I'm Here and a FT CM

Gorjus

Gorjus

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks to everyone who answered ALL my questions leading up to my start date.

I went through Traditions on November 6th, my park tour (Studios) the next day, and began my 3 day Photography training a week later.

I've been on the job for a couple of weeks now and I'm having a blast. I was worried that some of the magic would disappear, but it hasn't. And I realize that I would be perfectly happy in any of the parks. I was concerned about working at my favorites. Now I think it would be great because my job is to stand in the middle of the street, listen to the music, look at the Hat, Castle, Ball, Tree, etc and play with guests and get them to laugh...oh, and then capture the nature and essence of their personality in 1/125th of a second.

So, if anyone is at the Studios in the next 3 months, come and be nice to the photopass photographers. One of them might be me.

Gorjus
 
figmentmom

figmentmom

Well-Known Member
Congratulations! I'm a seasonal Cast Member - this coming summer will be my third July and August - sorry to miss you! Enjoy your time there. It's a great plae to work. :wave:
 
metscool

metscool

Active Member
Cool. I don't go to MGM that much as I used to before for some reason. I try to stop by one day and go up to every CM that is a photopass and ask them.
 
Mecha Figment

Mecha Figment

New Member
ah traditions. the bigest waste of 5 hours in my life. I'm sure it had some important stuff in it... but for th elife of me i don't rememeber. It just seemed to drag on and on.
 
piglet*florida

piglet*florida

Member
Hey Gorjus, congrats on the job! That sounds fun. I was thinking of becoming a cast member for the summer and I would love to be interacting with the guests like that. My question is, do you just photograph at The Studios on the main street, or do you get to go to other places and or parks as well? Also, what type of hours do you work, I am assuming not at night, right? And, how is the uniform that you wear, is it comfortable? Is it shorts? Thanks for the info!:wave:
 
Gorjus

Gorjus

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hi,

Photopass is what's called a "global" position. That means we are not park specific but rather can work everywhere. However, we are assigned to a park for three months at a time. Then, I guess, you can re-bid for an assignment if you want. However, in that time, I can pick up shifts at other locations. For example, next week I'll be doing one shift on Main Street USA in the MK.

The Studios has lots of locations, not just Hollywood Blvd. Also, shifts run anywhere from 6 AM to 4 AM depending on what park, what time of year, etc. You work 6 - 9 hours. So, yes, there are lots of night shifts.

Just to begin your Disney brain washing, NO ONE wears a uniform. Everyone wears a costume. Everyone plays a part. The costume for Photopass is really quite boring and therefore comfortable: Navy pants/shorts, white blouse, and khaki photography vest. In some locations you don't wear the vest and on Main St USA, the costume is completely different and period accurate. It is white knickers, white stockings, and a blue and white striped blouse, and a hat.

It is a fun job.

Gorjus
 
piglet*florida

piglet*florida

Member
OK Gorjus, do you mind if I pick your brain some more? Did you get to choose your assigned park? Where else do you photograph in MGM besides the down the main street (Hollywood Blvd), I have never seen them photographing anywhere else in MGM. Do you do character greetings too maybe? Do they expect a certain number of photographs to be taken and/or sold by you? I would love the interacting with guests, and getting to be a part of the magic, how cool! Any downsides to the role? You said that you do have night shifts, do they have you photographing guests outside at night? Thanks for all of the info, and it is so awsome that you are loving your new job!!:xmas:
 
Gorjus

Gorjus

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
No, you don't get to choose your park, you go where you are told for the first three months and then you can request a new location, but won't be guaranteed to get it. You can however pick up extra shifts at other parks.

The list of photography places is extremely long. There are about 30 -40 places alone in MGM; for example, Sunset Blvd (TOT), Rockin Rollercoaster, Osbourne Lights (4 spots), etc.

Yes we photograph lots and lots of characters.

There are and there aren't quotas for photos. They say they would like you to photograph a certain number, but if they are doing a running total, I have no idea of it and unless you are hiding in the bathroom for hours on end it would be hard to not photograph a lot. And you get no recognition or reward for people buying any of your photos. Seems silly to me not to provide incentive for better photos, but hey.

The downside occurs in inclement weather, be it too hot, too cold or too wet. You are always outside. Oh wait, after a night at Osbourne lights, you couldn't get a comb through your hair to save your life...all the snow (soap suds). I've learned to wear a hat.

Night shots are the same as day shots. The camera goes on a tripod and the guests have to stand very still. The only place we don't photograph at night is Tower of Terror because of the new lighting. It is too dark and you can't see the tower. Night shots look the coolest.

I hope you get to come join the cast. Every week there are 10-20 new trainees. It is growing fast.

Gorjus
 

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