‘Wicked’ Fans Can’t Stop Filming Scenes on Their Phones – a Form of Piracy That Hollywood Doesn’t Seem to Mind

As a seasoned cinephile with decades of movie-going experiences under my belt, I must say that the current trend of clandestine recording during screenings is a peculiar conundrum that’s both fascinating and disconcerting. It’s reminiscent of those old days when we used to sneak in smuggled snacks into the cinema, only this time, it’s a smartphone capturing the magic instead of a bag of popcorn.


In the concluding act of “Wicked,” Cynthia Erivo’s powerful rendition of “Defying Gravity” is an overwhelming cinematic achievement. Her defiant performance, complete with aerial acrobatics above Oz, leaves her adversaries speechless in admiration. This unforgettable scene stirs tears, cheers, and sometimes even makes theater-goers leap from their seats in appreciation as Erivo effortlessly hits those high notes with precision.

You don’t need to purchase a ticket; instead, you can watch the entire 4-minute finale of the first part of Universal’s blockbuster movie for free. It’s accessible on popular social media sites such as X and TikTok.

Well, as a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the unstoppable wave of fans snapping photos and capturing extended clips of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in action during the Emerald City scenes. Now, let me clarify that this isn’t just casual sharing – it’s outright piracy. Yes, you heard it right! The fervor around “Wicked” is so intense that these clips are being shared far and wide to document the infectious excitement surrounding this production. Some of it is a testament to the feverish embrace of all things “Wicked,” while other clips are expressing an entirely different, heartfelt form of admiration for the stars themselves.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the viral clips circulating online – just five days since its release! The videos show fans attempting to match Erivo’s powerful vocals during her standout performance. There are numerous posts celebrating Grande’s rendition of “Popular,” another musical favorite, with fans appreciating her comedic timing and dance skills. Be warned, these clips are often tagged as spoilers!

The term ‘Wicked’ isn’t unique in this case.” Clips showcasing the intimate scenes between Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey from A24’s film “Queer” have been circulating on X since early September. In one scene, Paul Mescal, bare-chested and wounded, can be seen rowing an old ship in “Gladiator II.” This scene has been widely shared on TikTok, accompanied by a caption suggesting the movie is tailored for female viewers.

How are these infringements slipping through the cracks given that production studios have large anti-piracy units and legions of attorneys? Moreover, how are they bypassing community rules on social media sites where copyrighted content is shared?

A leading movie industry executive, talking under the cover of confidentiality, noted a noticeable shift in behavior at cinemas following the pandemic. Specifically, they mentioned that younger audiences feel more comfortable engaging with longer content on their devices, despite phone usage being discouraged in these settings.

The executive, joined by two other industry experts, expressed dismay as they noted a significant shift in attitude towards material: to them, it’s merely content. This observation was sparked by a pivotal event – the July launch of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Marvel’s blockbuster superhero crossover that revitalized the 2024 box office and maintained the star appeal of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

According to the source, there was definitely some significant occurrence regarding the movie starring Reynolds and directed by Shawn Levy, namely “Deadpool & Wolverine”. It appears that both men were actively engaging with pirated social media content from the film’s opening weekend. This content included numerous excited audience reactions to cameos by Channing Tatum, Wesley Snipes, and Jennifer Garner.

Representatives from Reynolds and Universal Pictures declined to comment, while Levy chose not to comment as well. However, a source close to Levy stated that he never intentionally released theater footage and strongly condemns piracy. The mystery deepens considering “Wicked” is a musical, particularly known for its powerful numbers like “Defying Gravity.” This recalls the incident in 2006 with “Dreamgirls,” where filmmakers prevented Jennifer Hudson from performing the emotional ballad “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” during the Oscars. The reasoning? If you want to be moved by her voice, buy a ticket instead.

@zaygrande_

this scene is so cute 🥺😭💕 #wicked #arianagrande #arianator #glinda #fyp

♬ original sound – 𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡✰🌱🥯

@dr_alexisleovic

Boundless” could be a suitable paraphrase for “Unlimited,” especially in the context of music and song titles like “Defying Gravity.” This term retains the sense of limitlessness or infinite potential that “Unlimited” conveys, but it may sound more natural and easier to read. #wicked #arianagrande #cynthiaerivo #kristenchenoweth #idinamenzel #defyinggravity #Duet

♬ original sound – Leo in Saint Tropez – Leo in Saint Tropez

One intriguing aspect facilitating this type of piracy is the use of corporate infrastructure. Film producers and cybersecurity experts interviewed by EbMaster concur that while major studios have anti-piracy units, their primary goal is to prevent full movies from showing up on global torrents, where high-quality copies of stolen films can be obtained. These teams are not designed to handle the widespread issue across numerous social media posts, as one insider explained, likening it to the game “whack-a-mole.

In my perspective, some segments within the business world argue that this content-rich environment serves as a motivator for younger individuals to attend movies. For example, one popular trend among fans is the “Before and After” challenge related to the “Wicked” series. They record themselves before entering a screening, then again after the emotional finale when “Defying Gravity” ends. Their emotionally charged reactions, filled with tears and soft sobs, spark interest in others to participate too. A marketing and PR expert I spoke with explained this as a natural progression of traditional promotional tactics, similar to capturing the terrified expressions and screams of a preview audience for an upcoming horror film, which could then be used in TV advertisements.

Regarding the issue at hand, the Motion Picture Association, acting as a voice for Hollywood studios in Washington D.C., chose not to provide a statement. It’s worth noting that according to Bloomberg’s report from January, an estimated $30 billion in economic losses and approximately 250,000 job opportunities are attributed annually to the issue of pirated content.

On a practical level, not all individuals are comfortable with this underground recording persisting. Movie theaters have ardent supporters.

On Nov 23rd, one user posted asking to see their ‘Wicked’ part 1 pictures, which they had taken showing the movie’s title card. This title card uses the same font as the original ‘The Wizard of Oz’, a nod to the film that fans would recognize.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself engaged in a conversation sparked by Alamo Drafthouse’s response to a post. They simply put it, “Or, don’t do that.” Some spectators have labeled this move as downright illegal. Screenwriter Nic Curcio, echoing my sentiments, praises the Broadway hit “Wicked” for ushering in wonderful changes, with public shaming of unruly behavior in cinemas being one of his favorites!

In the finale of “Wicked,” I, Elphaba, found myself exempt from the constraints of the physical world, yet I discovered that certain societal expectations remain steadfastly untouched by my newfound abilities.

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2024-11-27 03:49