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Post by lotster on Feb 19, 2024 10:27:14 GMT
And if producers and their social media teams weren’t so effing annoying with their pathetic non-tease teasers people might feel a bit more sympathetic towards them. I also think that knowing the cast is often the reason people buy tickets. I know that I usually (not always) wait until I know who is in the cast of something before I buy tickets. If they told us earlier sometimes, I'm sure they might sell more tickets in advance. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2024 17:25:02 GMT
What’s the difference between someone posting pre-announcement on Twitter versus our insiders doing it here? The pre-announcement gossip is a lot of peoples favourite thing about TheatreBoard. I agree, but as I said above, I loose interest with someone who posts 'rumours' about a show, and then hides peoples replies. My favourite example, was a teaser of the casting for Mrs Doubtfire that 'when you hear you will be sooo excited', but then hid every reply saying that they know it's Gabriel Vick as if they hold knowledge and information over people. |
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Post by ceebee on Feb 19, 2024 18:17:17 GMT
We all like a bit of goss. Some more than others. And some like to drip feed info. Slowly. Which is fine. Sometimes it feels like the moralising about the do's and don'ts of sharing a scoop is more about people being a little bitter that they are out of the scoop loop. I'm happy pecking at the crumbs I find on here.
So if anybody can give me the exclusives on when Martin Guerre, Groundhog Day and The Beggars Opera are returning, I'd be very grateful. I'll then let Theatre Fan know...
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2024 20:24:02 GMT
What’s the difference between someone posting pre-announcement on Twitter versus our insiders doing it here? The pre-announcement gossip is a lot of peoples favourite thing about TheatreBoard. I agree, but as I said above, I loose interest with someone who posts 'rumours' about a show, and then hides peoples replies. My favourite example, was a teaser of the casting for Mrs Doubtfire that 'when you hear you will be sooo excited', but then hid every reply saying that they know it's Gabriel Vick as if they hold knowledge and information over people. That’s fair. |
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Post by WireHangers on Feb 20, 2024 0:06:05 GMT
I agree, but as I said above, I loose interest with someone who posts 'rumours' about a show, and then hides peoples replies. My favourite example, was a teaser of the casting for Mrs Doubtfire that 'when you hear you will be sooo excited', but then hid every reply saying that they know it's Gabriel Vick as if they hold knowledge and information over people. That’s fair. This was exactly the point I made in my original comment that restarted this discussion. Thankfully, manchestertheatrefan wrote it a lot more eloquently than me. I do think the accusation of being petty and small-minded was uncalled for however. |
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Post by BVM on Feb 20, 2024 14:00:54 GMT
Theatrefan is absolutely harmless. And all the channels he is on have a fully operational "block" function, so people who don't want to see his content should probably be using that.
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Post by theatrefan62 on Mar 4, 2024 15:27:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2024 20:23:10 GMT
I think it's an accurate assumption that theatre bloggers / influencers don't have an impact on ticket buyers. I purchase tickets based on if I want to see the show, do I like the cast recording or musical numbers, do I like the cast, etc. But never on other peoples opinions. I have seen a number of bloggers say that they never try to give a show a low score, and could never understand why not. If they didn't enjoy a show or thought it was a pile of poop, then say so, don't go hunting for for minor reasons to boost the score because you don't like to give a show a low score - this isn't a fair reflection on their thoughts of a show. At the end of the day everyone is different, some think that Phantom is the best show ever, while others think it's boring, some think Heathers cannot be beat, while others think it's gods gift to theatre. I generally avoid bloggers reviews as just because they like a show, doesn't mean I will. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 7, 2024 20:17:26 GMT
Just a small note to say that TheatreBoard is not an advertising opportunity for bloggers and vloggers commercial ventures. Cheers.
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Post by criticalprole on Mar 8, 2024 23:01:38 GMT
I think it's an accurate assumption that theatre bloggers / influencers don't have an impact on ticket buyers. I purchase tickets based on if I want to see the show, do I like the cast recording or musical numbers, do I like the cast, etc. But never on other peoples opinions. But is that true? They were a number of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe that marketed themselves via the artist's social media presence (Daniel Foxx springs to mind). Hank Green did a comedy tour recently, and he's basically just a dude who talks to his brother on YouTube. (I mean he's also super-famous out of it, but still.) Blogging etc generates clout, clout can be turned into ticket sales. I don't think this is a guarantee though, and I'm sure there's some notable flops though none spring to mind right now. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2024 8:08:28 GMT
I think it's an accurate assumption that theatre bloggers / influencers don't have an impact on ticket buyers. I purchase tickets based on if I want to see the show, do I like the cast recording or musical numbers, do I like the cast, etc. But never on other peoples opinions. But is that true? They were a number of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe that marketed themselves via the artist's social media presence (Daniel Foxx springs to mind). Hank Green did a comedy tour recently, and he's basically just a dude who talks to his brother on YouTube. (I mean he's also super-famous out of it, but still.) Blogging etc generates clout, clout can be turned into ticket sales. I don't think this is a guarantee though, and I'm sure there's some notable flops though none spring to mind right now. Performers promoting their show on social media is very different to influencers 'promoting' a show they have been given free tickets to. To your point, if I was a fan of Daniel Fox and he posted on instagram that he has a show on at the fringe I may go and see it, or comedian Luke Kempner who always posts what he is up to (Spitting Image, Les Mis, his one man show, etc), this ties back to my point 'do I like the cast' - if I like XX and they post they are in a show, I may go and see it, they have promoted the show, they have encouraged me to see it, the blogger / influencer had no involvement in the process. If you are a fan of theatre overall, then chances are you follow theatre news outlets or are on places like this, or possibly even a member of theatre membership such as ATG, or just part of theatre distribution lists, so you will quickly know what shows are going on sale and make a decision to buy, so if bloggers / influencers didn't exist it would have little to no impact on the vast majority of sales from that group of people. If you are not a huge theatre fan, but do have a show that you will always go to, or will see a show if 'X' is in it, then chances are you are not following a theatre blogger / influencer so you ticket choices would have nothing to do with them. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on Mar 9, 2024 11:48:43 GMT
Yeah I think there is a massive difference between either performers using social media to put their talent to a wider audience or someone with years of expertise in a particular field/niche giving advise, compared to someone just giving their opinion on a show who are no more qualified than you or I.
It's been said for years that theatre reviewers are become less and less relevant, and that's all theatre bloggers are at the end of the day. If everyone on social media or in someone's friend group is raving/slating a show, one lone voice saying the opposite is unlikely to have much impact.
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Post by criticalprole on Mar 9, 2024 12:17:43 GMT
It's been said for years that theatre reviewers are become less and less relevant I think that's wishful thinking, and though the nature of the beast may change, folk aren't about to stop talking critically and at length about their experiences, and that includes watching a show. Not all reviews are consumer reports; the best ones rarely are. For example, I don't play triple A video games, but I do watch Yahtzee Croshaw's reviews on games for the entertainment factor. Same goes for Mark Kermode etc. They are a thing in and of themselves. I'd probably go see Yahtzee live if he did a live thing, though more likely I'd want to come see him at a convention panel.
Though a good critic should write with their audience in mind, they shouldn't care if the audience agrees. A review from The Guardian of Evil Dead The Musical should read different to the one from Fangoria Magazine, but neither review should care if the audience has a different experience. The Fangoria reviewer is coming at it from their vast experience of the Horror genre, the Guardian reporter from their broader training. Neither are likely to have the same perspective of Joe Public.
Reviewers add their voice to the art; that's the point. Artists let them because their voices carry further.
Also, a reviewer ticket is not free, it's exchanged for the promise of labour. Getting a fluffy toy, a mug, a programme and a drinks voucher is a way to get you to come back. But also as a sort of flex; if a show can afford to fly you across the country, they've probably spent a bob or two on the show itself.
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Post by Wilf on Mar 12, 2024 10:28:39 GMT
A quick question about declaring when tickets have been gifted. Should theatres make this clear when they use vloggers and press reviewers as part of videos on X following a show? I watched one Wolverhampton Grand had posted following Bonnie and Clyde and was surprised that most of the people they interviewed I recognised as those who would have had their tickets gifted. Or was I being naive to think they would use paying customers!
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 12, 2024 10:53:31 GMT
Maybe I’m being cynical today…but can anyone claim to be a reviewer and get gifted tickets? 🤔
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 12, 2024 10:59:30 GMT
I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of the YouTube vloggers put the AD Gifted graphic on screen when “reviewing” shows even though we know many are getting free tickets. If they’ve been given a ticket and they are talking about the show then that surely is an advertisement.
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Post by adamkinsey on Mar 12, 2024 15:44:03 GMT
I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of the YouTube vloggers put the AD Gifted graphic on screen when “reviewing” shows even though we know many are getting free tickets. If they’ve been given a ticket and they are talking about the show then that surely is an advertisement. They don't. They should. Most of the written bloggers I follow are very good about always using [AD] or gifted and it pisses them off that certain usual suspects think they're above this. One vlogger did once explain why he didn't do it... "I can only answer for myself - I aim to be transparent in the wording of all of my reviews, if I bought a ticket I will state as much and similarly if I am invited. I avoid #AD because I am sometimes engaged to create paid for AD content for shows, and this needs to be distinct. I used the word gifted constantly and grew tired of the disdainful messages I received because people misinterpreted an attempt at clarity as obnoxious bragging. Any uncertainties I had about what I *should* be doing were thankfully resolved after a private enquiry with the ASA." |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 12, 2024 16:29:05 GMT
I can’t see how it would be any more complicated than if they’re given a ticket, they need to state Gifted on the screen. Then we all know where we are and why they’re giving a four star review of a two star show. If that invites “disdainful messages” from people who don’t understand what it means, tough. That’s the vloggers issue to resolve if it bothers them.
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Mar 12, 2024 16:36:39 GMT
I suppose this invites an interesting question. Could you argue that the opinion from those who have paid for tickets is of greater worth as they have no obligations?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 12, 2024 16:42:12 GMT
I suppose this invites an interesting question. Could you argue that the opinion from those who have paid for tickets is of greater worth as they have no obligations? Depends on the individual. However anyone who falls under the “influencer” umbrella is a no-no for me. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2024 19:05:46 GMT
I suppose this invites an interesting question. Could you argue that the opinion from those who have paid for tickets is of greater worth as they have no obligations? Maybe. I think greater clarity is definitely needed to allow people to draw their own conclusions based on if they paid to see the show or not. 'Celebs' have to clearly mark posts where the item / service they are discussing has been gifted or is an ad to create transparency - why should influencers and bloggers be any different when they get a free ticket and the occasional goodie bag? |
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Post by criticalprole on Mar 12, 2024 19:37:49 GMT
Maybe I’m being cynical today…but can anyone claim to be a reviewer and get gifted tickets? 🤔 Yes and no. Anyone can do it, but it's about their reach and budget vs your clout.
They are a bunch of folk who do this for the Edinburgh Fringe, and run a website that's mostly fringe reviews. Some of these are pretty small, but it's the Ed Fringe; getting anyone to help promote your show helps. There's one chap who just does one sentence reviews on a special Facebook page (it has 2000 followers) and hand's out their own awards. They go around attending as many shows as they can get into, and it works. Good for them.
So in my case, I do occasionally get complmentary tickets for a show (I write for a pop-culture website that also does a print edition). Either the PR contacts me or I contact the PR, we have a chat, I agree to do the review, the magazine might agree to pay my travel (this rarely happens) and then I write the review. If the magazine thinks I'm not being impartial, they'll stop using me, as their reputation and clout is very important. Editorial might pull a review for any reason. I might decline to do the review. This is tough on the show, but it happens. Conversely I might just show up, pay on the door, say nothing and write a review. In neither case will I mention in the review how I got the ticket, unless it's relevant to the review. ( Such as "it's a kid's only show, and as an adult I was given special permission.)
Like many publications, the bit about 'if you send us something, that's nice, we're under no obligation to do anything about it is under the T&Cs. It's different for influencers because they tend to be one person with a microphone and platform. But they might just shove their review policy on their website, and point you at that. Or they might decide it's worth getting into a fight with the CMA/ASA (it's not) .
Gifted is not the right word - if you're being given tickets in the hope of an exchange of something, that's not a really a gift.
TLDR: Yes, but if you're a shill or sh*t at it, you won't go far. Though exceptions exist.
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Post by backtothetheatre on Apr 24, 2024 10:09:16 GMT
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Post by theatrefan62 on Apr 24, 2024 12:45:18 GMT
So do his 'clique' of vloggers/bloggers. Ridiculous though as I think it was mentioned here before then anyway (which is probably where he got it from). Anyway it's always cringe when people do 'I told you so's' people learn who and who isn't reliable over time without you needing to do a smug brag about it. |
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Post by mkb on Apr 24, 2024 12:58:03 GMT
Maybe I’m being cynical today…but can anyone claim to be a reviewer and get gifted tickets? 🤔 I don't really understand the motivation of any amateur lover of theatre to avoid paying for what they go to see. We all enjoy the occasional special offer and discounts -- some publicly available, some part of membership schemes, and some through seat-filling services -- but trying to get free tickets in return for a review? That lacks class in my humble opinion. Don't get me wrong. I have little time for theatres claiming to be charities and begging for money. They are businesses, and I support them by paying for my tickets and membership fees at the going rate. |
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