Thousands of volunteers needed for ceremonies

[mr.x]

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will hold a media briefing on Tuesday, March 3 detailing how the public can get involved as volunteer performers in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2009/02/c5036.html



The volunteer/performance crew for the 2010 ceremonies should be absolutely massive, much larger than Salt Lake and especially Torino.

In Beijing, there were something like 30,000 volunteer performers and backstage support volunteers for the opening/closing ceremonies. In Athens, there were 8,000 volunteer performers and 2,000 support volunteers. In Torino, there were a total of 6,300 volunteers and in Salt Lake, 4,800 performers and 2,300 support volunteers.

In Sydney, 12,000 performers and 5,000 backstage support volunteers.

I have heard that Vancouver 2010 will require 12,000 volunteers for the opening/closing ceremonies, which beats the numbers for the last two Winter Olympics by more than double and even the numbers for Athens. It would appear, assuming 12,000 is still the figure, that David Atkins is trying to pull off another Sydney for the Winter Games.

Kodii, you interested?

[raggedy13]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

In Sydney, 12,000 performers and 5,000 backstage support volunteers.

I have heard that Vancouver 2010 will require 12,000 volunteers for the opening/closing ceremonies, which beats the numbers for the last two Winter Olympics by more than double and even the numbers for Athens. It would appear, assuming 12,000 is still the figure, that David Atkins is trying to pull off another Sydney for the Winter Games.

That sounds rather exciting if true. I knew we weren't going to come anywhere near Beijing but if we can match/surpass other recent Summer Olympic ceremonies that would be a relatively impressive feat for a Winter Olympics.

[metroXpress]

Great news MrX2! I can't wait to apply the positions once they are posted on the site. Keep us posted with more info. I wonder if the age limits are still the same

[mr.x]

Not quite what was expected, and much smaller.....even smaller than Salt Lake. Though according to other sources, they don't know how many volunteers they will need.

Please change topic title to "Thousands" rather than tens of thousands.

Wanted: 4,500 volunteer performers for 2010 Winter Olympic opening and closing ceremonies


By Kevin Griffin, Vancouver Sun
March 3, 2009 10:22 AM

VANCOUVER - The 2010 Winter Olympic Games are looking for 4,500 volunteer performers for the opening and closing ceremonies.

At a news conference today at The Roundhouse in Vancouver, Vanoc officials said the first step for anyone wanting to take part in the two ceremonies is to fill in an online application at www.vancouver2010.com/ceremonies.

Vanoc is looking for 4,500 dancers, athletes and performers across all disciplines for the two events which will bookend the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vanoc estimates that the worldwide TV and online audience for the opening and closing ceremonies in BC Place will be in excess of three billion.

The 2010 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies will be indoors for the first time in the history of the Olympics.

Auditions will take place over several months starting in May.

Applicants will be notified by this summer if they have been successful in landing a ceremonies role.

Jennifer Jacques was a 12-year-old Grade 7 student when she volunteered for the opening ceremony for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Jacques, now 32, recalls being a part of complex formations in the field in the middle of McMahon Stadium.

She formed part of the body of one hockey player shooting a hockey puck to another player.

“I would encourage anyone with the time to get involved,” she said by phone from Victoria. “It was a lot of fun.”

Vanoc said in a news release that rehearsals will begin in November and entrants must be at least 17 years old on May 1, 2009.

If you’re one of the 4,500 ceremonies’ volunteers, don’t expect time off at Christmas.

Rehearsals will continue through December holidays up until the start of the Games on Feb. 12, 2010.

Being accepted will be a big commitment of time. Rehearsals will be held twice a week and each volunteer performer will have to rehearse for more than 100 hours.

Vanoc’s budget for the opening and closing ceremonies is $38 million.

The two events are being produced by David Atkins, the Australian entertainer and producer who was instrumental in creating the spectacular show for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

http://www.vancouversun.com/Sports/Wante...g+ceremonies/1348801/story.html#Comments



VANCOUVER, March 3 /CNW/ - Performers, dancers and athletes of all types
now have a chance to apply to be part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Today marks the launch of the
search for thousands of volunteers to participate in these iconic and magical
mega-productions that bookend the Games. An online application at
www.vancouver2010.com/ceremonies is the first step in the process for anyone
aspiring to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"We're looking for people with all types of performance skills and levels
of ability who want to play a part in sharing Canada with the world," said
David Guscott, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) executive vice-president of celebrations and
partnerships. "Previous experience isn't a requirement, but taking quick
action is. This is the one and only call for participation. Above all, we're
looking for volunteers with lots of personality, a positive attitude, tonnes
of energy, and a willingness to perform on a stage in front of thousands of
people live and billions more around the globe."
The application process for ceremonies volunteers starts today at
www.vancouver2010.com/ceremonies. Candidates are asked to complete an
application online that lists their skills and abilities. VANOC is searching
for 4,500 dancers, athletes and performers across all disciplines. All
performers must be aged 17 or older by May 1, 2009 to apply. Possible
opportunities for performers younger than this are still being considered. The ceremonies provide a showcase for Canada to tell its story to the
world through music, dance and special effects.
"The Government of Canada is a proud partner of the 2010 Winter Games and
is pleased to support the Opening Ceremony," said the Honourable Gary Lunn,
Minister of State (Sport). "All eyes will be on Canada during the Ceremonies
and the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This is a tremendous opportunity to show
the world who we are as Canadians. I encourage all Canadians to apply to be
part of this important set of events in our country's history."
Wendy Tynan, a volunteer Opening Ceremony performer at the Calgary 1988
Olympic Winter Games, has described the experience as life changing. "When my
sister and I auditioned to be in the Opening Ceremonies I don't think we ever
realized how much it would transform our lives," she recalled. "What started
off as weekly dance rehearsals quickly became a solid understanding that we
were a part of something amazing. The experience changed my life. I discovered
not only a love of performing but more importantly it set the stage for a
lifelong commitment to volunteering."
"Participating in the ceremonies as a volunteer is a truly special way to
play a role in Olympic history," said David Atkins, executive producer of the
secret Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter
Games and head of David Atkins Enterprises Productions Canada Ltd. "It's also
a great opportunity to work with and learn from some of the industry's best
while meeting with people who have similar interests; all in all, an
experience you'll never forget."
Recruitment of ceremonies volunteers is being supported through limited
advertising and targeted outreach to cultural and sport organizations.

Audition and rehearsal timelines:

Auditions will take place over several months starting in May. There will
be no open casting calls and applying does not guarantee an audition spot.
Candidates will be notified by this summer if they have been successful
in landing a ceremonies role. Rehearsals begin in November and continue
through to Games time, including over the December holiday period. Rehearsals
will be held twice a week and each volunteer performer will rehearse over 100
hours to prepare for their role.
Applicants may also choose to apply to audition for the Vancouver 2010
Paralympic Winter Games Ceremonies, which take place in March 2010.
For more information on ways to participate in the ceremonies, please
visit www.vancouver2010.com/ceremonies.

[Kodii]

Hell Yes!

Too bad the support volunteers still need to fit the old age restriction.

And my chances to perform are slim. Not only because I have little to no ability or skill that they are searching for but also because I have accepted a job over the next school year that may conflict with the cast commitments.

I might as well try, hey?

[mr.x]

^ this might answer some of your questions

Casting call: 4,500 performers sought for Olympic ceremonies
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 | 3:14 PM ET
CBC News

Olympic organizers in Vancouver are looking for 4,500 dancers and performers and athletes to volunteer in the televised performances for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games next February.

"We're looking for people with all types of performance skills and levels of ability who want to play a part in sharing Canada with the world," said David Guscott, the executive vice-president of celebrations and partnerships with the 2010 Olympic organizing committee, known as VANOC.

The ceremonies inside BC Place will be broadcast around the world and are intended to tell the story of Canada to an estimated television audience of 3.5 billion.

"Previous experience isn't a requirement, but taking quick action is. This is the one and only call for participation," he said.

VANOC is also looking for about 1,000 volunteers to help backstage at the ceremonies. Applications can be filed online at the VANOC website.

All performers must be 17 or older by May 1, 2009 to apply, although possible opportunities for performers younger than this are still being considered.

"Above all, we're looking for volunteers with lots of personality, a positive attitude, tons of energy, and a willingness to perform on a stage in front of thousands of people live and billions more around the globe."

Auditions will start in May and candidates will be notified this summer if they have been successful. Rehearsals will begin in November and continue until the Feb. 12 opening of the Games, including over the December holiday period.

Rehearsals will be held twice a week and each volunteer performer will rehearse for more than 100 hours to prepare for their role.

It will be the first time in Olympics history that the ceremonies will be staged at an indoor venue.

They are being produced by Australian David Atkins, who also produced the ceremonies for the Summer Games in Sydney in 2000.

The federal government is spending the $20 million to cover the majority of the cost.


Audition and rehearsal timelines

- Auditions will take place over several months starting in May. There will be no open casting calls and applying does not guarantee an audition spot.

- Candidates will be notified by this summer if they have been successful in landing a ceremonies role.

- Rehearsals begin in November and continue through to Games time, including over the December holiday period.

- Rehearsals will be held twice a week and each volunteer performer will rehearse over 100 hours to prepare for their role.

- Several rehearsals in February will last all day and attendance will be required.

- You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from rehearsals which will take place at to-be-determined sites in the Greater Vancouver area and BC Place.

- You will need to pass an RCMP security background check to participate.

- Ceremonies volunteers will not have access to Ceremonies tickets, nor will they be able to view the Ceremonies when not performing or working.

- Applicants may also choose to apply to audition for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Ceremonies, which take place in March 2010.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2009/03/03/bc-olympic-ceremony-volunteers.html

[SpongeG]

a girl i grew up next to for a while before she moved to Calgary was a figure skater and she was in the ceremonies in Calgary - I remember seeing her on TV

[Kodii]

What's interesting is that they ask whether or not you are currently a university student and/or if you are going to be one next year. I wonder why?

[crazyjoeda]

Universities in Metro Vancouver won't be open during the games so perhaps students are seen as more of a dependable labor force. I heard about 60,000 people have applied to be volunteers for the games operations but I'm sure a lot of applicants may have to back out if they can't get the time off work.

[SpongeG]

well volunteers are going to have to start practicing soon

its not like they show up the night before the games begin

its going to take months of time to do what they do - maybe they don't think students can study and devote the needed time to the games

[mr.x]

Auditions will start in May and candidates will be notified this summer if they have been successful. Rehearsals will begin in November and continue until the Feb. 12 opening of the Games, including over the December holiday period.

Rehearsals will be held twice a week and each volunteer performer will rehearse for more than 100 hours to prepare for their role.




I would think that rehearsals would start well before 3-months before the Games? November seems a bit late, but it does coincide when Pavco will hand over the stadium to VANOC.

Though there will be 4,500 performer volunteers, there will be hundreds orof professional performers.


Thousands of volunteers practicing for the Doha 2006 Opening Ceremony, produced by David Atkins:
• Video Link

[SpongeG]

shouldn't take too long to teach people to put on a leotard and throw a ribbon stick in the air

[mr.x]

It appears that the budget for the 2010 opening/closing ceremonies have been reduced from $40-million to $38-million.

[SpongeG]

i guess that means no flaming hats

[mr.x]

VANOC: More volunteer applications wanted for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
3,200 applications so far; 7,500 applications wanted

Sonia Aslam VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) | Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 11:42 am

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - With less than two months to go before the start of auditions for volunteer performers for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Games, VANOC says they are looking for more applications.

In the two weeks since the call for volunteers was issued, close to 3,200 applications have been received, under halfway to their goal of 7,500 applications. VANOC reminds everyone that previous experience is not required, and you don't have to be a trained dancer or trained performer to take part.

Ignatius Jones with VANOC says once you apply, they'll determine the best fit for your talents. "We just gauge what your talents are, then we find a place for you. This can be as an acrobat, a dancer, actor, or being part of a stage crew, or working with one of the giant props."

VANOC says 23% of the volunteer applications so far have come from men. Outside of British Columbia, Ontario has the greatest number of applicants at four per cent, followed by Alberta at two per cent. Approximately half of all applicants have also signed up to be a performer in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, which start on March 12, 2010.

Volunteers must be 17 or older by May 1st of this year. There is no upper age limit. For more information on ways to participate in the ceremonies, go to the Vancouver 2010 website

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20090317_145034_9136




The news, namely Global, said VANOC is having trouble finding volunteers for the ceremonies.....i guess it was a good idea to have a small volunteer performer cast.