the ethics of exploitative entertainment: “spider-man: turn off the dark” a case study
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The Ethics of Exploitative Entertainment: “Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark” A Case Study. Michael Barrett Eileen Bernardo Kathryn Hutchinson Mindy Romero Arien Rozelle. Step 1: The Players. Study the Details and Determine the Relevant Facts of the Case. INTRODUCTION. Rock musical - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
THE ETHICS OF EXPLOITATIVE ENTERTAINMENT:
“SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK”A CASE STUDY
Michael BarrettEileen BernardoKathryn HutchinsonMindy RomeroArien Rozelle
STEP 1: THE PLAYERSStudy the Details and Determine the Relevant Facts of the Case
INTRODUCTION
Rock musical
Book written by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger
Based on comic book
Most expensive Broadway production in history
The longest preview period ever
$65 million dollars
Julie TaymorProducer/Director/ Co-Writer
BonoMusical Composer & Lyricist
The EdgeMusical Composer & Lyricist
Glen BergerCo-writer
CAST OF CHARACTERS(PRIMARY AGENTS)
Source: The Daily Beast
RELEVANT FACTS: A TIMELINE
Jan 13: After multiple injuries, bad reviews and more opening delayed again to March 15th
Feb 7th: The New York Times called it a “national joke” saying: “The sheer ineptitude of this show, inspired by the Spider-Man comic books, loses its shock value early. After 15 or 20 minutes, the central question you keep asking yourself is likely to change from “How can $65 million look so cheap?” to “How long before I’m out of here?” – Ben Brantley, Chief Theater Critic
RELEVANT FACTS: A TIMELINE
Source:The New York Times
Feb 12: Labor Dept. issues two safety violations
Feb 16: The $65 million production pushed back a 5th time to a March 15th opening night • Critics give scathing reviews• Songwriters Bono and The Edge bring in their producer to hone the music• After a slew of injuries, production has been fine-tuning their craft
Feb 27: Spider-Man might push back its opening until June (6th delay)
March 2: The cast of Spider-Man performed on “Letterman”
As of press time, opening day is March 15th. Producers are deciding this week whether to open the show as planned on March 15th or delay it for a sixth time.
RELEVANT FACTS: A TIMELINE
THERE’S A LOT TO LOSE: REPUTATION AND MONEY
RELEVANT CASE STUDIES
RELEVANT FACTS: A TIMELINE
STEP 2: “GOOD” VS. “BAD” Identify the relevant moral criteria
FOUR KEY DECISION MAKERS
Press
Public
Shareholders (Investors)
Creative Team (Writers, Producers, Directors)
THE PRESS Objective: Inform the public
Duty to uphold Broadway’s “agreement” not to print a review until after opening night.
Duty to get publicity for the paper
Duty to themselves to develop their craft, skills and career
THE PUBLIC Objective: To be an informed consumer
Buy a ticket for entertainmentPersonal Benefit
Buy a ticket as patron of the artsSocial Benefit
Safety Issues:Do they abstain as a personal statement and action
to protect actors?Do they buy ticket?
SHAREHOLDERSTAYMOR, BERGER, BONO, THE EDGE
Objective: To maximize the return on their investment, but
doing so puts people in harm’s way.
What should motivate their decision?The return?The well-being of the actors?
CREATIVE TEAMTAYMOR, BERGER, BONO, THE EDGE
Objective: To produce an award-winning, profitable production, but doing so puts people in harm’s way.
Duty to themselves; to develop their craft, skills and career.
Duty to not harm others and improve conditions
Duty to be honest and do what’s in the shareholders’ best interest
CHANGES TO NORMATIVE STANDARDS:DELAYED OPENING
Change the nature of “previews” for technically complicated musicals/plays
Change pricing for previews
Actors’ Equity could reconsider number of hours a week an expensive show in trouble can rehearse without overtaxing cast and crew
STEP 3:HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLENIdentify the Value Conflicts
THE VALUE CONFLICTS:DOORLEY & GARCIA
Morality
Legality
Ethics
Principles of “Duty” & Selfish Behavior
Egotism & The Value of Justice
Consequences:-Financial Investment- Labor Violations
WHAT MAKES THIS CASE CONTROVERSIAL?
Ego
Safety
Profit
Miscommunication
THE MATTER OF EGO: THE PRIMARY CONFLICT
Aristotle Habits in Appropriate
Circumstances
St. Thomas Aquinas Pride
Machiavelli A Stable State (Chapter XV)
Images Courtesy of Wikipedia.org
EXECUTION OVER EGO
CORRECT INCORRECT
STEP FOUR: THE SHOW MUST GO ON?Determine the Possible Courses of Action
PAGE PRINCIPLES AS ETHICS GUIDE Tell the truth
Prove it with action
Listen to the customer
Manage for tomorrow
Conduct public relations as if the entire company depends on it
Realize a company’s true character is expressed by its people
Remain calm, patient and good-humored
WHAT’S NEXT?
Option #1: Do Nothing
Option #2: Revise the Current Show
Option #3: Close the Show Now
DECISION-MAKING MATRIXPrinciple/Action Do Nothing Revise Shut Down
Tell the truth ✔ ✔
Prove it w/action ✔ ✔
Listen to the customer ✔
Manage for tomorrow ✔
Company depends on PR ✔ ✔ ✔
True character=people ✔ ✔ ✔
Calm, patient & good-humored
✔ ✔ ✔
STEP 5:THE UTILITARIAN APPROACHChoose the Best Course of Action
THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION Utilitarianism: greatest amount of good for the greatest amount
of people Tweak the show!
Shareholders to hire a general manager Manage decisions Control costs Revise script
Repair, rebuild and revive Safety first Broadway’s dedication to entertainment Spider-man enthusiasts and others see final product Employment retention “The Comeback Kids”
THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION Best Case Scenario: Addams Family
Mixed to negative reviews Consistent:100% capacity 3rd in gross to “Wicked” and “The Lion King” Success: beloved brand-name title, star power,
nostalgia and successful marketing
Worst Case Scenario: Charlie Sheen Train wreck with no conductor Bad press is not always good press Negative ‘N score’
Q & A