Pittsburgh Arts, Regional Theatre, New Work, Producing, Copyright, Labor Unions,
New Products, Coping Skills, J-O-Bs...
Theatre industry news, University & School of Drama Announcements, plus occasional course support for
Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni.
The Verge: New York City Councilmember Andy King wants to require costumed performers in Times Square (and other public places) to register with the city — $175 for a two-year license plus $75 for fingerprinting fees — in order to accept tips or donations.
11 comments:
Jess Bergson
said...
This is pretty ridiculous, but I do admire Batman and the Joker for showing up and fighting for their opinion on the matter. As someone who spent the summer working in Times Square, I can testify that many of the costumed street "performers" are very aggressive. I tried to avoid these performers at all costs, often because eye contact meant that they followed you for a block asking if you want to take a photo with them. Clearly, I think these costumed performers are out of control, and I would be in support of this act passing. Right now, there are at least 10 spidermen in Times Square at any given time. The situation is getting out of control, and these performers are a trap for tourists. In a weird way, these performers are doing exactly what a lot of con artists in Rome do near the Spanish steps. I think the city really needs to make a decision that will protect not only its inhabitants, but also its visitors from aggressive performers.
Wow, that joker sucks, but o a different note, I am not sure of what a terrible idea the registration is. $175 every two years does not sound like an enormous amount, but then again the article does not mention how much, on average one of these street characters make annually. $175 could be a huge chunk of change. As someone who has walked through Times Square more times than I can imagine, I can’t really tell that there are laws preventing the more aggressive characters from being so aggressive. That would be besides the usual harassment laws. The new laws could open up Times Square a bit which would not be a bad or unsafe thing. If you think about it people who sell items on the street need a license, the people I costumes should need one too. They are selling photos with popular characters they did not come up with, so it would make sense to need the paperwork. Also it makes me feel good that people whose faces cannot be seen who are in busy areas interacting with children will have their fingerprints on a record.
There is not a doubt that the street characters are extremely aggressive. I once had an Elmo grab my arm and pull me towards him because I told him I did not want a picture. Honestly, they remind me of gypsies in how they surround you from all sides trying to take your money. At this point, they are completely out of control and I feel that they should be registered to help lower harassment. Although, this could potentially cause future problems if this law is taken too far but something should be done about this issue.
I think its extremely smart for New York City to finally start laying down some laws on this growing issue. No longer are there a couple iconic characters wandering through the streets, the numbers are growing and characters and fighting for business. I understand that these people need money, but they are getting out of control in some situations. I think any street performer should have a permit, I know at home people have to pay a few to perform on this one street. Without some regulations, this issue will continue to grow out of control. $175 shouldn't be that much, but the upfront cost must be difficult for many performers. I'm happy to see action taking place and I want to see how this issue plays out.
I'm not the only person who can't stand these costumed characters in Time Square. It was fine when it was just the naked cowboy and a couple of street performers. But now, it's the naked cowboy, the naked cowgirls, the street performers, batman, spiderman, elmo in six different colors, hello kitty, the joker, etc. As if Time Square wasn't crowded enough. It's annoying enough to have to get passed all the tourists who stop in the middle of the street to take a thousand pictures of all the lights, and people trying to give out pamphlets for the Comedy Central Comedy Club or Tour of NYC Bus, you also have these costumed characters hassling you to take a picture with them. I will say that while passing by once, I had a very nice conversation with Spider Man but another time I had elmo keep asking me if I wanted to get a picture. No, I don't. I'm really glad that they are trying to lay down the law with these guys and that they're getting fingerprints from them... Don't talk to strangers is one of the first things we teach our kids and yet we pay to have our kids take pictures with costumed strangers in one of the busiest places in the world.
These new laws being passed seems kinda ridiculous, but so does that fact that Batman and the Joker are fighting them together. I think it's not right to try to regulate that costumed performers in this way, but I think that they do need some sort of regulation. It's getting out of hand how many there are, and the fact that there are repeats are even worse. I don't know how the city can cut back on these characters without violating some sort of right. Maybe setting up a radius in the center of Times Square in which no solicitors are allowed to collect money from passerby. I do think that the idea of fingerprinting the performers is a good one for safety, both for them and those around them. Also, although this also seems super regulated, what if they did have some sort of registration with the city. They didn't have to pay anything, or the fee was way less steep than $175 for two years, but it also allowed them some sort of protection (maybe there could be an area where only registered people could perform). I know that's not a good solution, and neither is the one in the article, but some sort of solution is definitely needed.
I don't have first-hand experience with the street performers in Time Square, but i can see how they could be considered a nuisance. However, from a strictly objective point of view, they should not have to do anything. I'd have to agree that some precautions should be taken, but not necessarily to the degree that the government wants to. I think it's pretty great that these two showed up in costume. I can understand doing something in order to stand up for yourself, even if it may get you in more trouble. I love how serious Batman looks in the photographs (but honestly think the Joker could have put in a bit more effort into his makeup).
Wow. Who knew this was such an issue? Actually, wait, I remember now: it's not. I didn't expect this article to evoke such strong opinions from my colleagues, nor opinions that I so strongly disagree with. First of all, Time Square is a nightmare. It always has been, although of a different flavor when I was a teenager making ill-advised and unsanctioned visits to the Big City. If you think vari-colored Elmos grabbing your arm for a photo is bad, you should have been there when it was hawkers outside of strip clubs and heroin dealers and junkies with grabby hands. NOT SO FUZZY! Times Square is Bizarro America, where everything that makes America awful is magnified and bent out of proportion. It's important for all of us to see at some point, I think, because you should know your dark side or it will creep up on you. But if you can't handle that, don't go there. It's easily avoidable. Even if you're going to a show, you can easily get to most theatres without having to cross the narrow three block strip where the madness is most intense. I feel like this is a classic case of people's mistaken sense of entitlement to go through life unchallenged and unmolested. Short of physical abuse Batman or Minnie or whoever else is free in this country to dress however he or she or it pleases and to try to get some cash out of you however aggressively he or she or it wants within the law. Again, you don't have to give them anything, you don't have to engage with them, and you certainly don't have to like it. It is simply their right to make their living how they can. Smile and be glad you don't have to.
That's my answer to the complaints of marauding masked characters acting like "gypsies." (Note: I am refraining out of courtesy to what must have been merely a slip or simple ignorance from getting too deeply into a discussion of the use of flagrant cultural epithets on these pages, but I will remind our readers that "Gypsies" or more aptly Roma or Romani, are an ethnic group like any other and casting aspersions that seem to label the lot of them, including the 1 million or so that live here in the United States, as thieves and scoundrels is wholly unacceptable, although surprisingly ubiquitous for some reason, remembering please that at least half a million Roma were slaughtered by the Nazis along with many other ethnic and cultural groups over which we would never so easily lay such ugly rhetorical blankets.) As for the licensing, the argument that free speech, especially when used as part of a business venture, comes without a price is not well constructed. Calling what people give to have their pictures taken with these performers a "donation" is such a bald face misrepresentation of the nature of the transaction I'm surprised it's given any time at all. Times Square is a market like any other, well maybe more so, and we place all kinds of restrictions and certifications and limitations on just about every economic market in which we engage. There is no such thing as a free market in America, and this one will be regulated just like the rest.
As I am not from New York and have not personally experienced whatever costumed aggression may be occurring, the new laws being implemented seem useless. Many people make their living by performing in Times Square, and by taking away or restricting this ability we take away a person's means of living. Also, if the root of the problem is aggression, I do not see how registering will reduce the issue. Also, on an artistic note, is seems scary to think that while Times Square was once filled with artists and performers who wished to express themselves in a (very) public setting, it will soon only be occupied by those bigger companies that can afford to register employees.
Like Anna, I'm not from New York and can't really speak to this from firsthand experience. But I agree with Anna that making performers register doesn't seem like it will actually prevent aggression. It would make more sense to patrol the areas where this is a problem more. Or only charge as much as is needed to run the registration system so that if someone is arrested for being aggressive, their license is revoked and they cannot register again. Additionally, requiring a copy of it to be displayed would be helpful then.
What New York is trying to do to street performers is a little bit extreme. You’ve got performers who just perform on the street and make tips that way. Yes, I believe it’s a good thing to have everybody registered, but I think this proposal is a little bit extreme. Makes me wonder what other rules and regulations there are for people other than costumed performers. If this type of ordeal is only for costumed performers and not for street performers, then there would most certainly be a bias for one towards the other. This isn’t a business that pays taxes, these are individuals who are trying to make a living. After doing some initial reading towards the law, it does only apply to those whose face are covered, or the person is not who they genuinely are in real life. All these people are trying to do are make a living entertaining people, and they are being restricted in doing even that.
11 comments:
This is pretty ridiculous, but I do admire Batman and the Joker for showing up and fighting for their opinion on the matter. As someone who spent the summer working in Times Square, I can testify that many of the costumed street "performers" are very aggressive. I tried to avoid these performers at all costs, often because eye contact meant that they followed you for a block asking if you want to take a photo with them. Clearly, I think these costumed performers are out of control, and I would be in support of this act passing. Right now, there are at least 10 spidermen in Times Square at any given time. The situation is getting out of control, and these performers are a trap for tourists. In a weird way, these performers are doing exactly what a lot of con artists in Rome do near the Spanish steps. I think the city really needs to make a decision that will protect not only its inhabitants, but also its visitors from aggressive performers.
Wow, that joker sucks, but o a different note, I am not sure of what a terrible idea the registration is. $175 every two years does not sound like an enormous amount, but then again the article does not mention how much, on average one of these street characters make annually. $175 could be a huge chunk of change. As someone who has walked through Times Square more times than I can imagine, I can’t really tell that there are laws preventing the more aggressive characters from being so aggressive. That would be besides the usual harassment laws. The new laws could open up Times Square a bit which would not be a bad or unsafe thing. If you think about it people who sell items on the street need a license, the people I costumes should need one too. They are selling photos with popular characters they did not come up with, so it would make sense to need the paperwork. Also it makes me feel good that people whose faces cannot be seen who are in busy areas interacting with children will have their fingerprints on a record.
There is not a doubt that the street characters are extremely aggressive. I once had an Elmo grab my arm and pull me towards him because I told him I did not want a picture. Honestly, they remind me of gypsies in how they surround you from all sides trying to take your money. At this point, they are completely out of control and I feel that they should be registered to help lower harassment. Although, this could potentially cause future problems if this law is taken too far but something should be done about this issue.
I think its extremely smart for New York City to finally start laying down some laws on this growing issue. No longer are there a couple iconic characters wandering through the streets, the numbers are growing and characters and fighting for business. I understand that these people need money, but they are getting out of control in some situations. I think any street performer should have a permit, I know at home people have to pay a few to perform on this one street. Without some regulations, this issue will continue to grow out of control. $175 shouldn't be that much, but the upfront cost must be difficult for many performers. I'm happy to see action taking place and I want to see how this issue plays out.
I'm not the only person who can't stand these costumed characters in Time Square. It was fine when it was just the naked cowboy and a couple of street performers. But now, it's the naked cowboy, the naked cowgirls, the street performers, batman, spiderman, elmo in six different colors, hello kitty, the joker, etc. As if Time Square wasn't crowded enough. It's annoying enough to have to get passed all the tourists who stop in the middle of the street to take a thousand pictures of all the lights, and people trying to give out pamphlets for the Comedy Central Comedy Club or Tour of NYC Bus, you also have these costumed characters hassling you to take a picture with them. I will say that while passing by once, I had a very nice conversation with Spider Man but another time I had elmo keep asking me if I wanted to get a picture. No, I don't. I'm really glad that they are trying to lay down the law with these guys and that they're getting fingerprints from them... Don't talk to strangers is one of the first things we teach our kids and yet we pay to have our kids take pictures with costumed strangers in one of the busiest places in the world.
These new laws being passed seems kinda ridiculous, but so does that fact that Batman and the Joker are fighting them together. I think it's not right to try to regulate that costumed performers in this way, but I think that they do need some sort of regulation. It's getting out of hand how many there are, and the fact that there are repeats are even worse. I don't know how the city can cut back on these characters without violating some sort of right. Maybe setting up a radius in the center of Times Square in which no solicitors are allowed to collect money from passerby. I do think that the idea of fingerprinting the performers is a good one for safety, both for them and those around them. Also, although this also seems super regulated, what if they did have some sort of registration with the city. They didn't have to pay anything, or the fee was way less steep than $175 for two years, but it also allowed them some sort of protection (maybe there could be an area where only registered people could perform). I know that's not a good solution, and neither is the one in the article, but some sort of solution is definitely needed.
I don't have first-hand experience with the street performers in Time Square, but i can see how they could be considered a nuisance. However, from a strictly objective point of view, they should not have to do anything. I'd have to agree that some precautions should be taken, but not necessarily to the degree that the government wants to. I think it's pretty great that these two showed up in costume. I can understand doing something in order to stand up for yourself, even if it may get you in more trouble. I love how serious Batman looks in the photographs (but honestly think the Joker could have put in a bit more effort into his makeup).
Wow. Who knew this was such an issue? Actually, wait, I remember now: it's not. I didn't expect this article to evoke such strong opinions from my colleagues, nor opinions that I so strongly disagree with. First of all, Time Square is a nightmare. It always has been, although of a different flavor when I was a teenager making ill-advised and unsanctioned visits to the Big City. If you think vari-colored Elmos grabbing your arm for a photo is bad, you should have been there when it was hawkers outside of strip clubs and heroin dealers and junkies with grabby hands. NOT SO FUZZY! Times Square is Bizarro America, where everything that makes America awful is magnified and bent out of proportion. It's important for all of us to see at some point, I think, because you should know your dark side or it will creep up on you. But if you can't handle that, don't go there. It's easily avoidable. Even if you're going to a show, you can easily get to most theatres without having to cross the narrow three block strip where the madness is most intense. I feel like this is a classic case of people's mistaken sense of entitlement to go through life unchallenged and unmolested. Short of physical abuse Batman or Minnie or whoever else is free in this country to dress however he or she or it pleases and to try to get some cash out of you however aggressively he or she or it wants within the law. Again, you don't have to give them anything, you don't have to engage with them, and you certainly don't have to like it. It is simply their right to make their living how they can. Smile and be glad you don't have to.
That's my answer to the complaints of marauding masked characters acting like "gypsies." (Note: I am refraining out of courtesy to what must have been merely a slip or simple ignorance from getting too deeply into a discussion of the use of flagrant cultural epithets on these pages, but I will remind our readers that "Gypsies" or more aptly Roma or Romani, are an ethnic group like any other and casting aspersions that seem to label the lot of them, including the 1 million or so that live here in the United States, as thieves and scoundrels is wholly unacceptable, although surprisingly ubiquitous for some reason, remembering please that at least half a million Roma were slaughtered by the Nazis along with many other ethnic and cultural groups over which we would never so easily lay such ugly rhetorical blankets.) As for the licensing, the argument that free speech, especially when used as part of a business venture, comes without a price is not well constructed. Calling what people give to have their pictures taken with these performers a "donation" is such a bald face misrepresentation of the nature of the transaction I'm surprised it's given any time at all. Times Square is a market like any other, well maybe more so, and we place all kinds of restrictions and certifications and limitations on just about every economic market in which we engage. There is no such thing as a free market in America, and this one will be regulated just like the rest.
As I am not from New York and have not personally experienced whatever costumed aggression may be occurring, the new laws being implemented seem useless. Many people make their living by performing in Times Square, and by taking away or restricting this ability we take away a person's means of living. Also, if the root of the problem is aggression, I do not see how registering will reduce the issue. Also, on an artistic note, is seems scary to think that while Times Square was once filled with artists and performers who wished to express themselves in a (very) public setting, it will soon only be occupied by those bigger companies that can afford to register employees.
Like Anna, I'm not from New York and can't really speak to this from firsthand experience. But I agree with Anna that making performers register doesn't seem like it will actually prevent aggression. It would make more sense to patrol the areas where this is a problem more. Or only charge as much as is needed to run the registration system so that if someone is arrested for being aggressive, their license is revoked and they cannot register again. Additionally, requiring a copy of it to be displayed would be helpful then.
What New York is trying to do to street performers is a little bit extreme. You’ve got performers who just perform on the street and make tips that way. Yes, I believe it’s a good thing to have everybody registered, but I think this proposal is a little bit extreme. Makes me wonder what other rules and regulations there are for people other than costumed performers. If this type of ordeal is only for costumed performers and not for street performers, then there would most certainly be a bias for one towards the other. This isn’t a business that pays taxes, these are individuals who are trying to make a living. After doing some initial reading towards the law, it does only apply to those whose face are covered, or the person is not who they genuinely are in real life. All these people are trying to do are make a living entertaining people, and they are being restricted in doing even that.
Post a Comment