Review Open Foot Auditions 2009

[Michaelangelo]

Wow this event was a ton of fun, but hard very hard.... a lot of us were so nervous that we had no clue what we were going to do for the judges.  7am I got there and stood in the wrong area, than Miki realized where everyone else was going so we moved to the right area... which was good cause I did not want to be there alone.  At first we were resting in the shade for the gig, but the guards came and chased us onto the sidewalk in the sun so all of us are standing on the walk of fame stars... when this event was marked to be at this mall you'd think they'd let us at least rest near the mall. 

When Peppercom got there they had us all line up.  Someone jumped in front of me in line cause he was talking with me earlier, but I knew he was there before most of the people behind me so I didn't really care, besides I was nervous.. a few more people between me and going up to do some moves I haven't got to really practice with... yeah... no harm... I talked with the guys around us in line.  One guy heard about this last week from Buffalo NY.  He caught a plane ride out here just for this.  Another guy came from New Jersey, didn't really know any Karate though had to try any how.  The guy who jumped in line did know his stuff, and was wearing a turtle shirt.  One of the few of us who were.  The guy behind the us had a cane he was using as his weapon for the demo and he was good.

I had my own little thing to use, I brought the original combat cold cuts from TMNT 2.  It's one of the few movie props I own, they originally came with me to be able to share with the fans who I meet up with.  So they could see different movie props and such and not just see behind glass but hold and goof off with.  When learning about the Foot try outs, the combat cold cuts was the only weapon with me, so I decided to use those.

We talked for a long time, Peppercom came down the line handing out the release forums for us to sign and our numbers... they started at 700, so I was 714.  Only 13 people ahead of me.  I saw people starting to take off their shoes and I thought... 'Oh that's a great idea, we're all trained to do this stuff usually bare feet and they'd be able to see our kicks and such better than if we have our shoes on.'  So off came my socks and shoes... giving my bag to Miki and having her find a place to go take pictures.  She took off to do that.

Finally we started, when I got up there I walked onto the matt my feet cried out in pain right away.. those mats which were just a gray foam mat, were so HOT it was not funny.  I thought I'll go as long as I could, but the pain was not letting up.  I did a few moves, kicks.. blocks, punch and stuff with the combat cold cuts, but could of only been up there for like 10 to 15 seconds... I ended it and bowed... than went looking for Miki with one thought on my mind... 'I want my shoes back on!'  but she was no where to be found, I walked all around and searched and searched...

I finally gave up, went to a side area and was able to sit down getting off of my sore feet, and than I noticed her sitting across the way.  I didn't bother getting up to go to her, cause I knew the guards were even meaner on that side than where I was.  So I just watched as more people went up to try out for the Foot.   Miki did notice me, and came to where I was for the rest of her photos...  while sitting there my phone rang, it was Cynlee asking where we were, so I got up so she could find us and showed her to our place.

She took pictures with us, with the Auditions sign.  Than we went back to where Miki was.  Cynlee didn't sit down, she got to move around a bit more and see people and things.  Though I mainly stayed where I could watch the show. 

Over 200 people tried out, some where bad but most were REALLY REALLY good!   I got one favorite though, he came up there dressed as a Foot Solider!  Really good costume too.  And not only was he dressed for the part, he knew what he was doing.  He was good!  I really did enjoy his demo!  I hope that he gets into the movie!

After sitting through all of these (photos are to come), we got to go up and thank the judges.  Got some more photos than headed to the comic shop....  (which is a different review - will link when that topic is created)

[cynlee]

Speaking of that-- we missed seeing Michelle try out, but we got to see a lot.  And the pics Miki took are way better, but here are a few that I took of the tryouts (and the Golden Apple stop as well). 

[RGKameko]

I was there as well, but me being a loser, I was too shy to approch anyone and tell them I was from here.  I was there with my dad (I had a white TMNT "Pizza Power" shirt on).

I seriously had no idea so many people were going to try out! And of course that day, it was roasting outside! So yea, I tried out. I was like #839... I messed up big time, twisted my ankle, but whatever, I'm just glad I didn't chicken out. All the other people were amazing! Flips, spins, nunchucks! Man, I bet I was the only blue belt there...  (The judges were sweet though, the one on the far right told me I did a great job!) 

[Michaelangelo]

Oooh I saw you!   I kept looking your way, saw you at the comic shop too.  Would of been cool if ya said hi.    We don't bite.

Congrats on trying out!! 

BTW I'm a blue belt too

[Michaelangelo]

Hiya,

Here's a photo Miki took I will post more later but this is the only photo where ya can see my face since my back was to her most of the time.

[BubblyShell22]

It's awesome that you tried out, Ivey. I think it would be cool if you got the part.

[RGKameko]

I remember your routine! I thought it was great!
Nice chuckin'! 

Oh wow! You went without shoes?
I saw some guys get burned!

[RGKameko]

Oooh I saw you!   I kept looking your way, saw you at the comic shop too.  Would of been cool if ya said hi.    We don't bite.

Congrats on trying out!! 

BTW I'm a blue belt too

I'm such a dork! 

Seriously, your a blue belt too! I never would have thought that, maybe a brown belt but not blue!
Oh will you be at the ComicCon? I'm there Fri. and Sat.!

[Michaelangelo]

Yeah only a blue belt, in two different styles.  The first one I don't count cause I learned they were really wrong.  Though the other place was good.  I trained with them from 1994 to 1999.  I haven't seriously trained since than, I did some home training though after I got hurt I stopped training.  In fact my doctors don't want me using my weapons at all.

The chucks I used were the combat cold cuts from TMNT 2, real movie prop.  Thought Ernie might know them, but he was surprised when I told him later what they were.  My favorite weapon which I'm better with is the bo staff, though I didn't have a staff with me on this trip.  I started to train again along the way on this trip, but not seriously since I can't do push ups and many other things I use to do all the time (my evil arm), I had heavy pain killers the week of this event to make sure I could go through with it.

So yeah, I was nervous and worried the full time going through with it.  But couldn't pass up on this chance.

My feet were hurting the rest of that day just from the short time I was on the mat, I really wish I knew they were that hot so I could of kept my shoes on.  I would of done so much better if I wasn't in pain.

I will be around San D con, not sure if I'll be getting in or not.  But I will be around the bus.

[Michaelangelo]

Yay this is on youtube!  My full thing

See wasn't my best by far but I haven't done Karate in years for real.  But this was fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT3Q_w7uBCI

[Nightwatchersonlygirl]

You were so good Michaelangelo I keep watching your try out will it be on your you tube



I'm sorry I could not be there to try out

[Raph23]

That is so cool that it was on Youtube!!  You did really well!

[RGKameko]

Thought I should post the picture Ivey's sister, Miki, caught of me auditioning! Thanks Miki!

I look so hilarious! 

[BubblyShell22]

Nice picture. You look awesome.

[RGKameko]

Nice picture. You look awesome.

Haha thanks!