Subject: PUPT: Re: Disney Job Update
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 22:59:16 -0000


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.


While I have the utmost respect for your desire to work for Disney and I also say all power to you in your quest to prove them wrong. I do think you have to remember that we are not talking the Salzburg Marionette Theatre here. Ok Disney puppeteers don't have rehearsals, ok so they employ people who have never done puppetry before, but really are we talking top class puppetry that these people have to perform? Nope.

I know several people who have been puppeteers for Disney, good puppeteers who said that their skills were not able to show through the often cumbersome puppets that they were made to use. (apart from perhaps the Street Rod puppets, which could almost be classed as costumes) When you join Disney you really know you are joining an organisation that is in it to make money, personally I think that is ok aslong as not too many boundaries are crossed. Disney have done bad things in the past, most of know at least someone who has had a bad experience, but I am really not surprised that someone who is employed in one of the parks as a puppeteer in a show also has to turn their hands to other areas within the daily running. Its maybe not fair but thats the way they run it, and in one sense it is really the only viable way for them to run a massive venture that Walt Disney World is.

If you feel you have been discriminated against then you are probably better talking to a discriminatory council who may be able to make your point known with a far louder voice. If Disney are doing something wrong then unfortunately you on your own probably won't get very far. However that said I think you would be MUCH better off putting all your energy into something far more productive for you. Your own show, maybe working towards something on TV? Make a name for yourself in your own right, this would probably be far easier to do independently than via Disney's shows and would give you personally much more satisfaction.

Instead of trying to force them to climb down, be the bigger person and prove them all wrong.

Just my two cents.

Michael.


  ----- Original Message -----
  From: DanB315-AT-aol.com
  To: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 10:09 PM
  Subject: PUPT: Disney Job Update


  Just spoke to three top Ent. people at Disney via conference call. While they did agree to exempt me from the character portion of the job it seemed they emphasized the aspects of the job discription that I can't do (as required by the EEOC), for instance nealing, sliding running, the steps onto the parade floats (didn't offer assistance). Far worse was the fact that they were proud of the fact that they hire character performers who have never done puppetry, with a ten minute workshop with ping pong balls on the hand. Also stated that all hirees must work in food or ticket service for an undetermined period of time. I'm certainly aware the puppetry is a grueling profession, but this is unreal. They also said they rarely have rehearsals!

  Danny Burge

HTML VERSION:

----- Original Message -----

From: DanB315-AT-aol.com

To: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu

Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 10:09 PM

Subject: PUPT: Disney Job Update

Just spoke to three top Ent. people at Disney via conference call. While they did agree to exempt me from the character portion of the job it seemed they emphasized the aspects of the job discription that I can't do (as required by the EEOC), for instance nealing, sliding running, the steps onto the parade floats (didn't offer assistance). Far worse was the fact that they were proud of the fact that they hire character performers who have never done puppetry, with a ten minute workshop with ping pong balls on the hand. Also stated that all hirees must work in food or ticket service for an undetermined period of time. I'm certainly aware the puppetry is a grueling profession, but this is unreal. They also said they rarely have rehearsals!

Danny Burge