Videoing nativity play

[Lonelymum]

I know it has been done before but I have just had a letter from school saying no-one is allowed to film the school nativity play this year. I have always filmed ds1 and ds2's nativities before and we love re-watching them. This year, the nativity will have ds2 in it for the last time and dd for the first time. She is to be an angel and is devastated she can't be videoed. I am devastated too. None of my children understand why they can't be videoed and I can't explain it to them as they don't know about paedophiles etc and I am not about to take this opportunity to explain it to them. I just feel so disappointed. Am I alone in feeling this way?

[Angeliz]

No, i'd be sad too, dd is in a play in a few days and i'd love to keep it forever, (but i am allowed to tape-will get dp to as i want to watch her ).
Could you not suggest that they tape it, get a few more parents onboard and then sell tapes to parents for charity or to cover the cost??

[Gobbledigook]

How ridiculous! They aren't naked in this play are they?!

We always video ds1 nursery concerts - no restrictions there.

[Lonelymum]

I did wonder if they were going to tape it and sell copies to parents, but I think not. I feel I definitely have to complain on Monday but I think it will fall on deaf ears.

No, no-one is naked as far as I know. That is how I feel. Frankly, if a paedophile got hold of a copy of a video of my dd in her angel costume and got off on it, how would that harm my dd? Does that shock anyone?

[spacemonkey]

I think it's ridiculous.

[lavender2]

have you spoken to the head teacher...as have just asked dh if we are allowed and he said yes...dd was Mary last year and we recorded it...that's so sad....if the head knows it's you then surely they can not do this...it is political correctness going way to far...dotting the end of a sentence, crossing the T etc...I'd be bloomin fuming (have you been able to do this before btw?).

[amynnixmum]

Our school tapes it every year and sells the tapes for £5 to raise money. I dont think they have a rule banning other people from videoing though - pretty sure some took their own videos last year. Most people just buy a copy of the schools one.

[Angeliz]

Lonelymum, when is the play?
Couldn't you and other mums protest?
(After all it's YOUR children that they're trying to protect so they might back down a bit if they realise parents aren't happy!).
Can't see how it could fall into wrong hands if it was taped once at School! (and as you say, they're not in a vulnerable position or naked or anything!)

[Lonelymum]

Yes we have always videoed it before. Quite honestly, most parents seemed to be videoing it in previous years. As I see it, either some prat has complained,or the local authority has sent out a directive. I am fuming.

[Angeliz]

TBH, i wish dd's School taped it then i could get it and concentrate on dd on the day...........(might suggest that now )

[Lonelymum]

I will gauge opinions in the playground on Monday. Only got the letter this pm (and only read it when I got home) so I haven't had time to speak to the head. One other parent I have spoken to agrees with me.

[Lonelymum]

Lockets, in that case, couldn't the school video it and only sell it to the known guardian/ parent with custody of the child?

[dawnie1]

This happened in quite a few schools in my area last Xmas, it makes me so angry because of a minority of sick, evil b***ds the majority of loving, caring adults have to forfeit the right to video their children in school plays etc As if they are going to watch nativity plays when there is all that repulsive, disgusting filth available on the net.

[Lonelymum]

Well, no, I admit I video the other children too because I think my children will enjoy seeing who their friends were in years to come, but I still don't see why the school couldn't video it. Is there a petulant emoticon?!

[Carla]

Bunkum, poppycock and twaddle. DDs went to stagecoach for a while, and they said we were unable to take photos/videos of their end of term performances as it was still in ? copyright??? Dickens??? Or was it the Rogers and Hammerstein version. Blimey, can't be very long before that expires, too. DD1'w ballet performance next week prohibts the use of 'flash' photograhy, understanderbly, but they're also flogging a video of the whole show. Bugger them, I'll take my own thanks

[GeorginaA]

Carla - an easy way to get out of the flash photography rule - borrow someone who has a good SLR camera with very fast lenses & a tripod. No flash - still good pics

Well, you'd be follow the rules to the letter if not quite the spirit, and it's not your fault if a camera and tripod take up much more space, is it?!

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[Lonelymum]

Frankly Yorkiegirl, and no offence intended, but no!

[Catbert]

I have to say that although mine are too young to make their debut upon the boards, the one thing that really got up everyone's noses at the last nativity I went to where filming WAS allowed (only a couple of years back) was all the dads standing right at the front taking video and pics, meaning noone sitting in their seats could see a bloody thing!

So frankly, I don't necessarily mind the idea of not allowing all and sundry to be filming, but I DO think that the school should pay for a professional video to be made of the event, and personally I wouldn't be averse to paying for a copy.

As to the Mightbe's and whatif's and whatcouldhappen's of pictures of children - it seems to me to be getting quite out of control to the point of ruining everyone's freedom to simply enjoy an occasion for what it is. Something pure, and beautiful and something that shouldn't even be sullied with these thoughts.

[Lonelymum]

Agree. It is pure and beautiful and one of the happiest moments in a child's life, and a parent's, and I would just like to have a record of it.

[CarrieG]

Similar experience to Yorkiegirl - we had photographers in last year taking pics for new prospectus, & had to get permission slips from all the kids who's classes had been photographed.

One or two parents objected, so those photos couldn't be used.

Nativity Play rule is probably same thing - only takes one parent to object to their kid being filmed. Agree it's a shame.

[Roisin]

We are given "photography permission slips" to sign each year at parents' evening. Last year some parents did not sign, so permission is now not granted for photography of 'whole school' events.

This decision has been taken by the parents themselves, it's not a school decision.

[321]

Do agree it is lovely to have a momento of this. Tell me mumsnetters how much you would expect to pay for a professional video/dvd organised by the P.T.A. This is my first childs experience of a school christmas and an order form has been sent home - £12 vid and £14 for dvd . Is this reasonable? There are 60 children alone in reception. Of course as a parent will buy one because it is a precious time but seems alot especially if buying grandparent copy. Any thoughts?

[JanH]

Seems far too much to me, 321.

I used to video plays for Friends of school - we got them copied by a local bloke with about 10 linked VCRs, he charged £2 a copy so it was cost of blank tape + his £2 and we used to charge parents £7 or £7.50. (Your lot are probably using a more commercial concern but still...)

And we used to put KS1 play and KS2 play on the same tape!

However if you have no choice...could a group of you get together, buy one DVD and make VHS copies of it?