Originally Posted By SuzyMouse Basically, casting is looking for people who will be able to answer guests' questions in a creative way, still keeping the magic... for example, where is Mickey going? Why is Minnie signing her autograph with her left hand when last time she signed with her right hand? Where is Mickey's tail?... they want to make sure that you are quick enough in giving answers to tricky questions... and they are of course looking for enthusiastic people who want to work with the characters... hosts aren't usually assigned to one specific character for a shift... they are usually assigned to a certain area (i.e. Town Square or Princess Court) and they are responsible for that area.
Originally Posted By HRM Thanx SuzyMouse! Assigning a CM to a certain area makes a lot of sense, a CM will know where to direct Guests to the bathrooms! Uhm, Why IS Minnie signing her autograph with her left hand when last time she signed with her right hand? and Where IS Mickey's tail?... )
Originally Posted By belle42 Didn't you know that they are ambidextrous! And that Mickey had an unfortunate accident with a farmer's wife while visiting his blind cousins?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Well, you see, she has to sign so many autographs that her hand gets tired, so she switches back and forth between the two, so her hand doesn't cramp up. Duh! And for Mickey's tail...he's wearing pants. Pants are designed to cover *ahem* appendages. : )
Originally Posted By SuzyMouse Good answers! Yes, most Disney characters are ambidextrous (except, of course, for poor captain hook)! And unfortunately, those mischievous chipmunks took to pulling Mickey's tail so much that he now tucks it in.
Originally Posted By HRM Wow... Great Answers, any other "spontaneous" answers, or even tricky questions? Are Hosts/Hostesses assigned only to fuzzy characters, or are they also assigned to face characters even though face characters can talk? Hiddencat3, you mentioned that if a Character has a Hostess, its ok to have line; what happens if a line forms and a Host isn't there? I guess the Character just keeps walking to avoid this, but sometimes s/he has to stop for a picture, and a line might form.
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 The character (if they can talk) can ask the guests to form around them. They call this an organized mob. Something like that. The reason they don't want a line, if there is no character host, is because they don't want to disappoint anyone. Imagine if you are by yourself on stage and guests start forming a line...you aren't going to say "oh, you don't want to get into line, I am leaving in 10 minutes." If you have an organized mob then guest don't have that "I waited 30 minutes in line and she is leaving!" The problem is guests seem to like forming lines everywhere. A character host can stand towards the back of the line and inform people Alice has a tea party very shortly and can't be late...essentially cutting the line. If you are trying to make it backstage you continue to sign autographs as you walk. People get the hint, for the most part, if you keep walking. And you always wave goodbye at the backstage gate...even if no one is around.
Originally Posted By SuzyMouse "any other "spontaneous" answers, or even tricky questions?" Anything's fair game... they're looking for quick and creative answers
Originally Posted By HRM When there are a group of Characters at the Main Entrance area or Fantasy Land, everybody swarms to get a picture and autographs? Sometimes I don't see a Host/Hostess around. Also, I've read posts about Charcters playing group games with kids and adults; I'm sure some Guests try to interrupt the game to get a picture ad/or an autograph. How are these situations handled?
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 You want a swarm when you don't have a Character Host. That is the organized swarm/mob thing. You never know what will happen when you are onstage...everyday is a little different. You very much roll with the punches.
Originally Posted By HRM What is the reason not to have a Host/Hostess with a Character all the time, is this a payroll/hours decision? (better to have more Characters On-stage, with some not having Hosts, than haveing less Characters On-stage, but all of them accompanied by Hostesses) Also, do most Hosts/Hostesses eventually audition and become Characters, or are there other roles more suited for advancement?
Originally Posted By Kira auditions are on saturday..... as much as I have told myself not to be nervous I'm already nervous! eeek!
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 remain calm....take deep breaths....count to ten... You know what you are up against and you will do fine! Just have a great time and enjoy the experience! Make sure you let us know how is goes! P.S. Don't be nervous!
Originally Posted By Kira last minute question! hopefully I can get an answer lol... I've been debating about what to wear. I know that it should be comfortable since we are going to be dancing but I dont want to be too lazy? I was debating a set of velour joggies with a tank top underneath in case I get hot, would that be ok? or no? should I go a little more dressy? thanks in advance! I can't wait! only 1 more day!
Originally Posted By SuzyMouse <<I was debating a set of velour joggies with a tank top underneath in case I get hot, would that be ok? or no? should I go a little more dressy?>> Nope, you should be fine in that... have fun and let us know how it goes!
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 The times I went I always wore yoga pant type pants and a tank. Layers are good. I think it will be pretty nippy Saturday morning. The best shoes to bring for the dancing are a jazz shoe. If you don't have dancing shoes then just wear socks. I am so excited for you! I always had a great time at the auditions. So much excitement. Just remember to stay relaxed. If you feel nervous try to put your mind somewhere else. You said you have danced since you were a kid...so I think you will be able to handle an audience. I wish I could be 18 again...I got too old for all of this.
Originally Posted By Kira <<<The best shoes to bring for the dancing are a jazz shoe.>>>> guess I better bust out my jazz shoes tonight then! =) the only thing I'm totally nervous about is going alone =( I want someone I know to share the excitement with me! lol. I am alot more at ease knowing what I know now and how the auditions play out with your guys's input, made it SOOOOO much less stressful! I figure either way if I get it or I don't I can hop into the park and buy myself an ice cream and catch the parade or fireworks to reward myself =) oh course....LP will be the first to get a report on how it went!
Originally Posted By Kira well after getting up at 4:30 this morning and being all excited and ready for auditions I got there and about 250 girls were there and a little over 100 guys. I went through and got my headshot, and they explained to us "if we dont pick you its not because your ugly yada yada". I was feelin all good cuz I knew what was to come and I just wanted to make it past the first cut. They lined us up and called out numbers, the girl standing in line next to me got called but I didn't =/. From what I could tell it looked like they were only looking for people for the princess roles, at least thats what all the girls that they chose looked like to me. I didn't see very many, if at all, any girls chosen around the height limit for the peter pan and alice character roles. if they were chosen, then they were chosen after I left. thanks yall for the information though! it made me feel alot more prepared. I may or may not try again in april, but we shall see!
