Employment?

[Fireflicker]

Ok, first of all, I know that I have about as much a chance as not getting rained on at faire (none), but I thought that I would ask anyway. I was asked to tryout last year, but what are they looking for? What does the contract say, because I haven't been able to find it? Any tips/tricks/stories?
Really I'm just interested in the pass through the front door- I'm showing up whether I'm hired or not because I love it, but I didn't think that I can afford the pass everyday. I don't know how some of you guys do it!
Thanks for helping out a newbie! Rawr

[Radu the Gypsy]

What they are looking for kinda varies (from moment to moment) but mostly
   - Show up in Garb if you have it
   - Be entertaining
   - Have a bit or two you can do, and a talent you can display (Anvil eating, Geese juggling, Underwater Storytelling, you know, something unusual)
   - Have at least an idea of a character story or background if you get quizzed
   - Children's entertainment and Good Clean Fun are always a Bonus.  Making Betty Laugh or Smile is a sure win.
   - Don't be Crude, Rude, or Insulting, unless of course they happen to be looking for that


If you've directly been asked to try out by Betty, you've got an in.  Find a way to remind her you are here on her request.

And of course, prepare yourself to be cut from cast two days before dress rehearsal <grin>  Not that anything like that has ever happened, right?

As to what the contract says, I believe if you read the fine print it addresses things like owning your immortal soul for all of eternity, the rights to ask you to do unhealthy and dangerous things, first second and third born child, rights of termination at any time, you know, your typical contract.

[Fireflicker]

*laughs* oh definitely. I just wanted to know if they were gunna rape my character and leave it crying out in the rain.
My real problem seems to be that my character doesn't talk, and while that's fine when I'm out and among people I can interact with, I don't know how to audition while staying in-character, for the most part. I'm thinking that I don't want to do anything in the audition, like talking, that I won't do among mundanes.

[Blushing]

Sounds like all you would need to do is to explain that aspect of your character before the audition, as part of the introduction so to speak.

And a little optimism never hurts anyone. 

And while being on cast is a blast, there are other options.  Full-time and part-time booth work for the season is not impossible to find.  (Note: I've been on cast at other faires, but not at the Colorado show.)

[Fireflicker]

Oh? How would I go about finding employment at a booth? Is that like being part of cast but tethered to one spot?

[Radu the Gypsy]

Boothies work for the individual crafters, rather than for the faire.  Your primary job is generally either as sales staff inside the booth (Showing the product, answering questions, and doing actual sales) or advertisement (Standing out in front of the booth and convincing people to come inside).  Colorado crafters dont use nearly as many ad folks as I've seen at other faires, so Sales is generally what you get.  It limits your chances to play, since you are tethered to one spot and generally the booth owners want you selling the produce, not entertaining the patrons.  But many allow you to play so long as it doesnt interfere with sales.  Additionally, some booth owners hire people durring the week to do production.  And some booth owners will simply provide a free pass into the faire in return for you marching in the parade and carrying their banner for them.

The advantages of Booth work is that it often pays more and it is an In to the festival allowing you to play on your time off and not have to pay for the cost of a ticket.

The Disadvantage, as mentioned before, is that you get less chances to play most of the time.

As for finding booth work, the best way is to go down to the faire the weekend before faire opens and walk the grounds.  Most booth owners are setting up shop at that point and are looking for workers (if they dont already have them from other faires).  You can also check the message board for people directly looking for people.  Dont be afraid to go up to booths in the process of setting up and ask if they need workers.

Some shop owners also advertise ahead of time on the forums, though honestly, I'm not sure where.  I'm sure someone on here will know better than I.

[Tanda]

If you have a fully formed character that is nice, costumed, children friendly and has a hook, then you shouldn't have too much problem with them messing with it. We have some characters already that don't talk (including many of the fairies), I know, so make sure your character is going to stand out in a different way. Each contract is a little different. The big things are outside of faire promos they may ask you to do and that unless you get clearance, you will not be able to take tips - at all. As in all things in life, read before you sign.

The audition is basically to show them what you will do on the streets. Pick your top two bits and do them with whomever is there.

And my best wishes to you.

[Zoë]

There's also foodie work, which is what I've been doing for the last 5 years and will be this year again, god willing.  I don't mind it one bit, my job affords me the ability to hang out at faire all day, dress up, see my friends, most of whom come to me since I'm in one spot all day, plus you get free lunch every day which is not guaranteed through the vendors as far as I know.  Foodie work is paid hourly plus tips, which can be quite lucrative depending on where you're at.  Financially speaking it's probably one of the best places to be in the faire.  (Especially drink booths, not even counting beer.)  You don't get to wander very much, but depending on the way your booth works and how many people are in your booth and how nice your supervisor is (you could get an awesome supervisor like me!) you can arrange to get off early every other day or something like that and have a few hours toward the end of the day to play.  If you're interested in that, go to coloradorenaissance.com and in a few weeks or so (if not now) there will be employment applications available to download and mail in.  I think I might be the only foodie here on the boards...I think, please don't quote me on that...but if you have any other questions let me know. 

[Radu the Gypsy]

And of course, there is always Front Gate.  Which, considering all the lovely things that went on last year, new member of cast might end up working anyways.  Just remember, if at any point management tries to convince you to do additional work outside of your contract (Taking tickets at front gate, emptying the trash, etc...) suggest that you'll be happy to do it, as soon as you have a contract addendum for it stating you'll be paid for the work.  Colorado is well known for trying to get it's employees to fill in the gaps and do "a little extra" on the side without any kind of compensation.

[Capt Spleen]

If I recall correctly..... you were the silent hourse type head. Somewhat like the Unicorn at Faire but has a human handler.

You can just be a curiosity character that doesn't speak, yet people are looking and saying "What is that? Is it male or female? Oh we must get a picture, or picture with it."

Do lots of paw presentation, head cocking, and limb tromping like the animal you are, but does/doesn't understand the questions being asked you. Become what you are conveying.

[Fireflicker]

  yeah that's what I usually do. Question? What question? On that note, do you guys think that they would let me have a handler? I can go without one, but it's so much easier to have someone to speak for me, help out the little kids, ward off the idiots, etc. I think that the unicorn that use to be at faire had one, right?

[Tanda]

Oh yes, the unicorn had a handler. Actually, it worked out well a few years ago. The unicorn was over 18, so they gave him a younger female handler (They don't like the young'uns to wander about alone and usually assign them an adult) which made it perfect.  The King and Queen puppets have handlers. Don't assume it will happen. Ask at the audition. Ask during rehearsals. Ask opening weekend. But ask politely.

[Tanda]

And of course, there is always Front Gate.  Which, considering all the lovely things that went on last year, new member of cast might end up working anyways.  Just remember, if at any point management tries to convince you to do additional work outside of your contract (Taking tickets at front gate, emptying the trash, etc...) suggest that you'll be happy to do it, as soon as you have a contract addendum for it stating you'll be paid for the work.  Colorado is well known for trying to get it's employees to fill in the gaps and do "a little extra" on the side without any kind of compensation.

Most contracts have that little line about "and other work as assigned by your supervisor"

But yes, Front Gate is an option. It's paid hourly. You don't get out much and you spend all day standing on cobblestones. You also get to interact with those on parapet, see every guest that enters the realm, and start sing-a-longs. Probably not the best place if you aren't playing a human.

[Fireflicker]

Thanks! I was wondering because I've gone with a friend a few time and she's been really wonderful at crowd control and people handling so I was thinking of asking her to audition with me as a handler- I'm guessing now that that won't really work out. Oh well, getting ahead of myself anyway...

[Tanda]

Thanks! I was wondering because I've gone with a friend a few time and she's been really wonderful at crowd control and people handling so I was thinking of asking her to audition with me as a handler- I'm guessing now that that won't really work out. Oh well, getting ahead of myself anyway...

If she can do it, I say go for it! That way, you are covered and they don't have to pull from elsewhere. Audition as a "group" and show them what you do. Also, that way, you have someone to do the talking at the audition.