Ken Davenport - The Producer's Perspective: "As a Producer you may be faced with tough decisions all the time. You'll have artists who want to add more scenery to a scene that you know won't result in more ticket sales . . . but you'll want to do it, because it will make the show's statement stronger. You'll have marketers that want your star to appear on Howard Stern . . . even though your star hates Howard like Lindsay Lohan hates paying for expensive jewelry. And you'll want your star to do it because maybe Howard reaches an audience that is right for your show. Or . . . you'll be faced with the real-life decision that came across our desk here at DTE last week.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
You make the call: would you take the group and change your show?
Ken Davenport - The Producer's Perspective: "As a Producer you may be faced with tough decisions all the time. You'll have artists who want to add more scenery to a scene that you know won't result in more ticket sales . . . but you'll want to do it, because it will make the show's statement stronger. You'll have marketers that want your star to appear on Howard Stern . . . even though your star hates Howard like Lindsay Lohan hates paying for expensive jewelry. And you'll want your star to do it because maybe Howard reaches an audience that is right for your show. Or . . . you'll be faced with the real-life decision that came across our desk here at DTE last week.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
This is a very difficult decision and i think that it depends on so many different variables like how well the show is doing, how much of the performance has been sold, etc. I would tell them that if they were the majority of the house, i would, but they would have to buy non-refundable tickets since we are willing to change the show for them.
On principle though, i think its wrong to ask them to change their show. if you dont like the subject matter or things in the show, dont go see it. dont ask for them to change it for you. the show is the way it is for a reason. if you want them to take certain parts away, it could take away from the statement the artistic team was making as well as, not give other members of the audience the full experience they paid for.
What an interesting situation to be placed in. I am sure that the producers and others with such reign over a production are faced with these type of decisions all the time, and it is an important part of the job that should be considered before taking the job. As in many situations, this one still lacks some information before someone should consider before making this decision. Is the theater in need of this money, or is it doing just fine without it? This is not a little regional show desperate to make ends meet. Also, this does not include information about what exact information is being removed. Three curse words, for example, is different from an entire scene. This really varies for each production.
I would do it. As a producer it is your job to fill the seats. He said the changes were not integral to the show or plot and so I feel that why not. It is censorship but I wonder for what reason. If it was because of adult content, then I think that it would be especially fine, adult content is edited out of songs, movies, and games why not theater too. But if it was because the group is for example religious and they don't want any mention of gay people or something like that then I feel that might be pushing boundaries. If it ruins the intention of the show then I would say don't to it but if it really is not necessary then I do not see why not.
My first reaction is to say absolutely not. Art should not be censored just to create revenue. But it's tough bc it's not changing the story or being changed permanently. So then I don't know what I do. Although I think art should be produced for art's sake, there is a component that is about making money. If shows don't make anything then they won't survive and art will severely decrease. So what does a producer do? I know that's what they are asking, but I honestly don't have an answer.
Post a Comment