Friday, July 30, 2004

Attack of the Copyright Crusaders

So I'm busy at work tonight when we get a call from the Stage Manager that a video camera has been spotted in the second row of the theatre. Cue half an hour of scrambling around in the darkness try to find this bloody camera. We finally locate what we believe is the camera. The ushers do the usual 'shine the torch' shtick at the offender, who as usual is right in the middle of the row. Despite consistent torch shining, we get ignored by these people. If this person is using a camera, they're violating copyright and we're suppose to stop this somehow. We're told we can't confiscate their tape, we can only insist that they erase it. Which means that if they've been recording this two hour+ show on something like Hi-8, we're going to be there for some time watching them wipe it.

Seeing as this constant torch-waving is beginning to annoy other patrons, the decision is made to get the tape to wipe it at the end of the show. Two PSO's are called up & positioned at either end of the row and we wait for the end of the show.

With the finale finished, the house lights are coming up & we finally get a good look at what the woman is holding. As she lowers....

A monocular....

...and we call the whole thing off.

Now what on earth does a person who is sitting in the second-front row of the theatre need distance viewing equipment for? These after all, are seats where it is often a good idea to bring an umbrella to avoid being showered by the saliva and sweat of the performers. And this person was using something that allows them to see long distances this close? And they weren't using a set of binoculars mind you, they were using an monocular - one lens, one eye-piece...

Thus endeth my exciting night.

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