Evidence Of Commercial Successes In The Performing Arts
I. EVIDENCE OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESSES IN THE PERFORMING ARTS, AS SHOWN BY BOX OFFICE RECEIPTS OR RECORD, CASSETTE, COMPACT DISK, OR VIDEO SALES
A. The Requirements
This criterion is generally applicable only for an artist who is also a performer, because as the plain language of the statute reads, there must be evidence of commercial success in the performing arts. And to show commercial success, the performer must have evidence in the forms of box office receipts, or records, cassettes, compact disk, or video sales. Examples of this category would include musicians who produced sounds that are well received by the public and had great compact disk sales, actors that made movies with high box office sales, or stage actors in sold-out theater plays.
The commercial success requirement is to be distinguished from other successes as an artist or performer. The requirement for this criterion is very specific. There must be commercial success expressed in revenue. It is likely that congress made this criterion to help popular artists who experienced great sales of their work, but who were never honored by any major award.
The criterion does not state that the commercial success must be due to a single person, hence playing an important role in commercially successful performing arts can satisfy this criterion. Also, the person must not be solely limited to minor roles, because the person still needs to prove that he or she is one of the top few in the field and is an alien of extraordinary ability.
B. Conclusion
To meet this criterion, the person must be taking part in the performing arts, and have demonstrated commercial success in forms of box office sales, or record, cassettes, compact disk, or video sales.