Filming School Nativities

[Prudie]

A colleague is taking the pm off to watch her young grandson in his school nativity play. They've been told no filming and no photos (only those taken by the school can be bought). Is this now the norm with school events ? Don't you think it's all a step too far? It's such a shame.

[sherrardk]

I am off to see the things' nativity this afternoon. Usually the school film it but there is no ban on parents or grandparents, etc filming it too. I sometimes wonder if such bans are a cynical way of generating funds from the sale of DVDs.

[Mamyalynne]

Schools my Grandchildren have attended allow filming and photos - usually just mention it at the start in case any parent objects. Have never seen that happen.

[VHG]

Sadly some people do take photographs of young children and posted them on "dodgy" web sites.

I remember taking my video camera to a swimming baths about 20 years ago to film my young children and wife swimming. Nobody said a word but I doubt I would be allowed to do it now.

Sad that we have come to this but that's the way it is.

[FredPuli43]

My daughter's primary school had such a rule but it was not because of some nonsense abour paedophiles. It was that having thirty or so parents filming at once and snapping away with cameras was a distraction to everyone including the parents. Very sensible.

[Mamyalynne]

My (almost ) 3 year old Grandson is a sheep this afternoon, he Baaas beautifully. :-)

[Zacs-Master]

I'm afraid so Prudie. Yet another example of the majority being deprived due to the minority. This kind of explains the current thinking:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/photos-children-school-ban

[LazyGun]

See this article for an alternative view, Prudie :)

http://www.parentdish.co.uk/christmas/filming-school-plays-why-i-am-glad-my-childs-school-has-banned-parents-filming/

I can see some parents might be irritated/offended at not being able to film their offspring, but I can also see the other side of the argument; That everyone can relax in their seats and focus on the performance, rather than worry about filming it, they can then buy a professional quality copy of the event and possibly even help to raise some funds for the school in the process - sounds like a win-win to me :)

[belrec]

We are always told that we can take pics and video but not to share them on scoial networkks.

It is more to do with taking pics of other peoples kids then posting them without their permission. it can be really tricky to just get your own child in the pic so it is easier to have a blanket ban.

It has eased as i remember a few years ago it was a complete ban on photos by parents.

Sherrard i think some schools do take advantage, my eldest was lead in the play last year and we could buy pics but don't know who took it because it was awfull, and usually she is very photogenic, a rip off grrrr.

[Canary42]

Most theatres ban cameras - such activity spoils things for those who just go to watch and enjoy.

[murraymints]

Cameras not allowed in schools , pools or playgrounds here !

[jomifl]

There are times when it is best just to enjoy the moment and s0d the photos/videos

[Prudie]

Some interesting points from all of you, it is not as straightforward as it first appears. Thanks for the links Zacs and Lazy. I'm not sure what I think now, one of the disadvantages I suppose of everyone having the means to film away on their phones etc. Makes sense in the theatre but school nativity is surely meant to be a joyous time for families to come together and have fun while they proudly watch - their sheep Mamya :-)

[zebo]

My grandchildren's school doesn't allow photos or videos because there are "looked after" children in the school, I assume that means children in care. Let's all be honest, don't we all find it annoying when people are jumping up and down to take their perfect shot of their perfect child?
As far as schools selling photos and videos, a friend recently retired used to video the school play with no bouncing parental heads in the way, she then spent hours of her own time editing and the reproducing DVDs for a fiver, which went into the school's funds.
Personally I think that's a far better way of doing it.

[murraymints]

Zebo..much better idea !!

[sherrardk]

Just back from the nativity. For the first year ever, we were told we could take pictures but not post them on FB because of the nature of some parents' jobs.

[LazyGun]

"but not post them on FB because of the nature of some parents' jobs"

Is it a school for the children of spies or something, sherrard? :)

[2sp_]

#1 daughter is going to be a donkey on Thursday... (At the nativity, not in real life.)

Like Sher, we are allowed to take photos on the understanding that we don't put them on FB.

[sherrardk]

Not far off Lazy Gun, we live by an army camp in Hereford.

[LazyGun]

@sherrard Ahh, well that would explain it then.

[2sp_]

That's maybe why we have been asked not to post on FB either, we are near a big army base too.