From what I understand with LWTL thyy ran so few boats due to staffing issues. There simply were not enough people that knew the script.
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Studio Backlot Tour reopened today after refurbishment (video)
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Rob562
Well-Known Member
CMs who spiel on their attraction are not Equity actors.
Jungle Cruise, GMR, Safaris (and the Backlot Tour and LWTH up until their changes) are all regular attraction CMs and are paid as such.
In fact, back when GMR first opened, there was an additional bit of acting done by the tour guides, at least in the Gangster scene. The front pocket of their shirt could be "torn away" (velcro) showing a blood splotch. They then acted like they'd been shot and fell down the stairs onto a mat. Actors Equity said that by doing so, the position went beyond just spieling and crossed into the realm of stunt position, and should be paid as such.
Well, Disney didn't want to do that, so the "stunt" was eliminated from the role and the tear-away pocket was no longer used. The CM now just ducks and runs away. The tear-away pocket was eliminated from the costume over time as old shirts needed to be replaced with new ones, and the new ones didn't have that feature.
-Rob
Jungle Cruise, GMR, Safaris (and the Backlot Tour and LWTH up until their changes) are all regular attraction CMs and are paid as such.
In fact, back when GMR first opened, there was an additional bit of acting done by the tour guides, at least in the Gangster scene. The front pocket of their shirt could be "torn away" (velcro) showing a blood splotch. They then acted like they'd been shot and fell down the stairs onto a mat. Actors Equity said that by doing so, the position went beyond just spieling and crossed into the realm of stunt position, and should be paid as such.
Well, Disney didn't want to do that, so the "stunt" was eliminated from the role and the tear-away pocket was no longer used. The CM now just ducks and runs away. The tear-away pocket was eliminated from the costume over time as old shirts needed to be replaced with new ones, and the new ones didn't have that feature.
-Rob
SirGoofy
Member
While Safari isn't equity, they are the only attraction that receives an extra 1.15 for "spiel pay."
But do Jungle Cruise skippers get that? Noooooooooo...
Can you tell I'm bitter?:lookaroun:lol:
Rob562
Well-Known Member
Well, in Safari's defense, they *do* have to spiel while navigating a large vehicle and avoiding animals... JC Skippers don't have to steer or avoid animals or obstacles apart from the boat in front of them...
-Rob
SirGoofy
Member
I don't buy that that is worth extra money to do. I can drive at 10 mph and not go off the road with my eyes closed.
My problem isn't with you, it's with that stupid decision.
This is coming from a guest perspective but I think the skippers pay should be based on reviews done by secret shopper style guests. There are those skippers that either just phone it in or simply don't have the make up for the job. Then there are those skippers that somehow make your double over with laughter even though they are delivering the same old corny jokes you have heard a million times. Those skippers should be paid CEO type money because they are the attraction.
I don't buy that that is worth extra money to do. I can drive at 10 mph and not go off the road with my eyes closed.
My problem isn't with you, it's with that stupid decision.
SirGoofy
Member
Considering most of my boats generate great laughs...I'm all for this plan.
:lol:
Master Yoda for Disney CEO! So I can get paid well to do the JC FOREVER!
:sohappy:
I would be the most loved CEO Disney ever had until of course I drove WDW into bankruptcy in about 12 months.:lol:
SirGoofy
Member
As long as I made my money in those 12 months I'd be okay with it.
:lookaroun
:lol:
Slowjack
Well-Known Member
Long term, though, that's still a money issue. Lower pay means more turnover which means fewer people who are fully trained.
True. But IMHO it was kind of a win win situation. Disney saved money my replacing a role with an automated spiel and guests received a better experience by not only having a top notch narration every time but also a reduced wait time due to the attractions capacity not being effected by being short staffed.
jakeman
Well-Known Member
I don't think it is the difficulty. It is the increased liability with the job. There is much higher risk associated with driving the truck than driving the JC boat.
I don't buy that that is worth extra money to do. I can drive at 10 mph and not go off the road with my eyes closed.
My problem isn't with you, it's with that stupid decision.
SirGoofy
Member
Except it's not called "liability pay." It's called "spiel pay."
jakeman
Well-Known Member
You need help splitting that hair? :ROFLOL:
SirGoofy
Member
Yes, because liability and spiel mean the same thing.:shrug:
jakeman
Well-Known Member
They don't, but why is it so important what it is called?
Just think about it for a second and the reasons for the extra pay would be clear, regardless of what it is called.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
Here's how I bet the decision makers/bean counters looked at it (or most likely how the union looks at it)...
What is the *primary* job function/responsibility of the drivers on the Safari? It's to drive the trucks safely through the safari so that the Guests can see the animals.
What is the *secondary* job function of the drivers? It's to spiel and tell people what they're looking at.
Their extra pay is called "spiel pay" because it's something above and beyond their primary job function.
That safe driving isn't much of a factor on the Jungle Cruise. The primary function of the skipper is to spiel and be the show.
Now, if you believe that *spieling* is the primary responsibility of the safari drivers, then I'd say you have an arguement, at least for the point that the "extra pay" they get is named wrong and should be called "driving pay"...
But I see the driving as being the primary function of their job, and they get paid more to add in the spieling.
-Rob