'High Profile' Enthusiasts: A discussion

[GothMonsieur]

After the recent controversies surrounding various members of the YouTube enthusiast scene in regards to on ride footage, I was wondering what peoples thoughts on this forum were about the behavior of these individuals and whether parks should take more action against them to show that they are enforcing their own rules. This thread is not designed to berate these individuals, but rather discuss whether their behavior is potentially damaging to the parks and their viewers and potentially come up with some ideas that all parties could implement so that everyone is left satisfied. This thread was inspired by a recent image taken by a very well known YouTube enthusiast "Theme Park Worldwide" and a selfie that he took while on the rapids at Alton Towers. The image has garnered some controversy within the twitter enthusiast community, so much so that Towers media team replied via twitter. I have included a screenshot of the original tweet and the reply from Towers. Discuss away.

 

[imanautie]

After the recent controversies surrounding various members of the YouTube enthusiast scene in regards to on ride footage, I was wondering what peoples thoughts on this forum were about the behavior of these individuals and whether parks should take more action against them to show that they are enforcing their own rules. This thread is not designed to berate these individuals, but rather discuss whether their behavior is potentially damaging to the parks and their viewers and potentially come up with some ideas that all parties could implement so that everyone is left satisfied. This thread was inspired by a recent image taken by a very well known YouTube enthusiast "Theme Park Worldwide" and a selfie that he took while on the rapids at Alton Towers. The image has garnered some controversy within the twitter enthusiast community, so much so that Towers media team replied via twitter. I have included a screenshot of the original tweet and the reply from Towers. Discuss away.

If a guest has been repeatedly warned that they may be removed from the park if they film on rides and they film anyway they should be removed and banned.

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[IanSR]

I can understand the ban on big rides, but not conga, the only person who is going to suffer from someone dropping a phone on that is the phones owner themselves.

Anybody stupid enough to get caught filming deserves whatever they get, as with most things the sensible people who prepare and film properly don't put their footage on YouTube, nor do they make a big thing about it. Sadly the world is having to be regulated to the lowest common idiot nowadays, rather than letting people use their common sense.

 

[imanautie]

I can understand the ban on big rides, but not conga, the only person who is going to suffer from someone dropping a phone on that is the phones owner themselves.

Anybody stupid enough to get caught filming deserves whatever they get, as with most things the sensible people who prepare and film properly don't put their footage on YouTube, nor do they make a big thing about it. Sadly the world is having to be regulated to the lowest common idiot nowadays, rather than letting people use their common sense.

It makes sense on conga for me, if people see guests with cameras on conga they will stupidly assume it's ok on all.

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[ringo]

Wasn’t there some safety video from Towers explaining every part of a ride is visible by CCTV and the ride will stop when someone is seen trying to photo / video on ride?

 

[bluesonichd]

Wasn’t there some safety video from Towers explaining every part of a ride is visible by CCTV and the ride will stop when someone is seen trying to photo / video on ride?

Bit hard to stop the Rapids mid ride

 

[IanSR]

Bit hard to stop most things once you've left the lift hill lol

 

[imanautie]

Bit hard to stop most things once you've left the lift hill lol

X at thorpe maybe?

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[RoyJess]

Oh dear, there is also staff members in that pic, someone will be in trouble tomorrow morning

Like the above post said, I can understand rollercoaster and rides where you are not allowed to take on lose items, but the rapids, well, you are supposed to take on any lose items with you onto the ride, I can't see any problems with that. I have photos from many years back where I've taken them my self whilst on them.

Also as others have said, you can't stop the rapids and coasters mid ride.

I remember wanted to take a video of the Wallace and Gromit ride for Jess to view as she wasn't allowed on it due to her medical condition, the ride ops said no due to copy right

I presume that it has more to do with selling on ride photos at the photo booth

 

[bluesonichd]

The problem with this is their young target audience will see them taking photos on ride and think it’s ok. Next there’s cameras and phones out on Nemmy Blivvy and it never ends.

Bit silly of them to tag Alton Towers into the tweet tho.

 

[ringo]

of course but that’s what’s the safety video said

The twitter chat is amusing.

delving into the condition of entry is interesting though, bits in bold basically mean these vloggers aren’t permitted at all unless they are visiting by invitation / media event.

Photography:

Unless it is expressly prohibited, you are permitted to take photographs and recordings within the Attraction provided that these are solely for private use and are not sold or used for any commercial or public purpose. By accepting these Entry Conditions, you acknowledge that Merlin may on demand have access to photographs taken and video footage captured by you and request that certain photographs and/or footage are deleted if they are deemed to be offensive to or infringe the privacy ofother guests and/or staff. By accepting these Entry Conditions, you agree not to intentionally photograph and/or capture video footage of any individual without that person’s permission and you must adhere to all photography/filming restrictions in place from time to time whilst within the Attraction. From time to time Merlin or other authorised parties carry out photography and/or video recording in the Attraction, which may feature guests. Entry to the Attraction is deemed acceptance of these Entry Conditions, and you therefore agree that Merlin or any authorised party may use such images in perpetuity in any promotional, advertising or publicity material in any format whatsoever. You further agree that copyright in these materials rests with Merlin or such authorised party (as the case may be).

 

[RicketyCricket]

Rather strange reaction on Twitter with people screaming for the park to ban him. Bit OTT for taking a selfie on the rapids.

 

[TPC]

And also means Attractions Images which were the original group that complained were breaking the park's rules.
Anyway, (and earlier on in that video) clearly shows that Shawn was speaking awfully loudly during one of the vlogs. I'm not against people talking but does he really have the right to essentially shout and potentially annoy some of the other guests, just so he can gain views and suscribers for his Youtube channel. If people get annoyed when people shout in public, what makes that different to shouting in public whilst vlogging? (the video showing this is as well as from 1:41...)

 

[RoyJess]

TBH I can't see Alton really doing anything about this, they know Shawn and even though he as left the company, he still provides towers with great free advertisement and promotion of the park.

As for the following in the rules.... {"Unless it is expressly prohibited, you are permitted to take photographs and recordings within the Attraction provided that these are solely for private use and are not sold or used for any commercial or public purpose."} ...... If Alton had a problem with Shawn's vlogs, then why would they invite Shawn to the Wicker Man pre-event launch?


{"By accepting these Entry Conditions, you agree not to intentionally photograph and/or capture video footage of any individual without that person’s permission"} .....So the guy that took that pic of my wife and posted it on MAP holders FB page the end of last season didn't have any right to?

 

[Skyscraper]

If they are not careful, they could end up destroying TPWW's reputation for no reason. For a start, they weren't "filming" on the Rapids- just snapping a quick photo. Yes it is still not right, but there are rides where filming would be more dangerous (i.e Nemesis).

 

[ringo]

["By accepting these Entry Conditions, you agree not to intentionally photograph and/or capture video footage of any individual without that person’s permission"] .....So the guy that took that pic of my wife and posted it on MAP holders FB page the end of last season didn't have any right to?

Yes, he broke the terms unless he asked permission.

Of course Towers won’t do anything but they have now put themselves in a corner where what do they do when it happens again.

 

[imanautie]

If someone took a photo of your wife intentionally then no that's not right.

TBH I can't see Alton really doing anything about this, they know Shawn and even though he as left the company, he still provides towers with great free advertisement and promotion of the park.

As for the following in the rules.... {"Unless it is expressly prohibited, you are permitted to take photographs and recordings within the Attraction provided that these are solely for private use and are not sold or used for any commercial or public purpose."} ...... If Alton had a problem with Shawn's vlogs, then why would they invite Shawn to the Wicker Man pre-event launch?


{"By accepting these Entry Conditions, you agree not to intentionally photograph and/or capture video footage of any individual without that person’s permission"} .....So the guy that took that pic of my wife and posted it on MAP holders FB page the end of last season didn't have any right to?

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[GothMonsieur]

If they are not careful, they could end up destroying TPWW's reputation for no reason. For a start, they weren't "filming" on the Rapids- just snapping a quick photo. Yes it is still not right, but there are rides where filming would be more dangerous (i.e Nemesis).

I think it's more appropriate to blame him for potentially damaging his reputation in all honesty. He knows the rules and probably gets away with what he does due to his relationship with Towers. It doesn't seem fair to enforce rules with everyone except a few individuals who essentially indirectly promote the breaking of rules to viewers anyway.

 

[imanautie]

Hasn't he previously filmed on duel as well?

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[Rick]

Obviously, it's more dangerous to use cameras or phones on some rides than it is on others, but the blanket rule makes sense - or it becomes very hard to police or enforce if there is doubt if this is a "Yes you can" or "No you can't" ride.

One of the things I do hate about Vlog culture is that there is seemingly a "Rules? Respect? Pfft. I'm filming a Vlog!" attitude in almost all circles. Whether it's the whole Logan Paul suicide victim thing, trespassing to climb a high structure or stuff like the above in the roller coaster world", I think that's the start of a really rocky road we've started to go down as a society.