Disney Parks emailed me!

[tink_about_it]

I have a video on youtube showing where we surprised our kids with a Disney vacation :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxQXi7fU-oE

I got an email from someone who is in broadcast marketing wanting to use our video for "future promotions".

When I spoke to him on the phone, they are looking at making new tv commercials that show real families surprising, enjoying, etc...Disney parks. So, they want permission to use my video. They said they'll send me documents to look over and in return, we will receive a limited edition lithograph. They won't be sold but only used for this ad campaign.

What are your thoughts?

I guess I had my hopes up a little for something more than a lithograph. I mean maybe AP's or a vacation at least if my video is used in their commercials? I don't know. I get that it's an honor and all, but idk....

 

[EeyoreEma]

I kind of agree with you! I'd have been thinking something more than a lithograph. But still pretty cool - congrats!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My unDerstanding is the commercials shot with children at WDW are very low paying gigs anyway and they audition hundreds of children for them. They get away with it because we are a non-union state or something and they don't use equity actors. Parents line them up around the corner because to have it on your resume is huge exposure.

Iow---I think it is just a cool thing, period. It is a shame they won't pay you for your amateur video...but it is still cool none the less.

You just have to be willing to practically give them free license to use it as they wish and I'm pretty sure it is I defintely. Maybe have an attorney friend reciew the release that you sign. But I wouldn't have expected anything more from Disney given what they pay actors/actresses so little in relation to the rest of the acting world for such a well know brand.

 

[PixieTl]

I think it's cool!! We did a promo on our cruise last year, wish we could have seen it after they cleaned it up, about what kind of things we'd like to see on the Dream. We didn't get anything, so a lithograph is better then nothing!!

 

[cassiez76]

pretty cool they want to use your video!

my 19 month old son, who is pretty non-verbal, was seriously entertained by your video. i think he liked your girls screaming. lol

 

[tink_about_it]

Oh, we are really excited! I guess I just didn't know all that about the kid actors. I'll be signing papers to release it, but was hopin' for a little extra time with

 

[laurie31]

Your kids are seriously cute!!

And it was very creative, how you told them!!

Congrats on being chosen by Disney!

 

[indimom]

Very cute video.
I can see why the Dis marketers liked it.

 

[agnes!]

My unDerstanding is the commercials shot with children at WDW are very low paying gigs anyway and they audition hundreds of children for them. They get away with it because we are a non-union state or something and they don't use equity actors. Parents line them up around the corner because to have it on your resume is huge exposure. ...

You just have to be willing to practically give them free license to use it as they wish and I'm pretty sure it is I defintely. Maybe have an attorney friend reciew the release that you sign. But I wouldn't have expected anything more from Disney given what they pay actors/actresses so little in relation to the rest of the acting world for such a well know brand.

Oh, we are really excited! I guess I just didn't know all that about the kid actors. I'll be signing papers to release it, but was hopin' for a little extra time with

Actually, the unions in question for recorded performances would be either Screen Actors Guild(SAG) or American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). Actors Equity has jurisdiction over organized live performances (Broadway and some - not all - performers at Walt DIsney World, for example). Lots of commercials on radio or TV or the Internet all over the country (and not just in right-to-work states/jurisdictions) use non-union actors/performers.

I do think it's pretty cool, but I would hesitate to sign anything letting Disney marketing use my image and/or my children's image in perpetuity in return for an LE lithograph.

agnes!

 

[dejr_8]

On one hand, you accept the deal and your kids will have something to tell (and show) their grandchildren. I think that would be very cool to be part of a Disney Promo.

On the other hand, if you play hardball you may get nothing because I gotta' believe that Disney will be able to find enough people to accept the deal.

In place of asking for something of cash value, why not ask to be Grand Marshall for the Magic Kingdom parade or something similar.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Cute video! I surprised my youngest DS with a trip to WDW. He thought we were going to the airport to send someone else off. I video taped his reaction but it was nowhere near the reaction you got from your girls!

TC

 

[Geoff_M]

I think you'd be well within your rights to ask for something more than a "free lithograph". I mean for heaven's sake, they used to hand those out like candy when you pre-ordered a movie. Commercials are key marketing tools and often have BIG production budgets. Effectively they are offering you peanuts because they know that most people would give videos or photos for free just for the thrill of being in a Disney ad. But remember Disney is a business in the end. However, I do think asking for APs or a vacation would probably be pushing it. For starters, I doubt that the ad deptartment has any direct connection to the resorts. I'd ask for some cash and make sure you aren't giving up the rights to the video forever for all usages. They may say "no thanks"... But don't give up stuff that's of value to someone else for next-to-free.

 

[Jennasis]

I agree about asking for something monetarily. They should be paying you for using all 4 of your children's likeness..

The method you used to spring the surprise was very cool! The reaction...big. I wonder if they'd do a montage of reactions from various video sources. Honetsly, I don't think I could take that screaming or 30 seconds straight, but I bet they cut together a bunch of different kids and adults freaking out over the big surprise.

 

[Heidict]

OMG, your girls are so cute. Love the pizza!! Did you get to eat it before you left?

I think a lithograph as the price for using your personal video of your girls is pretty cheap and insulting. Come on it's Disney, not some back water broke company. The don't have to offer an all inclusive week long stay, but they could have come up with something better then a picture.

What you do depends on how much you want the video in a commercial. Know that if you ask for more they may very well say "no thanks" and walk away.

 

[Darsa]

That was adorable; I have no sound on my computer, but just watching it was GREAT!!

 

[Raindown]

You just have to be willing to practically give them free license to use it as they wish and I'm pretty sure it is I defintely. Maybe have an attorney friend reciew the release that you sign.

What you do depends on how much you want the video in a commercial. Know that if you ask for more they may very well say "no thanks" and walk away.

Cute video. I do think Lisa has a point. However, I wouldn't be surprised if what Heidict said is true.

 

[DawnCt1]

During one of their big anniversaries, we submitted pictures from back in the 70's (Poly Luau) and video tape which was a composite over the years.. Our family was chosen to go to WDW for 3 days to do a commercial. Unfortunately DH had a major meeting he had to attend and it was all of us or none of us. No talk of $$$, just accommodations and tickets.

 

[okeydokey]

I'm sure there are enough people who would just be thrilled to be included in a video so they don't need to offer any money.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Congratulations! I really enjoyed the video, it made me tear up to see the kids so happy.

 

[foolishmortal]

first off the poster who equated this type of litho with the free litho's when you buy a dvd is absurd. Limited edition ran litho's from disney can fetch 100's to well over 1000's of dollars.

secondly, as long as you arent giving up full rights to video i would think that is proper compensation. It's not like you had it all set up and your girls were acting. Sure disney can afford actors etc, but the emotion wouldnt be nearly the same, the girls werent acting, hence no need for an acting guild, etc...

I do like the asking to be apart of the parade if you guys are in disney anytime soon, thats something I think would be reasonable, but monetary, I don't see any reason to think you would get anything more then a few bucks, which again the litho will be worth more then that.

I'm sure it will be a montage type commercial and many many families will be thrilled just to be in it, so you should be too and enjoy the moment with the world!