Do you agree or disagree with the new "no cameras" rule?

[ResultsMayVary]

I think it's a fine rule, as long as the venue's security only enforces it when the band is actually playing. Before the show, during the intermission, and after the show is when people should be able to take pictures. At that point, taking pictures is not taking away from anyone's enjoyment at the show. This is most likely the band's intent and some venues have taken that to mean the whole entire time doors are open.

I was at the Cincinnati show last night and it seemed they only really enforced (in my balcony 4 area) the policy during the performance and before the show. There were so many people with phones out at the intermission, so I see them just saying "not worth it" at that point.

[King Postwhore]

I don't get when people tell others how to enjoy a show. Who says we are all videotaping the show. Most of us want a few pics. That's all

Its pretty obvious when it ends up on the internet. And, as in most things, it only takes a few people to ruin it for everyone.

Who cares about a crappie Internet video when I can spend $20 on a blu ray 5.1.  I  have not watched one Internet video of this tour.

[RaiseTheKnife]

I don't get when people tell others how to enjoy a show. Who says we are all videotaping the show. Most of us want a few pics. That's all

Its pretty obvious when it ends up on the internet. And, as in most things, it only takes a few people to ruin it for everyone.

Who cares about a crappie Internet video when I can spend $20 on a blu ray 5.1.  I  have not watched one Internet video of this tour.

I haven't watched any videos either to preserve the surprises and experience of live show, and yeah, plenty of people will pay up for quality of an official release, but as a performer I would still feel uncomfortable knowing that all those phones in the audience are making a recording that is out of my control.  Not to mention that its kinda disengaging from a performer's perspective.

[King Postwhore]

It really isn't. It's about their intuectual rights. 

[KevShmev]

I don't get when people tell others how to enjoy a show. Who says we are all videotaping the show. Most of us want a few pics. That's all

I am sure that is the case for the great majority of fans, but it's the percentage of dopes who want to record everything, thereby obstructing the view of many and generally being a nuisance, that ruin it for everyone.  And it would be impossible for the venue to judge who is going to be "that guy" while the show is going - good luck having ushers figure that out while the show is going, it being so loud and dark - so it is just easier to ban everyone from using them.  I get that it's a bummer for the good peeps like you who just want a few pictures, but don't blame the band; blame the people who take it way too far and make it necessary for the band to take such steps.

[King Postwhore]

There is a difference from taking a picture and holding your cell phone up a long time. 

[KevShmev]

  I agree. Did you read my post?

[King Postwhore]

Yup. I'm agreeing. Lol.

[KevShmev]

[King Postwhore]

[erwinrafael]

It really isn't. It's about their intuectual rights.

Have you performed with all the audience looking through a cell phone? It's annoying.

[King Postwhore]

Weather you have 1 person or 200 watching.  No cell phones or 1000, you perform.   They are your customer.

And I'm too old to have cell phones taking pictures of me playingon stage. 

[JustJen]

And I'm too old to have cell phones taking pictures of me playingon stage. 

I felt incredibly old at a show last year when the band asked everyone to "light up" their cellphones for the ballad. I looked around and everyone had their flashlight on and turned towards the stage. That was when I realized this is the new equivalent to holding up your lighter.

I hate having to try to see the band and stage through a sea of cellphones. I'm short so it's hard enough to see between people's shoulders, but nowadays I usually have to watch through someone's phone that is held up two rows ahead of me. It is really annoying.

[cramx3]

It really isn't. It's about their intuectual rights.

Have you performed with all the audience looking through a cell phone? It's annoying.

Take it as a compliment, whatever you are performing seems worthy for the audience to want to experience it again or share the experience.

But if literally everyone is holding their phone, I could see how that is annoying, but I find most of the "sea of phones" talk to be exaggerating, I go to tons of concerts and there are always phones, but it's very rarely gotten to the point where it's too much that it's a distraction and those moments where it is a "sea of phones" is usually during a prime part of a song that everyone loves so the sea comes and goes like waves to the awesome parts of the music being played. 

[Aythesryche]

I get front row tickets so I don't have to deal with the distractions. Or front row balcony. I can deal with the small blips of light if they're far away while up on the balcony. I used to love my Samsung Galaxy phone since I had an app that allowed me to reduce the brightness of the screen to almost nil. As long as I could make out how I was framing my rare swift shots, it was all cool. I think what pisses me off the most is people that have their phones set to max brightness.

Whenever I would shoot a concert with my DSLR and hanging right up in the front, I would make sure I'd have the auto preview mode turned off. I'd usually take one or two shots to dial in my settings and I'd be done. Another pet peeve of mine is when photographers review every single shot they photographed. It's not only distracting to those that paid good money that are right behind me, but it distracts me from why I'm there in the first place. I remember plenty of times seeing some photographer screwing around with his camera and sifting through images while he's missing some money shot opportunities. If anything, I'll cup my hand over the LCD screen in between songs to make sure everything is still golden real quick, and that my camera hasn't shit the bed.

I suppose the answer to my question is I agree with the no cameras rule. Since a lot of people are rather inconsiderate of those surrounding them, rules like this unfortunately need to be implemented.

[erwinrafael]

Weather you have 1 person or 200 watching.  No cell phones or 1000, you perform.   They are your customer.

And that is a cold-hearted business like I am a customer you play because I pay mentality that a lot of artists hate.

[King Postwhore]

Too bad for them.  Without fans they are playing in their garages.  A fan base is everything.

[erwinrafael]

Fans are everything if you are a commercial act who is in it just for the money. I don't think Dream Theater is such a type of artist. The last album actually shows that they would do what they want, and it's up to you if you enjoy it.

[King Postwhore]

Just the opposite.   If you have a smaller fan base if you upset them it can really hurt.  Albums don't make money anymore,  concerts and videos of live shows makes the money.

Now if you Kanye, you can act like an ass and get away with it.

[Aythesryche]

Another two cents: If I was in a band, I would ban cellphones not because I wouldn't want people photographing or filming us, but because I would feel bad for the people that are there to enjoy the music without distraction. I don't see anywhere in any of the Astonishing concert flyers that displays the headline, "DREAM THEATER: THE ASTONISHING EXPERIENCE - AN EPIC CONCEPT MASTERPIECE SET IN A DYSTOPIAN FUTURE COMPLIMENTED BY A TOUR DE FORCE OF VISUAL EFFECTS, INCLUDING PEOPLE FILMING THE CONCERT ON THEIR CELLPHONES TO OFFER MAXIMUM DISTRACTION. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW." Because for some, that's precisely what it is.

Whats the worst thats going to happen to DT by setting a no camera policy at their concerts? All DT fans are going to go on strike? They'll go to change.org and rally all the people to force DT to change the camera policy? Will DT go bankrupt because of the extreme drop in their fan base jumping ship because of this devastating policy? No. Some people will be butthurt, but in the end, it's not going to make any genuine negative impact. It'll probably just make for a more pleasant concert experience overall.

[King Postwhore]

That's plain silly. DT is not doing that for the fans.

[King Postwhore]

DT does this for intellectual rights and the want you to see their production.

[erwinrafael]

Just the opposite.   If you have a smaller fan base if you upset them it can really hurt.  Albums don't make money anymore,  concerts and videos of live shows makes the money.

Now if you Kanye, you can act like an ass and get away with it.

But all the butthurt in this thread is really just by a few people making a lot of noise about it.

Anyway, I guess we have all said our piece. I lived with "no cameras rule" all my life in shows, especially theater productions, and most of them are not really commercial productions. I have beenimmersed in artist communities, so i really do not get what the fuss is about. To each his own, I guess.

[King Postwhore]

I've been to a million shows without a cell phone.   I'm 48.  It's time musicians welcome the future.  Also to say a few complained is off on your part. Many complained 

[Volante99]

I think kingshmegland has hit the nail on the head here.

Let's face it; DT concerts (at least in the US) are already kind of "stuffy" and low energy as it is without having some overbearing ushers threatening to kick people out for taking a few pictures. I've been to 5 DT concerts and cell phones have never been an issue.

The way you handle this is have a "video and pictures prohibited" policy as a general deterrent, and the ushers will enforce it with the people who are clearly abusing it. And, yes, this is ABSOLUTELY enforceable in a 1500-2000 seat venue where most people are sitting down.

[cramx3]

It's time musicians welcome the future.

When you get down to it, this is kind of the truth.  When the millenials are all of the entertainers, and the people who grew up with camera phones are now all of the performers, this will be the norm (at least likely considering the way things are going).  A lot of bands these days embrace the cell phones, I saw (and have on video) Tommy from Kamelot grabbing a fans cell phone that was recording and then doing a selfie with it while singing and then handing the phone back to a fan.  I've seen other similar situations, most bands these days embrace it or accept it.  Some are a bit more stubborn and that is their right, but it's just not the way of the future as we stand IMO.

[ariich]

Relevant: https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/friends-enthralled-by-gig-filmed-on-phone-2014121293790

[King Postwhore]

I'm still against recording a full concert but to get 30 seconds ofor a song that post your love for a band I'm cool with. Just don't overdo it.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't really care either way.  But why is this thread still going?

It's been almost two weeks.  That people that posted originally are still posting and still saying exactly the same things.  There has been no progress.

[BlobVanDam]

It's been almost two weeks.  That people that posted originally are still posting and still saying exactly the same things.  There has been no progress.

Which is different to other threads how?

[cramx3]

It's been almost two weeks.  That people that posted originally are still posting and still saying exactly the same things.  There has been no progress.

Which is different to other threads how?

I didn't think DTF was going to solve this, just ramble on about it 

[Ben_Jamin]

I honestly don't care. But being short it does get annoying to have to move or just bare with it and watch through their phones. It's inevitable to completely have no phones, especially since people have become addicted or attached to their phones.

I'm glad DT are doing this though as its more of a presentation than your usual rock metal concert. Their smart because their asking others to be courteous to others who are trying to enjoy the show, but can't fully enjoy because some ass is recording the entire show.

[King Postwhore]

It's been almost two weeks.  That people that posted originally are still posting and still saying exactly the same things.  There has been no progress.

Which is different to other threads how?

[oyajiben]

As a fan since 1993 this was the first tour we were not allowed to take pictures.   I for one was irked about it.  Some complain that it's distracting.  Others want to showshow their love of DT to their friends online. 

I think it's off putting that DT thinks we "need" to pay attention to "this" album.  In this day and age of 5.1 Blu Ray disks coming out for each tour I could care less for YouTube videos.

So do you agree or disagree?

If I knew it wasn't allowed, I wouldn't have taken this pic back in December 2011...

[Grizz]

I would've.