Comments on: Concert photo policy a little out of focus

By: Michael Rodriguez

Michael Rodriguez — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:35:00 +0000

No photo policies are the bane of the concert security guard. Sometimes we have to enforce house rules; sometimes the tour’s policy. So many camera phones, so many small digital cameras and so many annoying flashes in a darkened theater. It’s been my experience that whenever a No Photo Policy was in place it was clearly stated with signage on the doors and my staff telling to guests upon entrance and announced before the show. Then once in my staff consistently enforces the policy. Do some people seemingly get away with taking pictures? Undoubtedly. Speaking for concert security guards everywhere put your cell phones away and stop annoying people with your flashes and enjoy the show! OMG you pay an arm and a leg and you have your cell phone out and your texting and taking pictures and receiving phone calls. You are rude and annoying. It not only bothers us but it bothers the performers, too. How would you like someone to come to where you work and take flash photos of you.

By: Margerine Bacon

Margerine Bacon — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:14:47 +0000

Anarchy rocks a Baez concert!

What happened to the good ol’ days of free love and free music… back when musicians were just happy to share the gift they have been given… a time before self importance became a contractual agreement… before lawyers and branded bottled water…

Peace on Earth will never be attained or defined by a team of lawyers, egotistical artist or green M&M’s.

Photos are really not for us, the living… The only people they matter to are not even born yet… snap away.

By: Ashley Capps

Ashley Capps — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:44:02 +0000

I’m sorry. I really thought that I had done that, Robert, but I’ll be more explicit.

I’m sorry. We screwed up. There should definitely be (and usually is) a sign and/or an announcement prior to the show stating NO PHOTOS and other policies.

We strive to create the best possible experience whenever anyone attends an event at the Bijou Theatre and sincerely appreciate any feedback that will help us in working to achieve that goal.

Thanks.

By: Robert Loest

Robert Loest — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:39:46 +0000

I think the board does a great job of getting good entertainment, and they are a HUGE plus for the community. In that context this is a relatively minor omission. But why is it so difficult for them to just say, “Sorry, we screwed up!” and apologize??

Basically they accuse you of not being in the right place at the right moment to be informed verbally, so tough, no apology, just a grudging, Hillary Clintonesque concession that maybe some “mistakes were made,” but then maybe not. Blaming use of cellphone cameras is a lousy excuse that avoids the issue - it doesn’t absolve them of the need to state the policy where everyone can see and hear it. The suggestion to TRY and contact the managers (during the show, of all the screwball ideas!!) to TRY and see if their omissions can be resolved strikes me as particularly unhelpful.

By: Cynthia Moxley

Cynthia Moxley — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:27:23 +0000

That sounds good, Larsen. Thanks for info.

By: Larsen Jay

Larsen Jay — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:12:47 +0000

On behalf of the Bijou Theatre Board of Directors…

Thank you for all your comments and discussion. I have reviewed the online / emailed information in relation to the original post. I have also spoken with our management company AC Entertainment.

The Bijou Theatre works very hard to honor contractual requests set forth by the artist and their management, whether it be for no photos, meet-n-greets with audience members, or green M & Ms.

Before each show, the manager on duty (in this case Jeanine Brown) holds a security meeting and instructs the security team of any items such as these. This did occur before the Baez concert and patrons were informed in the lobby via security on the way into the theatre.

Security did perform this “informational task” numerous times that night, but as one would expect with a large crowd, it’s possible it wasn’t heard by everyone, or not told to every single patron.

Past that, certainly there should have also been a sign at the top of the stairs outlining the artist’s requests. In the future, this will happen in addition to security announcements at the time of a ticketed entry.

I will extend the same offer to everyone that I sent directly to Cynthia in a separate email. In the future, if there is anything that happens related to the Bijou that concerns you, we would appreciate it if we could be contacted first to see if the issue can be resolved. I would guess that most items could be resolved in a very short amount of time with little fanfare or unnecessary drama. I know the norm of today is to vet things out on the web, but as you well know, a simple issue has the possibility of spiraling out of control — and once it hits the web, it’s permanent. The Bijou is making great strides right now and needs all the good publicity it can get. I would hate for this online conversation to dissuade any future patrons to think twice before coming to the Bijou.

We are available and willing at any time to discuss any issue.

Larsen Jay
(Bijou Board of Directors)
865-246-1334 office
865-384-2656 cell
larsen@doublejaycreative.com

Ashley Capps
(Bijou Management)
865-523-2665 office
865-607-9405 cell
ashley@acentertainment.com

Thank you all for remaining supportive patrons of the fabulous Bijou Theatre. I hope your future experiences in are enjoyable and you continue to celebrate the history of the Bijou — while helping focus on progressing it’s place amongst the finest venues to experience the performing arts.

Larsen Jay
President, Bijou Board of Directors

By: Ashley Capps

Ashley Capps — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:45:31 +0000

We appreciate the feedback as well. It helps us to do a better job. Creating a great experience for both the artists and the fans at the Bijou, the Tennessee, and elsewhere is our mission. It always bothers me when I hear that things have fallen short of that goal for someone.

We will certainly give this matter our attention and take the steps to insure that necessary signage and announcements are not overlooked at any of our events.

We always welcome comments, ,suggestions, ideas, criticisms, and general advice on how we can improve things. The best way is directly to me (ashley@acentertainment.com) or to Tom Bugg, who is the general manager of both the Bijou and the Tennessee. If desired, I know that our Board chairman at the Bijou, Larsen Jay at Double Jay Creative, is also happy to hear from lovers of the Bijou.

Thanks again, and have a great weekend!

By: Cynthia Moxley

Cynthia Moxley — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:37:29 +0000

Thanks for the comments, Ashley. And thanks for bringing Joan Baez.

By: Ashley Capps

Ashley Capps — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:40:10 +0000

I’ll weigh in here.
Joan Baez’ contract did explicitly state that there should be no photos allowed at the show…although, when it came down to it, they didn’t really seem to care.
I agree that there should be signage that clearly states a “No Photo” policy in those instances. Usually, there is a sign. I’ll have to discuss with our management team and see why this fell through the cracks.
Since the policy varys from show to show and things can change from one moment to the next with some artists, it is impractical to include a photo policy on the ticket.
A couple of side notes, however:
The advent of cell phone cameras and other mini-cameras have made photo policies extremely difficult to enforce, signage or not.
Sometimes a security guard has to made a value judgment: is it more important to enforce the stated policy or does one cause a major disruption in trying to enforce the policy. It can be a hard call.
Personally, I find all of the clicking of cameras during a show to be very rude, distracting and annoying. But that’s just me.
Thanks for the heads up though. I do want to make sure that we are being as clear as possible about these policies.

By: Becky Hancock

Becky Hancock — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:23:03 +0000

Yes, that would make the best sense. Posted on the front doors is a good place, and if the artist is particularly strict/sensitive about it, announced from the stage before the show.

Many might assume if no policy is posted/announced, then there must be no restrictions. But in my personal concert-going life, if I am not told, I’ll ask before taking a photo.