Please pardon me for constantly bringing up Disney. It has played a significant role in my life, particularly considering that I lived and worked there for a while. I’m grateful to still have all these happy memories even after leaving the bubble and quitting my dream career.
The key query at hand is how to get through a Disney audition. Everyone, in my opinion, merits a fair shot! You can succeed even if you’ve never performed on stage or aren’t a trained dancer! I mean, hello, I’m talking here from actual experience.
Former cast member advice on how to ace a Disney audition
It is just not possible to create a comprehensive how-to guide for Disney auditions that would ensure your success 100 percent of the time. Let’s face it: even if you ace every single question at an audition, you might not be the candidate they’re searching for right now. Though it goes without saying that you must constantly give it your all, remember that whether or not you succeed also depends entirely on pure chance. That’s probably how I accomplished it.
Simply put, I was at the right spot at the right moment. It will always depend on the kind of body they require at the moment. And I realize that sounds strange as I type this. You understand what I mean, though! All they do is observe your outward appearance. Your altitude. Your stature. Your visage. Your proportions. That may sound a little off, but that’s just type casting.
I thus tried to come up with some advice on passing a Disney audition for the time being. My perspective on the workplace as a whole has somewhat evolved after working there for more than a year.
I still stand by all I said in my video audition experience because those were the exact words that I needed to hear! But having been in the thick of things for so long has greatly enhanced my knowledge and comprehension of how they cast actors for particular roles.
I searched far and wide for some fresh advice that I haven’t yet offered, advice that might just help you ace your Disney audition!
1. Conduct research
I would advise you to conduct thorough study if you’re looking for advice on how to get through a Disney audition.
I never would have considered this during the audition process, but now that I know how they choose candidates, it seems so clear! What I mean is real park entertainment research, not Disney audition experience videos on YouTube (though you should definitely do that too!).
Check out the entertainment schedule for the particular park where you are trying out. Perhaps you can determine what kind of characters they are planning for those occasions.
For instance, Disneyland Paris is now hosting “the Festival of Pirates and Princesses.” They most likely began their preparation in January or February, as the season really took off at the end of March.
It is likely that the purpose of the fall tryouts was to find pals for the Pirates team’s princesses and characters, including Peter Pan, Wendy Darling, Captain Hook, and Mr. Smee. Since this summer is designated as the “Summer of Super Heroes,” they have spent the last few months seeking for people who want to be friends with super heroes.
Not that they won’t be searching for villains, princesses, or Mouse buddies at this time; I’m just suggesting that it increases the likelihood that they will be searching for specific characters in advance of significant occasions or seasons.
Therefore, if you are aware that a certain set of characters fits your height, find out when those characters are most needed and attempt to audition at least six months in advance of the start of the season! In this manner, they’ll have enough time to send you a contract, train you for the ordinary work, and eventually train you for tasks unique to the event. One of the most important aspects of passing a Disney audition is focused research.
2. Act appropriately and professionally
Although casting directors undoubtedly see thousands of excited faces, you might worry that they won’t remember you in the end. But you’re not correct! They truly do remember you, and their memory is excellent. Making a good first impression could be helpful in passing a Disney audition.
Although the casting directors may seem like they are in a higher position than you, they are merely regular employees of Disney! Try to see them as just individuals searching for enjoyable new coworkers. Thus, make an effort to be the teammate they desire! If they’re not too busy, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with them; just make sure it flows naturally and shows genuine interest. You don’t want to come across as aggressive and needy (I would absolutely skip this stage to prevent awkward circumstances if you feel too anxious to engage in casual chat!).
Be professional and courteous at all times throughout your audition, both to the casting directors and to the other applicants. Don’t cry or lose your temper if you get cut. Never challenge the casting director’s decisions.
Simply accept their choice, express gratitude for their time, and smile as you exit the room. Remember to give your pals who are still participating in the audition a supportive thumbs up before you go, just to let them know you’re alright and wish them luck.
Small actions like this demonstrate your professionalism and support, and the casting directors will keep this in mind the next time! They will remember your face, I assure you!
I was even remembered by the cosmetology woman I saw for the first time at my last audition. She brought it up one day at work while she was doing my hair. Hearing that she recognized me from my audition amazed me much!
3. Recognize the character pack you could create
Now, since my third piece of advice can work both ways, I want to be careful when I describe it. It’s helpful to be aware of your potential for height (and, occasionally, face; I’ll get to that later).
I’m sure you’ve heard of “Disney height” if you’ve been reading about Disney entertainment and auditions. If this is all new to you, allow me to explain briefly. You are measured during an audition, and your “Disney height” is determined.
Your height may be off by a few millimeters or an inch from this measurement. But not excessively. This “Disney height” is equivalent to a group of buddies who are characters.
These pack’s characters will become your new best pals in the event that your Disney audition goes well and you receive a contract offer. These were Pluto, Mr. Smee, Emile, King Louie, and Mrs. Incredible in my opinion. Joy was later added to my pack.
They are wonderful buddies that I will cherish forever! You can determine what your character pack would be if you do some research or if you know someone who has worked in a Disney park.
Make the most of this in the animation portion of your audition. Casting directors are familiar with character packs and the heights that match with them, so it could work to your benefit to demonstrate your ability to animate your characters correctly!
It gets more difficult when it comes to facial characters. A plethora of factors determine whether or not you would be selected for face. But for the purposes of this post, let’s set that aside for a while.
Assume you are a princess of ordinary height, as I am (164 cm / 5’5″). It’s possible that you resemble some characters more than others when you study your reflection in the mirror and compare it to the princesses at the theme parks. Avoid being prejudiced and try not to try to look like your favorite character. Simply stay loyal to who you are and seek out real commonalities.
The casting directors may notice it too if you believe you’ve found the “perfect match” for yourself (again, be brutally honest with yourself). Try to take use of this during the animation round and possibly even the dance round.
During the Disneyland Paris audition process, you will be required to perform an eight-count princess dance. Choose the princess you imagine yourself to be during this part. Therefore, exhibit elegance and grace as Cinderella or Aurora. Be vivacious and bubbly for Rapunzel or Anna. Be snarky and a little bit sexy for Tiana or Jasmine.
However, as previously said, facial characteristics are unpredictable. The casting directors may believe you look like Elsa, even though you’re positive you look like Belle. or nobody at all. You never know.
Therefore, kindly refrain from acting (except from those eight counts during the animation round) and definitely refrain from dressing like a particular character. Maintaining your professionalism can help you succeed in your Disney audition!
Achieved success in the Disney audition
This one sure was long! I hope it can assist one individual in learning how to get through a Disney audition! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below, but remember that Disney is all about character integrity. The characters I worked with as a cast member and I were just friends with them.
Have you previously worked for Disney? What role did you play?
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