Q&A: Is it ok to film an amateur play for personal use?
Question by xeo_wizzard: Is it ok to film an amateur play for personal use?
I am an actor in a community theater production of Tams-Witmark’s “Oliver!” I am having difficulty finding the copyright information regarding productions of the play. I would like to have the production recorded to film and distribute copies only to the other actors. We have many young actors in the play, and a recording would be of great sentimental value. The theater is essentially non-profit. Tickets are sold at the door, but all actors are unpaid volunteers and the ticket sales are usually just enough to cover script rentals and utilities.
Can I film this production legally? If not, What permissions/fees must I pay?
Best answer:
Answer by Bwayslayer428
As far as I know, and this varies from play to play and production houses etc, but for many plays the production company is only responsible for the rights to perform the plays. The rights to videotape and reproduce such videos often may be matters dealt with by the authors agent or other parties.
One thing to keep in mind is that video rights are usually purchased by film studios as part of the set of rights they acquire when they purchase the rights to make a film from a play. So if the play in question has been turned into a film the author’s agent may need to send you to a particular film studio to get permission to tape a performance of a play.
It is technically illegal to videotape productions without getting permission from said parties who may be responsible for the rights regarding video taping and such, but countless high schools and amateur theaters get away with it every day. Not that I’m promoting the act ::wink, wink::, but as long as no one of authority finds out (a highly unlikely happening), you should be okay.
If you are REALLY very concerned then try to find out who owns the rights regarding video taping the production, contact them, and do as they instruct you to.
Good luck!
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