MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,646
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Aug 21, 2014 20:10:35 GMT -5
Welcome, and congrats at getting an audition. I submitted a video for those Brooklyn auditions but never heard back. Were you called up as a "one last look" group after a brief conference before they let you all go? If so, that just means they were pretty on-the-fence about you six and wanted to see what you were made of one extra time. It's really either/or regarding the letter. I've auditioned before and was part of that kind of group. Just keep trying, though. Hopefully the Wheelmobile will come at least remotely close to NY soon. Stay tuned to these forums!
|
|
ah51285
Made It and Played It
Posts: 11
Airdate: 10/14/16
Winnings: $15,150
|
Post by ah51285 on Aug 21, 2014 20:15:42 GMT -5
thanks for the welcome! yes, i was part of the one last look group.. it was definitely an awesome experience and im grateful, but im such an all or nothing type of person! if i got so far, i wanted the whole thing! cest la vie.. i hope we all habe our time in front of the wheel sooner than later! ive been submitting online applications for about a decade and finally submitted a video when they said theyd be in brooklyn.. guess ill have to freshen up my video skills again!
|
|
MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,646
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Aug 21, 2014 20:27:04 GMT -5
You're telling me. At least they actually liked your video. I might have to seek advice from you next time.
|
|
|
Post by hipsterdoofus on Sept 19, 2014 12:31:42 GMT -5
I just came across this thread sorry to drag it up again but I was in the same boat as Prizes and tenpound. I had an email audition in Virginia in February (coincidentally, I believe it is the same group of final auditions that Sarah the new millionaire was at, although she wasn’t in my time slot. She had mentioned in her bio that she went to a wheelmobile event then got called back to final auditions in Virginia so I put 2 and 2 together). Anyway, I had made it to the final cut of 12 and thought I did fairly well. I made the CC’s laugh a few times, got 12 of 16 written puzzles, called out the letters loud and clear etc…. There was only one person who I thought could be a lock and there were quite a few who I thought wouldn’t make it because despite being told numerous times, they would still say “I’ll have an L please” or “I’d like an S”. After the two + weeks of waiting and making excuses such as President’s Day and the brutal winter on the east coast may have delayed or lost my letter, I’ve pretty much resigned myself to not making the cut. I have yet to see anyone from my group on the show and didn’t keep in touch with anyone so I’m not sure how many, if any, made it. Tenpound I enjoy your optimism, Prizes your avatar is funny. And the person who made it through to the end 4 times, holy crap! I don’t know how you could stand it, my nerves were shot after waiting for the letter just one time!
|
|
MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,646
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Jun 11, 2015 16:18:02 GMT -5
So I had a final audition in NYC today, almost 3 years after my previous one. Overall, things are mostly the same. The biggest difference is that the application is now expected to be filled out at home and brought to the audition. With the Email invitation comes a link to a PDF file of the application that you must print out, and you must also include a photo of yourself and attach it to the upper-right corner of the application. If you don't have a photo with you, they can still take one of you. This time around, the early dismissal isn't necessarily a bad thing. My previous audition, I explicitly remember them saying that anyone who was not asked to stay longer would not make the show, period. This time, Gary did the "letter in two weeks" spiel before the reading of the names and said that even if we had to leave, we might still get the letter, and that those who were asked to stay, "We need to see you play some more." As for me, I only got to play on one puzzle: "BABY & METEOR SHOWER". I had everything except the B's and the Y filled and on my next spin, Jackie moved the spinner to $5000 and I nervously asked for a C. Brain fart, but there were worse ones from others, to be frank. Concerning the test, I'm 99% sure I got all 16 right, and I finished it with a minute and a half to spare. I had the yellow test, which was labeled "WHEEL OF FORTUNE TEST #3" and the categories were Proper Name, Phrase, Same Name, and Living Thing/Living Things. The only one I had any trouble on was a Proper Name puzzle of "_ _ L L _ _ * C _ _ B _ _ _", then I remembered, "Oh, wait. Proper Name can be sports teams, too." One guy was really worried after the test, saying that he filled in less than half. When he asked Gary "Is less than 50% acceptable?", he didn't answer and everybody laughed. Many people had a habit of calling consonants before asking to spin, in which case they were "held" on the letter as per the show, and yes, they still really push for vowels on Free Play. When one woman started a new puzzle with FP, she called a consonant which Jackie did not approve of, so she moved the arrow to FP again and this time she called a vowel. I called one myself when I was given one (E). One man called G twice in a row and tried to correct it to an R, but Alex decided to give him the R just because he was close to solving. Another guy was only missing the C's and U in "AWARD-WINNING BARBECUE SAUCE" and called a Q, apparently thinking it was "BARBE QUE". Jackie decided to give him another shot...and he called the Q again. I also remember a dud Q from another player when the puzzle was pretty obvious with no good place for a Q to go. I was only called up once, but one guy was called up four times because he kept calling early duds. As I stepped out of the hotel, a very nice lady named Julie from Nebraska who was also let go said that we shouldn't give up hope and that we're not out of it yet. Me, assuming everything would be the same as before, pretty much tuned out the remaining glimmer of hope once my name was not called. I remember making a "WTF" expression to my neighbors. :oops: Julie told me she had researched several sites for audition tips, including this thread once I showed her on my phone. Joe, she says your post is really helpful. So, I guess we'll see what happens, then. Would have been nice to keep playing, but it is nice to know that the dismissal is no longer a direct "no", from what they were saying.
|
|
WayoshiM
VIP
Wheel Statistican
Posts: 2,004
SPIN ID: GM5193544
|
Post by WayoshiM on Jun 11, 2015 18:12:30 GMT -5
Now I'm worried they are actively not taking the best players...
|
|
|
Post by hipsterdoofus on Jun 11, 2015 18:21:05 GMT -5
That's an interesting new wrinkle, that not getting picked doesn't mean "no". I wonder if that's really accurate or if they just say that now so people who don't make the cut don't feel as bad. I hope for you it's the former. Although I kind of wish that at my audition I had not even made the cut. That definite "no" would be a lot less nerve racking then making the cut, getting to the end, thinking I did well, and then never receiving the letter. Would've saved me two weeks of angst. Good luck though.
|
|
MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,646
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Jun 11, 2015 18:25:05 GMT -5
@wayo: I'm sure many recent contestants would beg to differ. Let's not jump to conclusions now. These people have been at it for decades. They know what they're doing. So I'm going to say this again just for emphasis and so that anybody who expects the previous method of cutting doesn't react like I initally did... If you are not asked to stay after the written test, don't freak out and don't lose hope. This no longer means "Bye, better luck next time". It just means they already know whether they want you or not. Nobody in the room is given an immediate "no" anymore. If you are asked to stay, it now means that they still need to see more from you to make a decision. Everyone still gets to play the waiting game for "the letter". If you made a mistake such as repeating a letter or a missolve and you are asked to stay, consider that your chance at redemption.
|
|
WarioSajak
VIP
Co-Owner of Karen's Pool Tables
Daniel, lover of classic "Wheel".
Posts: 1,889
SPIN ID: DB2986720
|
Post by WarioSajak on Jun 12, 2015 18:21:01 GMT -5
and yes, they still really push for vowels on Free Play. When one woman started a new puzzle with FP, she called a consonant which Jackie did not approve of, so she moved the arrow to FP again and this time she called a vowel. Why in the hell are they upset that people call consonants on Free Play? Call a consonant, you get enough cash for at least two vowels. ...Oh, wait, it's because consonants give money, isn't it? Another guy was only missing the C's and U in "AWARD-WINNING BARBECUE SAUCE" and called a Q, apparently thinking it was "BARBE QUE". Jackie decided to give him another shot...and he called the Q again. In fairness to the guy, "barbeque" does make more sense since it's shortened to "BBQ", not "BBC". Then again, he didn't really have any reason not to call C and confirm it one way or the other.
|
|
kevin
Made It and Played It
"I hate you now."
Posts: 433
Airdate: 03/28/16
Winnings: $1,950
SPIN ID: KS7272704
|
Post by kevin on Jun 16, 2015 21:47:20 GMT -5
I just got an email for a final audition in Springfield, IL (6/25, 10:00) after going to the Forsyth, IL Wheelmobile and getting called up. I last attended a final audition through email in Chicago in Spring 2010 when I was attending college there. Exactly how ten96lt described, thanks for that post (although IDR a free play on the wheel). Didn't make the cut, but wasn't really trying I feel. I didn't go in knowing what to expect or how to act as I do now. I'm wondering though if I'll be considered for college week or if my full-time student status will count against me. I switched majors and came back home to pursue my first Bachelor's degree in another areaa with an anticipated graduation date a couple years from now. However, I am now 24 years old (25 soon) so I don't think I'll be considered for college week as I don't think they've ever had non-traditional students. Should I still list my University/graduation date on the application (I did on the Wheelmobile slip). School is what I do full-time, but I also work part-time (full time in the summer) so that was going to be my spiel (I'm a junior at blah blah university studying blah blah and I work as a blah blah enjoy blah blah). Is this going to look bad or am I stressing over nothing. Also, should I shave to look younger? Aghhhhh edit: Re: being considered even after not making the cut, I'm not a pessimist usually and don't mean to be a downer but I wonder if that is said just to let people down easy and not have people plead with them as another poster referenced. Although, I would also prefer to have the definitive "no." If I make the initial cut (and now if I don't thanks to Mario ) the wait will be agonizing!
|
|
MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,646
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Jun 16, 2015 21:50:49 GMT -5
You could do that, but I'm pretty sure they're only interested in the typical 18-22 undergrad students. You can ask the audition. Congrats at getting an audition! That sure was fast. Remember that the post-test cut is, or at least should be different now.
|
|
ten96lt
Made It and Played It
Posts: 233
Airdate: 04/07/2014
Winnings: $9,300
|
Post by ten96lt on Jun 22, 2015 2:16:13 GMT -5
I'm wondering though if I'll be considered for college week or if my full-time student status will count against me. I switched majors and came back home to pursue my first Bachelor's degree in another areaa with an anticipated graduation date a couple years from now. However, I am now 24 years old (25 soon) so I don't think I'll be considered for college week as I don't think they've ever had non-traditional students. Should I still list my University/graduation date on the application (I did on the Wheelmobile slip). School is what I do full-time, but I also work part-time (full time in the summer) so that was going to be my spiel (I'm a junior at blah blah university studying blah blah and I work as a blah blah enjoy blah blah). Is this going to look bad or am I stressing over nothing. Also, should I shave to look younger? Aghhhhh As long as you're pursuing your first undergrad degree at a 4 year institution (I don't know whether you have to be full time, but I'm sure they don't want you only taking one class at a time unless it's your final semester), you're fine. I was 23 during the audition and 24 when I taped/aired. On the application, they will probably ask you to put what year you're entering in the fall since it's summer as long as they're looking for college students along with your school (I put Junior at University of Illinois at Chicago on the top of my application packet when they mentioned it). Don't stress about appearance with both school and work. "I am entering my sophomore/junior/senior year, majoring in (major) at (university). I also work part time as a (profession)"..........unless your job is one you don't want to mention publicly on TV. I won't advise for or against shaving, but I would say if you decide to have facial hair, keep it maintained and clean (not sloppy or wild or grungy).I do know the feeling about worrying how you look; I was paranoid about contacts or glasses at my audition, yet I wore my glasses for filming (I was petrified about a contact lens falling out during filming). Overall........don't worry about being picked for college week, they'll put you on a different week even if you don't meet the requirements for the week, but they still like you. When I got the letter, I didn't care what week they were going to put me on, I was just thrilled to know I would be going on. (Although I will confess I was secretly hoping at the time I initially got the letter I would be called to tape in Vegas since it was announced around that time they would be filming there and I didn't know if they were going to do college week as they said they were only considering it during the auditions. ) I'm going to hold out hope for you Mario. Unfortunately, I'm going to let the pessimist come out in my hypothesis, because of my experience auditioning for another game show which gives me the pessimism if the MO is the same, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. I've been placed in the contestant pool twice and never called. However, I have also auditioned for them before and didn't make the pool. Their SOP is you would have an initial "Speed Date" interview with one of the producers. You would either be thanked for your time, sent on your way and told to wait for a card in two weeks to say if you made the pool or not, or they would hand you a waiver to be filmed and conduct an on camera interview with another (assuming supervising) producer. If you look on the stats on WWTBAM's fan forum, nobody who has reported their status has received the "happy card" of being placed in the pool if they did not receive an on-camera interview. I can't help but think this is along those lines in the interests of preventing people who didn't make the cut from making a scene or bothering the CC's. Everyone that was cut at my audition was gracious and left without incident, but I wouldn't be shocked if there haven't been issues at other auditions. I would think that they'd still want to do the mock "pat chat" to make sure you can put two sentences together without freezing in front of a crowd (although to be fair, might not be necessary if people are doing fine with the initial interviews at the Wheelmobile, or had no issues in their video) and they could easily include it when they call you up. Granted, the speed date interview came after passing the written test, but I could also see the written test for Wheel being the natural stopping point like the speed date interview for BAM, since that's how it's been before. Did they take everyone's audition packet along with the written test Mario? I'm holding out hope for you man, but my experience with WWTBAM is making me wonder if Wheel is now going to a similar route in their audition process. I'd like to hear about Kevin's experience if he's asked to stay "for further review" to see if that process has changed. I would love to be proven wrong and you get the letter.
|
|
MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,646
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Jun 22, 2015 11:01:58 GMT -5
I can't help but think this is along those lines in the interests of preventing people who didn't make the cut from making a scene or bothering the CC's. Everyone that was cut at my audition was gracious and left without incident, but I wouldn't be shocked if there haven't been issues at other auditions. I would think that they'd still want to do the mock "pat chat" to make sure you can put two sentences together without freezing in front of a crowd (although to be fair, might not be necessary if people are doing fine with the initial interviews at the Wheelmobile, or had no issues in their video) and they could easily include it when they call you up. Granted, the speed date interview came after passing the written test, but I could also see the written test for Wheel being the natural stopping point like the speed date interview for BAM, since that's how it's been before. Did they take everyone's audition packet along with the written test Mario? I'm holding out hope for you man, but my experience with WWTBAM is making me wonder if Wheel is now going to a similar route in their audition process. I'd like to hear about Kevin's experience if he's asked to stay "for further review" to see if that process has changed. I would love to be proven wrong and you get the letter. At my first audition back in 2012, everyone clapped after the reading of the names and those cut left gracefully. At my second one, as I was walking out, I overheard Alex say something like "No, we can't. I'm sorry." to one of the people cut. I have no idea what they asked. I should also note that the first time around, they wanted those who were called to make a "whoo" and had to tell people to hold the applause until the end. The second time, they just said to say "here" and there was no applause. The whole thing just didn't have as much positivity. I was upset that I and the rest who were cut didn't get an opportunity to have an interview, but I would have just repeated what I said in my video, and of course, I earned my first audition through the Wheelmobile rather than a video. They took everybody's application along with their tests and photos. Before, they took Polaroids after the cut. A few days later, I found that another member on this site was also at the same audition. We had a bit of a conversation in PM's and he said he got about 14/16 on the test and was cut as well. He had auditioned in NYC before and did about the same on the test back then and made it through the cut. We'll see this week...
|
|
kevin
Made It and Played It
"I hate you now."
Posts: 433
Airdate: 03/28/16
Winnings: $1,950
SPIN ID: KS7272704
|
Post by kevin on Jun 24, 2015 16:39:28 GMT -5
Thanks a lot ten96, that puts my mind a bit at ease. (Driving up tonight so I don't have to drive early tomorrow).
Did you have your Pat chat memorized? I'm afraid as coming off as too rehearsed, but worried I won't be able to just talk on the fly either.
|
|
ten96lt
Made It and Played It
Posts: 233
Airdate: 04/07/2014
Winnings: $9,300
|
Post by ten96lt on Jun 24, 2015 23:53:03 GMT -5
Thanks a lot ten96, that puts my mind a bit at ease. (Driving up tonight so I don't have to drive early tomorrow). Did you have your Pat chat memorized? I'm afraid as coming off as too rehearsed, but worried I won't be able to just talk on the fly either. I did practice in my head what I was going to say, but I never did a live practice in front of a mirror. I didn't want to get called and have no idea what I was going to say about myself.
|
|
kevin
Made It and Played It
"I hate you now."
Posts: 433
Airdate: 03/28/16
Winnings: $1,950
SPIN ID: KS7272704
|
Post by kevin on Jun 25, 2015 14:24:13 GMT -5
Well, I didn't get the "second look." I did everything in the advice and thought I came across well. I believe I got 12 on the test. Nothing new from what Mario mentioned. The pessimist side of me thinks it's just a way to not let people down face-to-face. The optimist in me thinks they saw enough from my wheel mobile interview (it asks on the form whether you attended a wheel mobile event and where??), but I don't think those are readily available/recorded, so probably not. I guess I'll know for sure in a couple weeks, but I'm not holding my breath. Keep us updated on your letter Mario!
|
|
dannyangel
Made It and Played It
Dedicating with love my 12/24/15 WOF appearance to the memory of my sweet Will Pettite.
Posts: 18
Airdate: 12/24/15
Winnings: $1,000
|
Post by dannyangel on Jun 25, 2015 15:24:47 GMT -5
Hi there… newbie here but wasn't sure where to intro myself. congrats on getting so far in your audition! I received my letter exactly ten days after my final audition in Las Vegas this April and I also was not part of the "second look" either, so I wouldn't stress if you are or are not asked to be seen a second time. This was my second "final audition" and I'm just thrilled to be part of the show having been a fan like most of the audience since I was a kid. Keep trying if you don't make it the first time. Take the direction in stride and work on improving what you can for the next time.
See you in the bonus round! Dan
|
|
kevin
Made It and Played It
"I hate you now."
Posts: 433
Airdate: 03/28/16
Winnings: $1,950
SPIN ID: KS7272704
|
Post by kevin on Jun 25, 2015 15:55:05 GMT -5
Hey Dan, so you mean you left right after taking the written test? That's encouraging to hear. Did you get the final audition through submitting a video or wheelmobile stop or random email invite? It makes more sense if it was through video! And congrats and good luck!
edit: I saw your Intro post, and it does seem you made the cut right after the written test, congrats! Doesn't spell good for me ha. Excited for you though!
|
|
dannyangel
Made It and Played It
Dedicating with love my 12/24/15 WOF appearance to the memory of my sweet Will Pettite.
Posts: 18
Airdate: 12/24/15
Winnings: $1,000
|
Post by dannyangel on Jun 25, 2015 16:02:10 GMT -5
hey Kevin, I just posted an intro that tells a bit more about my story but I actually got invited first via the "random draw" process several years ago after attending my first Wheelmobile event and then was invited to the most recent one after getting on stage at the open call.
And you definitely should be encouraged by how well you did making it that far, no matter what happens! I read somewhere that only about 10,000 people per year get to the final auditions, so making it that far in itself is huge! Especially for us guys who comprise less than half of the total Contestants too!
Best, Dan
edit: I misunderstood the "second look" as you were invited to stay past the written test. They actually do look at some people a second time though after after this cut. Like I said though, you did great by making it to the callbacks and just keep at it, because you never know!
|
|
csb61
Made It and Played It
Posts: 19
Airdate: 10/13/15
Winnings: $3,000
|
Post by csb61 on Jul 2, 2015 20:11:12 GMT -5
If you attend a final audition as a result of having been on stage at a Wheelmobile event, is it like starting again from scratch? Or do they keep any type of "notes" on you from the WM event? I ask because I am not the most interesting or unique person, but I did manage to tell a funny story the first time around. So can I repeat the same thing(s) for the "interview" portion of the audition if I make the cut? Or are they mostly evaluating your delivery at that point? Also, do they ask questions like Marty does, or do you just do your own short recitation?
|
|