109-523: The Studio Backlot Tour was an attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida . It was a combination of a walking and tram tour of the backlot area of the park. Originally the park's premier attraction, its final operating day, after years of downscaling, for newer experiences not announced at the time, was on September 27, 2014;
218-597: A 4D film attraction starring the Muppets from Jim Henson 's The Muppet Show , that is presented at the Grand Arts Theatre within the avenue's Grand Park, itself also inspired by the real park of the same name . Grand Avenue is also home to PizzeRizzo —a pizzeria owned by Rizzo the Rat — Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano , and BaseLine Tap House, a modern California-styled pub . The main street of Grand Avenue leads into
327-486: A Whip ride. The land opened on June 30, 2018. Toy Story Mania! was originally a standalone attraction within Pixar Place, an area dedicated to films and characters created by Pixar, resembling the animation studio's Emeryville, California campus. Pixar Place was also the home of Luxo Jr. , a six-foot-tall audio-animatronic version of Pixar's desk-lamp mascot. The moving character performed periodic shows throughout
436-402: A backlot , and a satellite animation studio for Walt Disney Feature Animation , which began operation prior to the park's debut. In 1988, MGM / UA responded by filing a lawsuit that claimed Disney violated the agreement by operating a working movie and television studio at the resort. On May 1, 1989, the theme park opened adjacent to the production facilities, with MGM's only affiliation being
545-399: A casting director or "CD" is in charge of most of the daily work involved in this process during pre-production . A casting director is often assisted by a casting associate; productions with large numbers of extras may have their own extras casting director as well. However, in all aspects of a film or television production's budget, they are all a part of the above-the-line , answering to
654-492: A character for a production, is called a cast list , which is incorporated into a production company 's daily call sheet , and reflected in the projects title sequence especially with film and television. A common practice of many casting directors and casting associates in the United States have been casting director workshops. The types of workshop practices vary, but typically aspiring actors pay to perform in front of
763-450: A Florida-based post-production facility located on the Studio lot throughout the 1990s. All these production and post-production facilities were constructed to be an integral part of the theme park's Backstage Studio Tour as well. In 2004, Disney management (including CEO Michael Eisner ) downsized Disney's Florida operations by closing the animation studio, laying off personnel and then moving
872-590: A casting director is on this panel as well. In the early stages of this process performers often may present, or are presented with prepared audition pieces such as monologues , songs , choreography, scripts or sides. These audition pieces are usually videotaped, typically in the form of screen tests and then attached with resumes, as well as head shots or viewed online via websites such as IMDb , then shared with film producers, film directors or studio executives . Later stages may involve groups of actors—both union ( SAG-AFTRA ) and non-union, depending on
981-500: A casting professional who provides feedback on the performance. Actors and industry professionals against workshops argue that casting directors are paid to find talent, not have talent pay to be seen by them. Supporters of the workshops argue that the workshops have classroom like settings and are a good source of feedback and networking. Because of their mixed reception, casting director workshops have not been met without controversy. Former Criminal Minds casting director Scott David
1090-572: A full-fledged Casting Director. Equity in representation has been of much discussion in Hollywood for many years. Productions do not always have a certain race or gender in mind for their starring role, but reports show disproportionate underrepresentation for women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ actors in most media. UCLA's Hollywood Diversity Report and the Geena Davis Institute publish frequent and extensive research on
1199-567: A live cast until the attraction closed. The entire attraction went down for two months' refurbishment on January 4, 2009. The ride briefly closed down in February 2010, along with the adjacent Studio Catering Company and Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure. It was the final refurbishment before the attraction closed. On September 20, 2014 it was announced to cast members that the ride would permanently close on September 27, 2014 for
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#17328549489321308-435: A main cast, there is often a male or female lead who plays the largest role, that of the protagonist in a production. When there is no singular lead, the main roles are referred to collectively as an ensemble cast , which comprises several principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal screen time. A supporting actor is one with a role that is important to a play or film, but less so than that of
1417-414: A movie but the official shoot dates and details are not yet known, a Letter of Intent or "LOI" is drafted, to indicate, if and when the project is "green lit" or begins active production, the actor is already hired to portray that particular role. After the attachment phase is complete (which depends on many factors, including financial backers, studio heads, availability of other above-the-line personnel),
1526-496: A new loading area for the trams. The Backstage Pass entrance then moved next door. In 2001, Backstage Pass was closed. In April 2001, Soundstage 3 opened to the public to house Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It! and was closed in 2006. In 2008, Soundstage 3 and the adjacent Soundstage 2 were converted into the Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction. Soundstage 1 previously housed a gift shop for "Star Wars Weekends". In
1635-448: A project for their intent to be cast in a role. The well-known actor or actress often negotiates producer credit as well as very lucrative monetary compensation. For some major productions, the process of selecting actors for sometimes hundreds of speaking parts and roles often requires specialized staff. While the last word remains with the people in charge such as the director, producer, artistic departments and overall production team,
1744-524: A recreation of a Figueroa Street Tunnel which connects Grand Avenue to the adjacent Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge . Grand Avenue was originally planned as a themed area called Muppet Studios, following Disney's acquisition of the Jim Henson Company . In addition to Muppet*Vision 3D, this area was to include a themed restaurant and a Muppet dark ride parody of The Great Movie Ride . The deal fell through after Henson's death, and only Muppet*Vision 3D
1853-410: A script, screenplay , or teleplay . This process may be used for a motion picture , television program , documentary film , music video , play , or advertisement , intended for an audience . Actors are selected to play various types of roles. A main cast comprises several actors whose appearances are significant in film, theatre, or television. Their roles are often called starring roles. Within
1962-425: A series of auditions before a casting panel, composed of individuals within a theatrical production such as theatrical producer , and theater director . However, within a given television production a casting panel can consist of a television producer , or within film production a casting panel could contain a film producer , film director or choreographer . Usually, in nearly all areas of show business ,
2071-404: A special effects demonstration, known as Harbor Attack . One volunteer sat in the engine room and was overcame by a deluge of water (1000 Gallons of Water) coming into the room through a window from two dump tanks. The other three volunteers were standing on the deck when an attack happened. Explosions underwater, simulated torpedo bursts, and fireballs were used to simulate the attack. When filming
2180-494: A subsection of Animation Courtyard, is home to a walk-through exhibit, Walt Disney Presents , which explores the life and legacy of Walt Disney through photos, models, artifacts, and a short biographical film narrated by Julie Andrews in the Walt Disney Theater. The Courtyard section also hosts two live shows. Disney Junior Dance Party! entertains guests with characters from Disney Junior series, including Mickey and
2289-629: Is Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith , an indoor darkened roller coaster themed to the music of Aerosmith in G-Force Records Studio, with three inversions and a high-speed launch. Sunset Boulevard has two outdoor amphitheaters, and one indoor theater. The covered Theater of the Stars hosts Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage , a stage show featuring highlights from the 1991 animated film . The larger open-air Hollywood Hills Amphitheater
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#17328549489322398-401: Is called a "pass." If they accept the offer, the talent representative engages the casting director and a deal memo is sent from casting to the representative. It is at this time when negotiations between agency and production happen to finalize any deal points before the entertainment lawyers step in and draw up the attachment contracts. If this process happens very early on in the development of
2507-428: Is called an "offer". The offer, usually contains a letter to the actor's representative explaining the role in question, a copy of the script, why the actor has been selected, the length of time commitment, the approximate start date of filming, the filming location, and the proposed salary offering. If the actor does not respond to the material or for whatever reason cannot accept the job, they respond to casting with what
2616-413: Is the home of Fantasmic! , a nighttime show featuring Mickey Mouse and many other Disney characters in a story with fireworks, lasers and water effects. The indoor Sunset Showcase hosts the under construction Disney Villains show expected to open in fall 2025. Disney's Hollywood Studios has featured numerous forms of in-park entertainment throughout its history. During its early years, the park featured
2725-555: The Star Wars universe. The Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple , a live-action stage show, invites children to become " padawan learners " and receive lightsaber training from a Jedi master. The live-action Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! re-enacts various scenes from Steven Spielberg 's Raiders of the Lost Ark , while illustrating how professional film stunts are performed in
2834-585: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , Ace Ventura, Pet Detective , and characters from the Goosebumps series by author R. L. Stine . The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers made appearances in the park during the first seasons of the television series but then vanished. Disney had ownership of the Power Rangers franchise through its purchase of Saban Entertainment until May 2010 when Saban purchased
2943-578: The BAFTA Award for Best Casting . The highest honor a casting director can receive in the United States is the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting. As of 2024, Junie Lowry-Johnson has won the most casting Emmys as an individual, all in the drama category . She has six awards for her work on NYPD Blue , Six Feet Under , True Blood and Homeland . The only shows to win casting Emmys three times were 30 Rock and Veep , both in
3052-684: The COVID-19 pandemic in Florida . Disney's Hollywood Studios is divided into seven themed areas inspired by romanticized iterations of either existing locations found in Hollywood and throughout Los Angeles , or imagined worlds from Hollywood-born stories. The park's original layout featured a large Hidden Mickey , which was visible in aerial photographs of the park and on the park's early guide maps, though construction and other park changes have eliminated much of this image. Hollywood Boulevard , inspired by
3161-539: The Pixar Block Party Bash featured film characters performing in a street party along Hollywood Boulevard and near Echo Lake. Several times each day, the " High School Musical 3 Senior Year : Right Here Right Now" show used to travel Hollywood Boulevard before performing a live street show in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. Streetmosphere performers have been present at Disney's Hollywood Studios since 1989. They are
3270-475: The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant , a dinner theater with a retro-style theme featuring vintage car themed tables and a large movie screen featuring continuous clips of science-fiction films from the 1950s. Grand Avenue is themed as a gentrified historic district inspired by the real location of the same name in downtown Los Angeles . The area is anchored by Muppet*Vision 3D ,
3379-572: The comedy category . In 2017, at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards , the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences introduced the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program . The Casting Society of America members award their peers with the Artios Award , typically held mid-January annually with ceremonies in New York, Los Angeles, and (beginning in 2018) London. Artios comes from
Studio Backlot Tour - Misplaced Pages Continue
3488-510: The "Star Today" program, with a daily celebrity guest. The celebrity would often be featured in a motorcade along Hollywood Boulevard or would take part in a handprint ceremony at the Great Movie Ride's entrance, or participate in an interview session. At other times, Disney has imported characters and intellectual properties that were not part of its own original library of films and television shows. Some of these characters have included
3597-732: The Black Spire Outpost village on the remote frontier planet of Batuu . Attractions include Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance , a dark ride that places guests in a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance ; and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run , a flying simulator attraction that allows guests to pilot the Millennium Falcon through a customized secret mission on behalf of Hondo Ohnaka and Chewbacca . Restaurants and shops include Oga's Cantina, Savi's Workshop, and
3706-675: The Citizens of Hollywood, are the longest-running attraction at the park. Disney later filed a countersuit, claiming that MGM/UA and MGM Grand, Inc. had conspired to violate Disney's worldwide rights to the MGM name in the theme park business and that MGM/UA would harm Disney's reputation by building its own theme park at the MGM Grand hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada . On October 23, 1992, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Curtis B. Rappe ruled that Disney had
3815-469: The Disney-MGM Studios was to operate it as a television and motion picture production facility, as well as a theme park. In 1988, among the first feature-length movies filmed at the facility, prior to its completion and opening as a theme park, were Ernest Saves Christmas and Newsies . When the park opened in 1989, the studio/production facilities housed two major components, the first of which
3924-597: The Droid Depot. The land opened in 2019, replacing the park's Streets of America section. The 14-acre (5.7 ha) area cost an estimated $ 1 billion. Toy Story Land is inspired by Pixar 's Toy Story series. The 11-acre (4.5 ha) area is themed to Andy's backyard with three attractions, each hosted by characters from the series. The attractions include Toy Story Mania! , an interactive 4D attraction inspired by classic carnival midway games; Slinky Dog Dash , an outdoor roller coaster; and Alien Swirling Saucers ,
4033-403: The Florida animation unit. The backlot's Residential Street was demolished to accommodate the new location for Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show in 2005. In 2007, Disney announced that Disney-MGM Studios would be rebranded as Disney's Hollywood Studios, effective January 7, 2008. That same year, the former Stage 1 soundstage became home to Toy Story Mania! and the surrounding area
4142-514: The Greek word meaning "perfectly fitted". The Artios Awards recognize excellence in casting for all genres of casting except commercials. At their incarnation in 1985, they were held in November but were moved in the 2013–2014 season to align with the rest of the film and television industry's awards season. The Artios is awarded to those CSA members who receive primary screen (or program) credit for casting on
4251-607: The Kid , Who Framed Roger Rabbit , The Rocketeer , The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , The Great Muppet Caper , and George of the Jungle . Several of the props were tagged with information. At the exit of the building the tram part of the tour began. As guests exited the prop building they boarded onto a tram for the main part of the tour. As the driver brought
4360-583: The MGM-branding throughout the park. In the 2010s, the park began to distance itself from the original studio backlot intention and entered a new direction of immersive theming and attraction development inspired by imagined worlds from Hollywood storytellers. The park's original landmark was the Earffel Tower , a faux water tower topped with Mickey Mouse ears. In 2001, the Sorcerer's Hat —a stylized version of
4469-668: The Roadster Racers , Vampirina , Doc McStuffins , and The Lion Guard . Sunset Boulevard , inspired by the real thoroughfare of the same name , as well as the film of the same name , was the first expansion of the park, opening in July 1994. The focal point of Sunset Boulevard is the Hollywood Tower Hotel which houses The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , a drop tower thrill ride themed to an abandoned hotel and inspired by Rod Serling 's The Twilight Zone . Located nearby
Studio Backlot Tour - Misplaced Pages Continue
4578-610: The Studios, including Superboy (first season only, from 1988–1989), the 1988–89 season of MTV 's Remote Control , Thunder in Paradise , a revival of Let's Make a Deal , special broadcasts of Wheel of Fortune , airplane interior sequences for the feature film Passenger 57 , and The Dooley and Pals Show . Music videos, several tapings for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and live broadcasts of WCW Monday Nitro were also shot there; see WCW Disney tapings . The Post Group had
4687-425: The actor who is currently auditioning. A good reader is someone who has acting skills, but who has no interest in booking a role through that casting director's office at that time. For their audition sessions, casting offices will either bring in trusted actors as readers or will have one of the casting staff read with the actors. A reader will know how to give and take and play with other actors without ever outshining
4796-556: The adjacent shop stood until Streets of America closed was originally a break area for guests before embarking on the second half of the Backlot tour. This break area was expanded to include an area for kids to play, called Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure . The second half of the tour was a walking tour. It encompassed the water special effects tank, an effects shop, and the existing soundstages along Mickey Avenue and
4905-452: The assignment to create two new pavilions for Epcot 's Future World section. The brainstorming sessions led to Wonders of Life and Great Movie Ride pavilions. The latter was to look like a soundstage backdrop, with a movie theater-style entrance in the middle and would have sat between the Land and Journey Into Imagination pavilions. When newly appointed CEO Michael Eisner saw the plans for
5014-479: The auditioning actors. Interns: Interns are more common to commercial casting offices, which host as many as a dozen different casting directors holding different auditions per day. While some commercial casting offices hold permanent casting space, many rent out studios on a project to project basis. A key intern will work with many busy casting directors sorting mail, copying sides and transcribing them onto "cue cards" or large boards to be read off of as prompts in
5123-604: The backlot street facades, the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show , the Earffel Tower, and the remaining backstage areas—was closed and demolished in preparation for Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land . In 2017, the Great Movie Ride closed as the final remaining opening-day attraction and was replaced by Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway . The park was closed from March 16 to July 15, 2020, due to
5232-399: The boneyard, guests were told that they would be entering a "live" movie set while the cast was on break. The tram would then move into an area known as Catastrophe Canyon , a rocky area with a fuel truck and water tanks inside of it. While the tram was stopped, filming starts suddenly. An earthquake shakes the tram and telephone poles start moving back and forth, with sparks flying from one of
5341-524: The canyon the tram traveled through parts of the boneyard again. Guests would go past the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show stadium and practice areas. The tram also passed Walt Disney 's private airplane. After passing the plane, the tram pulls in to the exit and unloaded into the AFI Showcase room. In order to leave the attraction, guests had to walk through an American Film Institute museum exhibit based on AFI's 50 Greatest Villains . Many of
5450-742: The casting room making sure the recording software is running smoothly so the Casting Director can focus on each actor's performance. Casting Associates: Associate is the second chain of command in a casting office. After a casting associate has worked for two years in the field of casting, they can apply for membership in Casting Society of America . Typically, they work under a Casting Director running pre-read sessions, prepping deal memos, cutting audition sides, and making calls to talent agents. Many associates begin to take on smaller scale projects so they can amass enough credits to move up in rank to
5559-500: The casting room, help actors sign in, and keep the flow of actors going in and out of the casting room as smooth as possible. Casting Assistants: This is the entry-level position in the field of casting, but they act as much more than a typical office assistant. They cover the office phones, handle copying and filing, and set up audition (aka "session") equipment like lights, the camera, sound equipment, etc. They often assist in relaying audition appointments, checking actor avails, or in
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#17328549489325668-845: The climax of Who Framed Roger Rabbit , ships from the original Star Wars films, the duo motorcycles from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , the escape pod from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy , cars used in the Herbie the Love Bug films, bone cages from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest , the Trimaxiom Drone Ship from Flight of the Navigator and boats and other vehicles used in other Disney-produced films. After leaving
5777-419: The costumes and people working. A highlight in the building was the room full of tires used for the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show . When the tram left the building it would bring the guests through an outside area named the boneyard (named after an aircraft boneyard ). In the boneyard vehicles featured in many films could be seen. Props included the genuine steamroller used by Judge Doom during
5886-658: The day and evening across from Toy Story Midway Mania. Animation Courtyard is home to attractions based on films and characters owned by the Walt Disney Company . Its entrance is marked by a square "studio arch". This section of the park originally was the starting point for the Studio Backlot Tour. The former Magic of Disney Animation building hosts Star Wars Launch Bay , a Star Wars exhibit featuring behind-the-scenes props and character meet-and-greets with Darth Vader , Chewbacca , and BB-8 . Mickey Avenue,
5995-446: The director as part of his or her staff. Most films use either a casting agency or a casting director to find actors to match the roles in the film, apart from the lead actors, who are often chosen by directors and producers. The job of a casting director is to know a lot about a lot of actors, so that they can advise and present to the director the best of the available talent. Casting directors are highly influential and are usually on
6104-427: The director. During this time known as the "attachment phase" of a film, the casting director's job is to send out copies of the current script to agents for what is known as "coverage", a one-page summary of the script with a brief set of character descriptions. At this time, if a talent agency agrees to give coverage to a film, they will submit a list of ideas to the casting directors of actors available, capable, and in
6213-457: The early stages of casting and extras casting, the process may be decentralized geographically, often in conjunction with actual shooting planned in different locations. Another reason may be tapping into each home market in the case of an international co-production . However, for the top roles, the choice of one or more actors, whose presence is of enormous commercial importance, may rather follow strictly personal channels, e.g. direct contact with
6322-591: The exit. The exhibit and store were closed in August 2014, a month prior to the attraction's closure. Disney%27s Hollywood Studios Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida , near Orlando . It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Experiences division. Based on a concept by Marty Sklar , Randy Bright, and Michael Eisner ,
6431-404: The first part of the attraction. A number of guests in each line were taken into a show area with a large water tank in front of them. In the water tank were props reminiscent of Pearl Harbor : the deck and the engine room of a patrol boat . Cast Members explained how the water tank and props could be used in filming scenes from action films. Using the volunteers from before the guests were shown
6540-503: The following: The casting director remains as a liaison between director, actors and their agents/managers and the studio/network to get the characters in the script cast. Some casting directors build an impressive career working on numerous Hollywood productions, such as Marion Dougherty , Mary Jo Slater , Mary Selway , Lynn Stalmaster , April Webster , Robert J. Ulrich , Tammara Billik , Marci Liroff , Avy Kaufman , Mindy Marin , Robi Reed , and Allison Jones . At least in
6649-569: The former walking portion of the Backlot Tour became its own attraction, Backstage Pass, separate from the backlot tour, with the entrance at the end of Mickey Avenue. This greatly reduced the overall Tour time. In 1996, the entrance to the Backlot Tour was moved to replace the Backstage Pass entrance at the end of Mickey Avenue, with a new entrance ramp built to the water effects tank, a prop warehouse building constructed for additional queue, and
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#17328549489326758-461: The franchise back and were regular members of the park's cast of characters during that time. Live musical acts, such as the cover band Mulch, Sweat and Shears and the a cappella quartet Four For a Dollar, used to perform on the park streets or as pre-show entertainment at the larger shows. Like Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios also used to run daily parades down Hollywood Boulevard. The Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade and
6867-509: The general public at large, sometimes referred to as a " cattle call " (a U.S. term ), or open audition, in which hundreds or even thousands of performers compete for a number of roles. Casting character breakdowns, not to be confused with script breakdowns , are often provided by production agents who submit their clients to casting, which provides a brief summary of character (age, gender, race or ethnicity, situations they may be involved in). These agents and managers are positioned all over
6976-487: The leading actors. A supporting role is more important than a bit part , which involves direct interaction with the principal actors but no more than five lines of dialogue, often referred to as a "five-or-less" or " under-five " in the United States, or "under-sixes" in British television . When a well-known actor or other celebrity appears in a bit part, it is sometimes called a cameo appearance . The casting process involves
7085-481: The magical hat from Fantasia —was erected in the park's central hub and served as the icon until its removal in January 2015. The Earffel Tower was also removed the following year. The Hollywood Tower Hotel has since been the official icon, with the park's replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre serving as the visual centerpiece. In 2023, the park hosted 10.3 million guests, ranking it the tenth most-visited theme park in
7194-454: The main street throughout the day. At the far end of Hollywood Boulevard stands an exact replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre , which houses Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway , a dark ride themed to the world of Mickey Mouse animated shorts . Near the entrance of Animation Courtyard—resides The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, a themed replica of the original Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, California . Echo Lake , inspired by
7303-511: The mid-1990s; this area closed on April 2, 2016 to accommodate the construction of Galaxy's Edge. The Muppet-themed areas and a single remaining New York block of the Streets of America facades were repurposed into Muppets Courtyard , which served as a placeholder designation until Grand Avenue was completed in September 2017. Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge is set within the Star Wars universe, at
7412-440: The only opening day attraction left in the park. The improv troupe was originally called Streetmosphere, but later renamed to the Citizens of Hollywood. They perform magic, skits, and interact with guests multiple times a day on Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard. Disney's Hollywood Studios has hosted several events during the years that often draw thousands of fans to the park. The Walt Disney Company's original concept of
7521-551: The open-air Epic Theater. The Hyperion Theater houses For the First Time in Forever : A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration , a musical show based on Disney's Frozen . Behind this building lies a subsection named Commissary Lane, that connects Hollywood Boulevard directly to Grand Avenue and bypasses Echo Lake altogether. In this area, resides two eateries: ABC Commissary , a quick-service restaurant themed to ABC television programs and
7630-460: The operations to the main animation studio in Burbank, California . A radio studio is also located on the lot, behind "Sounds Dangerous". Cast member In the performing arts industry such as theatre , film , or television , casting , or a casting call , is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor , dancer , singer , or extra to land the role of a character in
7739-528: The orchestral facility. On September 28, the marquee and the sign that were at the entrance were removed and painted over. At the time of the attraction's closing, there was no word as to what would replace it. However, it was later announced at the D23 Expo 2015 that the land taking up the Backlot Tour, as well as the majority of the Streets of America area would make room for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land . Demolition began in mid-2016. Upon entering
7848-507: The original licensing agreement that allowed Disney to use MGM's name and lion logo in marketing, and separate contracts that allowed specific MGM content to be used in the Great Movie Ride . On opening day, the only two operating attractions were the Studio Backlot Tour and the Great Movie Ride. Several months after park opening, the "Streetmosphere" improvisational troupe was added to the park. The Streetmosphere performers, now named
7957-543: The park opened on May 1, 1989, as the Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park , and was the third of four theme parks built at Walt Disney World. Spanning 135 acres (55 ha), the park is themed to an idealized version of Hollywood, California , and is dedicated to the imagined worlds from film , television , music , and theatre , drawing inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Disney's Hollywood Studios
8066-459: The park's Chinese Theatre were restored. In March 2015, during an annual shareholders meeting, Disney CEO Bob Iger hinted at another possible name change for the park due to the changes coming in the near future. However, the company denied the rumors of a name change in February 2018. The park continued to close more studio-themed attraction; in April 2016, the majority of Streets of America—including
8175-452: The pavilion, he requested that, instead of placing the ride in an already existing park, it should be the anchor for a new park themed with Hollywood, entertainment, and show business. In 1985, Disney and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) entered into a licensing contract that gave Disney worldwide rights to use the MGM brand and logo for what would become Disney–MGM Studios, which included working production facilities for films and television shows,
8284-404: The physical auditions begin for all of the remaining roles. During this time, depending on the budget of the film, they could have what is called "pre-reads" where the actor auditions only for a casting director (or associate) to see if they are right for the material. After pre-reads would be a "callback" or "director/producer session". During this time the actor comes in and auditions (usually with
8393-415: The poles and this causes the fuel truck to catch fire, sending a fire ball into the air. Then a flood of water comes rushing down from the canyon and from above the tram. When the earthquake subsides and the water stops, the set would then begin to reset for the next tram and the host on the tram tells guests how it was done as the tram travels behind the set to show the back of the production. After exiting
8502-536: The portrayal of diverse populations. The national Canadian Screen Awards has presented an annual award for Best Casting in a Television Series since 2006. A new award for Best Casting in a Film is slated to be introduced in 2021. The Prix Iris , the regional Canadian film awards for Quebec , introduced the Prix Iris for Best Casting in 2017. In 2020, the British Academy Film Awards introduced
8611-434: The price range of the film. Casting directors also create their own idea lists and can "check avails" or call the actor representation to see if they are available and interested in taking on potential projects. If an idea that is generated from a casting director and a subsequent avail check or from an agent's recommendation is "approved" by the director, producers, and financiers (or studio), the casting director sends out what
8720-406: The producer selects one or more actors, the casting professionals negotiate contracts and fees. Casting professionals have to get to know many performers and assess their level of skill, and use a selection process to cut a large number down to a small group to bring to the producer for consideration. They may also represent actors, but not necessarily. The role of the casting director may include
8829-484: The production of Beauty and the Beast , Aladdin , and The Lion King , with Mulan and Lilo & Stitch being completed entirely at the park's studio. In 2001, the Sorcerer's Hat —a stylized version of the magical hat from Fantasia —was erected in front of the park's Chinese Theater and began to serve as the park's icon from then onwards, displacing the Earffel Tower in that role. In 2004, Disney shuttered
8938-532: The project because the director trusts their judgement; they are also the ones who decide who the director does see. Casting companies are independent organizations which liaise between performers and directors or producers. They need to have detailed knowledge of actors on their books, as they are responsible for putting forward suitable candidates to match specific roles described by producers and directors. The company draws up lists, and interviews are conducted, after which selected candidates attend an audition. If
9047-575: The queue, guests were put into four different lines underneath a large canopy. Throughout the area were props from different movies, including Pearl Harbor , Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl , The Rock , and Armageddon . A film also looped with director Michael Bay telling guests how some of the special effects scenes from Pearl Harbor were filmed. While guests were waiting, four volunteers were chosen to be used in
9156-685: The real street of the same name , serves as the park's main entrance and operates in the same vein as Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom . It is lined with themed streetscape facades and venues selling Disney merchandise and park services. Guests enter through the main entrance gate, which resembles the Pan-Pacific Auditorium . Near the park's gate is a recreation of the Crossroads of the World tower. Live street entertainment and seasonal parades travel down
9265-443: The ride then closed September 28. In August 2015, it was announced that the area would be used for Toy Story Land . The entire attraction has now been demolished. The first incarnation of the Backlot Tour loaded at the former entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation . The original tour was far longer and more elaborate than the final version. The former tour originally drove through New York Street/Streets of America. However, due to
9374-471: The right to continue using the Disney-MGM Studios name on film product produced at the Florida facility, and that MGM Grand had the right to build a Las Vegas theme park using the MGM name and logo as long as it did not share the same studio backlot theme as Disney's property. The 33-acre (130,000 m ) MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park opened in 1993 at the Las Vegas site and closed permanently in 2000. Disney
9483-487: The same material) and performs for the casting director, the film director, and anyone else who has decision-making power. In television, this phase is referred to as a "screen test" and network executives would also be in attendance. Once actors are selected from the pool of available actors, the same booking process that happens in the attachment phase takes place for any actor; extras casting has its own separate process. The resulting list of actors who were selected to play
9592-467: The similarly named neighborhood in Los Angeles , is designed to mimic the suburban " California Crazy " form of architecture from Hollywood's Golden Age and is anchored around the area's namesake lake. Echo Lake features three major attractions based on characters and films created by George Lucas and produced by Lucasfilm . Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is a 3-D motion simulator ride set in
9701-419: The size and scope of the production—attempting to read material from the work under consideration, paired off in various combinations of two, three or more. With each of the actor's overall motivational choices evaluated, the casting panel considers both the individual actor, and the "chemistry" created from either one of the combinations set forth within the read-through . Casting calls may go out into
9810-697: The soundstages that currently house Walt Disney: One Man's Dream and Voyage of the Little Mermaid . Guests viewed the soundstages using overhead walkways. Portions of the walkway can still be seen in the park. Most noticeably, by the most recent Backlot Tour entrance and by the former The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow entrance, there are walkway bridges. Just like New York Street, due to the overwhelming popularity of Disney's Hollywood Studios, former Backlot areas were opened up to guests (present day Mickey Avenue & southern Animation Courtyard). By 1991, much of
9919-409: The summer of 2014, it housed "Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna". Currently, it houses the third track to the popular Toy Story Midway Mania! . The adjacent building, an unnamed enclosed area and theater, housed for many years an attraction called "The Making of ______" (the blank filled in with the name of the next upcoming film from either Walt Disney Pictures or Touchstone Pictures ). When
10028-451: The surprise popularity of the park, New York Street was removed from the tour and made into a public walking space within the first few years of operation. It remained open to pedestrians until April 2, 2016 when Streets of America closed. After driving through New York Street, the tram drove to Catastrophe Canyon. After visiting the canyon, guests disembarked at the final tour's exit area. The area where Studio Catering Co. restaurant &
10137-407: The tour tram to turn around to arrive at the exit station. Overall, the tram portion of the tour was obviously greatly reduced due to the new stunt show. In 2008, Imagineering announced to cast members that an automated narration spiel was in development to replace all the live tour guides on the shuttles portion of the tour. The Special Effects Water Tank, due to guest volunteers, continued to have
10246-419: The tram through different areas, a prerecorded narration explained what was found there and tells the guests facts about it. Guests first traveled past the Earffel Tower , the former icon of the park. The tram ride was the closest that guests could get to the tower in the park. After the tower the tram drove through the costume and materials building, which had a thru-way for the tram and windows for guests to see
10355-400: The variety of film representation within the park, Disney entered into a licensing agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), from which the park's original name was derived. The park's production facilities were removed throughout the 2000s, and many of the park's soundstages were retrofitted for newer attractions and guest use. The park's current name took effect in 2008, with the removal of
10464-400: The villains on the list were represented with life-sized figures in display cases, with drawings and pictures of them from their films. The entire list was presented with pictures of all of the villains on a wall in the building. While guests on the Backlot Tour had to go through the exhibit to exit, it was not necessary to go on the tour to see the exhibit, as it was possible to enter it through
10573-468: The walking tour portion of the Backlot Tour. The first show in the new separate theater was Here Come the Muppets . When the original theater was separated, a new slightly smaller theater was built right behind it for "The Making of" attraction. This is the current theater guests enter in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. In 2003, Residential Street was walled off from the tour and demolished. The land
10682-405: The walking tour was removed from the Backlot Tour, this became a separate attraction, the previously mentioned Backstage Pass attraction. In 2001, the space was converted into Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. Originally the display area of the building emptied into the theater currently occupied by Voyage of The Little Mermaid. Within months of the park's opening, the theater became a separate venue from
10791-476: The winning project. Location casting directors, casting executives and department heads who are CSA members and who receive credit on winning projects also receive an Artios Award. CSA Associates on those projects are recognized in the press and with a certificate. The significant organization of professional screen, television, reality, and theater casting in the US is the Casting Society of America (CSA), but membership
10900-447: The world, and subscribe to this service that literally has an entire suite of services for just about every aspect of the breakdown, for a monthly service subscription fee. An actor may go through several casting calls before receiving a part, and even though well-known actors or actresses often still go through this very necessary process, some are privileged enough to have well-known writers, screenwriters , directors or producers pitch
11009-434: The world. The World you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood—not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be. A team of Walt Disney Imagineers led by Marty Sklar and Randy Bright had been given
11118-546: Was Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, where Disney produced projects including Mulan , Lilo & Stitch , Brother Bear , and sequences from other 1990s-early 2000s Disney animated features. The second, larger component was Walt Disney Studios Florida, which consisted of three sound stages used for Disney projects including The Disney Channel 's Mickey Mouse Club , Teen Win, Lose or Draw and Adventures in Wonderland . Several third party productions also used
11227-662: Was contractually prohibited from using the Disney-MGM Studios name in certain marketing contexts; in those instances, the park was called either The Disney Studios or Disney Studios Florida . In the 1990s, as the park's popularity and attendance grew, the park saw its first expansion in 1994, with the addition of Sunset Boulevard and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction. The backlot's New York streets were opened to guest access to relieve traffic and renamed as Streets of America. During that same decade, Walt Disney Feature Animation 's on-site satellite studio assisted in
11336-438: Was developed. The realized Muppet-themed section became a part of the park's former Streets of America area, which encompassed several attractions, including an urban street amalgamation of New York City and San Francisco . The area's namesake street facades were formerly the park's working backlot set, which was originally a component of the park's inaugural Studio Backlot Tour , and opened to pedestrian park traffic in
11445-451: Was finished the footage was put together with previously recorded footage of airplane attacks and dialogue and shown to the guests. When the demonstration was finished, guests continued into a large prop warehouse. The line moved guests up and down aisles of props used in different major productions, including Marvin's Room , The Santa Clause , Honey, I Shrunk the Kids , Honey, I Blew Up
11554-712: Was fired after The Hollywood Reporter published a story about his casting director workshops. In February 2017, five casting director workshops were charged with criminal charges for charging actors to audition for projects. In January 2018, Lindsay Chag, the casting director of films like Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dracula: Dead and Loving It , was convicted guilty of violating the Talent Scam Prevention Act for her role in casting director workshops. Readers: This person reads all other character's lines opposite
11663-435: Was initially developed as both a theme park inspired by show business and an operating production studio , with active film and television production services, an animation facility branch , and a functioning backlot . Construction on the combined park and studio began in 1987, but was accelerated when the construction of the similarly themed Universal Studios Florida began a few miles away. To increase public interest and
11772-474: Was rethemed as Pixar Place. In the 2010s, Disney began phasing out the park's "studio-like" attractions that headlined the park during its early years of operation. This included the closure of the park's Studio Backlot Tour, American Idol Experience , and the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attractions in 2014. The following year, the Sorcerer's Hat was removed and the original sightlines from Hollywood Boulevard to
11881-400: Was used for The Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show . The addition of the stunt show caused the Backlot Tour to be re-routed to go around the large stadium. Small portions of the former residential street were turned into areas for the tour's relocated and downsized boneyard and for the tram roadways. The addition of the stunt show also caused NY Street to lose its arch, as the area was needed for
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