I went to two early shows at the Forum and they were not doing any kind of searching of bags or pockets for cameras, but i read that they started checking at some of the recent shows. Can anyone who has been to one of the recent shows confirm this? I am going on Saturday and have really good seats and would love to take pics.

ndx36 said:

I went to two early shows at the Forum and they were not doing any kind of searching of bags or pockets for cameras, but i read that they started checking at some of the recent shows. Can anyone who has been to one of the recent shows confirm this? I am going on Saturday and have really good seats and would love to take pics.

I've been there 7X's and they have always searched me down. I wouldn't chance unless you want to walk back to your car. Try hiding it????

Adoringfan said:

ndx36 said:

I went to two early shows at the Forum and they were not doing any kind of searching of bags or pockets for cameras, but i read that they started checking at some of the recent shows. Can anyone who has been to one of the recent shows confirm this? I am going on Saturday and have really good seats and would love to take pics.

I've been there 7X's and they have always searched me down. I wouldn't chance unless you want to walk back to your car. Try hiding it????

I've been four times and they were just looking through purses and bags... waving people with just clothing and nothing else through. Also, a girlfriend of mine had her camera in her bag, and even though they searched her bag, they didn't mention it. It all depends on the security person you get.

Just as a random aside, the staff at the Forum has been SO nice. I have had such pleasant experiences with everybody there. Even the usher that sternly told me and a friend to go back to seats after we snuck down to the dancefloor was cool

if they find out, you need to delete your pictures....

three quotes - article below -

Wednesday night, there were no photos allowed at either of Prince’s instantly sold-out shows at West Hollywood’s Troubadour. The official reason stems from the Purple One’s insistence on controlling his visual representation, online and off. But I suspect otherwise.

Security guards were deleting photos of anyone who dared flout the Prince’s edict. But I suspect the photos wouldn’t have come out anyway.

then at the end of the article:

Photo: Tony Pierce / Los Angeles Times. This image was taken with an iPhone, and was forced to be deleted moments after. However, it was posted on Twitter before staffers could reach Pierce.

http://latimesblogs.latim...adour.html

realized said:

Wednesday night, there were no photos allowed at either of Prince’s instantly sold-out shows at West Hollywood’s Troubadour. The official reason stems from the Purple One’s insistence on controlling his visual representation, online and off. But I suspect otherwise.

http://latimesblogs.latim...adour.html

What do you suppose is meant by that? I always figured the no photos rule was because Prince is a control freak. Is there a more nefarious reason??

not sure, however..... do you really think forum security guards have time to run around and tell people to not take pictures?

take your point n shoot, have fun.

realized said:

not sure, however..... do you really think forum security guards have time to run around and tell people to not take pictures?

take your point n shoot, have fun.

YES, they do patrol and warn.

bring very large ones with 2 foot lenses

We took pics at 2 different shows, no problem.

Just be cool and quick about it.

drivingsideways said:

Adoringfan said:

I've been there 7X's and they have always searched me down. I wouldn't chance unless you want to walk back to your car. Try hiding it????

I've been four times and they were just looking through purses and bags... waving people with just clothing and nothing else through. Also, a girlfriend of mine had her camera in her bag, and even though they searched her bag, they didn't mention it. It all depends on the security person you get.

Just as a random aside, the staff at the Forum has been SO nice. I have had such pleasant experiences with everybody there. Even the usher that sternly told me and a friend to go back to seats after we snuck down to the dancefloor was cool

Really I thought the usher near me was a complete jerk. I was asking for her help and she was totally rude in her response. I asked where where my seat was because the side I was on didnt contain the row A (I had to enter on the other side of the aisle, which I had to figure out myself. I asked her if I could walk around to get to my seat and she had a bad attitude about it, told me no. That was fine, I figured she was just doing her job, and I went the long way, but then as I immediately sat down, I saw her let some guy cut across.

So yeah i would make a blanket statement about the staff...some has been awesome. like the lady at the ticket counter!

It's definitely Prince's doing.

He won't even let the press take photos. Now THAT'S a control issue.

realized said:

not sure, however..... do you really think forum security guards have time to run around and tell people to not take pictures?

take your point n shoot, have fun.

yes they do have time and will. the third show of the residency i went to, they were being much more strict about it. but NOT like they were at the troubadour.

in fact, i didn't even see the lady coming to bust my wife for taking a picture and accidentally blew smoke in her face. she didn't say a word about that, lol.

I haven't tried to bring in a camera but each time I went to the Forum they checked my bag very thoroughly. I had to unzip each pocket AND open my sunglasses case for them to check, lol. Each time the people in front of me in line got sent back to their cars because they found cameras on them.

The friend I went with to the show also got a warning for taking pictures with her Blackberry, although I imagine it's a losing game to police people's use of their cell phones. Everyone's got one.

I've been to a few shows so far: At every show, me and my wife weren't checked at all--not even her purse. Both times we went to the doors, there were no lines to walk in--just a courtesy nod of the head from the security guard and in we went. My wife even offered to open up her bag, but the guy just said, "your OK."

I think it's just how you handle yourself when you walk up--if you look like you're hiding something you're going to raise a red flag. If you just walk up and act friendly, it's an easy in.

Also, I just wanted to mirror what someone up above me said: the Forum staff has been nothing but nice at every gig these past few weeks. Helpful, sweet, courteous--it really makes you value the Forum that much more.

security was on fire last night. saw a few people in loge and purple pit dance party get escorted out. they are in full force. looks like their pix/videos were deleted then they got rushed out of the venue.

We were on the rail right at the stage in the Purple Pit on May 13 and took a few pix, guards were cool but told folks to stop. When Stevie Wonder and Prince came unexpectedly literially directly in front of us at the back piano, we couldnt resist going for a good pix, holding camera up high. We found out later we were on the big jumbotrons. 2 of Prince guards came and took my hubby's chip out of his camera. Overall it didnt seem unreasonable, we respect the wishes of Prince and Stevie, and at least they didnt kick us out. At the encore we walked over to the VIP area at the front stage and hung out. We are truly grateful for the experience of a lifetime, no room for resentment at all.

They are definitely getting more strict on their camera policy...

Removing memory cards, taking cameras & even making people leave the venue...

If you're going to take pics or video, BE DISCRETE...

realized said:

not sure, however..... do you really think forum security guards have time to run around and tell people to not take pictures?

take your point n shoot, have fun.

Well they do. They are checking purses and I saw some cameras being checked in to guest services. I was sitting in Loge 19, second row on May 6 and if you were careful you could get some pictures. But security was coming around and trying to stop people.

On May 13 I was on the floor, section D. There was a huge presence of three different security types down there stopping people from taking pictures. It escalated as the night went on. I did not see anyone removed from the show but I over heard the threat of that being made. At one point a guard had a flashlight and he would point it at the camera phone and then when they put it down he would keep pointing it in their faces. Security was also enforcing it in the other areas around me and up in the loge. The entire scene became a big distraction.

purplerain949 said:

realized said:

not sure, however..... do you really think forum security guards have time to run around and tell people to not take pictures?

take your point n shoot, have fun.

Well they do. They are checking purses and I saw some cameras being checked in to guest services. I was sitting in Loge 19, second row on May 6 and if you were careful you could get some pictures. But security was coming around and trying to stop people.

On May 13 I was on the floor, section D. There was a huge presence of three different security types down there stopping people from taking pictures. It escalated as the night went on. I did not see anyone removed from the show but I over heard the threat of that being made. At one point a guard had a flashlight and he would point it at the camera phone and then when they put it down he would keep pointing it in their faces. Security was also enforcing it in the other areas around me and up in the loge. The entire scene became a big distraction.

The CSC guards have been getting increasingly aggressive in Loge over the 4 shows I've seen. I experienced the same issue with a particular guard continuing to shine lights in picture-takers' faces after the offense was finished - I guess it was some kind of alpha posturing necessary in his mind to punish the challengers, but that kind of thing is distracting to someone just wanting to watch the show. I am also not sure that it had much of an effect. One guard went into a row after someone; I didn't see the outcome of that. The yellow-jacketed Forum guards have been pretty nice - in some cases, issuing repeat warnings. I am not sure it's realistic to stop all photos. Is the general opinion on here (org) that taking pix is completely OK, a bad idea, OK in limited numbers, or what?

[Edited 5/17/11 9:25am]

drivingsideways said:

Adoringfan said:

I've been there 7X's and they have always searched me down. I wouldn't chance unless you want to walk back to your car. Try hiding it????

I've been four times and they were just looking through purses and bags... waving people with just clothing and nothing else through. Also, a girlfriend of mine had her camera in her bag, and even though they searched her bag, they didn't mention it. It all depends on the security person you get.

Just as a random aside, the staff at the Forum has been SO nice. I have had such pleasant experiences with everybody there. Even the usher that sternly told me and a friend to go back to seats after we snuck down to the dancefloor was cool

I have gotten my camera in to all 11 shows I attended

1 - It appears all women's bags are searched. Dont put it in your bag. I put it in my back pocket.

1a- if you are stopped at entry and are supposed to go back to your car simply try another gate. ( be smart and go to one on the other side of building)

2 - Security is getting more vigilant in stopping picture/video taking. So don't try to shoot 10 minutes of video just quickly shoot a picture then wait a bit to shoot another. Several pics in a row and you are more likely to be noticed. Video will more likely get you nailed.

3- You will usually get at least 1 warning if you are caught

4 - DO NOT USE FLASH! Its one of the worst things you can do, no workarounds here just don't do it.

5 -better seats are more strictly watched, probably because they are so close to the stage. expect to get less picture opportunity with better seats

6- enforcement starts to fade after about 3/4ths of the show is done so you have better chance later in the show to get a series of pix

7 - Your media card can be taken from you so make sure you download your family photos to your computer before you come to the show other wise you could lose more than pictures of the show.

8 - as DaveG says: BE DISCRETE...

Also, as drivingsideways mentioned, the Forum staff are really nice, fun and happy, much more so than most other venues I have been to in SoCal. Put out a positive vibe and good luck will come back to you and you'll get that cool picture to remember your time at the Prince concert!

lastly, check out the picture thread

http://prince.org/msg/12/358971

bronzefunk said:

drivingsideways said:

I've been four times and they were just looking through purses and bags... waving people with just clothing and nothing else through. Also, a girlfriend of mine had her camera in her bag, and even though they searched her bag, they didn't mention it. It all depends on the security person you get.

Just as a random aside, the staff at the Forum has been SO nice. I have had such pleasant experiences with everybody there. Even the usher that sternly told me and a friend to go back to seats after we snuck down to the dancefloor was cool

I have gotten my camera in to all 11 shows I attended

1 - It appears all women's bags are searched. Dont put it in your bag. I put it in my back pocket.

1a- if you are stopped at entry and are supposed to go back to your car simply try another gate. ( be smart and go to one on the other side of building)

2 - Security is getting more vigilant in stopping picture/video taking. So don't try to shoot 10 minutes of video just quickly shoot a picture then wait a bit to shoot another. Several pics in a row and you are more likely to be noticed. Video will more likely get you nailed.

3- You will usually get at least 1 warning if you are caught

4 - DO NOT USE FLASH! Its one of the worst things you can do, no workarounds here just don't do it.

5 -better seats are more strictly watched, probably because they are so close to the stage. expect to get less picture opportunity with better seats

6- enforcement starts to fade after about 3/4ths of the show is done so you have better chance later in the show to get a series of pix

7 - Your media card can be taken from you so make sure you download your family photos to your computer before you come to the show other wise you could lose more than pictures of the show.

8 - as DaveG says: BE DISCRETE...

Also, as drivingsideways mentioned, the Forum staff are really nice, fun and happy, much more so than most other venues I have been to in SoCal. Put out a positive vibe and good luck will come back to you and you'll get that cool picture to remember your time at the Prince concert!

lastly, check out the picture thread

http://prince.org/msg/12/358971

Great picture thread thank you! Happy thought: What if they are cracking down so much on pictures because they are planning to do a DVD or big screen movie of this whole tour...ala This Is It or The Song Remains the Same?!!!

jooonbg said:

bronzefunk said:

I have gotten my camera in to all 11 shows I attended

1 - It appears all women's bags are searched. Dont put it in your bag. I put it in my back pocket.

1a- if you are stopped at entry and are supposed to go back to your car simply try another gate. ( be smart and go to one on the other side of building)

2 - Security is getting more vigilant in stopping picture/video taking. So don't try to shoot 10 minutes of video just quickly shoot a picture then wait a bit to shoot another. Several pics in a row and you are more likely to be noticed. Video will more likely get you nailed.

3- You will usually get at least 1 warning if you are caught

4 - DO NOT USE FLASH! Its one of the worst things you can do, no workarounds here just don't do it.

5 -better seats are more strictly watched, probably because they are so close to the stage. expect to get less picture opportunity with better seats

6- enforcement starts to fade after about 3/4ths of the show is done so you have better chance later in the show to get a series of pix

7 - Your media card can be taken from you so make sure you download your family photos to your computer before you come to the show other wise you could lose more than pictures of the show.

8 - as DaveG says: BE DISCRETE...

Also, as drivingsideways mentioned, the Forum staff are really nice, fun and happy, much more so than most other venues I have been to in SoCal. Put out a positive vibe and good luck will come back to you and you'll get that cool picture to remember your time at the Prince concert!

lastly, check out the picture thread

http://prince.org/msg/12/358971

Great picture thread thank you! Happy thought: What if they are cracking down so much on pictures because they are planning to do a DVD or big screen movie of this whole tour...ala This Is It or The Song Remains the Same?!!!

I like where you are going with this movie notion but I would expect we would see more cameras then just the screen playback cameras. I never made one of those concert films so what do i know, but as you say 'Happy Thought'