Being a face character...

[17goingon3]

Hi everyone! This is my first post so sorry if I'm doing something wrong.
My friend and I want to move to Anaheim to work at DL in about a year and we're wondering what is required to be a face character, i.e a princess? After reading through various posts, I heard that you have to be a CM for at least 6th months, but that's about all I know. If you've been any kind of character I just want to know a few basic things, like what to expect, interviewing process, if you get to pick the character you portray, pay (if you don't mind saying), etc. Thanks in advance!

[duckiedianne]

Re: Being a face character...

Wow....that's tough....to be honest with you....competition for face characters is REALLY tough! You need to have a back up plan if you are really going to move to do this because it's really hard to get a face character job! They hire based on looks....the first thing they do is line you up and if you aren't the right "look" (height, size, etc) they cut you immediately, there are many rounds of auditions and very, very few people actually get hired. They hire people that fit the costume, they don't make the costume to fit the people that they hire. Good luck!

I don't know what the requirements are but it has been discussed here many times. Here are some links to some past posts. If you want more, go to the search tab and type in face character auditions and you'll see plenty of past threads!

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/face_character_auditions_again-74645p2.html?highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/anyone_been_character_audition-77343.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/face_character_auditions-70718.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/disneyland_face_characters-48536.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/face_character_audition_question-52878.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/questions_auditioning_face_character-41405.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

[mouseinphilly]

Re: Being a face character...

And there's another factor into this. It's called "chemistry", and how well you play off with other CMs.

Look no further than littlecricket and her collection of videos with those she calls "Epic Hatter and Rapunzel Alice" on the YouTube site. Those two really play each off each other very well.

[SorcererMickey]

Re: Being a face character...

17goingon3, like the others said it is a difficult process for face characters.

First your height will be measured. If you are within the correct height for the face characters and DL is auditioning for that particular role you move on. This is granted your body type is correct.

Secondly your face and bone structure will be looked at. Complexion, skin tone, etc. Colored eye contacts can and must be worn for characters that need them. If casting feels you are appropriate for a character you will move on.

***You do not get to choose which role you audition for.***

Lastly, you will have to learn and perform a dance/movement piece.

You may be asked questions and you may have to try on a dress or wig.

Go to the auditions, if you don't make face character try out for fur. You'll have just as much fun!

[kidpirate]

Re: Being a face character...

The requirements are really specific, just go to auditions and if you don't make it the first time go again. Though you DO NOT need to be working for the company already to become a princess. You can hire in as a princess.

[17goingon3]

Re: Being a face character...

Wow....that's tough....to be honest with you....competition for face characters is REALLY tough! You need to have a back up plan if you are really going to move to do this because it's really hard to get a face character job! They hire based on looks....the first thing they do is line you up and if you aren't the right "look" (height, size, etc) they cut you immediately, there are many rounds of auditions and very, very few people actually get hired. They hire people that fit the costume, they don't make the costume to fit the people that they hire. Good luck!

I don't know what the requirements are but it has been discussed here many times. Here are some links to some past posts. If you want more, go to the search tab and type in face character auditions and you'll see plenty of past threads!

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/face_character_auditions_again-74645p2.html?highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/anyone_been_character_audition-77343.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/face_character_auditions-70718.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/disneyland_face_characters-48536.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/face_character_audition_question-52878.html?&highlight=face+character+audition

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showt...acter+audition

That was really helpful, thank you! But the links didn't work, sadly

17goingon3, like the others said it is a difficult process for face characters.

First your height will be measured. If you are within the correct height for the face characters and DL is auditioning for that particular role you move on. This is granted your body type is correct.

Secondly your face and bone structure will be looked at. Complexion, skin tone, etc. Colored eye contacts can and must be worn for characters that need them. If casting feels you are appropriate for a character you will move on.

***You do not get to choose which role you audition for.***

Lastly, you will have to learn and perform a dance/movement piece.

You may be asked questions and you may have to try on a dress or wig.

Go to the auditions, if you don't make face character try out for fur. You'll have just as much fun!

Well if it helps (maybe you know a bit about the standards for being a face character), here's a bit about what we look like:

Her: Brown hair & hazel eyes, about 5'4 or so and a slender build. Me: Same thing but I have blue/green eyes and strawberry blond hair. And we're both pale =D

Also, we would be getting a job at DL and work there before we auditioned, rather than moving down there and hoping we get a part.

And if you're a 'fur character', is it really as hot inside them as it seems? XD

[SorcererMickey]

Re: Being a face character...

Sorry but I'm not casting so a description of you to me won't help. Yes, fur is hot but you can deal with it. If you do greetings your time outside depends on the temp. normal is 30min, 80 degrees=25min, 85=20 min and you get the remainder of the hour off. If you are in parade you will be in costume for close to an hour so get hired in the spring and get used to the heat gradually :lol:. There are no fans or cooling systems in the costumes.

[Smoozie]

Re: Being a face character...

Hey, can someone answer me a dumb question? The very first time I auditioned for Face I made it as far as scripts before I got cut. Now, I don't even make it past the first cuts when I go and my hair dresser said it's because they know now that I'm Canadian. Is that actually a possibility? Or is she being ridiculous in thinking that's the only reason I'm not getting anywhere? (Don't worry, I won't fly off the handle and go insane psycho-path girl. Disappointed yes, but I won't go nutso).

[SorcererMickey]

Re: Being a face character...

It could be that they were looking for people in your height range the first audition and now they aren't.

[17goingon3]

Re: Being a face character...

Are there any characters that hire easily?

[SorcererMickey]

Re: Being a face character...

Usually if you're under 5' or over 6' and you can move well you have a better chance for fur characters.

[17goingon3]

Re: Being a face character...

I'm 5'4".

[duckiedianne]

Re: Being a face character...

Sorry the links didn't work but if you just type in face character auditions into the search tab you'll see a lot of threads!

Here's the URL for the auditions webpage

http://corporate.disney.go.com/auditions/disneyland/index.html

I say keep looking on the website, if you see something that might work for you, take a chance and give it a shot! If you get it, GREAT! If you don't...treat yourself to a day at DL! Either way, you're a happy camper!

[littlecricket]

Re: Being a face character...

Hey, can someone answer me a dumb question? The very first time I auditioned for Face I made it as far as scripts before I got cut. Now, I don't even make it past the first cuts when I go and my hair dresser said it's because they know now that I'm Canadian. Is that actually a possibility? Or is she being ridiculous in thinking that's the only reason I'm not getting anywhere? (Don't worry, I won't fly off the handle and go insane psycho-path girl. Disappointed yes, but I won't go nutso).

I seriously doubt is has anything to do with you being Canadian. People go to the auditions various times and are cut at different stages. It could be they're just looking for a certain character that day, say Cruella, and you just don't fit that look. Others have gone to auditions 5 or 6 times before finally being chosen. It's just the way it works.

[Smoozie]

Re: Being a face character...

thanks littlecricket and Sorceremickey. It was just this crazy irrational fear I had.

[lilbunni3]

Re: Being a face character...

Hi everyone )

I am trying to find out more information about becoming a face character and someone once told me that each of the characters have a certain look to them, like round face, big eyes etc so I was wondering (if any of you are clever enough) what do you all see me as being or what could I audition for? Just so I get an idea!
Also I hope someone can answer this question for me: do you just goto a general audition or are the auditions for specific characters? Thank you so much!

I'm 5'6"-5'7"
Brunette
Green eyes
Slim hourglass figure
120lbs

Any ideas?
And PLEASE be honest! Please tell me straight up if i'm not pretty enough or skinny enough or whatever enough!

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=24v2kn4&s=3

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=20fvj9t&s=3

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2cwr282&s=3

Pascha xxx

[Stitchy]

Re: Being a face character...

If I'm not mistaken, you might be too thin. All the characters I have seen are thicker. And as someone said, you must fit the costume....they don't make the costume fit you. All the princesses I have seen are bigger...more curvy. Alice and Cruella are the skinner ones I have noticed.

[littlecricket]

Re: Being a face character...

You can't really be too thin. Anything that's considered healthy is fair game. They have plenty of dress sizes.

You also don't get to choose what you audition for. And being 'pretty' also doesn't have much to do with it. As they say, it's not a beauty contest, it's just to see if you resemble a certain character. Just don't wear that much eye-liner to an audition. They prefer you to wear very minimal makeup.

Really, all you can do is attend an audition and see if they like you. Not much else.

[SorcererMickey]

Re: Being a face character...

Honestly, you can't ask us what we think your chances are. It is completely up to the preferences of the casting department. I have said many times, you could be a dead ringer for a character but if that character is completely saturated you won't get hired. Go to as many auditions as it takes, either for face or fur. In both roles you will create magic for thousands of people.

I will tell you that for your audition wear minimal make-up. It looked as if you had heavy eyeliner in one of the pictures. Don't do that because casting will want to see your eyes. Wear your hair back so your bone structure can be seen. I can't stress enough that if you don't make it a first time go back! Also, if your height isn't being hired that day don't get discouraged.

[Wally]

Re: Being a face character...

I always thought Alice was supposed to be heavier? The idea being it gives a the illusion of more 'childlike' proportions.

As SorcerorMickey noted, just go in for auditions whenever they pop up. If you get the role of a Fuzzy, you can always to try again for a princess face.
Hair color really doesn't matter, all of the princesses of course wear wigs. Height, bone structure and overall body type are important. That is what they look for in the first cut, so i've heard. Afterwards what is important is being able to perform the role.
For Disneyland characters being able to act out a scene quickly or figure out how to interact well with guests would be great. If you're really into it, you could consider taking a class in something like 'Mime' at a Community College.