That's right, the Smurfs are coming to San Diego Comic Con. And you could be one of them.

Mad Cave Studios, the parent company of the US publisher of the Smurfs comics, are hiring Smurfs - well, people who can be character performers of the Smurfs. The plan is for people to wear Smurf costumes and be part of "an immersive meet and greet" with fans. This is part of the Smurfs' 65th anniversary celebration of the characters' creation by cartoonist Pierre Culliford (aka Peyo) back in 1958.

As one would expect, Mad Cave has a strick height limit for someone to play a Smurf. Fortunately, there's some leeway from the height the Smurfs are in comics and animation. For SDCC, Mad Cave is looking for anyone 5' 2" or shorter (thats 160cm or less).

While Smurfs are notoriously short, the height limit the publisher is enforcing is more due to the costume - if you're taller than 5'2", you won't fit into one of their Smurf costumes.

Mad Cave has some other strict rules for performers. Here they are, as quoted from the job posting:

• No eating, drinking, smoking in costume.
• Be aware of your size. Try kneeling down if kids seem scared of you.
• Never hold young children or infants. The character lead or parent should hold the child and stand next to the character for photo opportunities.
• Dressing: each event will have a secure private dressing area for the talent. Never let the crowd see the character partially dressed or while dressing (only other actors can see the character transition).
• Each Costume Character will be accompanied at all times by at least one helper to lead the costume Character during the event.
• We expect the applicant to be nice & to act in a friendly and funny way with the adults as well as with the children. No lewd or obscene gestures.
• Characters should not gesture toward products or be photographed next to anyone holding products, including alcoholic beverages & cigarettes.
• Costume Characters are not allowed to speak.
• Costume Characters are not allowed to give autographs.

Seriously though, if you're struggling to get a ticket into SDCC - which face it, happens to all of us at one point or another - this could be your way in.

Playing these iconic characters isn't any laughing matter. Mad Cave specifies that those hired "must complete all application, pre-employment and on-boarding requirements. Including criminal background check, and medical check."

For more details, see Mad Cave's job posting for Smurfs on LinkedIn while it lasts.

Comic-Con International: San Diego 2023 begins Wednesday, July 19 and lasts through Sunday, July 23.

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