Parents who insist on videoing at every school function holding their phones above their head...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These people suck. My child had a dance recital this weekend that was professionally filmed. The director asked that it not be recorded. So...parents actually came backstage to try to film from the sides of the stage and fought with the owner trying to stop them. One grown up lady stomping her foot while children were on stage screaming that "it's not fair, it's her right to be there and film her own child". Me, a parent volunteer, was mortified. My husband told me another asshat went into the tech (light/sound booth) to try to film. What is wrong with people? What happened to basic courtesy? I will take filming from the seats anyday over that nonesense. And dont even get me started about the people that post these things on socials without the concent of the parents of the other kids...they suck extra.

Longtime dance parent/volunteer here: Please tell the dance school director about these things; he or she is swamped on show days and may not know about the details. Believe me, the director wants to know. The dance school should issue a crystal clear email saying filming is not allowed (not merely asking that shows not be recorded--telling parents the cannot record).

If you were in any rented facility (school auditoriums are also rented facilities), the rental contract may actually stipulate who can and can I enter the tech booth or be backstage. Or just tell the invading parents that there is a strict policy that only volunteers and dance studio staff are allowed backstage and others must leave immediately.

It is also hugely distracting to dancers on stage to have phones everywhere-- they CAN see the screen glow even though the screen isn't facing them. And the can see arms in the air etc. Distractions are actually dangerous to the dancers.

Phones etc actually can ruin the professional filming--the glow of screens may turn up on the professional recording. Any good film company is going to shoot over the level of the audience to avoid that but I've been told by the company that films our performances that phone cameras are a nightmare.

Our studio has an announcement before each show saying photography and filming are not allowed, period. We DO allow parents to see and film dress rehearsals--which does a lot to get it out of their systems before actual shows, and is not as distracting during a rehearsal (which may stop and start anyway) than during a show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it would be nice if all these events (concerts, awards ceremonies, etc) were live streamed. Our schools have the technology and they have the staff. It would be really nice if grandparents or aunts/uncles or traveling parents could participate this way. Almost all the travel sports events I go to these days are being live streamed. It is hard to understand why our schools don't do it, too.

It's a nice thought but we live in a country where many teachers have to buy their own school supplies. (if you are talking about public schools). And many of the sports ones charge a fee, so it doesn't totally solve the problem because people would still do it to get their crappy free videos.
Honestly, I bet the vast majority of these videos never get watched.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grandma is in a wheelchair and can't come to the performance, so recording it is the only way she can see it.

Grandma's desire to see it doesn't trump the people behind you. If you must record it, get off to the side or video from eye level only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal made an announcement the other day before DD's band concert that parents wishing to videotape the performance should stand to the side/along the auditorium walls.

THAT IS AWESOME! Way to go, principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it would be nice if all these events (concerts, awards ceremonies, etc) were live streamed. Our schools have the technology and they have the staff. It would be really nice if grandparents or aunts/uncles or traveling parents could participate this way. Almost all the travel sports events I go to these days are being live streamed. It is hard to understand why our schools don't do it, too.

It's a nice thought but we live in a country where many teachers have to buy their own school supplies. (if you are talking about public schools). And many of the sports ones charge a fee, so it doesn't totally solve the problem because people would still do it to get their crappy free videos.
Honestly, I bet the vast majority of these videos never get watched.

It actually is super easy to do and there really aren't any costs as long as you're in a facility with a power source and internet. Even our Title I school can do it. All you need is someone's cell phone (iPhone or Galaxy will do because they have good cameras), hook it up to a power source, connect to the internet and stream to your site. From there you can give the option of people to save, depending on your site. It is easy to set up so that there is no fee involved. A tripod or some sort of stand helps so that the person filming doesn't get too tired but the tripod is optional. I haven't ever had to pay for a live stream for a travel team game. And as soon as we get the link, I send it out to about 10 grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, who all want to watch some or part of the game. Easy peasey. Sure it can be done real high-tech but it is super easy and really cheap to do on the fly.

The nice thing is that if you do it then it give more power to the school to set and enforce their own rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it would be nice if all these events (concerts, awards ceremonies, etc) were live streamed. Our schools have the technology and they have the staff. It would be really nice if grandparents or aunts/uncles or traveling parents could participate this way. Almost all the travel sports events I go to these days are being live streamed. It is hard to understand why our schools don't do it, too.

It's a nice thought but we live in a country where many teachers have to buy their own school supplies. (if you are talking about public schools). And many of the sports ones charge a fee, so it doesn't totally solve the problem because people would still do it to get their crappy free videos.
Honestly, I bet the vast majority of these videos never get watched.

It actually is super easy to do and there really aren't any costs as long as you're in a facility with a power source and internet. Even our Title I school can do it. All you need is someone's cell phone (iPhone or Galaxy will do because they have good cameras), hook it up to a power source, connect to the internet and stream to your site. From there you can give the option of people to save, depending on your site. It is easy to set up so that there is no fee involved. A tripod or some sort of stand helps so that the person filming doesn't get too tired but the tripod is optional. I haven't ever had to pay for a live stream for a travel team game. And as soon as we get the link, I send it out to about 10 grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, who all want to watch some or part of the game. Easy peasey. Sure it can be done real high-tech but it is super easy and really cheap to do on the fly.

The nice thing is that if you do it then it give more power to the school to set and enforce their own rules.

So what do you do for the kids who didn't sign the photo consent and are "no media"? Has this been an issue? I brought it up to the school director and that was her concern.
Although clearly the other parents are sharing it and it's just not enforceable, I think she was concerned with an official video coming from the school.

[Anonymous]

This is life st my kids school. Awful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it would be nice if all these events (concerts, awards ceremonies, etc) were live streamed. Our schools have the technology and they have the staff. It would be really nice if grandparents or aunts/uncles or traveling parents could participate this way. Almost all the travel sports events I go to these days are being live streamed. It is hard to understand why our schools don't do it, too.

It's a nice thought but we live in a country where many teachers have to buy their own school supplies. (if you are talking about public schools). And many of the sports ones charge a fee, so it doesn't totally solve the problem because people would still do it to get their crappy free videos.
Honestly, I bet the vast majority of these videos never get watched.

It actually is super easy to do and there really aren't any costs as long as you're in a facility with a power source and internet. Even our Title I school can do it. All you need is someone's cell phone (iPhone or Galaxy will do because they have good cameras), hook it up to a power source, connect to the internet and stream to your site. From there you can give the option of people to save, depending on your site. It is easy to set up so that there is no fee involved. A tripod or some sort of stand helps so that the person filming doesn't get too tired but the tripod is optional. I haven't ever had to pay for a live stream for a travel team game. And as soon as we get the link, I send it out to about 10 grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, who all want to watch some or part of the game. Easy peasey. Sure it can be done real high-tech but it is super easy and really cheap to do on the fly.

The nice thing is that if you do it then it give more power to the school to set and enforce their own rules.

So what do you do for the kids who didn't sign the photo consent and are "no media"? Has this been an issue? I brought it up to the school director and that was her concern.
Although clearly the other parents are sharing it and it's just not enforceable, I think she was concerned with an official video coming from the school.

That is a good point. I would have a parent do it. That is what is happening when I see it at sports events. The power source and the internet access will still exist. Perhaps even muster up a few staff members and other parents who will spread the word about the live stream and help police the area a little bit. All I know is that at sporting events it has cut waaaaay down on the number of people trying to film events themselves. Sell it as a way to watch your kid on stage and not having to be focused on filming.

Still set up a side area for parents to rotate through but I think you can get rid of 90% of the nuisance people by giving a free alternative. People get excited "Oh, it's being LIVE-STREAMED! Let me tell grandma!!! I'm going to call Uncle Josue and tell him! Maybe Frank and Matilda want to watch!!!" I'm exaggerating a little on the excitement but people do like to use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I like this picture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't mind. Never do it at school, but we do record our kids' musical performances outside of school.

I would like to be able to see my kid singing too, but your fat arm was in my way. DOWN IN FRONT.

We arrived at DS's concert ahead of schedule and most of the seats were taken. We had to ask for more seats to be brought in. We sat down and tried to enjoy the concert. We couldn't because there were too many people standing in front of us. So, DH had to go down near the front of the center isle to snap a short video of DS to send to grandparents. He came back when he was done, while too many of the people stayed in the center isle. One guy complained to DH about how he couldn't see. DH responded, "I know." He couldn't see from the back where we were sitting. DH was up there for all of 2 mins. If the school actually had some money for an auditorium, or at the very least a larger stage, then this wouldn't be that big off an issue. So, what's the answer?

[Anonymous]

I just watched the kindergarten "graduation" at my school. Well, I watched the people's backs. I understand wanting to take a photo of your child but I don't understand people who want to record the entire thing. Nobody really wants to watch an entire shaky video. A few nice photos are all that most people have time for anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grandma is in a wheelchair and can't come to the performance, so recording it is the only way she can see it.

Grandma's desire to see it doesn't trump the people behind you. If you must record it, get off to the side or video from eye level only.

Different poster. Unfortunately, eye level videoing in your seat is still horrible--the glow of the screen is still visible and immensely distracting to everyone behind the person holding that phone. Even when screens are set to the darkest setting, they are still visible. I like the principal who said any videos had to be taken from the sides of the auditorium.

I'm the dance poster from above and because our studio clearly announces there must be no videos or photos during shows, it's MUCH easier to tell another parent, "please do't film; the camera away--the studio doesn't allow any videos". If a school bans it or limits it to side aisles, it will be easier for parents to police it when some parent fires up the blasted screen. It's so phenomenally rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't mind. Never do it at school, but we do record our kids' musical performances outside of school.

I would like to be able to see my kid singing too, but your fat arm was in my way. DOWN IN FRONT.

You should have gotten there earlier so you could be down front too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I like this picture.

I love that smiling woman in the middle! SO in the moment!

I feel bad for the poor kid performers who only see a row of cell phones instead of a row of smiling parents. We all suck. Agree strongly that there should be just one master videographer at events and that videos should be available securely, not openly on the school's social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't mind. Never do it at school, but we do record our kids' musical performances outside of school.

I would like to be able to see my kid singing too, but your fat arm was in my way. DOWN IN FRONT.

You should have gotten there earlier so you could be down front too.

So only the front couple rows are entitled to see?