MovieChat Forums > Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway (2008) Discussion > So why aren't BROADWAY shows filmed?

So why aren't BROADWAY shows filmed?

posted 15 years ago by greeneyesmykel
15 replies | jump to latest

Okay, so, people go apesh!t over CDs of THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY RECORDINGS and buy MULTIPLY version of there favorite shows when various others perform the leads, so why is this one of the few that was filmed?

Now, this version sucked as for me, the best of the original production was JESSE L. MARTIN and his last show counterpart, well, wasn't up to snuff. Also, once I saw the original cast and the new cast get together, it really made me wish the original cast had come backed and done the FILMED version, by I digress.

So, why aren't many more great Broadway performances capture on film and sold or even released? I mean, there IS a market, and if they go to the trouble of SUBTITLING it for worldwide sales, I'd see there being money in it, and now, with people wanting to carry videos on portable media player, they could even see the files on line. If someone had done this years ago, maybe I'd see a performance of BOOM! with Talula Bankhead that was in Baltimore that JOHN WATER's laments not seeing.

[–] flitwicksman 15 years ago

Nothing replaces the live experience, yet it would be great to be able to see Gypsy with Ethel Merman or Cabaret with Joel Grey (of which I was fortunate enough to get to see in the mid-80s).

[–] greeneyesmykel 15 years ago

but they are not REPLACING anything. they exist to CAPTURE the performance, and after performers die, retire, or a new version exist, people can own and re-watch, re-live or share the experience with someone.

[–] tbarry23 15 years ago

The reason shows aren't filmed more often is that they are cost prohibitive. Everyone...and I mean EVERYONE involved in the production must be paid. ALL stagehands, dressers, costumers, make-up artists, musicians, etc. They also ALL receive a percentage of sales, as mandated by each union. In the long run, most shows aren't popular enough to where a commercial release would ever profit...most cast recordings don't.

[–] greeneyesmykel 15 years ago

wouldn't you be able to BYPASS this if say, when the show is in its off season, all the cast was re-united a version to be filmed. Essentially, they could hire an entire crew of FILM stagehands, dressers, costumers, etc. that aren't union, or go to a film studio and film it all in a day with EXTRAS as an audience.

[–] sdgresham 15 years ago

But there is no "off season." A show is either running, or it's not. Now, there have been times when after a show closes, the cast is taken into a film studio to recreate their performances ("Cats" and "Oklahoma" come to mind), but that's rare. Usually, a private company will contact the producers of the show to discuss a possible video recording. Then contracts have to be made to satisfy all of the unions representing the actors, stagehands, musicians, stage managers, and other creatives involved. Only then can a taping happen.

And why doesn't it happen more often? Because there's no widespread market for these kinds of videos. Sure, there are a lot of musical theatre fans who will buy them, but after they've all got them, who else will buy it? Go to a movie store or movie section of a Barnes and Noble. You'll probably find one small shelf space devoted to musicals and performing arts, and most of the movies you'll find are film versions of musical plays, with maybe one or two copies of some of the more popular stage titles. Musicals (and live theatre in general) are, unfortunately, not mainstream, and with the costs involved in taking a risk like releasing a video recording of the show, it's not too surprising that it only happens on very special occasions (like the closing of a major Broadway musical).

And if you must know, every show gets recorded, but not like this. There is a Theatre on Film and Tape archive at the NYPL which contains many video records of major Broadway & off-Broadway productions. These are typically shot with three cameras and can only be viewed by people with a special reason to need to see them (like a theatre student writing a research paper). They can also only be viewed once by an individual at the library, with no stopping or rewinding. however, if it's a fairly older show, you might be able to schedule a screening without anything but your library card.

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S.D.G.
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[–] I_Shall_Be_Released 15 years ago

I totally agree with this post. I don't live anywhere near Broadway or West End, so it's pretty difficult for me to see a quality theatre production. If they marketed musicals properly, they could really get a market- because as you said, everybody buys the soundtracks, so what's better than a live recording?

I know it doesn't capture the magic of the theatre, but most people don't have the chance for these experiences and this is a good supplement. I've seen a fair few musicals over the years, on the off occasion they tour to my country or if I happen to be in London and I would love to see them again. Just to watch the songs, it's something I know many people would buy just for the music videos.

I know it's a difficult situation, but it's just such a dissapointment that they have all the OBC recordings (which I would KILL to see) and barley nobody gets to view them. There's plenty of musicals making tons of money- enough for a recorded version in a studio with a fake audience, at the very least. I'm just glad RENT has both a recorded version (even if it isn't the OBC) and a movie, but RENT is just one of many great musicals to be discovered- most of which will probably never be viewed by most people.

[–] am_buglet_82 15 years ago

I would like to see a Wicked performed live on Broadway DVD, if they haven't made one already.

-Amanda

"She will remember your heart when men are fairy tales in storybooks written by rabbits"

[–] rodrigues-lisa 15 years ago

Because the whole point of Broadway is getting yer butt to the theater... other wise it's just a movie. It's nice to have it if there's no theater in your community, but it's also killing theater.

[–] iwannagotobroadway 14 years ago

the reason seems obvious: if all shows were going to end up on dvd a LOT less people would pay over 100 bucks a ticket to see it live. it's like how people just wait for the dvd of a movie instead of going to the cinema. it would lose broadway a LOT of money.

[–] hbdragon88 14 years ago

Well, if it was filming the closing show, then it wouldn't matter, it would generate more revenue by having people buy the DVDs and see it in the theatre after the show is closed.

[–] iwannagotobroadway 14 years ago

yes but if they did that for every show, some people would just wait rather than see it live. if they do it just very occasionally (as is the case) it works because people can't be assured that they'll ever get a chance to see it if they don't see it live

[–] Bx_TrUestNYC 14 years ago

I so agree with this post. WOW. I went to see the revival of West Side Story a few weeks ago, and found it to be far beyond amazing and breathtaking. To be able to own that revival on DVD with its contemporary cast would be one of the best things to ever happen to me, like when a kid finally gets that action figure he was dying to have for months.

I think more shows should be recorded, however, as most of u stated, it is a huge risk. Most people would just buy a $20 DVD of a great musical, rather than pay the price its worth.

[–] rosedickens 14 years ago

I totally agree with the post. I think Broadway is such a tradition that even knowing that the stage version would eventually be released as DVD wouldn't empty theaters and would provide an extra income to the cast/crew. Otherwise people would have stopped going to theaters to see Phantom of the Opera or Chicago after the release of their movie versions. Anyway they could release the DVd only when the show closes. I myself live in another country so I am only able to watch Broadway shows every couple of years and sometimes I miss shows that i really wanted to watch like the Boy from Oz which was staged only for a year. I know a DVD is not the same as a watching it live, but for those who missed the chance it's the next best thing!

[–] KristenStewartForever 10 years ago

I wish they'd film Wicked, CATS, and Young Frankenstein (only with Roger Bart and Sutton Foster).

Oh, and the original revival cast of Little Shop of Horrors

I love you, Kristen Stewart. :) You are so beautiful and talented. I would love to perform with you.

[–] [email protected] 9 years ago

Think of all the great plays going to the 1930's we could be watching on DVD now. Perhaps if they put a five to ten year restriction on making it available after the taping (unless it's the final performance) on the release it might be better.