Back in 2016 we uploaded a video on our YouTube channel titled, “How to Perform in Your Mascot Costume from Olympus”, in which we breakdown the six sections of being a mascot:
As it turns out, it was a huge hit with a ton of positive feedback!
We began to see an emerging trend in the comments section. A majority of the comments we received were from high schoolers and college students, many of which were auditioning or recently became a mascot for the first time. Understandably, many were nervous about their first time on the job, and were looking for additional assistance in the comments section.
To help these curious souls out, we decided to do a little Q & A to aid new mascot performers in their upcoming endeavors.
Assuming you’ve watched the video above, here are some tips we would add:
Whatever stunts you’re comfortable doing, and if that means no stunts at all, that is totally a-ok! We understand that you have probably seen hundreds and hundreds of videos of mascots doing insane dunks, flips, tricks, and high-flying acrobatics. These stunts are certainly impressive, but they are done by trained professionals. Nobody should reasonably expect you to be able to do these sorts of stunts immediately or on a regular basis. Never feel pressured to do something you don’t feel 100% safe doing. If you do have a background in something that will aid you in pulling off stunts, remember to practice, practice, and practice again! Remember that your mobility and vision in a mascot suit will be severely limited, so be sure to practice with the mascot costume off to start, and then on when you feel confident in your abilities.
Outside of stunts, dancing and cheer routines are a huge part of mascot entertainment. Learn a few cool dance moves on your own time or if you’re part of a school or organization, coordinate with your local dance or cheer team. They often will have some routines that your mascot can easily follow along with.
While anyone can be a mascot, we need to note that the biggest drawback to being a young mascot performer is limited size and strength. Mascot suits can get rather heavy, especially in the head area. Plus, if you’re younger than 13, there is a high chance that you are still growing. There is no guarantee that a mascot suit that fits you at age 10 will fit you at age 11. Most mascot suits are built with certain performer height ranges in mind, but thankfully these ranges are common heights that young adults reach. If you’re not yet at the point of being a mascot performer, you can still prepare for the role. See the next question on how!
Mascot TV has a great interview on the subject, and the CFL (Canadian Football League) has a good video that centers on being a mascot in a sports context.
Outside of these videos, it may be worth reading some of our other blogs. We cover a wide range of topics and chances are you’ll find several reads that really round out your mascot knowledge. Knowledge that will help you to become a mascot pro!
We have a blog for just such a question! In short, the mascot handler is basically a mascot’s security guard, guide, and confidant all in one. Mobility and visibility are limited inside a mascot suit, so having someone outside the suit to warn you of obstacles, take pictures with fans, and help you suit up is a HUGE help. We highly recommend you pair yourself with a handler anytime you get in the mascot suit, even if you’re just practicing.
A huge portion of the fluffiness can be attributed to the length and type of fur a mascot uses. To maximize fluffiness, brush your fur! It’s really that simple, as hair getting tangled and matted is one of the biggest contributors to a mascot suit looking old and tired. Avoid using shampoos and conditioners on your fur if you don’t know what you’re doing, and NEVER put any part of your mascot suit in the dryer. Performing regular maintenance on your suit is an important aspect of being a mascot that many people don’t consider at first.
It totally depends on the mascot suit itself. As a general rule, the bulkier the mascot, the more uncomfortable it will be. The best way to make yourself as comfortable as possible is to:
In summary, we’d like to thank everyone for viewing our How to be a Mascot video, and engaging with each other in the comments section. It’s viewers like you that keep the mascot industry and fandom alive and well!
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