Executive producer John Murray (a former news documentary reporter who developed the show with soap opera producer Mary-Ellis Bunim ) calls the show "a crazy chemistry experiment that can explode in your face, or make great TV." We say that The Real World involves both.
Having already become MTV's highest rated series, more than 35,000 people applied for Real World-dom last year alone. As for next year's season (which will air in 2001), the casting has already begun for the show: an anniversary season to be shot in New York City.
The Casting Call
In New York it was at the Palladium. In Omaha it was at the local college. In San Jose it was at Six Flags. MTV holds casting calls across the country in its quest for seven perfect strangers. To find out when MTV will be in your area, you can either watch TV (do they ever stop showing those Real World marathons?), or go to MTV's casting site.
1. Get there as early as possible. After waiting a good 2-plus hours (depending on your location), you will be given an application that will ask some standard and not-so-standard questions, such as your name, age, and "fantasy date." Other questions include: "Have you ever been arrested?" "Have you ever hit anyone?" "Describe your first love," and "How important is sex in your relationship?" It will also ask you to rate your participation in activities such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, sleeping, reading, drinking (alcohol), laughing and partying.
2. You'll be given a number, then told to wait some more in another line until your number is called.
3. You'll be called into a room (or hallway) where two or more people (MTV reps) will be sitting behind a table. There may or may not be a video camera rolling. The interviewers will ask you a few questions (not unlike those on the application), and you'll be forced to try and be witty and "real" while spitting out your most embarrassing moment or describing your last date.
4. Two-to-four minutes later, you'll hear something like, "Thank you very much." It could be less than that. If the interviewers then say "goodbye," take the hint and go home. However, if the interviewers then say "we'd like you to come back for another interview later today/tomorrow," then celebrate--you've made it to the next round. If the interviewers say "please remove your clothing," then paydirt! You'll make millions on your sexual harassment suit.
5. Wait until they call you back.
Mail in a tape
If you don't live near a major theme park, shopping mall, college or internationally renown nightclub, never fear. Besides, who has time to wait in line at the Outlet Center when you can just send in a tape?
With a mail-in application, all you've got to do is send a 10-minute tape showing why you'd be a good candidate for The Real World. This mail-in application process is a lot tougher than it seems, so here are our tips for making a tape that will display your best qualities:
The biggest mistake people make is to just sit down without any forethought and just record a stream of consciousness babblethon. This usually spells certain doom. So think about what you want to talk about, practice it, and run it by some friends.
Be as creative as possible. MTV pleebs have to watch thousands of these things, so at least keep them awake. Creativity doesn't necessarily mean that you have construct elaborate sets; just that you talk about things that are different and interesting. Tell them a story. Talk about your school, your goals, your boyfriend, your girlfriend (or, better yet, your boyfriend and your girlfriend). Tell them about how you helped save the rainforests during your summer vacation, how you handed out food to the homeless last year, how you were homeless last year. Shock them if you can. Charm them. Disgust them. Whatever you do, casting directors say, "Be real." (duh)
Be as entertaining and outgoing as possible. Remember, you are going to be on TV and will be giving tons of confessionals to a videocamera, so they want to make sure you're up to it. So speak clearly and eloquently, try not to stumble or pause too much, smile, and come across as a natural. It's no accident that so many Real Worlders turn to entertainment; the people who get chosen tend to be naturals in front of the camera to begin with.
While we hate to say it, you should do whatever it takes to make yourself look as attractive as possible without looking like you tried to make yourself look as attractive as possible. TV is TV.
Here are some technical guidelines to making your video (as provided by the Real World taping tips page):
It cannot be longer than 10 minutes, and it can be on any kind of standard videocamera tape.
Do not use the auto-focus feature on your videocamera.
Make sure the sound and light come through. This means that you have a lamp (or the sun) shining on your face and not behind you, that there isn't noise (TV, music, screaming sister) in the background, and that your beautiful self can be seen clearly and heard clearly.
Make sure that your recording isn't time-stamped.
Aim properly. This means that your full head and shoulders should be in view. So don't sit to far, too close, and don't cut the top of your head off.
All this stuff sounds obvious, but it's critical that you accomplish these technical tasks or your tape will go straight into the garbage can.
Tapes can be sent in any consumer format including VHS, HI-8, 8 (small tapes), VHS-C, and mini DV, and should be sent to:
The Real World Casting
Bunim/Murray Productions
6007 Sepulveda Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91411
Any other questions you have might be found on the Real World casting FAQ homepage. Whether you did it by cattle call or by mail, every person who applied for the show will be notified of their status, by either phone or letter, by the end of November (take a hint: phone calls are better than letters; sooner is better than later).
If you are chosen from the first application, there is still a long way to go. After the initial slew of potentials are picked, the candidates must still complete a tedious 15 page long application which will ask even more personal questions than the ones asked at the casting call.
After that, more interviews. Then a few more. They keep on going until only seven stand.
For a good in-depth view of the process, see if you can catch one of the Casting Specials on MTV. Those will give you a good idea of what to expect in the later
stages.
Chin up. Just because you weren't chosen, doesn't mean you should give up. There's always next year. As of now, the
11-season-strong phenomenon shows no signs of slowing. In fact, MTV is always taking suggestions on where to set up camp next.
But if you feel incredibly desperate to appear on an MTV show, there are tons of opportunities. Here are some recent examples:
Mall Confessions: Confess your deepest, darkest secrets on national television.
Hot Zone: Sit in the studio audience of this video show.
Sisqo's Shakedown: Boogie with the Dragon.
Wanna Be a VJ?: Erase the nightmare that was Jesse Camp..
Say What? Karaoke: Sing it loud, sing it strong...
The Blame Game: A game show that allows you to embarrass your ex to the best of your ability.
Road Rules: When you apply to The Real World, you're almost automatically entered into the Road Rules contestant pool too.
To find out about these opportunities (and others) MTV keeps a continuously updated tally of casting calls, so check that page every week to see what new projects are popping up.
If you're just looking for money, there are always the standard game shows:
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The Price is Right
Jeopardy
Blind Date
If all else fails, suck it up and go get a Web cam. You can always be famous somewhere.
How to get on The Real World
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS (Sample Application Only)
1. Please fill out the enclosed application legibly.
2. Use dark-colored ink.
3. Answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
4 Please write only on the printed side of the paper. Feel free to attach additional sheets as necessary.
5. Attach a page to this packet with a recent photo on it. (Yes. another one. even if you sent one with your
original tape.)
6. You must staple 3 copy of your driver's Iicense to the back of the packet.
7. You should return this application TODAY, as we have a very limited amount of time until production begins.
DO NOT e-mail the application back.
FIRST: Please fax a copy to. 818.756.5140 Attn: ROB
THEN: Mail the original copy to: ROB
REAL WORLD CASTING DEPT.
6007 SEPULVEDA BLVD.
VANNUYS.CA 91411
Write "ROB" in big letters on the outside of the package, so we can spot hi easily.
DUCATION:
NAME OF HIGH SCHOOL (AND YEARS COMPLETED):
NAME OP COLLEGE (YEARS COMPLETED AND MAJORS):
OTHER EDUCATION:
WHERE DO YOU WORK? DESCRIBE YOUR JOB HISTORY:
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL?
WHAT KIND OF PRESSURE DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR FUTURE? WHO'S PUTTING THAT PRESSURE ON YOU?
WHAT ARTISTIC TALENTS DO YOU HAVE (MUSIC, ART, DANCE, PERFORMANCE, FILM/VIDEO MAKING, WRITING, ETC.)? HOW SKILLED ARE YOU?
WHAT ABOUT YOU WILL MAKE YOU AN INTERESTING ROOMMATE?
IF YOU'RE LIVING WITH A ROOMMATE, HOW DID YOU HOOK UP WITH HIM OR HER? TELL US ABOUT HIM OH HER AS
A PERSON. DO YOU GET ALONG? WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT LIVING WITH HIM OR HER? WHAT'S THE HARDEST PART ABOUT IT?
HOW WOULD SOMEONE WHO REALLY KNOWS YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BEST TRAITS?
HOW WOULD SOMEONE WHO REALLY KNOWS YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORST TRAITS?
DESCRIBE YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT IN LIFE:
DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND OH GIRLFRIEND? HOW LONG HAVE YOU TWO BEEN TOGETHER? WHERE DO YOU SEE THERELATIONSHIP GOING?
WHAT DRIVES YOU CRAZY ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON? WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON?
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU SEEK IN A MATE?
HOW IMPORTANT IS SEX TO YOU? DO YOU HAVE IT ONLY WHEN YOU'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP OR DO YOU SEEK IT OUT AT OTHER TIMES? HOW DID IT COME ABOUT ON THE LAST OCCASION?
DESCRIBE YOUR FANTASY DATE:
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
DO YOU PLAY ANY SPORTS? DESCRIBE YOUR ATHLETIC ABILITY!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSICAL GROUPS/ARTISTS?
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT:
WHAT WAS THE LAST UNUSUAL, EXCITING, OR SPONTANEOUS OUTING YOU INSTIGATED FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS?
DO YOU LIKE TRAVELING? DESCRIBE ONE OR TWO OF THE BEST
OR WORST TRIPS YOU HAVE TAKEN. WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO TRAVEL?
OTHER THAN A BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND, WHO IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW? TELL US ABOUT HIM OR HER:
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HAVE TREATED SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF?
