Being Cast On A Reality Show

What do producers look for when casting reality shows?

Producers are looking for really strong personalities when they're casting reality shows; not necessarily strong, he-man, forthright people, but they're looking for strong characters. A strong character can be an emotionally fragile character - that's still a strong character. That's what they're looking for in reality TV. What they don't like are people that are inexpressive and inarticulate. They don't even have to be super intelligent, as long as they're real, and they're willing to open their mouth.

How do reality shows find their cast?

You can put out a casting call on the internet and you'll get overwhelmed. Its just that there are so many people that'd love to be on a reality show, depending on what the nature of the show is, that to some extent you go out and look for them, the 10%. But 90% will come after you if you just like throw up a flag and say: A reality show about people who love to dance is coming up, so call us - and they will.

How can I make a great reality show casting tape?

A lot of reality shows that are so popular now will just say, “Send us your casting tape.” That means you have to do something at home with your home video that shows who you are, and why you would be particularly interesting for that particular reality show. For example, if you were going on The Amazing Race, you would probably have a shot of you and your buddy, doing something that would be applicable, that you could see happening on The Amazing Race, and how well they handle it. Someone might be showing off how beautiful they look running down the beach in their bathing suit, or how funny they could be, how they bicker with each other. The relationship between a parent and a child; this is my ex-boyfriend and my ex-girlfriend, and we're still trying to get over the breakup, and we've never forgiven each other, but we can't stop being around each other. They're looking for those dynamics on reality shows.

How can I ace a reality show audition?

The best way to nail an interview for a reality show casting interview is just to let it all hang out. Just be yourself. If that self of you is arrogant, be arrogant. If that self of you is funny, be funny. If that self of you is emotional, be emotional. If that self of you is whatever, just make sure that they know who you are when you leave the room.

Should I 'embellish' the truth when auditioning for a reality show?

You'd better tell the truth about yourself because if you do get seriously considered for a reality show, your background will be checked. If you've been on another show and you didn't tell anybody, they'll kick you off immediately. You have nothing to gain by lying.

Do I have to live in LA or New York to be cast on a reality show?

It's actually a bad thing if you're casting a reality show and all your cast is local, because then you just get a bunch of L.A. people, or you just get a bunch of New York people. But if you just transplanted to L.A. from Omaha, that's cool, because you're still an Omaha person and they don't have to fly you out or put you up. But if you're willing to come out on your own dime to wherever the production is, or just make yourself available, it's really good. Look at Extreme Home Makeover, Wife Swap, and all these shows: they're shot all over the country because we get different slices of Americana. That's what the whole point of those reality shows are, so they're looking for diversity.