Disney Parks emailed me!

[Liberty Belle]

That's a creative way of doing it OP!

Your daughters are lovely, but...sometimes I'm glad I had boys. lol Whew! All that screaming!

 

[WDSearcher]

It's not a matter of attempting "highway robbery". Disney didn't connect the OP because they were being friendly or just thought the video was "cute". They are interested in it because they realize that it has potential value to them. They hope to use it in their marketing in an attempt to get more people to visit their parks so they can make more money. It's about trying to get some "fair" compensation. Disney may say "no" and move on the next person who may be eager to big Disney valuable footage for free or next to free, but I noticed they don't have a problem asking people to pay to walk through their gates.

Also, remember that the video doesn't just save Disney some money (low) paying actors. It also saves them the cost of the production crew for that portion of any commercial they'd use it in.

Sure, but Disney has already told the OP what the video is worth to them. Use in their commercial and a limited edition lithograph. You either say "ok" or "nope, sorry." It's not like Disney asks you how much you want to pay before you walk through the gates. They say, "Here's how much the tickets are" and you either say "ok" or "nope, sorry." You don't stand and negotiate with the ticket CM to see if you can get more.

The OP put the video on YouTube with no expectation of getting ANYTHING for it. Now, they're being offered a spot in a commercial and a litho. Which is a far better return than I'm thinking they'd ever considered. Of course, they have nothing to lose by asking, although they need to decide what they do if Disney says "nope, sorry."

 

[disneydan864]

That was adorable,so so cute

 

[Feralpeg]

Sure, but Disney has already told the OP what the video is worth to them. Use in their commercial and a limited edition lithograph. You either say "ok" or "nope, sorry." It's not like Disney asks you how much you want to pay before you walk through the gates. They say, "Here's how much the tickets are" and you either say "ok" or "nope, sorry." You don't stand and negotiate with the ticket CM to see if you can get more.

The OP put the video on YouTube with no expectation of getting ANYTHING for it. Now, they're being offered a spot in a commercial and a litho. Which is a far better return than I'm thinking they'd ever considered. Of course, they have nothing to lose by asking, although they need to decide what they do if Disney says "nope, sorry."

This discussion is very similar to a discussion underway on an acting board in which I participate. One person started the discussion by asking why actors work for free in Florida. Most Florida actors get very little or no compensation for their work. The answer is simple. Because there are always those who are willing to do it.

If everyone said no, the production companies (and Disney) would have no choice but to pay up or not do the film/commercial. But, that will never happen because someone is always there wanting to see their face on film or to get the credit. Sad, but true. Disney will only pay what it has to do accomplish it's goals. If the OP say no, I guarantee there will be plenty willing to step up and say yes.

 

[AlleyKat]

I got the same email asking to use our disney video from youtube.

That was fab., very entertaining and upbeat!

 

[tink_about_it]

I would think of it this way...you made the video to capture a great moment and you did. It cost you nothing and now Disney wants to showcase your beautiful kids and the pure joy of the moment. I agree that they could offer you more than a lithograph but they didn't and if you decline there will be hundreds of other families who will gladly accept. My fear is that if you want to do this but try to play hardball Disney will say 'thanks but no thanks.'

This is what we are thinking. I mean, wow, I'd love to get a vacation out of it, but honestly, I put it on youtube to share with friends and family and Disney Parks now wants my video! I'm truly honored. But dang, a trip would be nice...lol

Thanks everyone. I've enjoyed reading the discussion and mixed feelings because I have them too.

And Disneyjen-I actually sent you a message on youtube because Greg got me mixed up with you at first and I figured it was you when I found the video. Very cute!

 

[Geoff_M]

Sure, but Disney has already told the OP what the video is worth to them.

Don't confuse "what they think it is worth" with "what they think they can get it for"... unless you think the Settlers really thought that the island of Manhattan was really worth a small pile of beads.

 

[tink_about_it]

Don't confuse "what they think it is worth" with "what they think they can get it for"... unless you think the Settlers really thought that the island of Manhattan was really worth a small pile of beads.

 

[WDSearcher]

This discussion is very similar to a discussion underway on an acting board in which I participate. One person started the discussion by asking why actors work for free in Florida. Most Florida actors get very little or no compensation for their work. The answer is simple. Because there are always those who are willing to do it.

If everyone said no, the production companies (and Disney) would have no choice but to pay up or not do the film/commercial. But, that will never happen because someone is always there wanting to see their face on film or to get the credit. Sad, but true. Disney will only pay what it has to do accomplish it's goals. If the OP say no, I guarantee there will be plenty willing to step up and say yes.

I don't know that it's "sad." If all of those Florida actors up and moved to California or NYC, they'd be paid a lot more and a lot more often. Of course ... the pool is much bigger there, so they're likely to get a lot less work. So ... trade-off, I guess. Either stay in Florida and make less, but actually get to act, or move to California, get paid, but do less acting. It's a choice every actor makes.

Disney employs (and pays) more actors than pretty much any other company in the Southeast. I don't know that it's necessarily fair to make Disney a bad guy.

 

[Feralpeg]

I don't know that it's "sad." If all of those Florida actors up and moved to California or NYC, they'd be paid a lot more and a lot more often. Of course ... the pool is much bigger there, so they're likely to get a lot less work. So ... trade-off, I guess. Either stay in Florida and make less, but actually get to act, or move to California, get paid, but do less acting. It's a choice every actor makes.

Disney employs (and pays) more actors than pretty much any other company in the Southeast. I don't know that it's necessarily fair to make Disney a bad guy.

The last time I was in LA, we met with a producer for an ABC show. He told us that there ere 170,000 unemployed SAG actors in the greater LA area. We were trying to decide wether or not to make the move to LA. He told us that he was very interested in my DD for his show, but he predicted the show would probably only run one more season. After that, it would be dumb luck if she got another part. Her pay would have been just about enough to cover our living expenses in the LA area. As for getting other work, it was very hard to find anything else that I could have done to help us financially. That was about five years ago.

Since then, California has gone broke. The cost of living is even higher and jobs are even harder to find. I think most Florida actors will stay in this area and starve on local ground. You're right. It's there choice.

 

[Rora]

I think it's great they might use your video! Honestly, I'd be excited enough to have them use my video regardless of the lithograph!

Congrats to you!

 

[robinb]

Jen! I just saw your video on the Disney announcement for the new promo!!!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Congrats on getting picked! Thats a great idea.

 

[RadioNate]

Jen! I just saw your video on the Disney announcement for the new promo!!!

I saw it too. I'm actually really curious about your agreement with Disney. You can PM if you don't want to disclose publicly.

The campaign did suck me in even if I do still have problems with Disney using peoples 'stuff' w.out compensation or credit.

 

[talulabelle]

I would want at least park tickets for compensation...I really wouldn't care about a lithograph. I dunno, broadcasting you kids to the world, and they act like it is supposed to be an honor and give you a token lithograph....I can understand they can't give everyone a vacation who is used in these commercials, but a day or 2 (or 3) of park tickets, wouldn't cost them anything, and would actually make them money becasue it cause people to take trips and stay there who weren't previously planning on it.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Your kids are going to love seeing that commercial come on! How cool, good for you!!!

 

[talulabelle]

I saw it too. I'm actually really curious about your agreement with Disney. You can PM if you don't want to disclose publicly.

The campaign did suck me in even if I do still have problems with Disney using peoples 'stuff' w.out compensation or credit.

I have a big problem with it too.... they don't have to do any work, the film is shot for them already....the scenes are better than if they were actors....they don't have to pay any actors and film crew and cost of a commercial shoot...they make a gagillion dollars off the commercials....and they give a lithograph as compensation? I have a big problem with it.

It seems really arrogant of them to me..that they think they are so "God-like" that people should just be honored that they are making money off of them.

 

[dodukes]

can someone post a link to the promo video?

 

[sbell111]

I have a big problem with it too.... they don't have to do any work, the film is shot for them already....the scenes are better than if they were actors....they don't have to pay any actors and film crew and cost of a commercial shoot...they make a gagillion dollars off the commercials....and they give a lithograph as compensation? I have a big problem with it.

It seems really arrogant of them to me..that they think they are so "God-like" that people should just be honored that they are making money off of them.

The very fact that the OP and all the other families didn't say 'no' proves that the compensation that was offered was sufficient.

 

[Geoff_M]

The very fact that the OP and all the other families didn't say 'no' proves that the compensation that was offered was sufficient.

First of all, I don't care to know what the final terms of the deal reached between the OP and Disney was... it's none of our business.

That said, likewise I'm sure the place that sold the "official" copy of the Declaration of Independence for $2.48 in 2006 (later auctioned for close to 1/2 million dollars) also thought it was sufficient.

I also don't like the practice of companies that try and low-ball people like Disney did with their initial lithograph offer.

But, I'm happy that the OP is no-doubt happy in their selection!