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Herald Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Your go-to guide to getting cast on a reality TV show in Melbourne
With thousands of people applying each year to be on reality TV shows, it is clear the lure of 15 minutes of fame is as strong as ever in Australia. From Survivor to Married At First Sight, The Block, The Voice, Australian Idol, MasterChef, Gogglebox, Travel Guides, Parental Guidance, Love Island, Love Triangle, Alone, FBoy Island, MKR and the returning 'OG' of the reality game, Big Brother, to name a few, there are numerous opportunities for people to get their moment in the spotlight. With the popularity of the genre, the trick is to stand out from the pack in the crowded casting process. Each show has its own casting protocols, but all start in the same way: you have to apply. Networks usually put a call out that applications are open for the following year at the end of a show's season. The links are housed on a show's web page or through a casting company such as Casting can also happen 'in the wild' when a casting scout approaches someone cold in a pub, at a sporting event, a bar, a shopping centre, club or cafe, or via a DM on social media. Some street casting undertakings are not so covert. There have been times when shows have sent casting scouts out to locations wearing a T-shirt reading 'we're casting' with the name of the show emblazoned on the garment. How to get cast on MasterChef Australia MasterChef Australia has made no secret that it is on the hunt for fresh and fabulous talent for the next season of the show and casting teams have been at markets and food events around Melbourne in recent weeks meeting and mingling with keen amateur foodies and encouraging them to apply. Sarah Thornton, head of unscripted for Channel 10, said tips to get noticed in a casting process included having a clue about the show you were applying for. 'You would be surprised at the number of people that copy and paste applications for another show to the show that they're applying for with you,' Thornton said. 'Immediately, that's quite off-putting, there's not many shows on television that are looking for the same people. 'My advice is to really think about the show that you would like to be cast in and why you fit on that show before you apply. We want people who don't overfilter themselves and are really good storytellers. They also have to be memorable. 'Obviously with MasterChef, it's about the food, but we have all sorts of personality types among the cast and not everyone is an extrovert on the show. When we do the auditions for MasterChef, we are looking for people who are deeply immersed in their cooking and have real depth of talent. We don't just want people who are amazing, we want real heart and soul home cooks.' Would-be contestants need to complete an online application and include photos of their recently prepared dishes along with a video of them cooking and introducing themselves. From there they may be selected to do an interview with producers or attend an audition. How to get cast on Big Brother The return of Big Brother to the ranks of Australian reality TV has created a huge buzz among fans of the show. Ten is readying for a rush of applicants when casting opens in the coming weeks. 'With Big Brother, when casting gets underway, I would say take your time with your application,' Thornton said. 'Don't rush it, show the essence of who you are and what it is that makes you unique and exciting to us. What we're not looking for is a perfectly produced video (application). We'd be happy with something very amateur provided it's authentic. In some ways the more polished it is, the harder it is for us to see you.' Thornton said 10's reboot of Big Brother would take the show back to its foundations. 'We are really aiming to cast it in the salt-of-the-earth kind of way that the original Australian series was cast. We are looking for people from all walks of life that bring slices of Australia to us as viewers.' How to get cast on Travel Guides Travel Guides, one of Australia's most popular reality shows, has just finished casting a new group to join the Channel 9 production for the first time in two years. Executive Producer Hugh Brodie said the show, which features a cast of regular people sent around the world to provide travel critiques, had been overwhelmed with the high quality of applicants. More than 3000 people threw their hats into the ring. 'We have got people in their late teens through to people in their 90s who've applied,' Brodie said. 'To be a Travel Guide there is no discernible talent that's required. You don't have to be able to sing, you don't have to be able to cook, you don't have to be able to build a house. All you have to do is enjoy travelling and have a sense of humour, which is probably 99 per cent of the population. 'The thing is, what our cast actually do is incredibly nuanced and they make it look and feel really easy breezy. They have a high emotional intelligence and they don't have a filter. There are no airs and graces, they are 100 per cent themselves and they just find each other really amusing.' Brodie said being real and enthusiastic helped people stand out during casting. The casting process starts with an online application that includes a video. The next stage is a Zoom call and then an in person audition. 'At the end of the day we're looking for a lightning strike of chemistry,' he said. 'It is always thought the secret sauce of Travel Guides is how much our cast groups light each other up and that's what I'm looking for in the audition process.' Tamara Simoneau, head of creative production and entertainment for Paramount Australia, encouraged reality applicants to 'wow' the casting team from the get go. 'Show them your vibrant personality and all the reasons you would be great on their show,' Simoneau said. 'Don't be shy. If you get a phone call or get in front of a casting producer, make the most of it. Also, do your research. If you come in without knowing a decent amount about the show you're applying to be on, that can be a turn off.' Simoneau said 'talent spotters' in the field were important in finding strong reality applicants. 'TV producers and anyone in casting has their radar on all the time. Social media is another great place we trawl to find potential cast,' she said. How to get cast on Farmer Wants A Wife Channel 7's much loved dating show Farmer Wants A Wife takes a different approach to casting than some other reality romance focused offerings. Seven's head of reality, Sylvia D'Souza said Farmer was about matchmaking, love and logistics. 'Women apply directly to individual farmers they're drawn to, often more than one,' D'Souza said, adding that the farmers then choose a shortlist of potential matches from the initial applications. 'They're not applying to 'be on TV', they're applying to meet him. We cast a wide net, with the application promoted on social media, national TV promos, in rural publications, and yes, we even ask Aussies to dob in a farmer. 'That community insight can be gold. On top of that, our casting producers reach out directly to rural councils, agricultural shows, produce markets, even livestock sales. If there's a gathering of farmers, chances are someone from casting has ears to the ground. 'If we're at a country pub or a sheepdog trial and someone walks in with charm, warmth, and that spark — you bet we'll introduce ourselves.' D'Souza described the casting process as 'rigorous and thoughtful.' 'It is far more layered than people realise,' she said. 'We're not just casting a show, we're potentially changing someone's life. From written applications, there is a rigorous review process internally before we pitch to the Network and the final cast is picked.' Being 'you' was the key to standing out from the show's hundreds of annual applicants. 'Don't try to be what you think we're looking for, be unapologetically yourself,' D'Souza said. 'Tell us why you're ready for love. Show us what you've lived through to get here. One of the most memorable applicants simply wrote: 'I don't want to be famous. I want someone to have dinner with every night.' That's the kind of truth that cuts through. 'Drop the mask. We respond to vulnerability, self-awareness, humour and heartache.' How to get cast on Australian Idol Applying for a talent based show like 7's Australian Idol can be done via an online application at form or turning up on an audition day. At the audition day hopefuls meet producers and may then be confirmed to audition for the judges. Thousands apply to be on the show each year and producers are constantly on the lookout for people with the 'it' factor. Seven's director of content, unscripted, Majella Hay said having a unique song choice, making a song your own and dressing the part were good tips to getting noticed among the hopefuls. 'Treat any stages of casting like they're the real deal,' Hay said. 'Don't tone down your performance or energy just because it's a Zoom call. 'Ultimately Idol is an entertainment show so any contenders need to be entertaining. Beyond a great voice, producers on Idol are looking for authentic, charismatic, hardworking performers who are in it to win it.' How to get cast on The Voice For The Voice, Hay said casting began with an application at That application goes through an initial assessment by producers before a first round of audition either in person or on Zoom. A second audition round takes place in person. 'We're always casting,' Hay said of The Voice. 'If any of our team hears someone great they always encourage them to apply. We love recommendations too. 'In the application sing well and answer the casting questions with as much detail as possible. The more information, the better.' 'Being on a reality show stays with you forever' One of the headaches with casting reality TV comes when good talent is found, but they don't want to be on a show. One bayside resident told of how he had been approached three times out of the blue to be on shows including MAFS and The Bachelorette. On each occasion he declined. 'I was at Sorrento Hotel a couple of years ago, having lunch with a friend, and this girl came up and introduced herself and asked if I had had any interest in doing reality TV,' he said. 'She was casting MAFS. I thought someone was setting me up. She followed me up on Instagram. I did have a phone conversation with her, but then I thought about it for half a second and said it was not for me. Being on a reality show stays with you forever.' Former TV producer turned TV and pop culture podcaster, Alexandria Funnell, said reticence to appear on air sometimes meant the best applicants did not end up in a final cast. 'When it comes to casting, so many people apply but when it comes to those final stages of weighing up the risk factor that comes with signing up to reality TV, a lot of your straighty 180, average Joe Blows, they tap out,' she said. 'Sometimes the best talent ends up watching at home on the couch.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wilson finds a new home with FIJI
After 25 years, the world's volleyball, Wilson, has finally been found on the shores of Fiji. In a heartwarming tribute video titled ' Wilson's Happily Ever After ', audiences have been reintroduced to one of pop culture's most unlikely and beloved icons, whose story first captured hearts in a classic island survival story filmed in Fiji 25 years ago. Thought to be lost forever, Wilson has been discovered right where his story began, in the place where happiness comes naturally. Imagining what might have happened after floating away into the vast ocean, the film shows Wilson washing up on the sun-kissed sands of Fiji, where he's embraced by the warm and welcoming local community. There, he's discovered by a young Fijian girl, Lani, who brings him into her world and into island life. The tropical island paradise known for its warm, friendly locals has welcomed the volleyball with open arms, showing him the best that Fiji has to offer. The pair is seen biking through the Fijian forests on the retired sugar cane railway tracks, enjoying kava with villagers, kayaking and splashing around in the crystal blue waters, and, of course, Wilson soars through the air in a game of beach volleyball. Tourism Fiji chief executive officer Brent Hill says that the tribute is a celebration of both Wilson's enduring appeal and Fiji's spirit of happiness. 'Wilson's story is one that has stuck with so many for 25 years,' he said, 'He's the volleyball that broke hearts around the world. So when we realised it had been a quarter century since he was last seen drifting out at sea, we thought what better time to give Wilson the ending he deserves? And not only did he survive, he's thriving, making friends, and even playing volleyball again,' Hill stated. He added, 'The short video is a way of giving fans a little closure and celebrating the heart that makes Fiji so special, where Wilson has found his happily ever after, where happiness comes naturally.' The tribute highlights Fiji's growing role in the global screen industry, with a number of productions taking place in the islands over the decades, including The Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields, and many TV series such as Survivor, Love Island and Shipwrecked. Fiji's film sector has become a major contributor to the local economy, employing more than 1,200 locals and collaborating with nearly 300 local businesses, while injecting close to USD 100 million FJD during the 2023-2024 financial year alone. 'Fiji is an incredible filming destination with picturesque backdrops, warm tropical weather, and experiences for a range of different traveller types,' says Hill. 'We're excited to celebrate 25 years since one of the first major productions in Fiji, while continuing to grow the industry and showcase Fiji on the world stage.' The latest film also taps into a long-standing online debate: What happened to Wilson? Over the years, many fans have taken to popular discussion platforms like Reddit to debate theories. One user said, 'The scene still hits me really hard two decades later, so I was wondering', with another adding, 'Definitely a death scene. He is lost to the waves.' These theories are lovingly put to rest with a feel-good happily ever after worthy of Wilson's legendary status. Watch the video here:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CBS Fall Premiere Dates: ‘Watson', ‘FBI', ‘Ghosts' All ‘NCIS' Tuesday, ‘Matlock', ‘Boston Blue', More
CBS today unveiled its fall schedule, with premiere dates for Watson Season 2, which has moved to a fall slot after FBI offshoot CIA was pushed to midseason, as Deadline exclusively reported, as well as FBI, NCIS, along with spinoffs Origins and Sydney, comedy Ghosts, Kathy Bates-starrer Matlock, new Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue and many more. CBS Premiere Week begins Sunday, Oct. 12 with sneak peeks of Matlock Season 2 and Elsbeth Season 3. Both will return to their regular timeslots on Thursday, Oct. 16, with Matlock at 9 PM followed by Elsbeth at 10 PM. More from Deadline CBS: 'FBI' Offshoot 'CIA' Pushed To Midseason With Warren Leight As New Showrunner; 'Watson' Moves To Fall 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming 'The Office' Follow-Up 'The Paper' Gets Premiere Date On Peacock FBI will premiere its eighth season on Monday, Oct. 13 at 9 PM, followed by Watson Season 2 at 10 PM. For the first time, there will be an all NCIS night on Tuesdays with NCIS Season 23 premiering at 8 PM, NCIS: Origins Season 2 at 9 PM and NCIS: Sydney Season 3 at 10 PM. Survivor returns to Wednesdays at 8 PM, with its Season 49 premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The regular Wednesday night lineup continues on Oct. 1 with The Amazing Race following Survivor at 9:30 PM. Comedies The Neighborhood and new series DMV will hold the Monday night spot beginning Oct. 13 with The Neighborhood Season 8 premiere at 8 PM and the DMV series premiere at 8:30 PM. Thursdays will start off with a comedy hour. Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Season 2 will premiere at 8 PM Thursday, Oct. 16, followed by Season 5 of Ghosts at 8:30 PM, and capped off with Matlock at 9 PM and Elsbeth at 10 PM Fridays will be all Jerry Bruckheimer Television-produced series, starting off with Season 4 of Fire Country at 8 PM Oct. 17, moving to its regular 9 PM timeslot on Friday, Oct. 24. Sheriff Country will air its series premiere at a special time of 9 PM and move to its regular 8 PM slot on Friday, Oct. 24 followed by Boston Blue at 10 PM. Returning series Hollywood Squares and new series CIA, Y: Marshals (working title), Harlan Coben's Final Twist and America's Culinary Cup are currently planned for the second half of the 2025-2026 broadcast season. Here is CBS' complete fall schedule (all times ET/PT except where noted; new series in bold upper-case): Sunday, September 78-11 PM: 2025 Video Music Awards Sunday, September 148-11 PM: 77th Emmy Awards Sunday, September 218-11 PM: A Grammy Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire: The 21st Night of September Wednesday, September 248-10 PM: Survivor (Season 49 premiere) Thursday, September 259-10:30 PM: The Amazing Race (Season 38 premiere) Saturday, September 2710-11 PM: 48 Hours (Season 38 premiere) Sunday, September 287-7:30 PM: NFL on CBS doubleheader7:30-8:30 PM: 60 Minutes (Season 58 premiere)8:30-10:30 PM: Big Brother (Season 27 premiere) Wednesday, October 1 8-9:30 PM: Survivor (Season 49 time slot premiere)9:30-11 PM: The Amazing Race (Season 38 time slot premiere) Sunday, October 57-8 PM: 60 Minutes (Season 58 time slot premiere) CBS PREMIERE WEEK Sunday, October 12 7-7:30 PM, ET: NFL on CBS doubleheader7:30-8:30 PM, ET: 60 Minutes (7-8 PM, PT)8:30-9:30 PM, ET: Matlock (Season 2 sneak peek; 8-9 PM PT)9:30-10:30 PM ET: Elsbeth (Season 3 sneak peek; 9-10 PM PT ) Monday, October 13 8-8:30 PM: The Neighborhood (Season 8 premiere)8:30-9:00 PM: DMV (comedy series premiere)9-10 PM: FBI (Season 8 premiere)10-11 PM: Watson (Season 2 premiere) Tuesday, October 14 8-9 PM: NCIS (Season 23 premiere)9-10 PM: NCIS: Origins (Season 2 premiere)10-11 PM: NCIS: Sydney (Season 3 premiere) Thursday, October 16 8-8:30 PM: Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (Season 2 premiere)8:30-9 PM: Ghosts (Season 5 premiere)9-10 PM: Matlock (Season 2 time slot premiere)10-11 PM: Elsbeth (Season 3 time slot premiere) Friday, October 17 8-9 PM: Fire Country (Season 4 premiere, special time)9-10 PM: SHERIFF COUNTRY (drama series premiere, special time)10-11 PM: BOSTON BLUE (drama series premiere) Sunday, October 198-9 PM: Tracker (Season 3 premiere)9-10 PM: THE ROAD (Airs 9:30-10:30 PM ET on Sundays, October 26 and November 2, following NFL Doubleheader, before moving to its regular 9-10 PM Sunday time period on November 9) Friday, October 248-9 PM: Sheriff Country (time slot premiere)9-10 PM: Fire Country (time slot premiere) MIDSEASON PREMIERES Hollywood Squares (Season 2)CIA (new drama series)Y: MARSHALS (new drama series; working title)HARLAN COBEN'S FINAL TWIST (new drama series) AMERICA'S CULINARY CUP (new drama series) Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery Solve the daily Crossword
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Al Jazeera
Palestinian girl recounts losing legs and family in Israeli attack in Gaza
Palestinian girl recounts losing legs and family in Israeli attack in Gaza NewsFeed This 16-year-old Palestinian girl lost her parents and her legs when Israeli forces bombed her home in Gaza, leaving only her and her younger brother alive. Video Duration 02 minutes 49 seconds 02:49 Video Duration 01 minutes 03 seconds 01:03 Video Duration 01 minutes 10 seconds 01:10 Video Duration 00 minutes 33 seconds 00:33 Video Duration 02 minutes 20 seconds 02:20 Video Duration 00 minutes 33 seconds 00:33 Video Duration 02 minutes 28 seconds 02:28
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
25 Years On, Wilson Finds A New Home
Nadi, Fiji: After 25 years, the world's most famous volleyball, Wilson, has finally been found on the shores of Fiji. In a heartwarming tribute video titled 'Wilson's Happily Ever After', audiences have been reintroduced to one of pop culture's most unlikely and beloved icons, whose story first captured hearts in a classic island survival story filmed in Fiji 25 years ago. Thought to be lost forever, Wilson has been discovered right where his story began, in the place where happiness comes naturally. Imagining what might have happened after floating away into the vast ocean, the film shows Wilson washing up on the sun-kissed sands of Fiji, where he's embraced by the warm and welcoming local community. There, he's discovered by a young Fijian girl, Lani, who brings him into her world and into island life. The tropical island paradise known for its warm, friendly locals has welcomed the volleyball with open arms, showing him the best that Fiji has to offer. The pair is seen biking through the Fijian forests on the retired sugar cane railway tracks, enjoying kava with villagers, kayaking and splashing around in the crystal blue waters, and, of course, Wilson soars through the air in a game of beach volleyball. Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill says that the tribute is a celebration of both Wilson's enduring appeal and Fiji's spirit of happiness. 'Wilson's story is one that has stuck with so many for 25 years,' he says. 'He's the volleyball that broke hearts around the world. So when we realised it had been a quarter century since he was last seen drifting out at sea, we thought what better time to give Wilson the ending he deserves? And not only did he survive, he's thriving, making friends, and even playing volleyball again.' 'The short video is a way of giving fans a little closure and celebrating the heart that makes Fiji so special, where Wilson has found his happily ever after, where happiness comes naturally.' The tribute highlights Fiji's growing role in the global screen industry, with a number of productions taking place in the islands over the decades, including The Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields, and many successful TV series such as Survivor, Love Island and Shipwrecked. Fiji's film sector has become a major contributor to the local economy, employing more than 1,200 locals and collaborating with nearly 300 local businesses, while injecting close to $100 million FJD during the 2023-2024 financial year alone. Beyond its economic impact, Fiji's cinematic appeal is stronger than ever. A 2023 Expedia travel report named set-jetting - v isiting locations featured in film or TV - as a leading driver for consideration amongst travellers, overtaking social media for the first time2. 'Fiji is an incredible filming destination with picturesque backdrops, warm tropical weather, and experiences for a range of different traveller types,' says Hill. 'We're excited to celebrate 25 years since one of the first major productions in Fiji, while continuing to grow the industry and showcase Fiji on the world stage.' The latest film also taps into a long-standing online debate: What happened to Wilson? Over the years, many fans have taken to popular discussion platforms like Reddit to debate theories. One user said, 'The scene still hits me really hard two decades later, so I was wondering', with another adding, 'Definitely a death scene. He is lost to the waves.' Now, these theories are lovingly put to rest with a feel-good happily ever after worthy of Wilson's legendary status. You can check out this video here to see Wilson embracing all Fiji has to offer. For more information on Tourism Fiji, visit About Tourism Fiji: Tourism Fiji is the destination marketing organisation of the Fijian Government agency, which is responsible for marketing Fiji as the ideal destination for global leisure travel. Tourism Fiji has established a presence in seven key global markets. Its activities include advertising, public relations, media initiatives, trade shows, and programs for the tourism industry, as well as consumer promotions to showcase Fiji better
