What does this sign mean?

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Sign on door of Tennessee Theatre Wednesday night

I know. It seems pretty clear. You hear it all the time. Last week at the Clarence Brown Theatre production of “The Flu Season” (which was excellent, by the way), they said photography and audio and video recording of the performance were strictly prohibited. No big deal.

But they didn’t search purses and confiscate cameras as you entered the theater! That’s what they did Wednesday night at the Tennessee Theatre for the Bonnie Raitt performance.

Since I started this blog, I have kept a camera in my purse. I don’t use it if I’m not supposed to. I didn’t use it at the Clarence Brown Theatre and I wouldn’t have used it Wednesday night. So when a woman at the door asked me if I had a camera, I said, “Yes, but I saw the sign and I won’t take any pictures.” (A friend later suggested that I should have just lied at that point. But I saw them searching purses and didn’t want to get caught fibbing.)

Bye-bye camera. They took it away from me and put a post-it note on it with my name on it. They said I could pick it up after the show. This annoyed me just a tad.

Why? Cell phones. My cell phone can take both still photos and video. So can almost everyone else’s. (In fact, a friend who sat in the balcony said he looked down and saw many people on the floor snapping photos with their cells.) If they had confiscated cell phones, they would have had a room with 1,500 phones with post-it notes attached. Can you imagine? A wee inconsistent, don’t you think?

Ashley Capps, of AC Entertainment which manages the Tennessee Theatre, said it was the policy of the Bonnie Raitt tour that cameras be confiscated but not cell phones.

I have no doubt that Bonnie Raitt made the “no photography” rule. During the concert she even called out someone who was video taping her (how did they get that camera in?). She’s being silly. I searched flickr, the photo sharing Web site, and there are more than 1,200 photos of her on it, mostly concert shots. The most recent was uploaded a few weeks ago from a concert in Telluride. So clearly this policy is not working for her.

Funny sidenote: While I was on the computer, I Googled “cameras at concerts” and found dozens of posts on “the best way to sneak a camera into a concert.” The suggestions ranged from putting a false bottom in your purse to taping the camera between your breasts!

But still, if that’s her rule, that’s her rule. I guess the Tennessee Theatre sign should say “no cameras” instead of “no photography.” I still don’t know how you deal with the cell phone issue, though.

Any thoughts?

P.S.  The show was great!

Photo of Bonnie Raitt from Flickr. It was taken in Telluride last month.

Photo of Bonnie Raitt from flickr. It was taken in Telluride last month.

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20 Responses to What does this sign mean?

  1. Becky Hancock, on October 16th, 2009 at 9:03 am said:

    The show WAS great. I was treated at the last minute by a friend, and I will always enjoy hearing Bonnie Raitt at the beautiful Tennessee Theatre. Even after 40 years her voice is stellar.

    The camera/photo policy, including confiscation at the door, is wonky, but it’s definitely hers. I wonder if it has to do with the very fact that she has been performing for 40 years; i.e., younger artists have a different perspective of the strength/advantages of viral publicity and social media — or, to put it another way, they might depend on it more to create a presence in a very noisy world than an established icon like Ms. Raitt. Maybe she doesn’t feel she needs any help promoting her product. She’s paid her dues, by gum, and this is simply what she wants, for better or worse.

    But for patrons, it sure is confusing for the policies to be different for every show, even when they’re clearly marked as they were Wednesday. And, it’s impossible to enforce them unilaterally, even with the staff’s best intentions (to which I can attest first-hand).

    That night I was tweeting during the set break, my cellphone clearly in my lap with any camera lens pointing to the floor, and I was singled out by flashlight by security. I protested politely to the gent, saying I was just tweeting. That got me groans from the unconverted masses around me! 🙂

  2. Jayne Morgan, on October 16th, 2009 at 10:07 am said:

    As a performer, I know that flashes from cameras can really be distracting. But searching purses?That seems extreme. Only time I ever experienced that as going to see the Last Temptation of Christ at the old movie theatre next to West Town Mall.

  3. Karen, on October 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am said:

    That’s a silly policy in this day and age – as you said, everyone has a still & video camera on their person if they have a cell phone. No one can control it any more – simply give in and let your fans spread the word about you through YouTube or Flickr or Twitter. If you’re an older artist, you might find yourself to be suddenly relevant with the younger folk. Willie Nelson is a pretty good example of that. He’s on Twitter and interacting with fans.

  4. Eric Smith, on October 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am said:

    Yes, it was clear that the policy was Ms. Raitt’s. As one who was permitted to photograph the show, songs # 2 and 3 only, I was told almost apologetically, by EVERYONE working at the Tennessee that night that the policy was strict. From the box office where I picked up credentials to the security in the auditorium, no fewer than six employees commented on the policy. One, with tongue firmly in cheek, stated I was “special”. I was to be escorted out of the building after song #3 which is not unusual with some artists/mgt. Shooting select songs is also understandable. Photo agreements prohibiting/limiting use of images is not problematic for me either, but, for the first time ever, the policy stated that ANY photos used has to be vetted by the Raitt people and the cost of any retouching required is to be borne by the venue. That was surprising as Bonnie Raitt is a striking woman and a great performer. As a photographer, it is my goal to make the artist look good, which I try to do. So, wewhen I edit my selections we’ll see how they pass muster, if indeed they do!

  5. CJ, on October 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am said:

    I’m a fanatic about my camera. It would be hard for me to hand it over to someone and not know how it was being handled. I may have offered up the batteries and told them to tag them but unlikely my camera – even if it is just a point and shoot. It’s my point and shoot.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on October 16th, 2009 at 11:32 am said:

    Wow, that’s interesting, Eric. Thanks for the post. It just seems like an unrealistic policy that is definitely not working, based on the large number of apparently “unapproved” photos of her on Flickr alone. Very disappointing.

  7. Margerine Bacon, on October 16th, 2009 at 11:38 am said:

    Entertainers must get over this. Fans want to remember good memories. If you don’t want fans go sell ICEE’s and Bio Fuel down at the Pilot. Sorry, Bonnie. It comes with the job. I had a camera but I didn’t want a picture of Bonnie with those two huge panty crotches in the back drop.

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on October 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am said:

    Margerine: Hahaha! I had not thought of the back drop in quite those terms! But now that you’ve said it, I can’t think of them any other way!

  9. Ashley Capps, on October 17th, 2009 at 3:35 pm said:

    Some random thoughts, comments, questions and observations in no particular order:

    I wouldn’t jump to conclusions about an artists’ motivation for this policy.

    Many artists – and venues – want to provide the very best possible experience for their fans. Sometimes, this means minimizing the ability of some fans to interfere with the experience of the others. Clicking cameras – flashes – someone holding up a video camera to capture a moment – all of this can be quite annoying and distracting for the rest of the audience. It can diminish the experience. One of the reasons for a photo policy is to try to prevent or at least minimize that.

    Sure, many artists want to control their photographed image as well as the video and sound recordings of their show. I think that’s understandable.

    Yes, with all of the new technologies, it is very difficult to enforce these rules. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t try.

    The sign means what it says. Some venues – such as Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall – enforce a strict no cameras/no photography policy. Others – like the Ryman, the Fox, and the Tennessee – try to be more flexible and approach things on an event-by-event basis. Perhaps we should consider simplifying things and enforce a stricter policy to avoid confusion.

    Searching bags and purses is pretty standard procedure at many venues and events. Again, I saw bags being searched at the Andrew Bird / St. Vincent concert at the Ryman this past Saturday, at the Rounder 40th Anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry on Monday…and our party had bags checked at the Leonard Cohen show at Radio City Music Hall back in May…to name only a very few.

    We only do this on a selective basis at the Tennessee or as requested by the artist. There is always a reason.

    At AC Entertainment and the Tennessee Theatre, we believe that it is our mission to work closely with the artists that we present to help them to present the very best performance possible. We work to insure that they feel welcome, are treated with consideration and respect, and have what they need and expect to deliver the very best performance that they can. We take a lot of pride in building confidence and strong relationships that keep artists returning to work with us year after year.

    Equally, we also believe that it is also our mission to provide the very best possible experience for the audience that attends our events. Different audiences have different expectations, and sometimes managing these – especially in the context of balancing the interests of the individual with those of the group as a whole – can be very challenging. Sometimes, there can also be extenuating circumstances that dictate certain actions that may seem a bit over the top.

    At any rate, we really want everyone who attends our events to have a wonderful time. Our livelihood depends on it. We take your feedback seriously. We never deliberately do things to make anyone have a bad experience. It may not always be obvious why a certain policy is in place, but there’s usually a reason…for better or for worse.

    And, yes, sometimes we may make a mistake. Or a policy may need to be tweaked a bit or better communicated to everyone. And when we do, we will make every effort to correct things.

    Thanks for the comments. I’m glad everyone enjoyed the show.

    Yours,

    Ashley

  10. Cynthia Moxley, on October 17th, 2009 at 11:20 pm said:

    Thanks for your post,. Ashley. Totally agree it’s OK to have a no photography policy. My point is that it’s inconsistent to confiscate cameras if you aren’t going to do the same with cell phones – since they also contain cameras.

  11. Ashley Capps, on October 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm said:

    I see your point and understand your frustration. However, I also see the tour’s point. Cameras have one purpose and one purpose only, and, although this is changing, are generally more capable of producing professional quality photos than cell phones.

    In addition, cell phones have other purposes…including enabling a baby sitter or child or doctor to reach someone in the event of a problem…something that many have come to count on these days.

    It would all be a mute point if adults would simply have respect for the policy and the rules. But, sadly, as your post noted, they don’t. Hence the need for inspecting bags and confiscating items in the first place.

  12. Susan Kemppainen, on October 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm said:

    Again, we’re looking at technology outpacing the ability to keep up in terms of the use of camera phones…not only in entertainment venues, but in places like hospitals, nursing homes, etc. (We’ve all read stories of people being terminated for taking pictures of patients).

    It is, quite the conundrum; for, as Ashley points out, we’re a society which has come to rely on instant communication, for whatever reason.

    From the artist’s point of view, having stage managed for so many years, I know the distraction that even one camera can cause. While we (as an audience) have an expectation of the “fourth wall” in theatres, concerts, etc., the truth of the matter is that the actor/singer/comedian/dancer/etc. are accutely aware of what the audience is doing. I’ve seen some seasoned actors be thrown by a simple flash. Concentration and focus can be demolished with a simple camera flash.

    Hardwiring audiences to not take photos or video is a tough thing to do, but consistency is one of the solutions…that, and public embarrassment by being called out by an usher or performer for disobeying policy, during a performance.

    It’s odd that audiences have become accustomed to turning off pagers and cell phones during shows; but, still disregard the photo policy.

  13. Missy Liston, on October 18th, 2009 at 7:04 pm said:

    This is in response to the comment that searching purses “seems extreme”. Since 9/11 almost every concert, play, sporting event, zoo, amusement park, water park and anything else of that nature began searching purses and bags.

    I’m sure you realize this is for your protection as well as the artists, athletes…

    If something did happen the media, blogs and twitters would all go after the building.

    And the people who take pictures anyway, shame on them.

  14. Marie Alcorn, on October 18th, 2009 at 9:14 pm said:

    I noted an interesting contrast with today’s Dirty Guvnahs’ Facebook posting:”send us your pictures that you took at Barley’s! [email protected] or just tag us in them and then we’ll upload them to this page..”

  15. Cynthia Moxley, on October 18th, 2009 at 11:00 pm said:

    Marie: Awesome point!

  16. Ashley Capps, on October 20th, 2009 at 3:10 pm said:

    As I said, different artists have different ideas about what they want.

    And different situations offer different types of experiences and are governed by different expectations and criteria.

    Not sure what the “awesome point” is here…

    …that every artist and band should follow the lead of the Dirty Guv’nahs (who are a fine band, by the way…)…?

    or that the Tennessee Theatre should be run like a pizza/beer joint?

    Just curious. :o)

  17. Margerine Bacon, on October 20th, 2009 at 4:50 pm said:

    pizza and beer now there is a novel idea for the theatre district!

  18. Margerine Bacon, on October 20th, 2009 at 5:11 pm said:

    It is the unfortunate pettiness that really turns me off with this whole issue. Can we be adults and move beyond the ego of the entertainer… the ego of the fellow concert goers…. or even the ego of the management. If we wanted to see something without flash photography then we would watch something on TV. If we didn’t want to enjoy people dancing in the aisles or in the seats in front of us we would stay home. If I didn’t want to blow eight bucks on some watered down booze I would stay at home…. In fact I experienced just the opposite. I like my girls in the aisles and the pricey drinks make me feel important.

    All that being said… I did miss the original topic … thats a lot of liability… next time i may take my broken down polaroid and attempt to make a claim… No photography or No cameras? That’s almost like Shoney’s claiming fish as a meat on the all you can eat buffet.

    ….all in good fun…

  19. Ashley Capps, on October 21st, 2009 at 2:46 pm said:

    We cook with butter at our house.

  20. Margerine bacon, on December 10th, 2009 at 3:54 pm said:

    Sign Sign everywhere a sign
    Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
    Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign

    As stated by the great Bill Engvall…

    Here’s your sign…

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