...Thanks for opening up conversation!
I'd love that!!!
I got to see Merrily a week before the Tonys, and it was announced pretty much right after I saw it that they were making a proshot, and I was so thrilled, I found a slime tutorial from new york theater workshop, and that's keeping me sane for the time being
yes streaming should shappen it could benifit the actor, musiican if every one is involved i feel after a time when when a broadway show open they should wait a few month then stream it .they would make so much money and every one could benifit from it if it is done right i live in newyork city so im fortunate and luck i can go and see a broadway play anytime i want but others can not if it happans i will alway go see live theather because there is nothing like it. it would be great if evey one could to.
i get why a star headliner would want to be paid - but it seems like the rest of the cast would only benefit from having their work out there...even if it was at NO extra pay since its advertisement.
I'm with you, but I also understand the unions wanting to get the max benefit for actors. The fear is that they are being taken advantage of.
I think the actors and other creative people associated with a show would argue that stage performances are not designed for the screen. While it works sometimes, many Broadway shows would not present well on television.