Whatever the powers-that-be might tell the press about their innovative take upon one format or another, a truly new idea in reality television comes about almost as often as a new reality. While anything can happen, of course, past industry practices suggest genuine game-changing developments usually tend to be driven by technological advancements or singular performers and, either way, inevitably succumb to the normalizing constraints of tried-and-true formulae.
New reality shows are a lovely and self-sustaining myth along the lines of contestants vieing to marry a stranger for 'the right reasons', but, at the end of the day, everyone from network executives to the viewing public will be far more likely to embrace yet another rendition of a tune they've heard many, many times before. There's a comfort to consistent replication of familiar pleasures, and, for this particular genre, spinning some semblance of novelty requires nothing more than the latest crop of participants.
Everyone involved with the entertainment industry will repeatedly stress the importance placed upon diversity, but most reality programming execs honestly do strive to develop casts that (age and weight aside) at least somewhat resemble America. The blonde nymphet of privilege may have a certain competitive advantage on the road toward singing contest victory, but, so long as they're conventionally attractive, the odd and outlandish have their opportunities as well. After all, were these programs honestly concerned only with determining quality of range and technique, contestants would each bend their pipes around the same tune, but judges – and, as importantly, audiences – like a bit of variety within their shows … within reason.
Sara O'Neil, who's overseen casting on nearly a dozen matchmaking reality television series (Blind Date, Hell Date, CelebriDate), reminds hopeful applicants to maintain realistic expectations and abide by the eligibility guidelines intended to weed out unsuitable prospects. “Just be right for what you are submitting,” said O'Neil. “If we are looking for single people, don't be married. It's a waste of our time. It's a waste of your time.” All the same, the veteran casting director believes conventionally attractive newcomers who meet the broad criteria for a given show shouldn't doubt themselves openly.
Candidates trailing past appearances along the reality market may reasonably carry themselves with more assurance than neophytes during the initial auditions, but their very experience will actually diminish their chances after a certain level of familiarity. “People are looking for a fresh face,” she said, “somebody who hasn't been around.” Meanwhile, confidence (whether earned or otherwise) might just be your biggest asset. More than anything else, O'Neil advised, contestants selected for the next level “are natural. They are at ease, like they're talking to a friend. They are not nervous."
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” Reality Television Series Are No Different.
That memorable Albert Einstein maxim quoted above wasn't technically referencing reality programming, so far as we know, but the sentiment certainly holds true for the realm of dyed roots and suggestive cuts. Reality show-runners presumed even the dullest shows can be fixed by implied drama skillfully manipulated via quick-cut editing techniques. It can all be fixed in post, as they say, but crafting your own narrative must begin well before shooting starts.
We can all always benefit from a bit of self-improvement, no? We don't just merely mean sticking to a strict regimen of diet and exercize, though the importance of maintaining a trim figure shouldn't be ignored. (This is television we're talking about.) By massaging the grayer areas of your application, you're manufacturing a best self able to withstand a lingering and brutal dissection by the gimlet-eyed production tribunal, scavenging press, shameless competition, and an audience more than eager to ferret out any lingering half-truths in order to insert themselves into the story. You may not have been born a beautiful and unique snowflake, but can't we all pretend?
All the same, you won't want to stretch the truth unrecognizably. Remember, just because you can pull off an Australian accent for the length of the audition process, an entire season's shoot could easily take months of constant supervision by production staffers wary of any potential embarrassments and pressured to scrutinize the smallest sign of undisclosed falsity. Nobody likes a bad actor, but more skillful efforts may still be rewarded. Lie smart, in other words.
Scott Salyers, a respected producer and casting director for the domestic fringe of reality programming (Let's Make A Deal, Billion Dollar Buyer, Food Fortune), specifically warns contestant away from obvious exaggerations. "So many times,” he told 20/20, “people come in thinking, 'Oh, I bet they want me to do this.' Don't put on an act. Just be your genuine self. That's what's going to get you further in the process.”
However, during that same interview, Salyers also saved his greatest praise for just those individuals whose unlikely accomplishments or distinguishing skills might easily be adopted by any candidates wishing to make themselves more memorable. “I love casting [the] tattooed guy with piercings that you don't realize is actually a phonemenal father of five who teaches kindergarten. To me, that's great that you break expectations of what you're looking for.”
With Reality Show Casting, Always Swim Upstream
We’re all aware that the great wide wonderful world includes folks whose sparkling lives are so filled with unlikely diversions and fascinating passions that every one of the new reality shows would jumpto award them air time. Alas, in the rather messier world of real reality, the most interesting people don’t want to be on reality TV – they don’t have the time.
Thankfully, reality show casting directors understand this all too well and won’t look too hard at the lifelong ambitions supposedly driving your more aspirational pursuits. Indeed, some of them actively search out contestants unabashedly relying on their marketing nous. During a relevatory interview with the Hollywood Reporter, legendary Survivor casting director Lynne Spillman enthusiastically encouraged potential castaways to begin their journey with a career in sales. Survivor, the article continued, wants “young people with life experience and social skills. If you’ve never worked a job or still live with your parents, you lose points. Casting wants to know that you have cultivated your people skills in the real world and that you can compete with the big boys ...
"People make the mistake all the time of saying they’d be perfect because they just got out of school, and they don’t have a job, or they got laid off, so the timing is perfect, and they highlight all the negatives about them or the failures as opposed to showing us why they would be successful at a game that’s socially challenging, challenging from a physical standpoint and emotionally draining."
Be Your Own Best Reality – Or At Least Dress The Part.
Alas, even the most talented BS artist shan't effectively make up a spotlight-ready life from whole cloth. Want a surefire route to the top reality shows? Start working for a gallery. Find a band to join. Volunteer at shelter for intriguingly-adorable pets. Just do SOMETHING that might make your résumé stand out from the hundreds of identical applicants. Make yourselves into the people you'd most like to watch, and, if that's absolutely out of the question, at least wear their clothes.
Some of this might sound untenable for the time-starved wage slaves already chafing against the strains of an overloaded schedule and underfunded McJob -- particularly those potential candidates only applying to leave the workaday strife behind -- but, in one of the dirty little ironies of reality show casting, the folks who typically get to be on reality TV generally need the payday the least. Sound unfair? Tough. You can always stay home and watch shows for free. Fame costs. And, right here’s where you start paying.
Making the press rounds to discuss her 2012 book Me On TV: The First Ever Kick-Ass Guide To Get You On Any Reality Show, casting professional Sarah Monson repeatedly stressed the singular importance of dressing for success, though she warned against maxing out the cards for an expensive outfit utterly unlike your normal wardrobe. “Don't wear a costume just to be silly,” she continued, “and don't dress like a stockbroker if you work at K-Mart. You will just be uncomfortable and it will show."
Most importantly, accentuate your natural assets and don't be afraid to highlight your flaws if they're sufficiently memorable. "If you have big boobs, don't wear a hoodie,” she said. Show them off! Same goes for that six pack, guys … Do you have six toes? A lazy eye? Anger management issues? These are not deal breakers, by any means. They just might be the it factor we're looking for."