The Ethics of Exploitative Entertainment: “Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark” A Case Study

1. The Ethics of Exploitative Entertainment:“Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark”A Case Study Michael Barrett Eileen Bernardo Kathryn Hutchinson Mindy Romero ArienRozelle

2. Step 1: The Players Study the Details and Determine the Relevant Facts of the Case

3. 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

4. Cast of Characters(Primary Agents) Julie TaymorProducer/Director/ Co-Writer Glen BergerCo-writer Bono Musical Composer & Lyricist The Edge Musical Composer & Lyricist

5. Relevant Facts: A Timeline Source: The Daily Beast

6. 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 Source:The New York Times

7. Relevant Facts: A Timeline • 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.

8. Relevant Facts: A Timeline THERE’S A LOT TO LOSE: REPUTATION AND MONEY RELEVANT CASE STUDIES

9. Step 2: “Good” vs. “Bad” Identify the relevant moral criteria

10. Four Key Decision Makers • Press • Public • Shareholders (Investors) • Creative Team (Writers, Producers, Directors)

11. 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

12. The Public • Objective: To be an informed consumer • Buy a ticket for entertainment • Personal Benefit • Buy a ticket as patron of the arts • Social Benefit • Safety Issues: • Do they abstain as a personal statement and action to protect actors? • Do they buy ticket?

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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

16. Step 3:How the Mighty Have Fallen Identify the Value Conflicts

17. The Value Conflicts:Doorley & Garcia Principles of “Duty” & Selfish Behavior Morality Egotism & The Value of Justice Ethics Legality • Consequences: • Financial Investment • Labor Violations

18. What Makes this Case Controversial?

19. 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

20. Execution Over Ego CORRECT INCORRECT

21. Step Four: The Show Must Go On? Determine the Possible Courses of Action

22. 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

23. What’s Next? • Option #1: Do Nothing • Option #2: Revise the Current Show • Option #3: Close the Show Now

24. Decision-Making Matrix

25. Step 5:The Utilitarian Approach Choose the Best Course of Action

26. 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”

27. 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’

28. Q & A