To Film, or Not to Film: That is the Question.

Hey directors, actors, performers and backstage crew!

Have you ever wished you could see the magic of your entire theatre production from the audience's perspective? Being involved in the show is exhilarating, but you're missing out on experiencing the full impact of your hard work. Who wants to strut and fret their hour upon the stage and then is heard no more? That’s where video recording comes in. Let me explain to you why filming your theatre production is not just beneficial but essential.

The Power of Recording Theatre Productions

Imagine being able to watch the entire performance, not just the scenes you're in. Recording your production allows everyone involved to see the complete picture. You can witness the seamless transitions, the collective energy, and the audience's reactions that you miss while performing or working backstage. The audience perspective is invaluable for understanding the strengths and areas for improvement in your production.

What You're Missing Out On

Without a full recording, you're missing several key insights:

• Audience Reactions: Seeing how the audience responds in real-time can provide crucial feedback. Are they laughing at the right moments? Are they engaged throughout? This perspective can be lost when you’re on stage or backstage.

• Performance Consistency: Watching the entire show helps in assessing the consistency of performances. Are all actors maintaining their energy and staying true to their characters from start to finish?

• Directorial Vision: For directors, a recording is the ultimate tool to see if the production matches their vision. It allows for a thorough review of staging, pacing, and actor interactions.

• Cast Member Content: In NZ not all cast members are paid to perform. Most do it for the love of it. Giving cast members a video recording to use for audition show reels to promote their talents, or as a keep sake to remember the excitement of the show is a great way to reward them for their efforts.

Understanding Copyright Law in New Zealand

Before you go “break a leg”, it’s important to understand the copyright laws for filming a theatre production. I’m not a law expert so I asked my local law firm to fill in the blanks for me.

In New Zealand, the Copyright Act 1994 protects scripts, performances, and music within your production. You’ll need permissions from all copyright holders to legally record and distribute the video footage. If you are unsure if your script has copyright protection then assume it does as the Act automatically covers scripts when they are first written, so seek permissions if you are unsure.

If the production includes copyrighted music, you will need separate permissions to record and use that music in the filmed production. This is because the copyright for music is usually distinct from the script or performance.

Note that permissions can potentially be granted by various Licence Agencies or copyright collectives without having to go directly to the copyright owner. There are a handful of these copyright collectives in New Zealand:

• Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ)

• Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA)

• Recorded Music NZ

• OneMusic

• Screenrights

• Play Market

Always review the specific terms of any licence granted to you, as they may have limitations regarding the use of the work.

Other permissions

It’s also necessary to obtain permission from the entire on-stage cast to record the theatre production. Permission from just the director alone will not be sufficient. This is to respect their performance rights and personal rights to privacy and image control. For the child members of the cast, you will also need permission from their parents.

Additionally, consider the privacy rights of the audience. Recording the audience will require consent if individuals are clearly identifiable, this is to comply with privacy laws.

If you want to know more about copyright in NZ please get in touch. I know a great local law firm who can provide the answers if I can’t.

Collaborating with a Video Production Company

Choosing a videographer experienced with theatre productions can make all the difference. They understand the nuances of live performances and can capture the essence of your production. At Briclops, we film theatre productions with an eye for detail and respect for the art form. We will work closely with you to ensure the recording meets legal standards. If you are needing pre-production advertising content for your social media campaign then we can help with videos for that too.

Conclusion

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to fully experience and evaluate your theatre production. Recording the show provides a wealth of benefits that can elevate your future performances. By understanding copyright law and working with a video production company to capture your production in all its glory, the answer is now clear. If you have the permissions then we should film your production!

Let Briclops help you preserve and enhance your theatrical masterpiece by clicking here. Or exit stage right, over to our services page to see the other events we capture or live stream.

"For never was a story of more woe, than not recording your production on video”.