By Taylor Landau
Pro-shots and bootlegs are some of the most controversial topics in the musical theater industry, and it's been debated as to whether they are a help or a hinderance for Broadway as a whole. While some argue that filmed versions of shows garner popularity and increase accessibility in the theater, others claim that pro-shots and bootlegs can kill a show's commercial viability. I'll be taking a look at both kinds of content and break down the arguments both in favor and against them to try and decide whether they're helping or hurting the theater industry.
What are pro-shots and bootlegs?
Pro-shots are professionally shot musicals or plays that usually cost a small fee to watch. Typically, pro-shots are filmed and released after a show has closed, after a specific cast has departed, or, in rare cases, while the show is still on Broadway. They're usually high quality with expert cinematography meant to give people outside of New York an opportunity to see a show they would otherwise miss.
Bootlegs are illegally recorded videos of musicals or plays that are then posted to the internet or traded between users. They often are poor quality since they're filmed on iPhones, and bootlegs often cut out the first or last scenes of the show so they don't get caught by patrolling ushers. Bootlegs are filmed to preserve a show, capture video of a specific cast, or save footage of notable shows, like a show's closing or a cast member's departure.
Nearly every single Broadway show has a bootleg (unless they close incredibly quickly, that is). Conversely, very few shows get a professional recording. Some notable shows to receive pro-shots include Hamilton (Disney+), Newsies (Disney+), and Come From Away (Apple TV).
What do people think of pro-shots and bootlegs?
It depends on who you ask, really, and that even extends to professional performers. Most fans seem to think pro-shots and bootlegs are great for the industry; they help some lesser shows get more exposure and allow people outside of New York City to see shows they otherwise wouldn't be able to. On the other hand, especially concerning bootlegs, people don't like the idea of recording a poor quality video that risks the longevity of the show and potentially distracts performers and audience members mid-show.
Similarly, actors and professionals in the industry seem to be extremely divided on the matter themselves. Supposedly, actors like Ben Platt, Jeremy Jordan, and Karen Olivo are all for bootlegs and pro-shots, and a handful of them have posted their own bootleg performances or asked if someone took any videos for them to watch. Sometimes it's so they can correct a mistake, other times they may just want to see what they look like on stage. Other actors have spoken out against them (Patti LuPone, Alex Brightman, and Patti Murin, to name a few) mostly citing the distraction filming poses for actors and audiences along with the idea of spending so much money only to not pay attention to what's happening right in front of you.
Overall, I'd be more inclined to believe that actors and audiences alike would take more issue with illegally filmed bootlegs over professionally shot films, though an argument can be made against pro-shots too.
What's the big problem with pro-shots?
So, we've established that filming and posting (aka bootlegging) shows is illegal, but what's the problem with pro-shots then? The general argument against pro-shots is that they'll essentially "kill" a show. If a show is professionally shot and released in an affordable way, many believe that the show's ticket sales would subsequently tank leading to the show to close in New York.
To combat that, lots of fans argue in favor of professionally filming a show and releasing it following its closing date, but many see a problem with that too. Following a Broadway run, shows often go on tour, and whether that's just around the United States or internationally often depends on the success of the show. A plethora of Broadway fans believe that if a professionally shot version of a show is released following a show's closing, the ability to tour the show and reproduce it down the line is essentially decimated. Because, if given the choice, why wouldn't people opt to spend $10 on a subscription for a filmed version of a show instead of seeing the show live for over $100?
Have shows closed as a result of bootlegs or pro-shots?
It's hard to find any direct correlation between a bootleg/pro-shot's release and the closing of a musical, but I want to answer this with a tentative no. In terms of looking at pro-shots, the Hamilton pro-shot certainly didn't put a damper on the New York production, or any professional productions for that matter. Hamilton was released on Disney+ in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and featured the entire original cast (give or take one or two ensemble members). Following the lockdown, Hamilton picked back up right where it left off and has been playing to packed houses since.
On the other hand, there's a possibility the Come From Away pro-shot could've let to the show's demise. Come From Away was filmed in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the show was largely successful before and for some time after the shutdown. Despite that, though, the show ultimately closed in October 2022. It's hard to say if the pro-shot was the cause. If I had to guess, I would say probably not. The show is not about the happiest topic, never featured any "big" stars, and likely didn't appeal to tourists coming from out of town. Still, it's worth noting that the show closed some time after the pro-shot was released, unlike Hamilton.
Bootlegs tend to just... pop up places. There's really no rhyme or reason to when they appear and get deleted from video-sharing websites, so I can't accurately pull any data or find any information about a bootleg leading to a Broadway show to shutter.
What are the benefits to bootlegs and pro-shots?
Despite the many arguments against them, lots of people are actually in favor of recording shows. Both bootlegs and pro-shots are seen as ways to allow more people to see shows they wouldn't ordinarily be able to. Essentially, they make Broadway (and theater) more accessible. Theater is often seen as a more "elite" industry meant as a luxury, especially with the prices of tickets. However, by filming and releasing recordings, more people can enjoy the art form that is musical theater.
Similarly, it actually seems more likely that people who watch bootlegs or pro-shots are more likely to see the show live in the future. I can personally vouch that despite the Hamilton pro-shot's success, the recent touring performance I attended at the Straz Center in Tampa, Florida, was still a packed house. Clips from bootlegs and pro-shots that are shared on social media also help create a buzz around the show where more people end up wanting to see the show anyway. I think if given the opportunity, most people will choose to see the live show if they're able. Watching a bootleg or pro-shot doesn't kill the want to see it, it often helps does the opposite.
So, are pro-shots and bootlegs enhancing or killing the theater industry?
If I'm being completely honest here, I think it entirely depends on how you look at it. Both sides present good arguments, and there's not really any definitive data to say if releasing filmed versions of shows does them harm or good. What I will say is this: the theater industry has been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic, and something has to change to keep it going. With the recent Writer's Strike, Broadway was facing a potentially disastrous summer with the Tony Awards being put in danger since they were originally unable to broadcast them. Without the marketing from the ceremony, several shows would be at risk of shutting down prematurely since there aren't many other outlets to promote the shows outside of New York. In this ever-changing world, Broadway has to find a way to market itself without relying on a national broadcast. Does that mean they should turn to bootlegs and pro-shots? I think that remains to be seen, but it may be something producers will want to consider going forward.
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