Mascots need me. They need me to be the life of the party, the center of attention, the source of laughter and joy. Without me, they are just people in costumes, lost in a sea of faces, blending in with the crowd. Mascots need me to bring their characters to life, to give them personality and charm. I am the one who can make a simple high-five feel like a victory, a wave feel like a greeting from a beloved friend. I am the one who can turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary experience.
Follow these guidelines and your mascot will at the very least, be better than most. More than anything, having a good mascot is about being true to your school’s identity, and having fun with it. So, have fun with it! I know I have.
I think at some point, I probably thought something similar, and that s why I started out making fun of silly mascots like the US Santa Cruz banana slug and the University of Arkansas at Monticello boll weevils on UView. Sure, if you look at, say the National Collegiate Mascot Championship s rules, there s a definitive way to grade the performance of a mascot, but two good mascots can be completely different in presentation and utility.
I am the one who can turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary experience. Mascots need me to engage with the crowd, to interact with fans of all ages. I am the one who can make a child's day by giving them a high-five or a hug.
Safety and avoiding Injuries as a Mascot
With the recent news stories popping up lately about mascots getting hurt on the job and even getting assaulted, I felt like this would be a good topic to post after neglecting this blog for ages.
Let’s cover a few basics before we get to the bigger stuff.
Vision:
Obviously, inside most mascot costumes, your vision is going to be severely limited. You’ll have blind spots where kids and objects can easily vanish, which can result in you tripping and falling or accidently trampling on people. It is a good idea to try to survey the area you are walking through before you start moving. A quick glance up, down, left, right and bellow your snout might help avoid any unpleasant trips. Also, if you have a handler, have them guide you and warn you if someone or something is in your path, where steps are, where curbs are and in general, where fans are who are trying to get your attention who might be just out of your line of sight.
Heat :
These costumes are hot, even in indoor settings, and sometimes in outdoor winter settings. Keep yourself hydrated. Wear ice packs if you’re able to (and if it is safe to; you may not want to wear them outdoors in the winter time).
Take breaks when you are able to rather than when you need to. More often than not, you might be feeling all right when you find yourself in a relatively quiet moment, so you might decide not to take a breather. Things can change in an instant, however, and as I have personally experienced, you might suddenly find yourself surrounded by hundreds of fans who want autographs, photos and hugs. There’s no way out of this now. Should have taken that break when you had the chance! You could be stuck there in the blazing heat for another half hour or longer now.
Keep hydrated. Water and some type of electrolyte drinks are essential. Temperatures inside the costume can reach 140F or higher, depending on the weather. That takes a major toll on your body. Take breaks, drink up and keep cool. It is best to drink up before suiting up, during breaks and after gigs/games.
Potentially Dangerous Situations:
Mascots, especially those who are sports mascots, can find themselves in potentially dangerous situations at their games, or even at some events. Encounters with rival fans, aggressive home fans, intoxicated hooligans, or just one bad apple who wants to beat you up can happen.
Sometimes you can see it coming. What I mean is, sometimes people get a certain look on their face when they’re about to do something they shouldn’t. If it looks like they’re going to cause trouble, it is best to keep your distance. Alert your handler, security or an usher to keep an eye on them.
Sometimes, a situation will diffuse if the trouble maker sees that they’ve been noticed by someone with authority. And other times, this may not work. It’s not too common but sometimes even after you;ve alerted someone that a fan or a group of fans is harassing you or trying to harm you, they may continue to try to make your night miserable. Things may even escalate.
In this case, get out of the situation and tell security right away. Tell them bluntly what this person/group is doing to you. Depending on the situation, they may get ejected or even arrested. If for some reason they stay at the game/event, try your best to avoid them.
Get a Handler:
If you’re constantly finding yourself in bad situations at games (i.e., specific fans are routinely harassing you, bratty kids are tugging your tail nonstop, etc…), ask your coworkers to get someone to be a handler. Let me explain why with a short story.
There was a game where I was out of costume, serving as a handler for a rookie mascot at a baseball game. Some rain had moved into the area and I told the performer to get indoors to stay dry. The performer took off in a sprint, running through the crowds, which obviously, was not the best idea. In the process, he passed an adult fan who was shouting at him for a photo op. And when the mascot bolted past him, the fan nearly lost it. He tossed a cup of beer in the character’s direction and began swearing up a storm. I had to intervene as it looked like he was about to jump the rail and give chase.
The fan turned out to be completely drunk, which made him all the more unpredictable. I told the man to cool it; and for some reason, all I could think to do at that moment was to calmly ask him why he threw his drink. Amazingly, this seemed to settle him down a little. He stepped off the rail and engaged me in a conversation about how he thought the mascot was a bunch of different expletives and at which point, the man’s wife stepped in and told him it was time to go home. The situation had been diffused, and I am thankful it was, as it could have been ugly.
Handlers, you are the eyes, ears and the speaker for the mascot. Protect them. Be active in your role and keep them safe if, however unlikely, something bad is about to happen. Speak for them. If your mascot signals that he/she needs a break and there are some people who want to see the character, tell them that they will be right back. “He/she needs to get some water because they are extremely hot. They’ll be back.” Help get folks in a line if they swarm your mascot for autographs. In other words, be there for your mascot!
Stunts and Stunt Safety:
Many mascots incorporate stunts into their routines. This is a great way to wow the crowd. These do not always go according to plan. Flips may flop, leaps may drop, trips, slips and twists will happen. I’ve lost count how many cartwheels have gone wrong for me and I wind up landing in a very painful heap on the court.
To avoid this, or at least to help reduce your risk of accidents, practice. The more you do it out of costume, the better you’ll get. Practice in costume as well once you feel you’ve mastered your stunt out of costume. The suit throws a lot of variables into the mix, including a change in weight (costumes are heavy!), changes in your shape (a wider head makes it hard to get your arms up in the air, especially whilst trying to do cartwheels), and obviously, changes in your vision (the trampoline you jump on is hard to miss without your mask on, but when you’re wearing it, it may vanish into a blind spot as you approach it).
Test out and inspect your equipment. If you often repel or zipline for your entrances, mistakes can end in one of two ways: either with career ending injuries or death. Make sure everything is in working order before you use it. Replace broken or damaged parts right away. Have spotters. Have a plan in case something goes wrong during the stunt. If you feel it is unsafe to execute the stunt due to equipment problems, have an alternative plan for your routine. Fans and staff would rather you try something else than fall dozens of feet or get choked in the cables in the middle of your stunt.
Stretching and Warm Ups:
This is important even for mascots not involved with sports. Since this job requires you to be very energetic and at times, extremely athletic, it is a good idea to stretch and warm up before suiting up. Have a well-planned out routine of exercises and stretches to get you loosened up and limber before donning your suit and hitting the field. Cramps, sprains, tears or worse can happen if you don’t. At times, these can lead to long term injuries. Please keep in mind that even if you warm up before games/gigs, injuries may still occur. I’ve lost count how often I’ve tweaked my ankles at basketball games in the eagle suit back in college despite stretching and strengthening. If you do wind up getting hurt, it is best to seek the advice of a doctor, trainer or visit the urgent care center. Follow their advice!
To Sum It Up:
Please be careful! No one wants you hurt! Plan, prepare and ask for help if you need it.
To avoid this, or at least to help reduce your risk of accidents, practice. The more you do it out of costume, the better you’ll get. Practice in costume as well once you feel you’ve mastered your stunt out of costume. The suit throws a lot of variables into the mix, including a change in weight (costumes are heavy!), changes in your shape (a wider head makes it hard to get your arms up in the air, especially whilst trying to do cartwheels), and obviously, changes in your vision (the trampoline you jump on is hard to miss without your mask on, but when you’re wearing it, it may vanish into a blind spot as you approach it).
I am the one who can make an adult forget their worries and embrace the moment. I am the one who can bring people together and create lasting memories. Mascots need me to be their biggest cheerleader, their biggest supporter. I am the one who can rally the crowd, ignite their energy, and fuel their passion. I am the one who can turn a stadium into a sea of cheers and applause. I am the one who can make the crowd believe in their team, their cause, their mascot. Mascots need me because without me, they are just costumes. They need me to bring them to life, to make them more than just fabric and foam. They need me to be their voice, their spirit, their heart. So next time you see a mascot, remember that they need you too. They need your cheers, your smiles, your energy. They need you to believe in them, to support them, to make them feel like they matter. Because the truth is, mascots need me, but they also need you. Together, we can create magic, we can bring joy, we can make a difference. Mascots need us, and we need them..
Reviews for "The Business of Mascots: Licensing and Merchandising"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I was really excited to see "Mascots Nead Me" as I love comedies, but I was incredibly disappointed. The plot was weak and predictable, and I didn't find the humor funny at all. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. Overall, the film felt like a lazy attempt at a comedy, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a good laugh.
2. Jason - 1 star - This movie was a complete waste of time. The jokes were cheap and lacked originality. I didn't find any of the characters likable or relatable, and the story was just plain boring. I honestly couldn't wait for it to be over. Save yourself the trouble and skip "Mascots Nead Me".
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Mascots Nead Me" but ended up being sorely disappointed. The humor felt forced and the jokes fell flat. The pacing of the movie was off, with scenes dragging on for too long without any real payoff. The plot was uninteresting and lacked any real substance. I expected more from the cast, but it seemed like they were just going through the motions. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film.