The past two nights where I work, there has been a customer sending a "live" broadcast of me on Facebook. I really wouldn't mind it if it were a song or two, but this guy is doing a couple of hours. I don't really want to be scrutinized that closely, but more important don't want the horrible cellphone audio transmitted. He is sitting across the room and with the audience noise my sounds is just muffled and boomy.
Also there was at least one regular customer who actually complained to the owner because she didn't want to be on live feed. She told me that her boss didn't like to see her out having a drink in a social situation, for whatever reason. She got pretty irate after asking the guy nicely to not "shoot" her.
I looked at the feed later and it didn't sound good, typical of a phone recording. There were about 200 people that watched from time to time, none of which I recognized by name.
I think that if he does it again, I will politely ask him to limit the transmission to two songs maximum. I believe he thinks he is doing a good thing, but I also think it is counter-productive.
Any thoughts?

Yeah, but they're not nice ones. Do you have a 'carry' permit?

chas

PS: I'm sorry, but I just hate (really dislike?) the type of person that thinks this is alright. What planet did they come from.

good question
since this is a public place , there is a question of legality. does he have the right to shoot video without the consent of those present?
i know certain venues can restrict the use of recording devices.
also there is a question of copyright laws.
it might fall on you as the performer and management to decide on allowing recording or how its done. giving you authorization of such recording.

As a matter of fact I do! And also a badge...we'll have to 'splain it to him if he does it again.

Lots of people will take out their phones and take short videos these days. They want to remember and/or share the experience...flaming desserts, live music, fancy food, etc. I have no problem with that, but there is a line this guy is crossing! I KNOW that there are people there who don't want their activities broadcast.
As I said, the guy thinks he is doing a good thing, so I'll talk with Ernest and let him handle it.

Pretty much every venue I've been to here in NY, NJ, and Pa has at times exercised the right to restrict the recording of artists Don. Some of them will allow it but if the artist requests their people will curtail it. It would certainly not seem an unreasonable request from you given the situation you describe.

I don't see this as SMALL problem. When attending keyboard festivals in UK a notice stated no videoing or sound recording however photo's are fine.
Ask the owner of the club or complex to put a notice up.

We're all doomed!

Don,
I think Graham has the answer - talk to the restaurant owner about it and see if he can put a stop to it. I had a similar thing happen to me and it is costing me jobs at a place. They recorded using very good camera equipment three of my gigs. Months later I seemed to never get calls from them - well , they use the videos instead of hiring me. I ran into several residents from this place and they all confirmed what I now know is going on.

Anyway, I would talk with the owner of the restaurant and have him put a stop to it.

Deane

During your break sit across from him and record him drinking, and eating. Then say " I hope you don't mind me putting this in Facebook"

Seriously it would be up to the owner to tell the customer "there are people that are uncomfortable with his postings, and he will be loosing some good customers because of it. He is welcome to limit his posting, showing only people in his immediate dinner party."

Jerryghr

Ask the owner if he can handle this for you..
If there is some bad press, he can handle it...

It looks like you got some good advice, Don, and I'm sure you will be able to handle it...
Obviously, this guy is pushing the envelope on this ...

Deane ... Aside from that being a total ethics violation, there must be some kind of law against that ...
I would try to find out when they are doing it and walk in on them and insist on them stopping it ... You're not getting the gigs there any way, so if they get upset so what ...
OR. work a deal with them to just pay you half your fee when they do it ...

Does that venue have a filming policy?

It's a high-end restaurant/night club. Some people want a degree of privacy for whatever reasons. It's common for customers to take short videos of their evening so there is no policy against that.
I'm sure the owner tactfully told the guy thanks for the good effort but knock it off.
I believe he had no clue he was crossing a line, but I won't let it happen again, if it comes to that.
I've been at this place so long I treat it as if I own the joint. Saturday I went to the restroom, and whoever had been there just before me left a horrible smell. I went to the storeroom, got a can of sanitizer/deodorant, and went back and sprayed it! There is always a busboy assigned to service the restrooms, but we were pretty tied up most of the night.
Maybe I'll do my own live feed, but I will have the camera up close showing just me have and proper audio running to it. Then, both of my fans can watch!

Let me know when, Don, and there will be three of us watching !!!

4

I had a little jerk do that to me several times.
told him that one more time, I was going to give him a cameraectomy.

He did it again, right in my face...all over the keys, etc.

I took the camera and smashed it on the rock wall behind me. Looked it up in the B&H catalog and sent him a check for $812.00.

Never happened again.


Russ

What kind of wackjob will sit in a restaurant and video you for hours? Is he spending money while he's there? Definitely something wrong with him, creepy is the best word I can print here.
Have the manager tell him this is a restaurant and the entertainment is for the pleasure of our guests. His videoing is disturbing because as you wisely said some prefer their privacy.
I've helped move tables and chairs, move boxes out of the way blocking the entrance to get my stuff in and even helped change a few kegs for the bartenders but rest room duty, they're not paying me enough for that LOL!

I guess you showed him!!! Now I know how to pick up some money

He was spending money, but not that much, just drinks for him and his wife.
I think he will take the advice and stop doing it. If not, I may own another cell phone soon.

Don, Too bad you don’t live and play here in RI there’s a few goodfellas from Federal Hill who could solve your problem without you having to buy another cell phone for someone.

Russ, Kudos to you I like your style.

I have some family connections. I can send down Tony, Louie and Guido. You never say no to a man named Guido!

Gary

Gary, I'll bet there are a lot of guys named Guido that would kick your butt for saying something like that. Of course, that WOULD prove your point .

Politically correct chas

Well, I ALMOST said the boss' last name was Palmisano, but I wouldn't want to accidentally offend any of my non-connected Italian friends, and most CERTAINLY not the connected ones!
Ernest's was robbed at gunpoint right after closing about 10 years ago. They even put a bullet through the office wall. They identified the robbers, but the police never found them.

And maybe a guy named Tony !!!

Yeah, humor good, stereotyping bad.

chas

Ha, ha, ha! You guys, obviously, never listened to Imus In The Morning.

Gary

Only every day for years on my way to work ...

Then you would have known that saying "You never say no to a man named Guido."

Gary