American Idol soft opened today...

brresler

brresler

Member
I auditioned for the first show. Apparently I was the first guest (non-CM) to make it to the second stage (the producer audition), and they selected me to be the "male alternate." This means that in the event that one of the contestants doesn't show up or cant' go on, I would compete (thankfully, this didn't happen). But I did get to go backstage and see a lot of the workings (obviously, only what they wanted us to see) of thenshow. I met the director and a lot of the crew. However, because I was backstage right up until showtime, I missed the preshow. So, here's the process:
1.) Preliminary audition - a cappella for about 30 seconds with the song of your choice (must be published - can't be self-written). If you pass that, you move on to
2.) The Coke lounge - a list of songs is given to you, and you get an ipod (loaded with the songs on the list w/ and without vocals, and the words appear on teh screen) to prepare for your karaoke audition (choose a first choice song and several alternates) with the "producer."
3.) Producer interview - One on one with the producer. You sing the song of your choice with a mic and the words on a flat screen behind the the producer. There is also a camera in there, which he said was on, but I didn't see the video. The producer makes the final decision on who goes on to the show.
4.) If chosen (including alternates) - you have to show up an hour before the show for makeup, vocal coaching, and blocking/runthrough.

From my end of things, the cast/crew is really enthusiastic. They were all so excited for their first show (having worked on it for so long). The combination of their enthusiasm and getting to participate (even though I never made it to the stage) made me more excited about the attraction then I thought I would be. I didn't watch American Idol, so some of the references in the show were lost on me, and like I said, I missed the preshow (which people seem to think dragged on). The people I was with who watch American Idol really liked it.

Also, as a side note, I got to talk to the director and the crew and they were really interested in our input. Like I said, they're all really really enthusiastic and nice. They even agreed to send me a partipant t-shirt in the mail (since they were not ready for the soft opening). I even saw a few of them crying when the show started.

That's about it. I'll try to post some pictures of the backstage area and the stage later (all taken with permission from the crew - i'm sure they're all blurry, but I'll see what I can do)
 
One Lil Spark

One Lil Spark

EPCOT Center Defender
brresler said:
I auditioned for the first show. Apparently I was the first guest (non-CM) to make it to the second stage (the producer audition), and they selected me to be the "male alternate." This means that in the event that one of the contestants doesn't show up or cant' go on, I would compete (thankfully, this didn't happen). But I did get to go backstage and see a lot of the workings (obviously, only what they wanted us to see) of thenshow. I met the director and a lot of the crew. However, because I was backstage right up until showtime, I missed the preshow. So, here's the process:
1.) Preliminary audition - a cappella for about 30 seconds with the song of your choice (must be published - can't be self-written). If you pass that, you move on to
2.) The Coke lounge - a list of songs is given to you, and you get an ipod (loaded with the songs on the list w/ and without vocals, and the words appear on teh screen) to prepare for your karaoke audition (choose a first choice song and several alternates) with the "producer."
3.) Producer interview - One on one with the producer. You sing the song of your choice with a mic and the words on a flat screen behind the the producer. There is also a camera in there, which he said was on, but I didn't see the video. The producer makes the final decision on who goes on to the show.
4.) If chosen (including alternates) - you have to show up an hour before the show for makeup, vocal coaching, and blocking/runthrough.

From my end of things, the cast/crew is really enthusiastic. They were all so excited for their first show (having worked on it for so long). The combination of their enthusiasm and getting to participate (even though I never made it to the stage) made me more excited about the attraction then I thought I would be. I didn't watch American Idol, so some of the references in the show were lost on me, and like I said, I missed the preshow (which people seem to think dragged on). The people I was with who watch American Idol really liked it.

Also, as a side note, I got to talk to the director and the crew and they were really interested in our input. Like I said, they're all really really enthusiastic and nice. They even agreed to send me a partipant t-shirt in the mail (since they were not ready for the soft opening). I even saw a few of them crying when the show started.

That's about it. I'll try to post some pictures of the backstage area and the stage later (all taken with permission from the crew - i'm sure they're all blurry, but I'll see what I can do)
Click to expand...
Awesome!

Thanks for the input, and can't wait to see your pictures. :D
 
wdwmagic

wdwmagic

Administrator
Moderator
Premium Member
brresler said:
I auditioned for the first show. Apparently I was the first guest (non-CM) to make it to the second stage (the producer audition), and they selected me to be the "male alternate." This means that in the event that one of the contestants doesn't show up or cant' go on, I would compete (thankfully, this didn't happen). But I did get to go backstage and see a lot of the workings (obviously, only what they wanted us to see) of thenshow. I met the director and a lot of the crew. However, because I was backstage right up until showtime, I missed the preshow. So, here's the process:
1.) Preliminary audition - a cappella for about 30 seconds with the song of your choice (must be published - can't be self-written). If you pass that, you move on to
2.) The Coke lounge - a list of songs is given to you, and you get an ipod (loaded with the songs on the list w/ and without vocals, and the words appear on teh screen) to prepare for your karaoke audition (choose a first choice song and several alternates) with the "producer."
3.) Producer interview - One on one with the producer. You sing the song of your choice with a mic and the words on a flat screen behind the the producer. There is also a camera in there, which he said was on, but I didn't see the video. The producer makes the final decision on who goes on to the show.
4.) If chosen (including alternates) - you have to show up an hour before the show for makeup, vocal coaching, and blocking/runthrough.

From my end of things, the cast/crew is really enthusiastic. They were all so excited for their first show (having worked on it for so long). The combination of their enthusiasm and getting to participate (even though I never made it to the stage) made me more excited about the attraction then I thought I would be. I didn't watch American Idol, so some of the references in the show were lost on me, and like I said, I missed the preshow (which people seem to think dragged on). The people I was with who watch American Idol really liked it.

Also, as a side note, I got to talk to the director and the crew and they were really interested in our input. Like I said, they're all really really enthusiastic and nice. They even agreed to send me a partipant t-shirt in the mail (since they were not ready for the soft opening). I even saw a few of them crying when the show started.

That's about it. I'll try to post some pictures of the backstage area and the stage later (all taken with permission from the crew - i'm sure they're all blurry, but I'll see what I can do)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the report, looking forward to seeing the photos!
 
GrumpyFan

GrumpyFan

Well-Known Member
This is going to sound silly, but I think it would be cute if instead of actors playing the part of Randy, Paula and Simon, they used Goofy, Mickey, and Donald as the judges. After all, you are at Disney World. If nothing else, maybe the imagineers could rig up some kind of "Celebrity Judge" clip, where they would show random video segments of these 3 or others that would give their input on the performance of the singer. I think they also need to add a "stooge", a castmember or a willing guest who is deliberately bad, just for laughs from the audience. This would make it more like the initial auditions that AI has. Or, going back to the characters idea, they could have some random clips of Goofy or other characters auditioning for AI.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
GrumpyFan said:
This is going to sound silly, but I think it would be cute if instead of actors playing the part of Randy, Paula and Simon, they used Goofy, Mickey, and Donald as the judges. After all, you are at Disney World. If nothing else, maybe the imagineers could rig up some kind of "Celebrity Judge" clip, where they would show random video segments of these 3 or others that would give their input on the performance of the singer. I think they also need to add a "stooge", a castmember or a willing guest who is deliberately bad, just for laughs from the audience. This would make it more like the initial auditions that AI has. Or, going back to the characters idea, they could have some random clips of Goofy or other characters auditioning for AI.
Click to expand...

I had the same idea except they could use "live" charaters using the same technology as Turtle Talk. The mean judge could be a Disney villan type. It would take the attraction to a whole new level. I like the "stooge" idea myself, that could really be funny and they could have several CM's they rotate through picking from the talent already at DHS. Could be really fun.
 
EpcotServo

EpcotServo

Well-Known Member
TowerOfTerror said:
FYI - They had a finale show tonight at 6. :wave:

Didn't get there in time to see the show.
Click to expand...

I did! I was there for the first real Finale Show. What did I think?


















[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DZR1gSvnOI0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DZR1gSvnOI0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

:lol:

SORRY, Sorry, I was actually very surprised, and my upcoming review will highlight said surprise.

I just couldn't resist.
:p

(My Buzz-Review...http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/The-American-Idol-Experience/Reviews.htm )
 
F

fosse76

Well-Known Member
TowerOfTerror said:
FYI - They had a finale show tonight at 6. :wave:

Didn't get there in time to see the show.
Click to expand...

Did they? Interesting. Other than mentioning a finale show a few times during the show, there was no other information about it.

nanna said:
on the few times i went to see it, the pre show host and jordan sparks video was one of the things the audience loved! different strokes i guess.
Click to expand...

Really? Barely a handful of people seemed interested when I saw it. It's a pointless montage that they should (but won't) eliminate.
 
N

nanna

Member
fosse76 said:
Did they? Interesting. Other than mentioning a finale show a few times during the show, there was no other information about it.



Really? Barely a handful of people seemed interested when I saw it. It's a pointless montage that they should (but won't) eliminate.
Click to expand...

yes and yes
 
SoccerMickey

SoccerMickey

Active Member
fosse76 said:
.



Really? Barely a handful of people seemed interested when I saw it. It's a pointless montage that they should (but won't) eliminate.
Click to expand...

The one thing that I found really interesting in the montage was how heavy Lights Motors Action! was represented in the video. Is LMAX really that popular of an attraction? I don't even consider going to it while Im in the park. :rolleyes:
 
Magic Maker

Magic Maker

New Member
I like the Jordin Sparks video, it is fun, and gives a chance for audience members to be shown on the screen. And I for once like Jordin Sparks.
 
GrumpyFan

GrumpyFan

Well-Known Member
jt04 said:
I had the same idea except they could use "live" charaters using the same technology as Turtle Talk. The mean judge could be a Disney villan type. It would take the attraction to a whole new level.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I forgot about that technology, Excellent idea!
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
GrumpyFan said:
Oh yeah, I forgot about that technology, Excellent idea!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I think a character like Ursala could critisize no matter how good or bad the contestant and really get the audience fired up for the singers. However the word is the "judges" do a pretty good job. If the show does not succeed they can always reboot using cartoon characters as the judges however.
 
GrumpyFan

GrumpyFan

Well-Known Member
jt04 said:
Thanks! I think a character like Ursala could critisize no matter how good or bad the contestant and really get the audience fired up for the singers. However the word is the "judges" do a pretty good job. If the show does not succeed they can always reboot using cartoon characters as the judges however.
Click to expand...

Ursula would be great, since she herself was an "aspiring" singer. But, other villains would work well also, like Jafar, Cruella Deville, The evil Step Mother from Cinderella. They could add them as guest judges.
 

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