I’m a big Survivor fan. Every time a player makes a stupid move, I loudly declare that I could do it better, and swear to my family that I’m going to get on the show one day. Usually, they jokingly respond, ”Don’t threaten us with a good time!” My older son, however, believes in me. Every time Jeff Probst does one of his cheesy casting call segments, he urges me to get on that application. The thing that stops me? The audition video!
If you’re in the same boat as I am (for any reality show), this is our lucky day. Emmy Award-winning casting director Jazzy Collins just shared tips on the reality TV casting process. More specifically, she gave a lot of really good advice about what casting directors look for in contestants and what can hurt their chances. Her biggest advice? In the words of Aladdin’s genie, ”Bee yourself.”
Be authentic: “My first instinct when I’m watching any sort of casting tape or live interview, especially for reality TV, is that I like authenticity. That’s number one. Talk about yourself, your life, and an experience that has happened. If you light up about it, that’s what I really gravitate towards.”
Vulnerability is important, too: “I really like being able to tap into someone’s backstory and what makes them ‘tick.’ That’s going to easily come up on camera, and that’s going to be something that the audience is going to explore with you on this journey.”
Don’t play a character or imitate a current reality star: “I know when someone is putting on a performance for reality TV because they have seen someone that’s been on TV before and figured that if they emulate someone else, then they would get on TV. That’s not what we want. Don’t be someone that you’ve seen on Big Brother or Survivor or anything like that. I want to see who you actually are.”
You don’t need to be a villain: “[They think] ‘Oh, if I become a villain, I will be on the show.’ We’re not looking for a villain. We are looking for someone that’s authentically you. If you are that type of person naturally (a villain), go ahead and tell me about that. Tell me about how you’ve been a villain in your life.”
How they discover contestants: ‘I have found people without social media accounts. You know, I saw them on the street. They were really funny, I talked to them, and then I said, ‘Hey, do you have any interest in being on reality TV?’ And then they end up on TV.”
Make sure your application is specific to the show you’re applying for: [H]opefuls need to tailor their applications to the show they want to be one. For example, if it’s a competition show like Survivor or Big Brother, then they need to be ready to explain their strategy to producers. When it comes to a dating show like Love Island USA, Collins expects ‘a lot of energy,’ and people who are ‘willing to put themselves out there. They can’t be shy whatsoever, for many reasons. Obviously, you have to be able to go up to anyone that’s there and talk to them. But you’re also in a bathing suit, 24/7. So you cannot be shy,’ she insisted.
Be vulnerable in the love department: “We want some people that are willing to just like, fall in love and be vulnerable. What has happened in their previous dating life that they’re hoping to change? Or date someone new and outside their comfort zone? Tell us about a mistake you may have made. Or tell us maybe you’ve never dated anyone before and this is the first time. I want to hear mistakes that you’ve made, things that you’ve learned. I want to hear all of the good and the bad.”
Different shows have different casting needs: “Obviously, there is a level of attractiveness that plays a part in Love Island. They talk about sexy singles and stuff like that.” For a competition show like The Traitors, Collins is looking for contestants who have an interesting career that can potentially become part of their gameplay. Some of the jobs Collins has looked for in the past include hairstylists and politicians.
They also seek out contestants who are ‘gullible’ and can be manipulated by the savvier players. “At the same time, we’re looking for some people that could be gullible. Be along for the ride for a long time, then end up getting swindled at the end,” she said. “It’s a very psychological show. We want to make sure that all types of people are reflected in that.”
Social media’s role: While Collins said that a social media following isn’t key to getting cast on most shows, she does admit that it’s an important factor for anybody trying to get on Love Island. “Anything that is gratuitous in terms of like, posing racist or sexist stuff. That’s a big red flag,’ Collins warned. ‘I’m not going to ever talk to someone that has anything that’s really negative towards a specific culture, sex, or gender. That’s a hard stop. Red flag. I’m not going to reach out to you.’
Most of this info, like they want hot people on Love Island, is not surprising. Overall, I found it fascinating, like how they actively seek out gullible contestants for the strategy shows. I’ve always wondered if some people are cast because they are considered to be “red shirt” players (disposable). This confirms it for me. That said, I particularly like that Jazzy’s biggest advice is to be authentic. There are so many people who think they can find success by copying previous contestants. Parvati Shallow is a fantastic Survivor player, but I totally roll my eyes at the dozens upon dozens of contestants who all say they want to play the game like she did. Viewers remember unique players. If you want to be memorable, you gotta bring something new to the table. As for the rest of it…having a bad social media history definitely feels like the result of a learning curve, lol. Every show has had some really problematic contestants over the years. I bet the networks welcome mildly controversial things for the free publicity, but also realize where to draw the line.
Finally, regarding how contestants can be recruited from anywhere: Ms. Jazzy, if you’re ever casting Survivor and happen to see this, my strategy would be to adapt! I think anyone who goes out there with the plan of playing one particular strategy is being short-sighted. You can’t account for how others will behave or play, so you have to be flexible. FWIW, I’ve been able to make fire since I was in elementary school. Also, I’ve tried those 3D puzzles IRL and am terrible at them. My husband did one in five minutes while it took me almost two hours before I finally broke down and asked for help. I promise you that watching me try to put one together will be spectacular TV.
I wonder if there’s anyone she regrets casting.
I have a few friends who auditioned for The Amazing Race and one actually made it (Jody Kelly, think it was season 16). She competed with her granddaughter, which was compelling to the casting agents, but even more than that had a really unique back story (took up triathlons in her late 60’s, cancer survivor, college professor, etc), great personality and was not trying to be anyone else. Casting was also, they said, a surprisingly long process.
My brother & I have a running gag that we should be on The Amazing Race – “I’ll drive & you can jump off things!” “Ok, I’ll do puzzles and you eat the scary food!” It still makes us laugh years later.
I was cast on a reality show for making miniatures. My audition tape was made past midnight and it was me saying I wasn’t really sure I wanted to do it bc I was terrified of being humiliated for everyone to see.
Authenticity really is the key lol
I’d like to know how she came to do this job.
Was it what she wanted to do when she got to Hollywood, or did she fall into it by starting as a runner who just needed a job?