dantastic312
Made It and Played It 
Wheel Beast
SOMEWHAT OF A SURPRISE!
Posts: 438
Airdate: 03/06/2014
Winnings: $61,577
|
Post by dantastic312 on Jan 12, 2014 2:56:10 GMT -5
I am SO ready for Friday! jmdarrall I like the idea of a "ritualistic" approach of puzzle board, ULB, puzzle board and then calling a letter. Definitely going to try and use that on Friday. As of right now, I have my nerves in check. The main thing I feel now is just pure excitement over all the fun I will have on the show, and the week we're spending in California. I'm so glad MarioGS told me about the site when we auditioned almost a year and a half ago. The only thing better than this site are the people on it.. And I truly mean that. |
|
jmdarrall
Made It and Played It
Waited 30 years for this moment! Thanks, Wheel!
Posts: 446 
Airdate: 04/25/13
Winnings: $17,250
|
Post by jmdarrall on Jan 14, 2014 13:24:35 GMT -5
Glad to hear it, Dan! You're going to have so much fun on stage that you won't have much time to be nervous. Plus, you'll be on TV, get at least $1000, and have a story to tell your kids and grandkids (if and when they come). Have fun on Friday!
|
|
gakgakg
Made It and Played It
Posts: 14 
Airdate: 01/17/14
Winnings: $12,150
|
Post by gakgakg on Jan 15, 2014 11:08:17 GMT -5
Dan, I so wish I could go back with you! I'll be sending good vibes this Friday. And if you're looking for a great restaurant in the area after your taping, we had an absolute blast at a place called Kay and Dave's about 3/4 mile (?) down the street from the studio. It's a Mexican place with awesome happy hour margaritas.
|
|
MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP 
PhD in Wheeloffortunology
Posts: 14,932
Airdate: 03/25/2016
Winnings: $76,086
SPIN ID: RS1363545
|
Post by MarioGS on Jan 15, 2014 16:01:13 GMT -5
That sounds like a good celebration plan. Go there after the show and have two or three or six.  |
|
dreamoffields
Made It and Played It
Posts: 67
Airdate: 12/31/13
Winnings: $59,354
|
Post by dreamoffields on Jan 15, 2014 19:48:08 GMT -5
Good luck, Dan! Try to be present in the moment and just have fun. Nothing bad is going to happen, so try to get rid of the anxiousness.
It goes so fast! There are things that I watched on my show when it aired that I could not remember happening on tape day. For example, I have no clue what I talked to Vanna about at the end of the show, but I'm clearly talking to her on the tape.
The contestant coordinators will tell you right before your show starts to touch your pointer for luck. My big tip - kiss your fingers and then touch the pointer. It brought me luck!
|
|
ten96lt
Made It and Played It
Posts: 233
Airdate: 04/07/2014
Winnings: $9,300
|
Post by ten96lt on Feb 1, 2014 19:22:17 GMT -5
How long do do you get to rehearse and practice spinning the wheel? I hope long enough I can make sure to look at the puzzle, ULB, without looking down at the wheel while spinning it.
|
|
dreamoffields
Made It and Played It
Posts: 67
Airdate: 12/31/13
Winnings: $59,354
|
Post by dreamoffields on Feb 2, 2014 0:34:36 GMT -5
You will actually get plenty of time. I think the CCs know how much everyone wants to get their hands on the wheel. It's one of the very first things we did. They make sure everyone gets a turn and gets to spin several times. They actually walk you to the puzzle board and show you the used letter board.
Then a bunch of paperwork and show selection. You find out your team mates. You get hair and makeup. You get instructions on how to play the game. You film a promo spot for your local station. You get your official name tag! Then you go back to the Wheel set and everyone practices again, but this time with your team mates and standing at your actual podium.
Break for lunch and makeup touch ups.
Right before your show starts, you get another chance to practice spinning and calling letters. Several spins.
I have more details in my "Spinning Stories" if your interested.
|
|
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 Aug 26, 2015 5:56:23 GMT -5
Heck, who knows, this might even be the "So you're going to actually be on WOF...?" thread. Sorry, I know this thread is really old, but I have been scouring these boards for a while now, and I'm just now seeing it. With all of the recent future contestants lately, I think it should be seen by more people. Your "So, you're going to a Wheelmobile Event?" and ten96lt 's "So, you're going to a final audition....." threads were imperative in me getting my letter, I'm sure. Thank you. ...Do I suck? What if I am a person who takes the $1000 pity money just to "get by" every round? Is that so wrong?? ... That's where I am right now. I want so badly to have fun and just enjoy the experience! I will get there, but for now my heart is beating out of my chest and I am full of doubts. I pray for a little peace! I know I'm sososososo lucky to get to where I am. Just can't believe that I am going to meet my idols in a few days. I've always been a bookworm and not a game-player so this is all new to me! I'm having similar feelings and I don't even have my tape date yet! it's so funny (maybe the wrong word) reading about your anxieties and then watching your show. You look so calm, cool, and collected! Delayed CONGRATS!! (Google helped me find it. For the uninitiated: www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BQ7SrgZcU I especially like your comment on the video hahaha) gakgakg, It's totally normal to feel excitement, panic, loss of self-confidence, etc. Take it from someone who faced the Jeopardy! board at 11. You want to have fun and enjoy the experience? Then have fun and enjoy the experience! Frankly I'm a little jealous your turnaround has been so soon--I got my letter for Wheel back in April and I'm still waiting for the call! Just take a few deep breaths. Slowly count to four on the inhale, hold it for a couple of seconds, then exhale slowly (again counting to four as you do so). Repeat as many times as necessary. Remember--the hard part is over! You beat the odds to get on an American institution. They put you on the show because they have confidence in you to make good television, and a big part of that is because you're a good player! Whatever you win on the show will just be the icing on the cake! More than anything--TAKE YOUR TIME! I know they tell you "you have x number of seconds to make a move" but it's more time than you think it is. Take that extra second to gather yourself and concentrate on the game. Direct the excess energy into spinning the wheel. And no matter what happens, you'll have a story to tell for the rest of your life. I need to print this out and tape it on my mirror. Can't believe you said this before you even went to tape -- and then went on to do so well! BTW: The time limit for making a decision (spin, buy, solve, which letter, starting to solve, etc.) is FIVE seconds. There will be a red digital timer under the Used Letter Board. The only three-second time limit is during the Speed Round. Also, don't do what I did on Toss-Ups: don't have a brain fart - make sure you have the exact answer when you buzz in, and check ALL the words. Does the time limit for making a decision restart after you decide to buy a vowel (i.e. could you use an additional 5 seconds to decide your vowel?) Also, it seems a lot of times contestants start spinning before Vanna reveals all the letters. When does this timer start? Trying to think of ways to slow down the experience as much as I need to Also, I know I'm probably thinking waaayyyy to far ahead here. I just got my letter a month and a half ago and some people have waited over a year! How do I stay sane?! |
|
jmdarrall
Made It and Played It
Waited 30 years for this moment! Thanks, Wheel!
Posts: 446
Airdate: 04/25/13
Winnings: $17,250
|
Post by jmdarrall on Aug 26, 2015 13:19:55 GMT -5
Hmmm...if memory serves me right, the timer does restart after you make your decision, but you're still encouraged to give a response right away and not stall. This is why I advise people to think TWO moves ahead, not just one. As for spinning before Vanna finishes revealing letters, that's fine, if you're sure that's what you want to do. I would advise you, though, to at least wait until the screens stop dinging blue before you make your next move. I think the timer officially starts on making your decision when Vanna clears out and Pat asks what you want to do next. Don't worry too much about it, though, as most of the time, I made my decisions right away. Generally speaking, that is what you'll need to do.
|
|
WooWho
Made It and Played It Producer 
Panel Quizmaster
"They better NOT be booing me!"
Posts: 2,537
Airdate: 04/28/2014
Winnings: $41,400
SPIN ID: JW1336114
|
Post by WooWho on Aug 26, 2015 13:27:13 GMT -5
I need to print this out and tape it on my mirror. Can't believe you said this before you even went to tape -- and then went on to do so well! I'm flattered, though I think these little aphorisms might suit being taped onto a mirror better than that big ol' wall of text. Does the time limit for making a decision restart after you decide to buy a vowel (i.e. could you use an additional 5 seconds to decide your vowel?) Also, it seems a lot of times contestants start spinning before Vanna reveals all the letters. When does this timer start? Trying to think of ways to slow down the experience as much as I need to I wasn't really paying attention to when the clock actually starts, but if the Speed-Up Round is any indication, Pat has explicitly said in the past that the time starts as soon as Vanna gets out of the way. And if it sounds like contestants spin before Vanna gets all the letters up there, that's probably because they edit it that way. |
|
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 Aug 26, 2015 15:13:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. Duh, editing how could I forget!! All these years and wondering about all these people spinning so fast (typically when there's a big multiple that takes Vanna a while) explained with some simple video magic. Here I thought everyone was just an EAGER BEAVER. I thought you were encouraged to start spinning before she cleared, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
|
|
ten96lt
Made It and Played It
Posts: 233
Airdate: 04/07/2014
Winnings: $9,300
|
Post by ten96lt on Aug 26, 2015 20:56:01 GMT -5
kevinLot of stuff already said here, but I'll just reiterate editing is what makes the decisions seem quick with spinning (not as many rounds would be played if they left in players contemplating their next move). The "shot clock" starts after Vanna moves out of the way for the speed up round, but during the main game, it doesn't start until it appears to TPTB that you're stalling. Personal experience: It appeared on my show that I decided to spin as Vanna was turning the letters, when in reality that wasn't the case. I usually let Vanna finish before making my next move. There were a few times I took a few seconds to decide if I wanted to spin, solve, etc. For example, during the prize puzzle, the board looked like this during my turn after a few spins on my part: ORDERIN- -E--ERA-ES -OOLSIDE I knew "Ordering" and "Poolside" but couldn't figure out the second word. I was staring at the board for a few seconds trying to figure it out (so I could just solve and pull within striking distance of Stacy in blue) when I heard Pat say, "Spin or solve, Joe." About a second or two after that, I saw the timer under the used letter board start to countdown from 5, indicating I would lose my turn if I didn't make a decision. So I decided to spin and hope it would eventually come to me. Well........bankrupt put a stop to that. Compare that to the final product; it looked like I was spinning as Vanna was tapping the N.
|
|
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 Aug 26, 2015 21:09:43 GMT -5
And I thought I knew everything about Wheel. Good to know, thanks!
|
|
ten96lt
Made It and Played It
Posts: 233
Airdate: 04/07/2014
Winnings: $9,300
|
Post by ten96lt on Aug 27, 2015 0:28:59 GMT -5
And by a few times, it was once a round; for example, I was going to keep going in Round 1 and clean up the multiples, then I hit the 1/2 car tag. I decided to take a couple seconds and decide what to do since I wasn't expecting it. I decided to stop and carry it into round 2, despite leaving a few multiples, since my rationale was another tag would be added which would improve my odds of winning the car.
Do try to keep the game moving if you know your letters and can keep going if your plan is holding up, but if you hit a decision juncture (i.e. Should I spin or just solve it with what I have banked? Can I solve it? etc) I would say take a second or two and just make your decision simple so they can edit out the dead air.
|
|
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 Aug 27, 2015 0:51:33 GMT -5
You mean it happened that Pat prompted you?
|
|
