Theatre Performers and Social Media

d'James
Leading Player

3,779 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 7:15:11 GMT via Tapatalk

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Post by d'James on May 31, 2022 7:15:11 GMT

I’m sure I’ve read in the past that producers wanted to know how many followers performers had, when they hire them, to be able to attract more interest in the show.

Surely they’re regretting that now with the dramas we’ve seen of late (Cinderella, Legally Blonde, now Beauty and the Beast and feel free to tell me more).

Therefore, what do we think the future will be? Stricter rules in people’s contracts about what they are and are not allowed to say on social media? Or more and more performers using their positions (rightly or wrongly) to say controversial things.

I have to say that, personally, reading the comments of unhappy performers definitely puts me off seeing the show, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the future.

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sweets7
Ensemble

180 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 7:39:51 GMT theatreian, ThereWillBeSun, and 2 more like this

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Post by sweets7 on May 31, 2022 7:39:51 GMT

I think no matter what job you have a modicum of professionalism is needed.

Jan
Leading Player

4,648 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 8:40:02 GMT

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Post by Jan on May 31, 2022 8:40:02 GMT

May 31, 2022 7:15:11 GMT d'James said:

I’m sure I’ve read in the past that producers wanted to know how many followers performers had, when they hire them, to be able to attract more interest in the show.

Surely they’re regretting that now with the dramas we’ve seen of late (Cinderella, Legally Blonde, now Beauty and the Beast and feel free to tell me more).

Therefore, what do we think the future will be? Stricter rules in people’s contracts about what they are and are not allowed to say on social media? Or more and more performers using their positions (rightly or wrongly) to say controversial things.

I have to say that, personally, reading the comments of unhappy performers definitely puts me off seeing the show, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the future.

It will be somewhat self-regulating, performers who have complained in public about shows they are in will be less likely to get cast in future. It's always been like that behind the scenes, actors or directors, or writers even, who have a reputation for being "difficult" (for the producers mainly) don't get the same amount of work unless their star power overcomes that. The only difference now is that some of this is playing out in public whereas in the past there was a conspiracy of silence about it.

Last Edit: May 31, 2022 8:44:37 GMT by Jan

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Jon
Star Performer

6,319 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 10:15:52 GMT

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Post by Jon on May 31, 2022 10:15:52 GMT

Legally Blonde and Cinderella are isolated incidents, most shows and casts are able to regulate their social media presence. In the case of BATB, the mentioned cast member is no longer in the show so Disney cannot really control what he says unless they force him to sign a NDA.

stagebyte
Swing

835 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 10:44:56 GMT via mobile

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Post by stagebyte on May 31, 2022 10:44:56 GMT

May 31, 2022 7:15:11 GMT d'James said:

I’m sure I’ve read in the past that producers wanted to know how many followers performers had, when they hire them, to be able to attract more interest in the show.

Surely they’re regretting that now with the dramas we’ve seen of late (Cinderella, Legally Blonde, now Beauty and the Beast and feel free to tell me more).

Therefore, what do we think the future will be? Stricter rules in people’s contracts about what they are and are not allowed to say on social media? Or more and more performers using their positions (rightly or wrongly) to say controversial things.

I have to say that, personally, reading the comments of unhappy performers definitely puts me off seeing the show, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the future.

Agree. There is a difference between having a mature voice and sounding off on social media as you would to your mates on the group chat or down the pub. Ruins the magic and once you remove the last vestige of magic you’re left in the audience thinking about the drama and not the show.

ThereWillBeSun
Swing

984 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 11:16:06 GMT

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Post by ThereWillBeSun on May 31, 2022 11:16:06 GMT

Common sense would prevail you'd think. Surely it would be in their contacts about bringing the company into ill disrepute? Defo in mine. I would LOVE to say stuff but I just don't. I think we are now in a culture of oversharing everything, which can be a positive for some things; but for others - not so much. End of day, it's a job. Theatre industry or outside.

sph
Swing

959 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 15:49:30 GMT d'James likes this

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Post by sph on May 31, 2022 15:49:30 GMT

I was always raised to "not air your dirty laundry in public", so I do wince a little bit when I see performers venting online.

Maybe it's just considered part and parcel of the industry nowadays and young fans expect that level of social media engagement from their favourite performers?

Jon
Star Performer

6,319 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media May 31, 2022 20:16:18 GMT intoanewlife likes this

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Post by Jon on May 31, 2022 20:16:18 GMT

May 31, 2022 15:49:30 GMT sph said:

I was always raised to "not air your dirty laundry in public", so I do wince a little bit when I see performers venting online.

Maybe it's just considered part and parcel of the industry nowadays and young fans expect that level of social media engagement from their favourite performers?

This is totally off-topic but I always mute political retweets or complaints about a service whether it be trains or your broadband company not because I disagree with the person or agree with the company but because it's incredibly boring to see on timelines all the time. My own social media is mostly things I enjoy or something new and/or positive like when I went on the Elizabeth Line for the first time although I would imagine some might find that a bit boring as well but that's okay.

Last Edit: May 31, 2022 20:17:26 GMT by Jon

Deleted

0 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media Jun 1, 2022 14:17:37 GMT via mobile BurlyBeaR, inthenose, and 1 more like this

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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2022 14:17:37 GMT

Social media has also given people inflated senses of their self importance where they think their opinion matters/is important. In reality away from their small echo chamber online their opinion doesn't mean much and is no more important than anyone elses. There is a massive issue of entitlement these days, together with need for validation.

People put so much emphasis on social media (twitter especially) as a source of public opinion but its really only a tiny % of overall society and often doesn't reflect the silent majority

theatrelover82
Ensemble

31 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media Jun 1, 2022 18:39:43 GMT via mobile

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Post by theatrelover82 on Jun 1, 2022 18:39:43 GMT

Jun 1, 2022 14:17:37 GMT @theatrefan2 said:

Social media has also given people inflated senses of their self importance where they think their opinion matters/is important. In reality away from their small echo chamber online their opinion doesn't mean much and is no more important than anyone elses. There is a massive issue of entitlement these days, together with need for validation.

People put so much emphasis on social media (twitter especially) as a source of public opinion but its really only a tiny % of overall society and often doesn't reflect the silent majority

Nail. On. The. Head. 100%.

sph
Swing

959 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media Jun 1, 2022 22:47:28 GMT

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Post by sph on Jun 1, 2022 22:47:28 GMT

Jun 1, 2022 14:17:37 GMT @theatrefan2 said:

Social media has also given people inflated senses of their self importance where they think their opinion matters/is important. In reality away from their small echo chamber online their opinion doesn't mean much and is no more important than anyone elses. There is a massive issue of entitlement these days, together with need for validation.

People put so much emphasis on social media (twitter especially) as a source of public opinion but its really only a tiny % of overall society and often doesn't reflect the silent majority

This is true, and when the people you follow, along with the algorithms, mean that you're constantly seeing and engaging with people who think like you do... well you get caught in the "I'm right" bubble.

jojo
Ensemble

397 posts

Theatre Performers and Social Media Jun 12, 2022 10:30:05 GMT

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Post by jojo on Jun 12, 2022 10:30:05 GMT

The social media policy for my work is fairly strict, and we're even encouraged not to mention our place of work in our profile in case we say something that could be linked back to it.

I actively enjoy reading different opinions via social media, but even though I make the effort to follow people with a range of backgrounds, and think it's a good thing to read the feeds of people who have a different opinion on me on certain issues, but even then they are usually people with whom I share at least some values, and I know I'm still only seeing quite a narrow range of views.

It's not just that some people are oblivious that they are in an echo chamber - some seek it out, and others take a McCarthyesque approach to policing who other people follow.

The upshot seems to be that people who are certain they are right on subject say really stupid and offensive things and no-one dares to point out that even if they are right, what they are saying is stupid and/or offensive and doesn't reflect well on them or their cause.