Well, I recently got some answers from Robert, whose New York Reality School is attracting reality star wannabes from all over the country. Here's what he had to say via email.
Q: Reality TV is supposed to be about people being themselves. Explain why there's a need for a reality TV school.
A: At The New York Reality TV School we deliver information and technique that allows people to succeed and shine on Reality TV shows. We have built the only program in the world where people can train with reality TV stars and industry professionals, in order to achieve their goals of winning and creating a television presence that will last a life time. People need training so that they can truly immerse themselves in the 'challenges' and activities each show has to offer, without the stress of the unknown on the set. If the cast members have fun and are more informed as to what they will face, the viewers will have a better experience watching reality and the cast member will build fans. Actors and non-actors come to the school to get three key things when a person enters the set or audition of reality TV.
The key training for reality TV consists of these three things:
- Confidence building: when a person is taken out of the surroundings they are used to, stripped of phone, email, friends, family... it is stressful beyond belief- we focus on tapping into and building confidence for contestants under extremely difficult situations and challenges.
- Ability to tell your story: people take their experiences, skills, and opinions for granted sometimes. We focus on making sure the dynamics of your life are communicated clearly and succinctly so the edits that get on TV show your story in a vibrant and compelling way.
- Being genuine/true to yourself: Our training focuses on telling the truth and not faking it in anyway. People have watched so much reality and scripted drama that there are layers of 'supposed-to-bes' that get in the way. We work that off through discussion and training.
Q: What are your top three tips for those applying to be on a reality show?
A: My top three tips:
- If you are being asked to submit a tape, make it as professional as you possibly can without hiring a real crew. The peril of hiring a crew is that it is so slick that it doesn't seem real enough. It makes you come off so seasoned and professional that it looks as though you are already in the industry. But do make your tape well lit, camera held steady or on a tripod, great sound and don't have your best friend giggling in the background. Also see if you can take us on a tour of your life with the camera and include a few different locations. Also have yourself engaged in activity related to the show, it'll will give us an idea of what you look like in action.
- Never say you are an actor, even if you are. Once you tell the casting people you are an actor, everything you do is looked at as an 'act'. Nothing seems real anymore. The filter is set and it can not be removed. If you are an actor, no problem. Use your training and skills to shine as brightly as you can.
- Answer the questions asked with as much detail as possible. Casting directors always hear "I'm interesting", "I'm fascinating". Those words mean nothing. You must include the unique details of your life in succinct and specific detail as possible. Write the answers down, rewrite them and then rehearse your answers so you have tight clear information for them.
Q: Did any of your students go on to star on a reality show?
A: We have gotten our students great exposure on news shows such as the Today Show, The View, E! Entertainment, MTV News, ABC Nightline, MTV and internationally on BBC and in Japan, Australia, and more! Our biggest success stories in our very short four months of existence are Jorge Bendersky, finishing in the top three of Animal Planet's Groomer Has It and now hired as an on air spokesperson on the channel doing spots for other shows and touring the country representing the channel. Jonathan Fable trained with us on a Tuesday and flew to Hollywood on a Friday to compete in "Hole in the Wall". He won the $10,000 first prize and credits the school with much of his success on the show. Denato Demarinis has trained with us and since has booked roles on Law and Order, Entourage and is the lead in a nationally aired half hour informmercial. Phillipe and Alex Pirihea are both in Toronto for the next two months shooting a film and this is a direct result of the training at the school.
Q: What kind of lessons and exercises will students do at your school?
A: At the New York Reality TV School, students learn in two ways: 1) Hands on exercises and 2) work periods with actual reality stars. Our hands on exercises involve working with two of the strongest reality TV casting directors in the business; Robert Russell and Risa Tanania. Robert Russell who has worked with Mark Burnett and Roy Bank casting shows including: The Bachelor, Big Brother, Survivor, The Apprentice, The Casino, The Search for the Pussycat Dolls, and many more. Risa Tanania has cast and produced numerous programs including Cash Cab, Life in the Fab Lane and The Tyra Banks Show to name a few. We do exercises that simulate the pressure of being on shows from the audition process to testimonials to challenges. We also have in seminar guests that include cast members from: I Want to Work for Diddy (winner Suzanne Siegal), Glam Gods, Amazing Race, Survivor, Real World, I Love New York, Beauty and the Geek, The Apprentice, The Bachelor, A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila, and many more. Listening to these reality stars and giving our students one on one time with them to answer any questions about the reality TV experience is invaluable. There is no better way to understand the rigors and process than to have access to actual contestants.
