ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
19.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Get Cast on a Reality Show?

Author: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 08-05-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 11 | Rating:  (50) Article Popularity - Green (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!
DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson

There are 3 ways to be cast on a reality show:



  • Attend a cattle call;





  • Submit directly for consideration;





  • Know somebody who works on the show and get walked in.





#3 is terrific, but it’s not necessary (really!). What’s more important is knowing how to NOT get on a reality show. Let’s start with sending naked photos, videos of yourself in the restroom and a truly bizarre mix of other attempts to get cast. Your personality is enough. Maybe.

Now for the Do's.

PICK A SHOW

If you want to be on a reality show but don’t have a specific one in mind, just surf the online casting sites for casting calls and direct submission listings! Lots of shows post casting calls every single day (to stay at the top of announcement lists). Your best bet is to start with Craig’s List in Los Angeles or New York listing. Surprise! Companies post there for national searches because they’re not allowed to do multiple posts across different city lists. Check the “Gigs/Talent” category for the most listings.

Also check the sites of your favorite networks for multiple show listings. Similarly, if you find a production company that produces a show you love, check their site for other shows. A company that produces one HGTV show could easily produce five other ones because they’re trusted by the network – and some of those other shows might be the perfect fit for you!

Your most important consideration in selecting a show to submit to is: How can this show change my life? If it can’t change your life, if you just want to be on TV, you are going to have a hard time getting cast. Your story MATTERS.

APPLY TO THE SHOW

You will have to complete an application for any show you submit to and sign a release granting the production company the right to use anything you submit in any way they wish, which is usually to promote the show itself. In many instances you may also need to send in a personal videotape for consideration.

For your reel, be sure to strictly follow any format guidelines, like duration or VHS vs. DVD format. Your ability to follow directions here is the first indication of how well you’ll manage on a set. As far as content, I always recommend turning on your “First Date” personality. That means great look, great personality, good stories and a little of your playful, naughty side if you have one (no, not NAKED. “Naughty”). Don’t try to shock or impress

or create a character. Just try to intrigue us into going out with you again!

Here are some technical tips for your shoot: Clothes: Don’t wear black, white, busy patterns or anything with a logo on it anywhere.

  • Sound: make sure you’re in a quiet room or outdoor space (no phones, dogs, kids, traffic, etc.). We want to hear what you have to say.



  • Light: don’t stand in front of a bright source of light; you’ll be backlit, and we won’t be able to see your face. If the rules allow, just go outside into natural light; otherwise, be sure that your face can be seen.



  • Look: let your appearance to emphasize who you are and why it’s right for the show; it’s the easiest message to send. That could be a business suit and glasses, a gown with big hair and tiara or no make-up, a tank and shorts. Don’t wear a costume; wear your personality.



  • All the best with your submission, and maybe I’ll see you on set in L.A!

    Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

    Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/television-articles/breaking-into-hollywood-how-do-i-get-cast-on-a-reality-show-144539.html

    Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
    About the Author:

    DMA is a former film story analyst, international runway model and stage performer who is now the executive producer of Tidal Wave TV, a new media and reality TV production company in Los Angeles. Learn more about how to sell a reality show from her book, "The Show Starter Reality TV Made Simple System: Ten Steps to Creating and Pitching a Sellable Reality Show."

    For DMA's national speaking schedule and more insider resources for breaking into Hollywood, please visit Planet DMA. It is our goal to mentor you through your career in the entertainment industry!

    Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

    Article Comments

    Comment on this article Comment on this article
    Your Name
    Your Email:
    Comment Body
    Enter Validation Code: Captcha


    Related Articles

    How Do I Sell My Own Reality TV Show?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 19/03/2007 | Television
    How do you sell a reality show? If you're like most people who work in reality TV, you sell a show by working for some years in reality television, amassing good credits and production experience, building strong relationships with production companies, networks and vendors, running someone else's shows for trench education, then pitching your concepts and your solid reputation to make your first sale(s). If that doesn't sound like you, or especially if it does, please read on.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - Who Should I Pay to Get Paid?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 07/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    I'm going to keep this short, but not at all sweet! Who should you pay to make it in show biz? You should expect to pay any professional whose products or services help you break into the industry if that person will NOT otherwise directly financially profit from your income.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Much Should I Ask People to Pay Me?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 19/03/2007 | Careers
    If you're starting out or moving up in the entertainment industry, knowing what pay rate to ask for is particularly hard. In general, it's very important not to sell yourself too short OR price yourself too high. What determines this is not just the "market rate" for the services you're delivering. When you're setting your fee for a job, take nine key things into consideration - every time.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - Do I Need to Read the Trades?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 19/03/2007 | Careers
    I very regularly hear the question: "Why should I read the trades?" Here's the quick answer: you have to read the trades to know what's going on in the industry you're trying to earn work, income and respect in. I think the better question is: "HOW should I read the trades?" That's because once you zero in on the key information, you'll be less overwhelmed by all of the additional stories that make reading the trades feel like such a task.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Make New Media Work for Me?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 09/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    At this point, you've all heard the term "new media." So you've also probably all asked the question: "What exactly IS new media?" But don't think it's okay not to know the answer! It's been 50 years since there was this radical a shift in the entertainment business model - AND since the barriers to entry and success were this low. That isn't going to last, so if you don't know what's happening with ITV, IPTV, Mobisodes and more, time's up. Now let me take the question even further and answer this question instead: "How can I make new media work for me?"

    Breaking Into Hollywood - Do you Know Anyone Who's Hiring?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 11/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    This is a tough article to publish, but it's just so important! The message of this missive is simple: stop asking people to hire you. STOP IT. It is not only not an effective way to break into the industry, it is a sure way to drive away the very people who are able to help you.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Translate the Entertainment Trades Into Project Sales?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 11/05/2007 | Television
    Learn about specific examples of what you might find in the entertainment trades - and how you can translate that information into selling your own projects.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Write for TV if I Live in Nyc?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 07/05/2007 | Television
    Despite popular (and fairly legitimate) concern, it definitely is possible to write for TV if you are based in New York rather than Los Angeles. Yes, ultimately, you will want to live here in L.A. to take advantage of the bulk of work being here. But you don't need to live here to get hired. You just need to meet the right people who do.

    Got a Question? Ask.

    Ask the community a question about this article:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    A forgotten Artist worth remembering.
    By: Wise Ali | 11-07-2008
    Am I the only person on the planet that remembers Tracy Bonham and how awsome her song "Mother Mother" was?

    Games
    By: Michael | 11-07-2008
    Does anyone know any fun game websites                                                                                                                                        

    Esther Williams
    By: Kgmea | 11-07-2008
    Is Esther Williams still living?  If so, are there any recent photos?If not, when did she die?

    I heard that acclaimed director Roland Joffe and ...
    By: rich | 10-07-2008
    I heard that acclaimed director Roland Joffe and the actress Suzee Pai are an item.  Is that true?

    Movie permit in Southern CA
    By: kchung12 | 10-07-2008
    We need to shoot an action film shot on a main street in CA.  Does anyone know of a low budget or free permit town in Southern CA?

    Can you tell me if John Orr, former bassist for ...
    By: beejay | 09-07-2008
    Can you tell me if John Orr, former bassist for Thelonious Monk is still alive?

    Q&A Powered by:
    Powered by Yedda 

    Latest Television Articles

    Satellite on Pc TV Software Reviews- Scam & Real Pc on TV Packages Review
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read before you buy any scam sat on pc tv software package. There are many fake online free tv packages that they overshadow the real ones 10 to 1. It’s very easy to lose money if you buy without reading some honest reviews on the internet. It is very easy to know the scam softwares if you know how to analyze these websites. There are some things that will indicate a fake from a real package for internet tv.

    Satellite TV on Pc Software Reviews-review of Sat Pc TV Scams & Real Packages
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read and avoid losing money online with the fake softwares that are on sale online. There are very simple ways to beat the scam packages online and get just the right package that will help you access pc satellite tv online for free of charge. The highest quality and best priced sat tv on pc packages can be downloaded with a bit of research and reading of honest reviews online.

    Satellite TV on Pc Shows Software Reviews-review of Sat Pc TV Scams & Deals Online
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read and avoid being scammed by fake online sat TV Shows on pc software. There are so many pc satellite TV softwares online that you wouldn’t know which are real and which, are fakes. There are some facts that you can use to easily differentiate the scam from the real softwares. Most of these are just as easy as looking at the website details and reading between the lines.

    TV on Pc Software for Computer Television –pc TV Scam & Legit Soft Ware
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    They will scam you easy if you don’t read how to beat them. Many online free pc tv software websites are just scams out to get your money. About 70% of all satellite pc tv packages out there are fake and don’t deliver any English TV channels or shows. You need to know how to tell the con websites from the few good ones on the internet.

    Pc TV Satellite Television Software Package Reviews –sat Television Scam Websites
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read or be scammed by online satellite television on computer softwares. There are many scam and fake online satellite tv packages that pass as the real ones. The fact is that the good online television softwares are very few and far in between.

    Watch Satellite Pc TV on Your Computer Review- the Scam & Real Software
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read and avoid losing money to scams online. Many pc TV websites online are fake and do not have anything legit to offer you. There are easy ways to tell a scam website if you know what to look for online.

    Pc TV –how Can I Watch Computer Television Over the Internet-scam & Legit Softwares
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read this before you buy to avoid losing money with the scam pc TV packages online. Internet is full of fake softwares that just take your money and don’t deliver. There however other highest quality and best priced pc TV packages available online. The trick is to know where to get them and avoid scams that overshadow the legits 10 to 1. There are a few things that you can observe on any pc TV website to know if its genuine or not.

    Can I Watch Pc TV on My Computer for Free-the Scams and Legit Softwares
    By: Robert Kamau | 19/07/2008
    Read before you buy a way to watch pc TV from your computer online. Scams are very many online and if you are not careful, you can easily lose money from the illegal websites on internet. The trick is in knowing how to tell a fake website and the real one without even downloading anything at first. This can be as simple as looking at the website and picking out some glaring omissions or lies.

    More from DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Make Money in Reality Tv?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 07/07/2008 | Television
    What do the following questions have in common: * How do I own my reality show? * How do I keep the rights to my show? * How do I produce my own show? * How do I syndicate my own show? Without fail, the real question underneath the original one is: "How do I make as much money as possible for as little effort as possible in reality TV?"

    Breaking Into Hollywood - When Should I Just Shoot a Project Myself?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 24/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    If you're excited about your latest TV or film project and are hitting a pitching wall, you may be tempted to grab a camera, call in some favors and shoot the whole thing yourself! Is there ever a right time to do that? Well, yes. And there also are right times to not even consider it. Let's talk about the truth and consequences behind shooting your own reels.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Translate the Entertainment Trades Into Project Sales?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 11/05/2007 | Television
    Learn about specific examples of what you might find in the entertainment trades - and how you can translate that information into selling your own projects.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - Do you Know Anyone Who's Hiring?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 11/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    This is a tough article to publish, but it's just so important! The message of this missive is simple: stop asking people to hire you. STOP IT. It is not only not an effective way to break into the industry, it is a sure way to drive away the very people who are able to help you.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Make New Media Work for Me?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 09/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    At this point, you've all heard the term "new media." So you've also probably all asked the question: "What exactly IS new media?" But don't think it's okay not to know the answer! It's been 50 years since there was this radical a shift in the entertainment business model - AND since the barriers to entry and success were this low. That isn't going to last, so if you don't know what's happening with ITV, IPTV, Mobisodes and more, time's up. Now let me take the question even further and answer this question instead: "How can I make new media work for me?"

    Breaking Into Hollywood - Do I Really Need a Screenwriting Seminar?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 07/05/2007 | Movies
    I’m a producer who has enjoyed both sides of the writing seminar experience. As a writing fellow years ago, I attended many diverse seminars. Then, as a story analyst for a major production company, I developed my own system for understanding and applying story structure which I now teach in a seminar of my own. There are three things I explain to people who question or resist “learning how to write” through professional seminars.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - How Do I Write for TV if I Live in Nyc?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 07/05/2007 | Television
    Despite popular (and fairly legitimate) concern, it definitely is possible to write for TV if you are based in New York rather than Los Angeles. Yes, ultimately, you will want to live here in L.A. to take advantage of the bulk of work being here. But you don't need to live here to get hired. You just need to meet the right people who do.

    Breaking Into Hollywood - Who Should I Pay to Get Paid?
    By: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson | 07/05/2007 | Art and Entertainment
    I'm going to keep this short, but not at all sweet! Who should you pay to make it in show biz? You should expect to pay any professional whose products or services help you break into the industry if that person will NOT otherwise directly financially profit from your income.

    Article Categories






    Give Feedback

    Sign up for our email newsletter

    Receive updates, enter your email below