#productionstills

[jusscope]

Here are a few #productionstills from #workinprogress on my #animated #cartoon #lofiunited . Check out #jusscope.com for more details! #animations #backgroundart #animation #animatedshort (at Oakland, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqYQIoDHm1/?igshid=v4gp0y4sq0rn

[skipschoolmovie]

A few #ProductionStills from Skip School, written and directed by @TheBrianHogan, and produced by he and @TylerStirling - our PREVIEW SCREENING is next weekend during the FTMA Showcase starting at 6:00pm at Sacred Heart University’s Martire Building at 5481 Park Avenue, Media Theatre E145!! If you miss that be sure to check out or #WorldPremiere in October…more details coming soon. Come check us out along with 10 other short films and support local CT filmmakers. #ConnecticutFilmmaker #FilmLife https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jQLtLFDQV/?igshid=16dq359b7vg4j

[monieinlove]

You know what’s crazy awesome?.. I’ve actually gotten paid to laugh! #ActorsAct. #Unbelievable. #ForeverGrateful. #ProductionStills. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw8SDA8FgChjEHWRwM1GZF33MX3ZZ-Cjlz7UNg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1a6f2meqen38m

[theatremarketinginsights]

When it Comes to Production Stills and Photos, More is Not Always Better.

I am sure you’ve seen it. You go on Facebook or Instagram and one of your theatre friends has gone crazy posting every photo they can find of their next production. They post seven times a day, with a renewed flurry every time, and dozens of pictures of EVERYTHING in their show. There are shots of every angle of their beautiful set, every actor in and out of character, group shots, scene shots, costumes shots, backstage shots… you name it! By the time you go to the play (if you’re not already sick of it), there are no surprises. You’ve seen it all. Well, at least the story is still to be told...if you haven’t already figured it out.

Maybe it’s my personal preference, but I absolutely hate it when too many pictures are shared. To me, a fun part of the theatrical experience is the element of surprise... walking into the space and seeing the set for the first time, seeing the characters in costume, the magical lighting, that sort of thing. Am I alone in this? 

It aggravates me so much when I’ve already seen a hundred photos of the production prior to seeing the show, that I actually lose interest in going. Weird…it doesn’t sell me! It turns me off. Now I won’t base my judgement on such a personal experience, but I am curious as to how others feel.

Marketing your show is already a tricky proposition. Sometimes the scales don’t balance. Is revealing too much too soon as bad as I think it is? I’m going to have to say “yes.” I’ve seen productions where terrible photos are posted or publicized that paint such a campy, amateur image that my heart sinks for them. I see this all the time, and I often wonder if I am the only person now reluctant to pay $20 to see what seems to be a half-ass production!  It’s awful. Worse yet, I’ve seen this happen in community theatre, Off-Broadway, Festivals, and at pretty much every level of theatre (not so much with Broadway, thankfully). Let me stress that the quality of the photography is not always the issue.

In this wonderful age of high-end digital photography, just about everyone now carries a high-end digital camera on their phone. Some folks actually know how to use these cameras so they have no qualms photographing every second of their lives. What this means is that everyone in the production can effectively be posting pictures on their Instagram and Facebook accounts. Of course, this means many feel empowered enough to believe that their photos will do the job, and thus there is no to need to hire a professional photographer. But this is just another huge mistake that compounds the problem.

On the other side of the spectrum, even when I see a production bring in a professional photographer (paid or not), the temptation of sharing every single one of those beautiful shots can be overwhelming. Quality is an entire topic of conversation, but I am talking mostly quantity here. Too many photos, good or bad, spoil the surprise and may work to dissuade rather than persuade someone to see your show.

Photography used to promote any theatrical production should be part of a plan and strategy, and not something tossed out into the media universe like a deck of free cards. In other words, show me just enough to engage me and tease me. If I want to enjoy the whole canvas, make me pay for it.

My recommended rules are simple.

If you can afford it, hire or enlist a professional photographer, someone with the kind of lens and equipment that can capture the right moments. Find someone with an eye towards the aesthetics of the theatrical experience. Out of the hundreds of possible shots your photographer selects, allow that person to pick a few stills that capture the essence of the play, but maintains some level of mystery that will work to connect your audience. The share only 2 or 3 photos.

Restrict and control how your cast and crew utilize their own pictures on social media platforms. Usually taken backstage and while you rehearse, these photos can be problematic in many ways. Again, too much sharing is not necessarily a good thing. And it is certainly NOT MARKETING.

Think “emotional connection.” How do the photos you share connect with the emotional thread of the play? Do the photos convey that feeling and create an engaging experience? 

Control everything that comes out of your production with an eye on building your story, building a following, and not giving anything away.

Need professional photographers? I know a few. Call me or email with your thoughts and needs. And by all means, post and share your response.

RG

Please follow us on Instagram: @TheatreMarketing2019

[grishacallenfan]

#Repost @dg251170 (@get_repost) ・・・ (swipe) season 9 bts pics - repost @mike4stills : #ProductionStills #Hollywood #CBS #Fuji #LivinDaDream #Celebrities https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGP9ZqjIxg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14she1049dj3d

[harrowingp]

In a dark room We don't have to See the light of truth Between me and you We can stay blind In the meantime Let our bodies say What we can never seem to communicate Even though it's too late For tonight Let's love like there's no goodbyes (No goodbyes) Just for tonight Pretend that it's all alright (All alright) Why don't we hold each other Use each other, whisper pretty lies Just for tonight Let's love like there's no goodbyes ~ @dualipa // #behindthescenes #filmmaking #productionstills #film #wales #artist #actor #NuclearTheFilm #blackandwhitephotography #portrait #flashback #memories @emiliajonesy (at Wales) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnrQFd0lz2i/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tt6ghcsbiat8

[stillsbynomay]

Stills for “Ekhaya” music video

[stillsbynomay]

Stills for “Ekhaya” music video