3 replies to this topic

[Backdrifter]

Almost every notification email I receive about productions now seems to come with links to teaser trailers and/or videos of rehearsals and other behind the scenes stuff. I never watch them, partly because I always find theatre looks really naff on screen - and that's actual productions, let alone rehearsals - and partly because if it sounds like something I might see, I'd rather wait to actually see it.

But I wondered what others think about these videos, whether anyone does watch them, finds them useful, etc. I don't know if productions do them because it's been shown to work, or because other productions do them, "so we'd better as well".

EDIT: Day after original post - got one from the Rose Kingston, promoting Smack Family Robinson,

- though I can kind of understand that particular venue wanting to let the universe know by any means possible that they also have plays without Judi Dench in.

[itsuckstobeme]

Not a huge fan and generally don't watch them.  I don't mind rehearsal videos or technical back-stagey things but most trailers are terrible, especially for plays. I did however like the one for 'curious incident' at NT.

[armadillo]

The one for Deathtrap was good. But I only watched it because people here said it was a cut above the usual. Normally I can't be bothered.

[wickedgrin]

Like the theatre in cinema thread - I find that these trailers rarely work. The medium of film and stage is so different. Although in todays YouTube and social media age I understand the producers trying to embrace the technology and encouraging backstage blogging and "behind the scenes" stuff to generate interest. But it is not for me.