Not Tiana. Not Amused...

[SnorkletsMom]

I understand you're feeling angry, heffalumpy. Bear in mind that although the advanced dance skills may not be visible, Disney wants them to be there for their own reasons, which might be as simple as the fact that they want a person 'qualified' for more than one role so that they can have understudies and the abiity to have someone already familiar with everything who can move between roles.

But it's an unfortunate fact that in the entertainment industry, rejection is a way of life and often there's no reasoning why. You might have a better look or have done a better read or have a more impressive resume, or all of the above...and still lose the role to someone who seems much less qualified. Casting is done by humans and is subject to allllll the obvious problems like nepotism, personal prejudices, likes and dislikes.

Keep trying and try to not let it bother you too much.

[ElleWoods19]

Originally Posted by heffalumpy

I don't think the audition I went to is the best example really but anyway, I went to an one where they were looking for everything basically. First we had our height taken(without shoes). Then we got talked to about the job, the parks, number of staff and types of contracts and money, accommodation etc...all that stuff.
THEN, the first part of the audition you had to act out different types of character to counts of music(cowboy/pirate/dwarf/villain/villain/princess) all to counts of 8. Then they cut people. If you're lucky enough to stay you learn a silly little dance-if you are not a dancer then just do your best, I'm not and I didn't get cut after this stage, I was lucky. Then they cut more people but that was the end of the audition. The few left over were the ones who were successful. We were split then into categories-character only, character and parade or face characters. If you get to try on wigs and makeup and they think you look good you'll walk with the job the same day. Or if you have some rare dance skill(this guy could do some spinny thing which impressed the director) so you get hired the same day also. The rest had to fill in their availability and then just go as there were "no jobs for us that day" and will get called if anything matching our ability comes up within 6 months.
I think your audition might have a lot more direction to it and the ones who pass will almost all get jobs straight away. It is California.
My friend's advice was to make your actions really big and to smile , they should explain all of this to you when you go...
oh anyway good luck I'm sure you'll do fabulously

Thank you so much for the detailed info. I've been to a few Disney auditions, and they all seem to be different. haha.
I made it to the very end of a Disney Cruise Line audition for face characters, and had a similar experience as you did. It's unfortunate, but sadly that's the name of the game. I never did get the call, but I'll probably try a few more times with Disney before I give up.

As for working at DLP, and the interview, I only speak very, very little French. It didn't specify on the audition info whether or not we need to be fluent. Is it a requirement?

[LovelyLocks]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

She's venting on a forum. She hasn't gone to their main office with a chainsaw and demands.

Hahahaha, that'd be quite a sight.









But I'm sorry :[
I never really liked how they looked mainly at dancers. With the exception of Princess Fantasy Fair, which actually stopped showing the princesses dancing, the princesses don't DANCE at all. Just stand there and look pretty. I don't know about Disneyland Paris (do they even have anything close to Princess Fantasy Fair?) but it can't be TOO different from California, right? Even Princesses in parades don't really dance that much (granted, they do in some, but it's nothing they can't teach you!), just wave and sway around.

Even so, I always see the description of the job always stating "girls will learn poise and elegance" or whatever it is they say. So I can understand your frustration, because they're not even giving you a chance :[

Hmm, but better luck next time! Just keep trying, (that is, if you still want to).
You obviously have "the look" since you got so far in the process! The judges always change, the ones next time might like you enough!

[heffalumpy]

Thanks LovelyLocks and SnorkletsMom
As I am not an entertainer in any capacity I don't have to do a job like this to survive luckily so I didn't put my whole life on hold hoping I would get the job. The casting director told me that they like people to be experienced in Modern Jazz for dancing in their parades and shows. It always seems to be the same team of people casting for Disney Paris I don't know about the California or Florida park.
Lol its not even like I was primarily aiming for a face character role, I just wanted to be a character performer(the job where they say no experience required).
I might try again one day...so I'd better get shopping for my chainsaw in time for the next audition

[davewasbaloo]

Lol. In the US parks, certainly back in the 80's, you had to at least be a member of the actors union (pro actor) to be any character.

[kcw]

Originally Posted by heffalumpy

Lol an elf at Macys. That was exactly my point-why should you have a PhD in any type of dancing to just stand and wave from a float.
I understand now there is a lot more to it than that but still, people are not born doing these things. I think they should honestly try giving people a chance and teaching them what they want them to know, there are plenty out there willing and enthusiastic enough. Some skill works but they'll teach you the rest.

No, they're not born dancing, but most extremely talented dancers start when they are very young 2-7 or 8. That kind of dance talent can't be taught in a few short weeks or even months. And from the company's perspective, why would they take the time and expense to teach someone those skills, when they could just hire someone with them right off the bat? Besides, simply standing on a float and waving takes more grace than many like to think. The princess do enough dance and require enough grace that the dance training is fairly crucial.

As for those skills not being put to good use (in your opinion).... welcome to the entertainment industry. In my experience, I'd say that more often than not, the actual audition is harder than the part you're auditioning for. If they've got 100 girls, they're going to hire the top 20 (or whatever amount), even if their skills exceed what is necessary. That's just how it is and will always be.

The Disney company is a highly coveted company to work for, and they don't need to offer high pay to attract CMs. Dancers with extensive training don't even need to feel that their skills are being put the the greatest use, because they're happy just doing what they do. Those who want to put a greater use to their talent skip right over Disney and go to Broadway or somewhere else.

And lastly, just to be honest, it might not have been the lack of dance training that didn't get you the part. Simply being black and a female is not all they're looking for, and you seem to understand that- you've even alluded to the fact that you might not have been the greatest fit. However, Disney does try to be respectful, and often (but not always!) will look for the nicest way to let you down. Of course they're not going to say you're fat and ugly (or whatever you said), but lack of dance experience was probably the best and nicest way to approach it.

I know you're just upset, and I totally understand that. I hope you don't mind me being blunt with you. But if you want to make it in Disney entertainment (or the entertainment industry in general), this is simply how it goes and you'll have to get used to it. You gotta grow some thick skin. (Especially since some judges at certain auditions will tell you straight that you're fat or ugly or that your nose is crooked or whatever else.... be glad that Disney usually has more class than that.)

[heffalumpy]

Hello KCW
no am not upset anymore, I've accepted it(no really I have)
I am by no means an entertainer, honestly.
As for being black and female, I know its not all they look for but being as they had seen me before and I "fitted" those minimum requirements, I wanted first refusal/advice etc. on the role and if they would consider me, that is all. Personally, I didn't know you needed to dance, the dress is very bulky(it may be flexible though). The casting director told me they like people to have basics in modern jazz dancing...I'm not rushing out to get classes believe me.
I don't mind you being blunt, its fine!!! We all need brutal honesty at times

Davewasbaloo-I think that thing about being part of the actors union still stands, I know some people at WDW are and that was another factor in them not considering internationals for character performer roles because you had to join this union(I think they said you have to join it be because its not like being other ordinary cast members)...