Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Deny it if you choose.
Condemn or celebrate it according to your preferences.
The fact remains.
As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, technology is changing live theater, how we view it and even how we define it."
12 comments:
I definitely agree with the sentiment of the article. Just because technology is evolving does not mean live theatre will end. Movies have now been around for over 100 years and live theatre is still here. This is mind, I'm sure live theatre will survive the ongoing online streaming takeover. Its just as the article says; you can't even compare watching a show through a video as seeing it in person. Its a different, wonderful experience that many people still love and appreciate. Live theatre doesn't need to be concerned with dying out because people can now watch plays online.
I think the fear that streaming live performances will cause people to no longer attend touring shows is a bit of an irrational fear. You just really can not experience all that a show has to over by viewing it from your computer screen. Beyond the fact that you're not physically there, you only get to see what the camera shows you, meaning that you might miss some of the more minor yet interesting details of the show because something occurred out of camera focus. I think the same idea that keeps movie theaters alive despite the availability of movies on the internet applies to streaming theater, people will go because while one is cheaper and easier, it's just not the same as actually being there.
I agree with this article as well, just because technology is changing doesn't mean that theatre is going to go away. Seeing a show online could actually create more draw for people to see it in person. Many times having different actors can be a draw to an overdone show. When looking at all the changes in technology, it will be very interesting to see how the theatre world changes and adapts. Maybe there will be a texting portion in the show for audience response, who knows?
The article does make a good point that is often disregarded. I do think that many people who go to the theater will continue to do so with the advent of live streaming. What will be interesting to see is how this changes not the business, but the art. With the rise of live performances streamed on the internet, performance art is developing a new hybrid of film and live performance. How effective this will be in connecting with audiences remains to be seen. Theater needs to embrace technology, not willy-nilly, but with a purpose.
While it saddens me that live streaming of theatrical performances could lessen the size of audiences around the world, I don't think that it could completely take the place of experiencing performances live in a theater. It could be nice to be able ot see live performances of a show if you are unable to attend the performance in person. I'm always slightly wary of technology enabling people to do things, like view live performances, from online, but in this case I don't think that technological advancement over the coming years will replace a live theatrical experience.
I agree that seeing theater through a cell phone camera, or medium where it is streamed to a screen is the same as in person. The difference: live theater is an experience. Streaming or watching a movie is a presentation. Theater is moving in both directions I feel, as the MET streams their live performances to movie theaters. Not only do I think this is a brillant way to get people and culture back into theater, and all it has to offer but the downside is that the performance is combined to the screen as is streaming of live performances. You dont get the experience of hearing, seeing and feeling the vibrations of the drum roll as it plays in a live theater.
There is a good side and bad side to streaming. Not only does it open up itself to a wider audience, and those who cannot make a performance, but it also is limiting to a screen of your choosing rather then the space that is a theater.
I think that having live theatre streaming to computers, phones, etc, could go two ways. I think that there will be some people who will stop going to theatre because the way they see it, they no longer have a reason to leave their house to get the experience. But I also think that this will help a lot of people get more interested in theatre, and start going to live theatre, when they wouldn't have thought of it before.
I think that most people realize that the experience you get when you are in the same room as the performers is such a different feeling than watching a performance on a screen.
I don't feel though, that people should be able to see streaming theatre for free, because that will definitely cause less people to go to actual live theatre.
I'm with Mary. Even if technology is involved with theater, live theater will never become outdated. We were talking in Basic PTM with Joe Pino the other day about something very similar. Part of the collaborative nature of theater is the collaboration between the actors and the live audience. Otherwise you might as well go to a movie or watch it on Hulu. Theater has more elements than just the actors, costumes, sets, lights and sound. A cellphone camera won't be able to capture the feeling of sitting in the theater, watching live actors perform. Yes, recordings do make shows more accessible for those who can't make it to the show, or simply can't afford it, but that should serve more as a teaser than a replacement. If I saw a clip of a play online, that might make me more likely to see that play, not substitute the performance.
I also agree with this article. Live theater will not be drastically affected by the technology era, because there is only one way to actually witness live theater, and that is by going to the production. Even if it were streamed online, you would be watching a capture of what is meant to be theater on television, which is not how these shows are meant to be viewed. A live show is not staged the same way that a movie or television show would be, and for that reason it is, and will continue to be, much more enjoyable in person. After all, concert footage streams online all the time, but unless you actually go to a concert, you can't claim to have seen the performer live. The same is true for theatrical productions.
While I don't think that the advancement of streaming performances online will "kill" the theatre, I do think that the continuation of live streaming could unfortunately lessen the live audience at shows. While I agree that it is not the same experience as being at a show in person, I think that there will be a significant amount of people who will look at the streaming show as "good enough". I mean, they don't have to leave their house, they don't have to pay, why not? It's a trade off on not getting the full effect of a live show, but I think a lot of people will be okay with that. I think that it is unfortunate, but that seems to be a trend with a lot of things that are now available online; even if it's not the same quality, it is sufficient for many because it is more convenient.
I think while this article raises legitimate concerns about what evolving technology, it's conclusion is the part that matters. Despite all this new technology, theater still has it's greatest impact in a live setting and because of that, it will continue to thrive. If anything, the internet will provide a new avenue for people to become involved, allowing people to view, or preview shows from their own home before deciding to put down the money to actually go and see a show in person and get the full theater experience.
The Trib seems to be a bit late to this topic... talk of mixing theatre and cutting-edge technology (such as cell phones, projection, and HD media) is nothing new.
Hasn't PICT done this before? I seem to recall last year, some issue with a local theatre company wanting to project/stream perfomances, but AEA saying "no".
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