off-stage right

I thought it was the fact that I was Up North in Michigan with spotty internet service, but is seems Actor’s Equity Association and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists put the future of theater on hold!

According to Theater Mania, The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre cancelled the live stream of The History Boys which was to be delivered via a new platform LIPLO™ (www.LIPLO.com).   The reason for the cancellation was reported as “the company has been unable to secure permission from Actors’ Equity Association and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for the test run of LIPLO with a full production.”

I for one am disappointed because I wanted to see the numbers who watched and the response to the live streaming.  And despite all of my concerns I do think the definition of LIVE is changing and it is interesting to think of building community through theater without walls or geographic restrictions. 

I have to admit I will be a bit surprised if the press release was sent and the broadcast was set without securing union permissions, but it wouldn’t be the first time union negotiations that looked like a sure thing fell apart.

For the record press release had the following quotes:

Joe Warik, member of the AEA liaison committee, says “this is a great way to audition for agents and show off your work live as it is happening – nothing can beat the online option when you can’t get to the theatre.”

 

Christopher Lacey, Assistant Executive Director of Pittsburgh’s local chapter AFTRA (American
Federation of Television and Radio Artists), a union which represents actors and stage managers, was enthusiastic from the start, citing the potential for this emerging medium to open up new and unique work opportunities for union members.

So I wonder what’s up?  I emailed Stephanie Riso, PICT cofounder and operations director and co-developer of the technology to be used for the web stream), to see what I could find out since the theater nor LIPLO’s websites didn’t have further information.

UPDATE:

I did indeed here back from Stephanie who sent me the following letter that was sent out when the performance was put on hold:

PLEASE POST

Dear PICT Staff, Cast, Crew, etc…

It has come to my attention that, through recent efforts to open up a new revenue stream for PICT and for those involved with the making of live theatre, new media and live streaming pose great challenges to the unions who seek to claim stake to the enormous financial potential it may yield.  As a result, the LIPLO™ project to live stream of The History Boys became a liability when the two unions could not agree to move forward together, and one was not going to act without the others consent.

However, it is my hope that the silver lining in this temporary setback would be AEA and AFTRA start a meaningful dialogue to create a framework by which live streaming can be tested and/or developed and finally brought to “market.”  As discussed at the initial actor meeting, we can already site the enormous upside potential such as reaching the elderly and handicapped, students at schools unable to afford busing, out-of-town theatre junkies who can’t physically be in town, and those who have lost their jobs or have had to tighten their spending but would love to see live theatre as it happens.  And, of course, theatres small and large would greatly benefit from the increased audience and revenue potential by having a legitimate online presence, and actors, designers, stage managers, etc. would benefit by having their work streamed live for any potential employer to see.  So, there is really very little downside.

I encourage any of you (whether you are a union member, SPT theatre staff or patron) who care enough about this to communicate with the leadership at Actors Equity Association asking them to please work with AFTRA to come to an equitable agreement that will allow professional actors to participate in live online streaming activities.  The appropriate parties to contact are as follows:

Actors Equity Association – Filming and Taping Department

Larry Lorczak             212-869-8530 x340    llorczak@actorsequity.org

Dwane Upp                212-869-8530 x341    dupp@actorsequity.org

Actors Equity Association – Business Representative, Developing Theatres

Dragica Dabo             212-869-8530 x394        ddabo@actorsequity.org

Feel free to forward this to anyone you told about the LIPLO™ event scheduled for Saturday so they understand why the show was not streamed live as advertised.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Stephanie Riso

Operations Director

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