Disney Dream Chief Magic Official finalists begin to emerge
Twenty finalists in Disney’s Chief Magic Official (CMO) contest have been whittled from a field of 1,300 video entrants in advance of online voting set to begin in March. (Vote in our Dream CMO online poll.)
The 20 Dream CMO finalists will be further winnowed to a Top 10 before the three-week voting window opens March 2. The Top 3 vote getters travel to a Disney theme park in mid-April for a head-to-head competition that will be videotaped and voted on again by the online public. The winner serves as a goodwill ambassador at Disney parks around the world. (Read profiles of the Dream CMO finalists.)
So far, 10 finalists have turned up in Disney chat rooms (DISboards, MouseLinks, Inside the Magic and MousePlanet) promoting their candidacy.
The contenders:
By far the best of the bunch is Andy Peterson’s inspired video entry featuring animated cannonballs, poison apples and forest creatures. In fact, I could see Peterson landing a permanent job as an animator for the Mouse at the end of his CMO gig. Karrie Dunkin’s animation-heavy video will duke it out with Peterson’s entry for the cool vote (the contest rules strictly forbid music, but I guess singing is OK).
Peter Yu earns high marks for his mock infomercial advertising a fictional CMO college called the Magical Institute & Center for Knowledge, Education & literacY (MICKEY, sort of). Courses include How to Whistle While You Work and How to Fastpass Your Way to the Top.
Justin Muchoney earns the bronze medal just for his crazy energy alone. Muchoney’s screwball Snoop Dogg vocabulary — “adventurosity,” “extrovertaneous” and “obsessidisivation” — made me fashizzle my izzle off.
A pair of imaginative pixie dust cuties — Daisy Francisco and Meggin Weaver — tied for honorable mention and have just the peppy personality I imagine Disney desires in a candidate. College student Nicole Lee trades the pixie dust for a creative magic mirror bit.
Further down the list, Eric Kidwell and David Driver offer similar family-focused, Disney-obsessed pitches that were good but not great. I loved Driver’s CGI Mickey tears. Kidwell’s wife gets the best line in his piece: “I like the magic — the pixie dust I can do without.”
Radio DJ Tripp West from Atlanta’s Star 94 (WSTR-FM) offered up my least favorite video resume. His daughters were cute, but I suspect he won’t make the cut. Disney obviously included Tripp in the Top 20 finalists for the free on-air publicity.
It’s important to keep in mind Disney has yet to make an official announcement on the Dream CMO finalists, and there’s a 50/50 chance these candidates won’t make the Top 10.
A tremendous ahoy to Kenny the Pirate, who tracked down most of the finalists.
Note: I’ve added two more finalists in the comments section below — Patrick Hurd and Amanda. Unfortunately, I can’t include them in the poll now that voting has begun.
Are you one of the unidentified Top 20 finalists? If so, add a link for your video in our comments section.
Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the
Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer
[Image: Disney]
53 Comments on “Disney Dream Chief Magic Official finalists begin to emerge”
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February 15th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I’ll agree, Andy Peterson blew me out of the water on that one! Apparently he has been a Disney aficionado and started animating around the age of 10 or so. I’ve seen some of his other work (i.e. Conqueror Worm, which I believe won an award or something) and Disney needs a creative talent like his!! He’ll get my vote twenty times over!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Andy Peterson really nails that Disney Magic. It nice seeing traditional animation again too. CGI is OK but to me, nothing beats hand drawn characters.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Add Who Wants to be a CMO game show hostess Amanda Flood to the Top 20 finalist list. Love the mustache. And the bipity bopity boyahtitude.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 16th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I don’t disagree that Andy has a great video, but when did this become and animation/special effects contest? This is supposed to be a contest about personality and finding someone who will best represent Disney in front of large crowds; someone who can entertain and be able to hold his or her own. Are cartoon effects going to be following them around helping them grant wishes and dreams in the parks? Just an observation.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I see this coming down to a contest between Andy and Justin. Justin has stage presence, but Andy has variety in his creativity. Both made me laugh, and either one would be a great CMO….IMHO.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Yes, this was not an animatioin/special effects contest, but doing the special effects shows that people took time to create a quality video. These skills also show a knack for creativity, which IS esssential to the CMO position.
February 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
OK, I have a new favorite (sorry Andy).
Patrick Hurd built his own cut-out Disneyland complete with 13 attractions and a fireworks finale.
My favorite rides: Pirates of the Caribbean (”Rum?”), Jungle Cruise (”Hippo!”) and Splash Mountain (”Ahhh!”).
And all without a speck of pixie dust.
That brings the current total to 12 known finalists.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 16th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I’m with those who say that while the animation is so well done, seems to me that Disney is looking for a personality. Justin looks really engaging, energetic and fun. I agree with the stage presence comment. He’s got that!
February 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Well, if I had to get replaced as favorite, I’m glad it was Patrick’s–I’m a long-time WTTM fan and your video was really entertaining.
February 16th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for linking to my forum. I think all of the entries are great. I have my favorites, but I won’t say who they are. I’ll be welcoming all of the Top 10 to campaign on my site when the comes!
February 16th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Patrick will get my vote hands down. For those of you who don’t already listen to him on the Window to the Magic podcast, take a listen to a few of his shows. He has such a passion for the parks and adding a bit more of himself into everything that I think it crazy that he won’t make the top 10.
His video showed that he can take the little details of the park and make them into something magical!
Best of luck Patrick!
February 16th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I think Justin has the personality Disney is looking for. He seems really fun and I bet his portrail of LeFou was a riot! Wish I could have seen it.
February 16th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Brady, thanks also for linking to our site.
Like others I do have my favorites and I am so glad that Patrick finally came forward.
Great job everyone on the videos!
February 17th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Make that 13. Michael Szapkiw does a movie trailer spoof with the voices of seven Disney characters that’s both creative and entertaining.
I’d have to put Michael in my Top 5 — behind Patrick, Andy and Peter and tied with Justin and Amanda.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 17th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
If you want a corporate geek, pick Andy, Justin or Peter: BUT if you want true Disney imagination and appeal you have no choice but to pick Karrie Duncan who personifies the magical, sweet essence of Disney for little girls (and little boys who want to find their own Princess!).
February 17th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I agree with Brady’s assessment. The top two are Andy and Patrick - that’s the order I’d put them in. Favorite moments: from Andy’s - the rabbit drying the plate on its behind; from Patrick’s - spinning behind the tea cup cutout. Both are pleasantly ironically self-aware while retaining an affable admiration of all things Disney. Go, Andy!
February 18th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Corporate geek? Thanks for the compliment! After all, Disney is a corporate entity, so I’d be sure to fit in. And if spending 30-40 hours crafting the most creative and interesting video I could think of makes me a geek, then hand me a chicken head and point me to the nearest circus!
Good luck to ALL the finalists, and may the best CMO for people of ALL AGES win!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:20 am
[...] An article in the LA Times identifies a dozen of the 20 videos that were selected, and comments on them. Disney Dream Chief Magic Official finalists begin to emerge - Travel - LATimes.com -Pat (Disneydame2004) DWT.com Senior Staff - Content Coordinator Dream Team Auction Coordinator http://v50.net Have you been to http://www.firstgiving.com/dwtdreamteam yet?? Help make a child smile! [...]
February 18th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I have to 2nd (or is that 3rd) that Andy’s is great both creatively and in his ability to get across that Disney “feel”. I also liked Patricks and had not seen it before, I am glad it was posted here. Here is one I have not seen anyone mention but I liked.
http://www.dreamcmo.com/view-dream-cmo-applicant.php?CMODID=CMO-F5E05674EA3583A8AD1504C47E412AAC
February 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Jay, I liked that video as well. Unfortunately, he did not make the top 20 though.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
My favorite Disney Dream CMO finalists, at the moment (in order):
1) Patrick
2) Andy
3) Justin
4) Michael
5) Amanda
6) Peter
7) Karrie
8) Daisy
9) Nicole
10) Tripp (I love an underdog)
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Some very entertaining ones - I like Patrick and Justin the best, so far. I prefer the less “slick” and more fun videos. Looking forward to voting on March 2nd. Based on my review of the videos, I’m surprised this one didn’t make the cut:
http://www.dreamcmo.com/view-dream-cmo-applicant.php?CMODID=CMO-D181475F0B65F259C7E36BF3A1E2AE2A
February 20th, 2008 at 5:56 am
I agree, that it really is a contest between Patrick and Justin from the videos we’ve seen.
It’s sad that some with singing made the top 20 when music was forbidden explicitly in the rules. That really wasn’t fair to the people who followed the rules.
This contest wasn’t called “Who wants to be a video editor?” so why should special effects play any part at all in this? They shouldn’t of course.
Good luck Justin and Patrick!
February 20th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Andy’s ROCKS! Clever, creative and wow, the bullet hole through the wall, come on’ anyone can do pixie dust. His is by far the most creative….Go ANDY!
February 20th, 2008 at 11:10 am
For real Amymax. Can people just get beyond the animation in Andy’s and see that he also shows great creativity and personality, the ability to make people laugh and the love of disney. I mean come on forest animals cleaning, pirates stuff, poison apple, hitchiking ghost–you can’t get more disney than that. I am sure he didn’t make it to the top 20 just because of his animation. I don’t see how Patrick’s awesome cut outs are any diffrent than Andy’s awesome animation. They both show great skill and creativity. I hope they both make the top 10.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
OK, folks, let’s not forget that the videos were judged on the following 5 elements (20 points each for a total of 100):
Entertainment Value
Personality
Imaginative Presentation
Passion for Disney
Ability to make people laugh and smile
Let’s focus on the overall package, and not JUST the effects or personality or passion for Disney, etc.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:09 am
I’m quite disappointed with these. Sorry, some were okay, but I saw many others that would have been in my top 20 (especially if I used the criteria that THEY were suppose to have been judged on). While the animation was cute, and obviously Disney inspired, I don’t think Andy ever cracked a smile. You may be a really swell guy, but some of your comments here also come across as being a little less than Disney-esque. Several had little to do with Disney (for example, Jack Frost isn’t a Disney character, Warner Brothers made the latest movie version). I also agree that Tripp West’s should have been disqualified for not following the rules. Justin’s is the only one of those mentioned that might have made my top 20. Guess they all should be glad I wasn’t a voter! :) Oh, but then I do get to be when the top 10 are announced.
February 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
English teacher Dana Anderson becomes the latest Disney Dream CMO finalist to formally declare his candidacy on the Inside the Magic forum, asking viewers: Am I fan enough to be CMO?
I’d give his American heartland sincerity a fighting chance to make the Top 10 cut.
According to my count, Dana becomes the 14th known Top 20 finalist.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 25th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
http://www.dreamcmo.com/view-dream-cmo-applicant.php?CMODID=CMO-B2B6DECF59E885486279D4DD996B35B5
I was lucky to be the top 20 also. The Autopia car body was purchased from Phil Sears about six years ago. I built the car under it. Another view at YouTube under Wotruba Autopia.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Glad to see that people are interested in the topic! Two quick notes… Tee mentioned that Jack Frost is not a Disney character. (That’s from my video, so I gotta defend myself) I call your attention to Walt Disney Pictures: The Santa Clause 3. Also, some of us on the DIS forums will be using this week to celebrate great achievements among those videos that did not advance with the DIScademy awards. I hope you’ll come join us!
February 26th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Welcome, David! If I didn’t have to drive my Dodge minivan, yours would be my vehicle of choice!
February 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Eric, I wouldn’t consider Santa Claus to be a Disney character either. LOTS of studios have made movies about him, just like with Jack Frost. Sorry, but Jack Frost just isn’t Disney. Aside which, to your benefit, you reminded me more of the nice and happy Jack Frost ala Michael Keaton, than the evil Martin Short variety. I’ll check out the DIS forum as I know there were many that I would have had in my top 20, and that I would have thought would have been in the official 20 if judged as the rules stated they would be. I mean, yes, I did one too and while disappointed, this isn’t sour grapes. I don’t think ~mine~ would have been in my top 20 either! There were just some awesome videos that seemed to satisfy the judging criteria better than all those mentioned so far, and yours wasn’t the only one that I thought had way too little Disney. (One fairy godmother that I especially thought was a shoe-in)
February 26th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Tee… totally understand. I just didn’t want to be associated with evil Warner Brothers (kidding) The point of me including Jack Frost in my video was to illustrate that I’m comfortable in crowds and able to handle the non-video parts of the CMO job. You’d be a great member of the DIScademy, so come on over. You can probably help find the videos that deserve some love (which is the point of the awards)
February 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Hi Brady, I’m Amy Kate Connolly, and I am one of the lucky top 20 finalists for Careerbuilder.com and Disney Destinations’ Chief Magic Official Dream Job. With over 1300 dedicated and creative Disney Fans competing, it’s such an honor to have been selected by the sponsors.
It was a lot of fun coming up with a quick story and Fairy Godmother character and building a set inside our living room and finding a wig and making a costume, and scouting a location at Disneyland and finally shooting the video with my daughter turning into Cinderella and my husband holding the camera! You might say it was quality family time. This was the first time I had ever used Adobe Photo Shop to animate anything. The little mouse Jaq turned out great! I am anxiously counting the days to March 2nd when the top 10 finalists will be announced. It would be exta-special to be counted in that number! Congratulations to all the top 20 finalists, and to all who had the gumption to put up a video for the CMO position! It’s a truly wacky and wonderful community, and I am proud to be a part of it!
Here is the link to my video.
http://dreamcmo.com/view-dream-c…CB562A035B2FB8
February 26th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Here is the link to my CMO video. http://www.dreamcmo.com/view-dream-cmo-applicant.php?CMODID=CMO-1ED0B7816131AD829ACB562A035B2FB8
I made a typing error in my first comment. so, hopefully this time it will properly link for you.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Congratulations to all the finalists! I think all of your videos were terrific and you should be proud of your efforts. Whoever wins will be a great representive of “THE SPONSORS” (Quiet in the brig!)
February 26th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Semi-retired pharmacist David Wotruba declares his Disney Dream CMO candidacy right here in our blog, which gives him big points in my book.
The second “David” among the Top 20 finalists, Wotruba’s casually paced video resume features an Autopia car and likely appeals to a demographic not previously represented in the contest.
I’d be hard-pressed not to give him the final spot in my personal Top 10.
Wotruba becomes the 15th known Top 20 finalist.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 26th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Many Disney Dream CMO-watchers have been waiting for Amy Kate Connolly to come forward and formally announce her candidacy.
Amy’s professional quality Fairy Godmother video resume immediately puts her in the running for the Top 3 alongside Patrick Hurd and Andy Peterson.
She becomes the 16th known Top 20 finalist.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 26th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
My Top 10 Disney Dream CMO finalists, at the moment (in order):
1) Patrick Hurd
2) Andy Peterson
3) Amy Kate Connolly
4) Justin Muchoney
5) Michael Szapkiw
6) Amanda Flood
7) Peter Yu
8) Karrie Dunkin
9) Dana Anderson
10) David Wotruba
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 26th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
A lot of work went into those videos and I’m glad I’m not the one who has to choose among them. However, as a bonified Disney enthusiast, I’ve been to the parks just under 5000 times, I think I would rank Michael as number one. His creativity and Disney spirit come shining through.
P.S. I live 6 miles from DisneyWorld.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I think Karrie dunkin’s is the best.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Amy’s was one that I would have expected to make it, glad to see it did. (It was the fairy godmother one I was referring to in an earlier post.)
February 27th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Chad Thompson brings another animation entry to the Disney Dream CMO competition with bluebirds that fetch his jacket and a pumpkin car that rockets into the sky.
I’d have to put Chad in the Top 5.
He’s the 17th known Top 20 finalist.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer and theme park blogger
February 27th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The “Unknown 3″ Disney Dream CMO finalists are unknown no more:
Jennifer Sechler almost perfectly embodies the Disney princess persona. I’d find a spot for her in my Top 10.
Work-from-home-mom Tangela Walker-Craft delivers the most business-like video resume of all the Top 20 finalists citing her college degree (creative writing) and work experience (school teacher and sales representative) as the chief qualifications for hiring her as CMO.
David Hawley plays a pirate, a miner and even Tinkerbell, but the best part of his video resume is the 15-second blooper reel at the end. I’d put David on the bubble — fighting with a few other candidates for that final Top 10 spot.
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 27th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
My Top 20 Disney Dream CMO finalists (in order):
1) Patrick Hurd
2) Andy Peterson
3) Chad Thompson
4) Amy Kate Connolly
5) Justin Muchoney
6) Michael Szapkiw
7) Amanda Flood
8) Peter Yu
9) Karrie Dunkin
10) Jennifer Sechler
11) David Hawley
12) Dana Anderson
13) Daisy Francisco
14) Nicole Lee
15) David Wotruba
16) Eric Kidwell
17) David Driver
18) Tangela Walker-Craft
19) Tripp West
20) Meggin Weaver
— Brady MacDonald / Los Angeles Times staff writer + theme park blogger
February 27th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
AMY KATE CONNOLLY BY FAR THE BEST! She has that “welcome to Disney” smile and openness needed for the job. Not to mention the energy. Her video was very creative and fun especially the end with granting the wish/dream of the little girl. LOVE IT!
February 28th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Thanks so much for posting all of these Brady and I love the profiles. But help me out top 20- Were any of you not Mickey for the magic aptitude test? My husband has a theory that they narrowed it down by only choosing people who were Mickey, and I don’t want to believe it…so were any of you Simba, Cinderella, Tink, anything else? Good Luck, I am jealous of all you finalists! :)
February 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Andy, Dana and Eric have confirmed that they are NOT in the top 10. They received the email this morning. We’re sad to see them go!
March 1st, 2008 at 1:08 pm
David Driver and Daisy have confirmed that they are unfortunately eliminated.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Leah- I am in the top 20 and I tested “Simba”
April 8th, 2008 at 5:12 am
disney’s mickey mouse…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….
April 8th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Jack…
Ill admit it. i have been to your blog SIX times since your last post looking for a new post ….
May 27th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
ANDY FTW!