SDG Informing You
- Thread starter SDG
- Start date
Not that this is important unless you know Bob Cline. He is a big casting director in NY. He has bee here working with ENT recently. Obviously he has been casting to replace all the performers that the office has fired.
With budget cuts Busch can't afford the caliber of talent and booking fees Bob Cline is likely to bring to Busch for musicals. It may be just the opposite. Cline may take the best talent that Busch has on staff and place them in Broadway shows.
Party Rocker said:
IIRC they were used for a photo character thing. I wonder how many photos they sold to justify that eight grand a pop. Theme park photos are gradually going by the wayside as better cameras and phone cameras are emerging. Seems VERY high for something of that nature and for a minute or so in a show. HIGH HIGH HIGH dollar.
Hey, I'd buy some photos if they weren't like $15 to $20. C'mon. Make it $3-$5 and you'll have a long line I think.
Atlantis said:
"HIGH" is the operative word.
Somewhere else, from the facebook thread I think, "You aren't paying for the cost of those cameras/props if you ain't selling any pictures."
So in other news: A certain contracted group within BG wanted a video made of their act. If they used BG resources then BG would have claimed copyrights to it. BG has copyright to every employee in the park EXCEPT contracted acts. So this group decided to hire an outside source to video them and this was all cleared through BG as well. Once SG heard of this out of town he demanded the copyrights and the video itself threatening legal action. There is documentation of this by the way.
This reminds me of another story about Art Attack that was another contracted show. He pays for all of his materials and all of his work is his and possibly his company. Not BG! Since he buys his own materials out of his own pocket he would reuse his canvasses a few times each. Well he had finished using a fresh one and had it sitting on the back deck. SG came by and decided he loved it so much he would put it in his office without asking. The artist demanded it back and explained the issue but to no avail. I think there were some other paintings involved or offered but whatever.
Since someone mentioned Accountant: There is word that said accountant forgot to include the budget for Illuminights 2011 when going over the monies for HOS later that year. Dig it Up was cast and fired in the same week because they quickly realized they didn't have the budget they thought. But I will throw that one to the rumor side of things. I do know it was cast and rescinded that year. You can decide for yourself the reasons. But the fact remains the budget has been increasingly over by the millions.
This reminds me of another story about Art Attack that was another contracted show. He pays for all of his materials and all of his work is his and possibly his company. Not BG! Since he buys his own materials out of his own pocket he would reuse his canvasses a few times each. Well he had finished using a fresh one and had it sitting on the back deck. SG came by and decided he loved it so much he would put it in his office without asking. The artist demanded it back and explained the issue but to no avail. I think there were some other paintings involved or offered but whatever.
Since someone mentioned Accountant: There is word that said accountant forgot to include the budget for Illuminights 2011 when going over the monies for HOS later that year. Dig it Up was cast and fired in the same week because they quickly realized they didn't have the budget they thought. But I will throw that one to the rumor side of things. I do know it was cast and rescinded that year. You can decide for yourself the reasons. But the fact remains the budget has been increasingly over by the millions.
I am reposting this here from the thread about BGW Sale News incase some people missed it. There are other posts in other sections but this was the start of it and most important:
I am posting this as rumor since there is obviously no public announcement made. Sea World is looking for a buyer for Williamsburg and Tampa as far as I know. Jim Atchinson is looking at ways to cut all spending for the rest of the year especially since the park is not doing well at all this year. There was even slight mention of the park being closed for next year.
When I investigated this further this information has trickled down into lower management outside corporate and they are under the impression it would only close two years from now. I don't see that happening but the fact that it has actually been mentioned starting in corporate and making its way down is very disconcerting. If Sea World does find a buyer for this park then who knows what will happen.
I know this seems contradictory to all the plans that have been made for future seasons but this is coming from corporate. I tried to see if this info had been leaked elsewhere and came across a blog posted a few days ago that mentioned a European theme park chain was interested in the Williamsburg property. There are a million possibilities of what's going on but those are the facts that have leaked out.
Here is some more: Whether Sea World has let SG burn money or his friends Carl and John have covered up his wrongdoings doesn't negate that this park has been mismanaged. Which leads me to believe that it starts higher up for Sea World to want to sell Tampa as well.
SG was forced to sell his million dollar plus mansion in FL for a huge loss. He was forced to sell his house here in Ford's Colony for a $47,000 loss. He is obviously not good with money and yet they give him the most money to burn. He even took from the maintenance budget this year.
So, is the handwriting on the wall? Are they trying to go out in one big hoorah? Did he sell his local home because he knows the ship is sinking or is he consolidating to stay for the long haul and BG Williamsburg isn't going to be sold? Did Sea World open their shares to the public to buy to take their money and run or help with the losses they already have incurred?
We can speculate all day long. Talk of selling because of the loss of profits is underway and they have been reported to be looking for a buyer. As much as this could suck it might be a blessing in disguise and the only way to get rid of bad management and unqualified people. Although I would never wish the park to close because that would cripple this community. But if you want the Real inside scoop then message me. I'm trying to be nice on the forum...and Zachary let me know what's appropriate and inappropriate because I might be able to open a lot more eyes even wider...
I forgot to mention this since it's only a rumor and I haven't heard any truth to it. But Auggie Busch has obviously been upset at the direction of the park so there was talk that he was looking for a way to buy BG Williamsburg. The rights to his name end in another year or two so that will be a big pissing match.
I am posting this as rumor since there is obviously no public announcement made. Sea World is looking for a buyer for Williamsburg and Tampa as far as I know. Jim Atchinson is looking at ways to cut all spending for the rest of the year especially since the park is not doing well at all this year. There was even slight mention of the park being closed for next year.
When I investigated this further this information has trickled down into lower management outside corporate and they are under the impression it would only close two years from now. I don't see that happening but the fact that it has actually been mentioned starting in corporate and making its way down is very disconcerting. If Sea World does find a buyer for this park then who knows what will happen.
I know this seems contradictory to all the plans that have been made for future seasons but this is coming from corporate. I tried to see if this info had been leaked elsewhere and came across a blog posted a few days ago that mentioned a European theme park chain was interested in the Williamsburg property. There are a million possibilities of what's going on but those are the facts that have leaked out.
Here is some more: Whether Sea World has let SG burn money or his friends Carl and John have covered up his wrongdoings doesn't negate that this park has been mismanaged. Which leads me to believe that it starts higher up for Sea World to want to sell Tampa as well.
SG was forced to sell his million dollar plus mansion in FL for a huge loss. He was forced to sell his house here in Ford's Colony for a $47,000 loss. He is obviously not good with money and yet they give him the most money to burn. He even took from the maintenance budget this year.
So, is the handwriting on the wall? Are they trying to go out in one big hoorah? Did he sell his local home because he knows the ship is sinking or is he consolidating to stay for the long haul and BG Williamsburg isn't going to be sold? Did Sea World open their shares to the public to buy to take their money and run or help with the losses they already have incurred?
We can speculate all day long. Talk of selling because of the loss of profits is underway and they have been reported to be looking for a buyer. As much as this could suck it might be a blessing in disguise and the only way to get rid of bad management and unqualified people. Although I would never wish the park to close because that would cripple this community. But if you want the Real inside scoop then message me. I'm trying to be nice on the forum...and Zachary let me know what's appropriate and inappropriate because I might be able to open a lot more eyes even wider...
I forgot to mention this since it's only a rumor and I haven't heard any truth to it. But Auggie Busch has obviously been upset at the direction of the park so there was talk that he was looking for a way to buy BG Williamsburg. The rights to his name end in another year or two so that will be a big pissing match.
I can't believe I forgot this info that came months back. I guess I didn't hold any stock any it but it was reported by people above SG that he could be transferring to BGT.
Also forgot to mention ratings for shows. Entwined is still one of the lowest rated and Oktoberfest has beaten even it's old numbers when SG tried to revamp it. Scott likes to blame the performers for these numbers. But no one has ever read anything saying the performers are the problem. On the contrary. People love them and feel sorry for them. They say they are doing the best with the little that they are given. A great actor cannot save a bad screenplay.
It really is becoming a media war from state to state now wondering who is telling the truth about BGW.
He has people replying to bad posts trying to negate what's going on here. Good for him! Worthy adversary. But one once told me the bigger they are the harder they fall. No pun intended. But I want to let everyone reading this know that there is "New Hope". And they will and already have been their undoing.
Also forgot to mention ratings for shows. Entwined is still one of the lowest rated and Oktoberfest has beaten even it's old numbers when SG tried to revamp it. Scott likes to blame the performers for these numbers. But no one has ever read anything saying the performers are the problem. On the contrary. People love them and feel sorry for them. They say they are doing the best with the little that they are given. A great actor cannot save a bad screenplay.
It really is becoming a media war from state to state now wondering who is telling the truth about BGW.
He has people replying to bad posts trying to negate what's going on here. Good for him! Worthy adversary. But one once told me the bigger they are the harder they fall. No pun intended. But I want to let everyone reading this know that there is "New Hope". And they will and already have been their undoing.
SDG said:
Well BGT, it was nice knowing you...
Another repost from another thread:
I quickly scanned this thread so forgive me if someone wrote why Wunderbarn isn't here. Wunderbarn was cast and hired until about two weeks right before rehearsals and then fired.
I speculate a few reasons. One obviously the park is being sold or they are just needing to save so much money. But also after several years people have finally been able to be heard about the working conditions. The upstairs festhaus HVAC has been constantly used as green rooms for casts. After an ordeal with HR and people being fired Carl Lum finally put an end to this happening.
So where would they put the cast for wunderbarn now. All this is also part of See it Say it program that was devised to make things safer since the park is WAY over its OSHA reported incidents. I can go on and on but I will stop there. There is a reason that the fountains in Italy reappeared out from under the stage this year. Although they broke them and flooded the whole back are and break room trying to get them operational. The park is being sold!
I quickly scanned this thread so forgive me if someone wrote why Wunderbarn isn't here. Wunderbarn was cast and hired until about two weeks right before rehearsals and then fired.
I speculate a few reasons. One obviously the park is being sold or they are just needing to save so much money. But also after several years people have finally been able to be heard about the working conditions. The upstairs festhaus HVAC has been constantly used as green rooms for casts. After an ordeal with HR and people being fired Carl Lum finally put an end to this happening.
So where would they put the cast for wunderbarn now. All this is also part of See it Say it program that was devised to make things safer since the park is WAY over its OSHA reported incidents. I can go on and on but I will stop there. There is a reason that the fountains in Italy reappeared out from under the stage this year. Although they broke them and flooded the whole back are and break room trying to get them operational. The park is being sold!
Uh, Zach...about that spark of hope you wanted to see from the park...
SDG said:
This is really what upsets me about the whole Scott situation the most. He doesn't realize that when the guests don't like a show, that's his fault. I have not seen a single complaint about actors on these forums or elsewhere, yet they're the ones who take the blame for a trainwreck like Entwined. Some of the park's most talented actors have been in those shows, and it's a shame that they're the ones who ultimately suffer because force shows onto the park that puts on because of his dreams of Broadway. He could get Susan Boyle to sing in KK, but Call me Maybe should still never be at the park.
Yes, I've seen a few of these promoting KK. Way too obvious.
Let’s talk about Roll Out the Barrel/Entwined 2012. ROTB was supposedly a well thought out show that had been in the works for awhile. A team was actually contracted to perform this show. This show is even in a lot of 2012 brochures and people came to the park asking where it was. This was an attempt to freshen the Festhaus since Oktoberfest Revamped 2011 was a failure.
Some people in charge freaked that this new show would not tie into Verbolten and the Black Forrest. Once the team that was contracted to do ROTB got to busch they were told the show had been cut and they would be doing different things. This is after they all trained rolling on barrels and preparing for ROTB. BG already is in breach of contract.
So Entwined was thrown together last minute in the most expensive way possible. A stage that was already changing was built with a pit in the middle that has no possible way of being used. A possible 5 piece band went away as well. Now you have techs trying to give sound advice in how things should be implemented. Once SG's suggestions fail and money and time have been wasted they finally get the chance to do it right. In a way. With the broken pieces that are left. This is what happens with SG’s indecision in the costume shop as well. So now you have this brand new show thrown together last minute and is behind schedule just like MIU was the year before. Btw, SG wanted first whack at the Oktoberfest lift and then it was left cut into pieces behind the warehouse next to a dumpster. Great, let’s get started.
Meanwhile the park has been planning for two years the expansion of…wait for it…OKTOBERFEST!!! Now you have this huge party in the spring to open Verbolten and show the GP that they will be having Oktoberfest bands and dancers celebrating the show outside this year 2012.
They canned the show but now they scrounge up as many Oktoberfest costumes they haven’t sold yet and try to get dancers and musicians to put on the façade that this is what will be here all summer. FALSE ADVERTISING! If you look back you can read statements saying Oktoberfest show will be moved outside. Another false claim to trick people into expecting things at the park. Once they bought a ticket there is nothing they can do. My question is how can you market something as an expansion when you totally get rid of the main idea of what you are expanding not to mention the park’s flagship show. Here’s where the insecurity and corruption comes in.
Now that all the performers have portrayed an illusion of Oktoberfest for the VIP they decide to continue the celebration with everyone’s favorite…The Chicken Dance. SG immediately tries to force everyone to stop. Then claims it was preplanned and a political statement against him because everyone knew removing Oktoberfest was a mistake. Of course certain performers were rounded up, disciplined, and documented with HR for doing exactly what they were told but that’s not even the worse thing.
Spring has just started and the park is already over budget again. So they have all of the performers during this VIP event clock out for break but continue to work. Yes you heard that right. They were also made to clock out for more breaks than they are allowed reducing their wage even more while still working. Why would anyone do this you ask? Fear. Wanting job security and to be cast for the next big thing. Because everyone knew at that point that if you even mention anything to HR then you can kiss employment goodbye. That is the world we live in and the worst part is it is perfectly legal. There is no proof for the employee. That’s all I have to say about that.
Some people in charge freaked that this new show would not tie into Verbolten and the Black Forrest. Once the team that was contracted to do ROTB got to busch they were told the show had been cut and they would be doing different things. This is after they all trained rolling on barrels and preparing for ROTB. BG already is in breach of contract.
So Entwined was thrown together last minute in the most expensive way possible. A stage that was already changing was built with a pit in the middle that has no possible way of being used. A possible 5 piece band went away as well. Now you have techs trying to give sound advice in how things should be implemented. Once SG's suggestions fail and money and time have been wasted they finally get the chance to do it right. In a way. With the broken pieces that are left. This is what happens with SG’s indecision in the costume shop as well. So now you have this brand new show thrown together last minute and is behind schedule just like MIU was the year before. Btw, SG wanted first whack at the Oktoberfest lift and then it was left cut into pieces behind the warehouse next to a dumpster. Great, let’s get started.
Meanwhile the park has been planning for two years the expansion of…wait for it…OKTOBERFEST!!! Now you have this huge party in the spring to open Verbolten and show the GP that they will be having Oktoberfest bands and dancers celebrating the show outside this year 2012.
They canned the show but now they scrounge up as many Oktoberfest costumes they haven’t sold yet and try to get dancers and musicians to put on the façade that this is what will be here all summer. FALSE ADVERTISING! If you look back you can read statements saying Oktoberfest show will be moved outside. Another false claim to trick people into expecting things at the park. Once they bought a ticket there is nothing they can do. My question is how can you market something as an expansion when you totally get rid of the main idea of what you are expanding not to mention the park’s flagship show. Here’s where the insecurity and corruption comes in.
Now that all the performers have portrayed an illusion of Oktoberfest for the VIP they decide to continue the celebration with everyone’s favorite…The Chicken Dance. SG immediately tries to force everyone to stop. Then claims it was preplanned and a political statement against him because everyone knew removing Oktoberfest was a mistake. Of course certain performers were rounded up, disciplined, and documented with HR for doing exactly what they were told but that’s not even the worse thing.
Spring has just started and the park is already over budget again. So they have all of the performers during this VIP event clock out for break but continue to work. Yes you heard that right. They were also made to clock out for more breaks than they are allowed reducing their wage even more while still working. Why would anyone do this you ask? Fear. Wanting job security and to be cast for the next big thing. Because everyone knew at that point that if you even mention anything to HR then you can kiss employment goodbye. That is the world we live in and the worst part is it is perfectly legal. There is no proof for the employee. That’s all I have to say about that.
^^^ Wow.
I just read this whole thread. And words cannot come close to telling you how I feel. I almost cried of dissapointment, reading this. I've given SG, and the accountant plenty of second chances, but now I'm DONE!(no not done with the park just with them two) every time I've given you a second chance you've gone and disappointed me and brought nothing but shame to the park. But you would think a person would learn from their mistakes, not you though. You go around with your gigantic EGO's, running the park into the ground time, and time again. So I'm standing up for MY PARK now! I hope, that's right HOPE you 2 get fired, and once you do, you better take yourselves and your big Ego's as far away from this park as possible! Oh and don't leave behind Entwined and KK you can take those, so called "world class" shows with you too, because I'm done!
I have to agree with SDG on this one, that this is ridiculous, and action needs to be taken.
And I can't believe they didn't save the lift stage! That was the coolest stage in the park!
(End of rant)
I just read this whole thread. And words cannot come close to telling you how I feel. I almost cried of dissapointment, reading this. I've given SG, and the accountant plenty of second chances, but now I'm DONE!(no not done with the park just with them two) every time I've given you a second chance you've gone and disappointed me and brought nothing but shame to the park. But you would think a person would learn from their mistakes, not you though. You go around with your gigantic EGO's, running the park into the ground time, and time again. So I'm standing up for MY PARK now! I hope, that's right HOPE you 2 get fired, and once you do, you better take yourselves and your big Ego's as far away from this park as possible! Oh and don't leave behind Entwined and KK you can take those, so called "world class" shows with you too, because I'm done!
I have to agree with SDG on this one, that this is ridiculous, and action needs to be taken.
And I can't believe they didn't save the lift stage! That was the coolest stage in the park!
(End of rant)
This is SERIOUSLY getting over the top now. It's one thing to have basic insight to back-end operations ... but when you start filling in gaps with false information in hopes to get a rise out of the population of a forum who's already trying to deal with (and understand) what is going on currently with the park that, I can assure you 100% - you do not know in it's entirety - it's a problem and needs to be addressed.
You might not know anything about me, but I can assure you - I'm not going to sit here and watch this snowball into something that will cause greater issues than you realize down the line. So I'm asking in a nice way to please stop what you KNOW you're doing. You can have any opinion you want ... but making the opinion, stating it as fact and taking any (possible) personal vendetta you have, filling in gaps with fallacies is not going to continue unobstructed any longer.
You're always more than welcome to create posts and state your opinion .. everybody has one and that's wonderful, but there's a line to cross .. and you're dangerously close to that (personal and professional) line with me.
You might not know anything about me, but I can assure you - I'm not going to sit here and watch this snowball into something that will cause greater issues than you realize down the line. So I'm asking in a nice way to please stop what you KNOW you're doing. You can have any opinion you want ... but making the opinion, stating it as fact and taking any (possible) personal vendetta you have, filling in gaps with fallacies is not going to continue unobstructed any longer.
You're always more than welcome to create posts and state your opinion .. everybody has one and that's wonderful, but there's a line to cross .. and you're dangerously close to that (personal and professional) line with me.