X Factor Open Auditions 2007 FARCE! - The X Factor

10-06-2007, 08:51

I personally didn't go to the open auditions, but this is what I read on another website from someone who went to the open auditions and they and many other thousands of people had a terrible experience. It's a long read:

I "Auditioned" today it was soooooooooooooo much worse than this.

The website advised gates open at 8am and there are only 14000 places (Inc friends and family) so to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

I arrived a 5am and was within the first 400 in the queue, we were given green wristbands and followed the maze to the front section of the queue. Every 400-1000 people were given a different colour wristband to show who was the first second group etc as it is based on a first come first served basis.

The queue steadily formed up until about 7:30. By 8am I would hazard a guess and say about 8000 people were in the queue, a far cry from the 14 thousand they were expecting, I then overheard a member of staff on there mobile receiving instructions to wait until more people turned up!!!

We were then told to move forward and back to fill up the space and make the crowd look fuller for close up crowd shots, then to spread back out to make it look longer for wider shots.

There was then about 8 takes of waving and x factor signs and shouting we have the x factor etc. by about 11 am the gates were still not opened and no "auditions had taken place. Then Ray from last year sang "my way" on the big truck/stage thing. Then we had to do silent cheering - to protect our voices for our big audition but to get more crowd shots.
We were the advised all that was left now were a few links to film, the judges greeting and then we would start to audition. I was then advised by a chap I had become friends with in the queue that last year he did not get seen until 6pm and random x factor staff were making the call on whether you got through or not, he said the chap who was in charge of his group did not put anyone through and just gazed around until each person had finished.

The few links to film consisted of more arm waving and silent cheering - the chap in charge of all this then advised that Simon and Sharon were watching on monitors to see who the next winner was on the merit of their silent screaming!!!!!!!!
We then waited around for the judges greeting during this time many fights and brawls broke out due to people pushing in. The fights were dealt with and stewards announced over the loud hailers that it was all about the wristbands bands so pushing in would not help any one anyway.

This was not the case.
Once we had done all the crowd shots that were required from"Judges greeting" the gates were opened -2pm!!!!!!!

We were then led group by group (assorted wristbands) into the stadium to be seated. I was in the third block and was quite annoyed that the first block had some people who had arrived after 9am.
This first group were then auditioned along the rows one by one by the producer of the show and the producer from the record company.
Once the first block had been cleared (many people were given white tickets -which equals recall)
The "judges" disappeared for a break!

So guess what ..................more crowd shots by this time no-one wanted to play - but again were advised Sharon and Simon were watching on monitors so make a good impression, so once again we jumped through their hoops(for another hour)

Then we were told more judges would be arriving so the auditions would be dealt with much more quickly. These other judges were researchers, producers, work experience etc.
The guy doing our section did not put anyone through and there were some amazing vocals to be heard in our section, I only heard about 5 bad singers. But his response was the same every time, nice - but I'm afraid it’s a no. He was not even paying attention to the auditionees - it was clear he was waiting for the songs to end so he could give his only response. Then I heard a Girl sing that made my flesh prickle and brought a tear to my eye, I turned to my friend and said if she doesn’t go through he is just saying no to everyone, this is like advertising vacancies for a job as a formality when it has already been filled. She didn't get through.
My friend from the crowd then said the guy doing our section was the same guy from last year. I knew then that this whole “audition" had been pretence for the precious crowd shots.
This was confirmed when later in a local pub many people who had got through this round had then had a similar response in the call back (which was 20-30mins after first audition.)

This is outrageous, a monumental waste of time.
So many people were exploited today - I spoke to someone who had flown in from Scotland for this "big chance" and I feel especially disgusted as there were 14-16 year olds in that crowd.

Please realise, as I did too late, that X factor is first and foremost a TV show not a talent contest.

OK Then!!! · 10-06-2007, 10:40

The actual judges on reflection must only see about 20%-30% of those who audition.

10-06-2007, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK Then!!!

The actual judges on reflection must only see about 20%-30% of those who audition.

More like, the judges probably see 2%.
Think about it, they claim 100,000 people audition. The judges probably only see 100-200 people so around 2%.

InMyArms · 10-06-2007, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizstar

More like, the judges probably see 2%.
Think about it, they claim 100,000 people audition. The judges probably only see 100-200 people so around 2%.

They definitely see more than 200

Hogs Head · 10-06-2007, 11:49

Hmph! Interesting read.. Glad I didn't go then!

ajd303 · 10-06-2007, 12:09

Well I hope other people who went complain... I am... I wasn't expecting it to be all rosy, but I think they have gone too far, I don't think how we were treated is anywhere near acceptable.. I know there was a lot of people, but X Factor were just taking the piss...

I'm currently waiting for The Emirates Stadium to get back to me with a contact for whoever was 'responsible' from the X Factor production team, so I can ask them why they were putting so many people's health in danger:
- it was boiling in the heat (which we were in for about 8 hours), there was a promise of water going round (which as organisers they have to do) which never arrived.
- We were constantly lied to about how much longer we would be outside before we could see judges, or even sit down. Had I known at the start of the day that come 2.30pm I would still be stood in the heat, I would have brought more drink with me. In that heat telling people at 10am that "the auditions will start soon.." when in actualy fact they have at least another 4 hours in the swealtering heat is ridiculous and very dangerous.
- Us being asked to all bunch together "for our own safety"... How does that even work? It looks great on your cameras, but in terms of safety, surely it makes it worse? Having everyone really close together means we're all releasing more heat, resulting in increased humidity and a GREATER chance that people will start to faint everywhere. DON'T LIE - especially when you're telling us something is good for us when it isn't.
- Crowd control. Far from 'keeping us updated', all the producer with the microphone actually did was agitate the crowd and initiate the fighting and people pushing through the crowds. Had he been straight with us from the start and actually EXPLAINED what WAS happening, and why everything was taking so long then everyone would have been more patient.
- Stewards. There were lots of them. X Factor ones. Emirates Stadium ones. So why were none of them marshalling the crowd, telling people where to go? They ALL had walkie talkies, so why the hell was communication so bad?
- So 2pm comes. We're still outside, some people in their 8th hour of sunshine. We've been lied to since 8am about what is happening, and as far as we've been told - the gates are about to open and we'll register with X Factor staff, then go to our audition rooms. But what do we see above us in the massive glass windows of the stadium? All the X Factor staff HAVING LUNCH in the nice air conditioned canteen! Whilst we've been made to stand like cattle for hours with NO free water, they can swan around and take breaks?
- Communication between X Factor and Emirates Staff. There was a woman with a walkie talkie directing some Arsenal stewards, once the crowd trouble had started. One guy near me asked her why they hadn't sorted this earlier to prevent people pushing throught the barriers. She just said "its nothing to do with me. All the X Factor crew just disappeared the moment the judges came out", leaving them all to deal with an impossible situation.

I left because I couldn't take anymore, having been stood up all day in swealtering heat surrounded by others without any fresh water lied to and patronised there was little point in wasting what was left of my day in London being further lied to. So we left.

I'm looking forward to hearing X Factor even begin to justify most of these things, because I think it was a near miracle that there weren't huge numbers of casualties, either from the heat, the sun, the lack of water, the entire crowd surging forward (which very realistically could have happened, when everyone started moving through the barriers). Was there actually any kind of planning at all????

"It's all about YOU!" Sharon shouted from the roof... Really? They've got a funny way of showing it!

10-06-2007, 12:27

Ajd300, you clearly had a bad experience, like thousands of other people, and you rightly are complaining. But dont get your hopes up, because i doubt the people replying will have any good excuses to reason for your illtreatment.

It's a shame than so many people were exploited like this. Clearly the only thing the x factor staff cared about was to ensure they would get good camera shots. They didnt care about the actual auditionees or their health.

rainymonday · 10-06-2007, 13:06

As I wasnt there I can only start my post with "IF"

If things were as bad as the posters say they were, If I was an auditionee

I would have telephoned the newspapers, television and the HSE and exposed it for what it really is

As they years go on with these types of shows it amazes me why more people dont show them for what they are, maybe then so many mop's wouldnt waste their money on telephone votes.

It just seems its more and more abbout greedy people being more greedy

BigBmad · 10-06-2007, 16:06

IMO this just sounds like someone who is bitter because they didnt get through. But you shouldnt have to wait that long for crowd shots.

10-06-2007, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBmad

IMO this just sounds like someone who is bitter because they didnt get through. But you shouldnt have to wait that long for crowd shots.

Wow. I can't believe anyone honestly thinks this.
To the OP thank you for taking the time to post about your experiences. This has nothing to do with bitterness.

If you read the post carefully BigBmad, he chose to leave- so why would he be bitter about not getting through if he didn't actually get seen?

This only confirms what my feeling is about the XFactor and pretty much anything to do with Simon cowell- it's all about money and ratings and nothing to do with talent.

chinchin · 10-06-2007, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhicel

This only confirms what my feeling is about the XFactor and pretty much anything to do with Simon cowell- it's all about money and ratings and nothing to do with talent.

You and me both!!

BigBmad · 10-06-2007, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhicel

Wow. I can't believe anyone honestly thinks this.
To the OP thank you for taking the time to post about your experiences. This has nothing to do with bitterness.

If you read the post carefully BigBmad, he chose to leave- so why would he be bitter about not getting through if he didn't actually get seen?

This only confirms what my feeling is about the XFactor and pretty much anything to do with Simon cowell- it's all about money and ratings and nothing to do with talent.

Sorry with a re-read I apologise

May Blossom · 10-06-2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhicel

This only confirms what my feeling is about the XFactor and pretty much anything to do with Simon cowell- it's all about money and ratings and nothing to do with talent.

Of course it is. It is well known that the majority of the acts that made final 12 are 'asked' to audition having already been known to music industry. The show is totally manufactured & it is only a matter of time before the media go full throttle into exposing it for what it is.

MB

Sync · 10-06-2007, 17:24

I actually know two people who have already got to the second round already. One is a lad from the school I work at, and the other is a son of a best friend.

ben93 · 10-06-2007, 17:29

What more do you expect from ITV Danny in grease was told in his first audition he could be in the final if he wants to be

10-06-2007, 20:52

Here are videos of the open auditions on youtube.

Judges getting booed by people after waiting for hours: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UAePbY9o7E

A montage of the day. I couldnt stop laughing through this video because of the terrible background singing (which incidentally is a spoof of the new american idol winner's song- this is my now): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boU4IJhk9D4

10-06-2007, 08:51	#1
rizstar Posts: n/a	X Factor Open Auditions 2007 FARCE! I personally didn't go to the open auditions, but this is what I read on another website from someone who went to the open auditions and they and many other thousands of people had a terrible experience. It's a long read: I "Auditioned" today it was soooooooooooooo much worse than this. The website advised gates open at 8am and there are only 14000 places (Inc friends and family) so to arrive early to avoid disappointment. I arrived a 5am and was within the first 400 in the queue, we were given green wristbands and followed the maze to the front section of the queue. Every 400-1000 people were given a different colour wristband to show who was the first second group etc as it is based on a first come first served basis. The queue steadily formed up until about 7:30. By 8am I would hazard a guess and say about 8000 people were in the queue, a far cry from the 14 thousand they were expecting, I then overheard a member of staff on there mobile receiving instructions to wait until more people turned up!!! We were then told to move forward and back to fill up the space and make the crowd look fuller for close up crowd shots, then to spread back out to make it look longer for wider shots. There was then about 8 takes of waving and x factor signs and shouting we have the x factor etc. by about 11 am the gates were still not opened and no "auditions had taken place. Then Ray from last year sang "my way" on the big truck/stage thing. Then we had to do silent cheering - to protect our voices for our big audition but to get more crowd shots. We were the advised all that was left now were a few links to film, the judges greeting and then we would start to audition. I was then advised by a chap I had become friends with in the queue that last year he did not get seen until 6pm and random x factor staff were making the call on whether you got through or not, he said the chap who was in charge of his group did not put anyone through and just gazed around until each person had finished. The few links to film consisted of more arm waving and silent cheering - the chap in charge of all this then advised that Simon and Sharon were watching on monitors to see who the next winner was on the merit of their silent screaming!!!!!!!! We then waited around for the judges greeting during this time many fights and brawls broke out due to people pushing in. The fights were dealt with and stewards announced over the loud hailers that it was all about the wristbands bands so pushing in would not help any one anyway. This was not the case. Once we had done all the crowd shots that were required from"Judges greeting" the gates were opened -2pm!!!!!!! We were then led group by group (assorted wristbands) into the stadium to be seated. I was in the third block and was quite annoyed that the first block had some people who had arrived after 9am. This first group were then auditioned along the rows one by one by the producer of the show and the producer from the record company. Once the first block had been cleared (many people were given white tickets -which equals recall) The "judges" disappeared for a break! So guess what ..................more crowd shots by this time no-one wanted to play - but again were advised Sharon and Simon were watching on monitors so make a good impression, so once again we jumped through their hoops(for another hour) Then we were told more judges would be arriving so the auditions would be dealt with much more quickly. These other judges were researchers, producers, work experience etc. The guy doing our section did not put anyone through and there were some amazing vocals to be heard in our section, I only heard about 5 bad singers. But his response was the same every time, nice - but I'm afraid it’s a no. He was not even paying attention to the auditionees - it was clear he was waiting for the songs to end so he could give his only response. Then I heard a Girl sing that made my flesh prickle and brought a tear to my eye, I turned to my friend and said if she doesn’t go through he is just saying no to everyone, this is like advertising vacancies for a job as a formality when it has already been filled. She didn't get through. My friend from the crowd then said the guy doing our section was the same guy from last year. I knew then that this whole “audition" had been pretence for the precious crowd shots. This was confirmed when later in a local pub many people who had got through this round had then had a similar response in the call back (which was 20-30mins after first audition.) This is outrageous, a monumental waste of time. So many people were exploited today - I spoke to someone who had flown in from Scotland for this "big chance" and I feel especially disgusted as there were 14-16 year olds in that crowd. Please realise, as I did too late, that X factor is first and foremost a TV show not a talent contest.

10-06-2007, 10:40	#2
OK Then!!! Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,842	The actual judges on reflection must only see about 20%-30% of those who audition.

10-06-2007, 11:49	#5
Hogs Head Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 12,890 Blog Entries: 1	Hmph! Interesting read.. Glad I didn't go then!

10-06-2007, 12:09	#6
ajd303 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 58	Well I hope other people who went complain... I am... I wasn't expecting it to be all rosy, but I think they have gone too far, I don't think how we were treated is anywhere near acceptable.. I know there was a lot of people, but X Factor were just taking the piss... I'm currently waiting for The Emirates Stadium to get back to me with a contact for whoever was 'responsible' from the X Factor production team, so I can ask them why they were putting so many people's health in danger: - it was boiling in the heat (which we were in for about 8 hours), there was a promise of water going round (which as organisers they have to do) which never arrived. - We were constantly lied to about how much longer we would be outside before we could see judges, or even sit down. Had I known at the start of the day that come 2.30pm I would still be stood in the heat, I would have brought more drink with me. In that heat telling people at 10am that "the auditions will start soon.." when in actualy fact they have at least another 4 hours in the swealtering heat is ridiculous and very dangerous. - Us being asked to all bunch together "for our own safety"... How does that even work? It looks great on your cameras, but in terms of safety, surely it makes it worse? Having everyone really close together means we're all releasing more heat, resulting in increased humidity and a GREATER chance that people will start to faint everywhere. DON'T LIE - especially when you're telling us something is good for us when it isn't. - Crowd control. Far from 'keeping us updated', all the producer with the microphone actually did was agitate the crowd and initiate the fighting and people pushing through the crowds. Had he been straight with us from the start and actually EXPLAINED what WAS happening, and why everything was taking so long then everyone would have been more patient. - Stewards. There were lots of them. X Factor ones. Emirates Stadium ones. So why were none of them marshalling the crowd, telling people where to go? They ALL had walkie talkies, so why the hell was communication so bad? - So 2pm comes. We're still outside, some people in their 8th hour of sunshine. We've been lied to since 8am about what is happening, and as far as we've been told - the gates are about to open and we'll register with X Factor staff, then go to our audition rooms. But what do we see above us in the massive glass windows of the stadium? All the X Factor staff HAVING LUNCH in the nice air conditioned canteen! Whilst we've been made to stand like cattle for hours with NO free water, they can swan around and take breaks? - Communication between X Factor and Emirates Staff. There was a woman with a walkie talkie directing some Arsenal stewards, once the crowd trouble had started. One guy near me asked her why they hadn't sorted this earlier to prevent people pushing throught the barriers. She just said "its nothing to do with me. All the X Factor crew just disappeared the moment the judges came out", leaving them all to deal with an impossible situation. I left because I couldn't take anymore, having been stood up all day in swealtering heat surrounded by others without any fresh water lied to and patronised there was little point in wasting what was left of my day in London being further lied to. So we left. I'm looking forward to hearing X Factor even begin to justify most of these things, because I think it was a near miracle that there weren't huge numbers of casualties, either from the heat, the sun, the lack of water, the entire crowd surging forward (which very realistically could have happened, when everyone started moving through the barriers). Was there actually any kind of planning at all???? "It's all about YOU!" Sharon shouted from the roof... Really? They've got a funny way of showing it!

10-06-2007, 12:27	#7
rizstar Posts: n/a	Ajd300, you clearly had a bad experience, like thousands of other people, and you rightly are complaining. But dont get your hopes up, because i doubt the people replying will have any good excuses to reason for your illtreatment. It's a shame than so many people were exploited like this. Clearly the only thing the x factor staff cared about was to ensure they would get good camera shots. They didnt care about the actual auditionees or their health.

10-06-2007, 13:06	#8
rainymonday Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 204	As I wasnt there I can only start my post with "IF" If things were as bad as the posters say they were, If I was an auditionee I would have telephoned the newspapers, television and the HSE and exposed it for what it really is As they years go on with these types of shows it amazes me why more people dont show them for what they are, maybe then so many mop's wouldnt waste their money on telephone votes. It just seems its more and more abbout greedy people being more greedy

10-06-2007, 16:06	#9
BigBmad Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,271	IMO this just sounds like someone who is bitter because they didnt get through. But you shouldnt have to wait that long for crowd shots.

10-06-2007, 17:24	#14
Sync Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Services: Freeview, TopUpTvA, Pipex Posts: 138	I actually know two people who have already got to the second round already. One is a lad from the school I work at, and the other is a son of a best friend.

10-06-2007, 17:29	#15
ben93 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Perk Services: Sky + Full package, AOL silver wireless Posts: 1,568	What more do you expect from ITV Danny in grease was told in his first audition he could be in the final if he wants to be

10-06-2007, 20:52	#16
rizstar Posts: n/a	Here are videos of the open auditions on youtube. Judges getting booed by people after waiting for hours: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UAePbY9o7E A montage of the day. I couldnt stop laughing through this video because of the terrible background singing (which incidentally is a spoof of the new american idol winner's song- this is my now): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boU4IJhk9D4