Hello all!
I recently purchased a new Canon EOS Rebel camera and had taken it with me to the SNC show in Baltimore. Fellow Chaser, Bethany Boyes, and I had terrific seats, center section, Row 3, aisle. Just before the intermission, as the group was ending "Superstition/Stayin' Alive" and before getting into introductions, one of the ushers came to my side and informed me I was no longer allowed to take photos with my camera - my camera lens was too large for the venue. I was having a little trouble digesting this information, and was making arrangements with her to talk to management staff at intermission. In the meantime, Bethany taps me on the leg, and points to the stage. Ryan and Jerome left no stone unturned...they were standing at the edge of the stage asking what all the commotion was about! Great. Now the entire Hall knows I have an issue! They knew it had something to do with my camera. As the usher left, Jerome advise me to "take as many pictures as you want, girl!" At intermission, the usher met me and we went to talk to whoever could make the situation right. We were sent to wait at the Green Room, and much to my surprise, (and good fortune) we were greeted by SNC tour Manager, Richard Korby and his two co-horts, K-Merch, and Kyle. Korby advised the Meyerehoff staff, "Oh! We know her!" 1-Point SNC, 0-Points Meyerhoff. I soon discovered that my camera lens was so large it was believed I may have been Press. (Well, I can't help what size lens came with the camera.) Korby kindly asked if I would, however, curtail photo taking for the rest of the evening, and I had no problem in complying with his request. As I returned back to my seat, I discovered that Bethany thought I had been TAKEN (as in "not gone willingly"), Seggie had sent a tweet to me to keep taking pictures "Power to the People!," and I had gotten a direct message from Ryan apologizing that Bethany's and my show experience was interrupted - they would talk to the venue. (Did this turn out to be a case of friendly fire?) So, if any of you fellow Chasers out there have a "professional looking" camera, let this be a warning for you. It's better to go enjoy the show rather than become part of it!! Overall, it was a great night! The second set had its own special nuances that those in attendance won't soon forget!
Julie
Great idea on the sticker!! I want one too!
"SNC approved" sticker- that's AWESOME!
Hey Julie! This is exactly the story you shared with me on opening night in AC. It is a pretty serious looking camera so I'm glad you didn't have any probelms that night. I think you should get a sticker that says "SNC approved"!
BTW it was grat to meet you that night. Hope to see you again.
Blake Minor does their lighting. Kyle "K-Merch" Tolbert is at touring shows, running the merchandise table. Harrah's staff seem to run the merchandise stand in AC, though. Manager David Britz is at least some shows, and he is the answer man for many of our questions here in this site. These are the behind-the-scenes guys I know of...
Funny K-Merch clip, for anyone who hasn't seen it: http://www.sncmusic.com/video/ryan-don-interview-k-merch/
If you search K-Merch on this site, there are some entertaining pix as well. I recall one of him buried in the sand & a "medal ceremony" shot of K-Merch, Don, and I think Charlie for go carts or bumper cars somewhere.
Breathing easier now.... thanks ladies! Richard Korby - got it! Just out of curiosity... who else is on their tour staff, at every show that is....?
I wonder, should one of us commission an "official fan pass" for Chases for just-in-casers? Maybe a "Not Press Button" or t-shirt....... just sayin'! You gals (and guys) are the greatest!
For anyone concerned about taking cameras to AC, I second the advice you've gotten here: SNC actually has a recorded announcement at the beginning of the show basically saying, take all the pictures and videos you want!
Definitely "tell them you are merely a fan and would like to speak to Richard Korby" if you need to. Korby always has our backs!
The Baltimore show certainly had its share of amusing anecdotes last year! MACs rule!
Julie, I'm sorry to hear about your experience! I'm sure the usher was just doing his job, but that stinks! Kudos to the guys for sticking up for you like they did! That's why we all like them so much.
My husband went to SNC's show in Vancouver, Canada last February. The Vogue Theatre Staff came over the loudspeaker before the show and announced that they normally don't allow photography and video recording at any of their performaces, but that they were making an exception for SNC. It was awesome! I had my gigantic Canon SLR camera with all of my lenses (including my 70-300mm lens which is huge). I had no problems at all. At the beginning of the show Jerome encouraged the audience to take photos and videos. It was awesome! So, I guess it just depends on the theater. Hopefully you'll have a better experience next time. Take that camera with you girl and hope next time is better!!! :)
Gina... take your camera! LOL. If you're going to AC - it is no problem (I was there opening night and had no issues). Korby did advise me at Caesar's when I was there to let the ushers know what I had. I do think they are asked to look for that sort of "professional looking" camera. I don't think anyone else has run into this problem. And, if you are hesitant, just talk to one of the ushers beforehand. And, if that doesn't work, tell them you are merely a fan and would like to speak to Richard Korby.
Good luck!!
Has aaaanyone else, aaaanywhere else had any issues since this particular incident?!?! I'm not a professional photographer, nor do I work for any press, I just like taking pictures! I have a the same camera and a digital SLR which larger than the Rebel! I was planning on bring both to my first concert (digital is fun, but I like surprises when you develop film) ......... now I'm not so sure.......
So glad they noticed and came to your defense! Such great guys.....
"Ma'am, may I see your camera, please?" LOL. Thanks for sharing, Julie, and for being such a great sport =)
next time take a 50mm 1.8 prime lens. only about $100 and very, very small. it's the perfect lens for low light situations, too. ;o)
Kim, I am TOTALLY "with" you on this one. I guess I mentioned it somewhere else (not here) that in the venue's defense, they WERE looking out for SNC. "Whoever" saw my camera from "wherever," was just making sure I was not with the Press. It sounds funny now to think *I* could be with the Press, however, if they (the Press) are not invited or given permission to be there, then the rules are the rules. And believe me, I'm a HUGE "rule follower"!
I had to laugh at your comment... "The usher would have gone unnoticed if the guys weren't so observant!!" Right! However, I think "Kong" (the user's bodyguard) is what drew the attention in the first place! I felt sorry for the people that couldn't see past, through, or around that guy!
Sorry to everyone if I made my post sound like I have a problem with the Meyerhoff venue and/or staff. I do not (the usher was very nice!). The "incident," on any other day for me, probably would have been embarrasing, upsetting, or somehow otherwise horrific. For some reason, on this particular evening, I was none of these. It was more of a speed bump in the evening for me. Certainly a funny "memory" I won't soon forget.
Many people heard about my situation that evening so I thought I would share it here more as an amusing anecdote. That is all. I hope none of you are thinking I am upset with the Meyerhoff regarding the events of the evening, because I am not. And, if anyone from Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is on this site, my apologies. It's all good! =)
I guess being from Baltimore and loving the Meyerhoff since I was a child, I'll stick up for the venue a bit. I've been to many things there over the years and there are signs everywhere about no cameras,etc.
I have a feeling, granted, it's just a feeling after going to *mumblefritz* shows that the Meyerhoff has never experienced a group quite like SNC. :)
The usher would have gone unnoticed if they guys weren't so observent!! lol And, I certainly wouldn't want to be in Julie's shoes. (I probably would have had a panic attack!) I, too, am amazed and grateful at how SNC stuck up for her from the stage and their management after the incident!!
I just wanted to say that I'm sure the Meyerhoff nor their staff meant any harm or embarrassment to anyone. They were doing what they always do which is carrying out the venue policies. Maybe the usher wasn't in the orchestra are at the time of the announcements. I don't know. One thing is for sure, anyone who was at the Baltimore show will surely remember that show!! Whether it was the 'camera incident' or the 'silent fire alarm: lights on, lights off' it was a show to remember.
(Note: I was at a venue that specifically announced absolutely no filming or recording prior to the start of the show. SNC said they were 'overriding that right before the last song'.)
I reported the spam, too. The more the merrier!
Don't worry folks, I've already reported Mr. Henry as Spam. Reminds me of a Monty Python bit. Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, spam and spam
=)
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Sorry you had to go through that Julie...I know how you must have felt to be at the center of an "issue"..when all you wanted to do was take pictures of the boys...just goes to show you how classy our guys are..including management
Wow. First, Julie, thank you for sharing your experience. Too bad the venue didn't "get it". Second, this makes me love the guys even more especially when they say "power to the people and take as many pictures as you want, girl!" How many **stars** would actually go to the trouble to say that? These guys are *real* to the very core. Which is why we're here, right? I
Thanks for sharing this story! I think this is another classic example of how awesome the SNC guys are and how much they appreciate their fans. It's so great that these guys are so nice and so down to earth. I can almost guarantee there aren't many musicians out there who would stick up for you in this situation. And who would've thought that a venue would start all of this commotion because your camera lens was "too big." CRAZY! I bet you'll remember that concert experience forever. (Not that you wouldn't have without all the extra commotion!)
Aaaaaand, I think I'll just quit while I'm ahead. =)
And they say "size doesn't matter." :-X
@Kerri - I'm guessing I have the "stock lens" which would be about, what, 7-8"? I'm not surprised at ALL that the guys "came to my rescue" at it were! They were "all over it" too, at the M & G later which just made me laugh more, but also made me feel good that they were looking out for their Chasers! I can't say enough how much I've enjoyed being part of this group and the entire SNC experience! =)
Julie - what size lens do you have? I have the stock lens (for the Rebel) and have brought my camera to many shows in 4 different states and (thankfully) have never been questioned or spoken to...I'm thinking now that I've been lucky! I know that Rosa got "yelled" at in Vegas by an usher about video - but not a minute later the announcement was made about taking as many photos/videos as we all wanted and we were undisturbed when we took out the recorders.
I'm glad that they stuck up for you (but not at all surprised) and that it was resolved.
Wow--nice to see the guys stick up for you, Julie! I've seen video of Jerome telling the crowds to feel free to photo/video their performance. Just another way SNC is so accomodating and fan-friendly!
SheriS - Most venues do not allow photo or video, however, so far, at the beginning of every SNC show I have been to, there has been an announcement that photo taking, etc. has been encouraged. I had no idea the size of the camera was going to be an issue!
Thanks for sharing your story, Julie! It is so cool that the guys have your back like that!
Julie: I have noticed that some venues do state there are to be no picture taking or videos, but what you experienced is unreal. Apparently, some of the venues feal they are in control of the performers choices to allow photos! It gets to be a little ridiculous and controlling!