This Reality TV Producer Just Exposed What It's Really Like Behind The Scenes, And That Is One Wild Profession

2 hours ago 1

As someone who loves all things reality TV, I often wonder (along with many others) what exactly goes on behind the scenes. Imagine being a fly on the wall for just ONE taping of a restaurant scene on a Real Housewives franchise??

A few months ago, a man on Reddit who says he's been a reality TV producer who has worked in both the field of filming and post-editing for eight years hosted an AMA where he invited people to ask him anything about his profession. Although he wouldn't expose which show he works on, he was able to give a pretty in-depth look at what it's like to work on a reality show these days.

Here's what he had to say about his career:

Note: Questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

1. Q: What percent of what is filmed is real, or does it vary by show?

A: I would say it varies by show, but most of my sets are real. As shows carry on and the cast realizes a good story is what keeps them on a show, they will put themselves in good story positions, if that makes sense.

2. Q: When they all come out with sob stories, many of them seem fake or insignificant (I'm doing this for my cat, etc). How does this come about? Are they asked to tell a sad story that affected them, do you ask them to do it again if they were emotional enough, if it seems a bit and so on?

A: The sob stories are usually true — unless someone is lying to production. Some could be lying, but production wouldn’t usually be aware of it. And then I think sometimes we overdramatize situations to milk it, which I don’t love.

If they’re telling the story, we will ask them to do it again if it’s not giving the emotion we want, but a) you’d be surprised how much music helps, and b) people get REALLY nervous in the interview chair. It can be hard to get the genuineness to shine through because people get awkward sitting in the chair with the camera pointing straight at them. It’s different than when you’re in a scene.

3. Q: How can I get on one of your shows?

A: I’d have to reveal which shows, and I’m not doing that at this time. In general, apply to production companies as a production assistant, make your goals clear (i.e., director, editor, producer), and work toward them within the company.

4. Q: What do you do when people are having a conversation on a "hot topic" and they stray off on a tangent? Do you ask them to start again? Do you feed them topics to talk about? I always find it funny when people are having a nice dinner, and then someone suddenly brings up some topic that normal people would not raise at the dinner table, like, "Hey Julie, I heard you had an abortion last week?"

A: We feed them topics that are relevant to the stories we’re telling and guide them back when they get off track, but sometimes they’ll know what they’re supposed to discuss and bring it up in an inorganic way. It’s a pain in post [production]. Sometimes, it’s corrected in the field, sometimes not.

5. Q: How many of the stars act the same way when cameras are off? Do they become nicer or meaner? Are their friendships or rivarlies still there when not filming?

A: It’s pretty accurate, they are the same off-camera. Some are nicer to the crew some aren’t, but whatever feuds they have on camera don’t stop when the cameras are down. On some level, they know it’s part of their jobs to harp on each other so there’s an understanding in a way.

6. Q: How many hours of footage do you need to edit to make a episode?

A: Between 14-20 hours worth of footage per episode.

7. Q: So, for reality TV shows, are there pilots, or are you given the green light with several hours of footage to edit from?

A: For a reality show to be “picked up”, you create a sizzle with the cast to show they're interesting.

Once a show is picked up, it’s greenlit for a certain number of episodes, and then it is shot with enough to make that number of episodes. That’s why first-season shows whether reality or scripted, usually have fewer episodes than they will the next season.

8. Q: Do you use producer plants?

A: Producer plants? i’ve never been on a show or heard of producers doing it!

9. Q: Why aren’t there any reality TV shows about real people with real jobs? Like not skinny, beautiful people but those of us who might be fat, not entirely unattractive teachers, firefighters, police, etc.?

A: I would say that people with jobs like teacher, firefighter, police officer aren’t really the type to be interested in being a reality star.

We do have reality shows with “not entirely unattractive” people. Some networks tend to specialize in more “luxurious” lifestyles, and others are more diverse.

10. Q: First, congrats because it's one of my dream jobs — I would also love to be a casting director for reality TV. What was your career path to have the job? Do you know anyone who works in the industry ?

A: I did have a family member in the industry who helped me get my foot in the door. I also studied production in college and have used those connections as well. The industry really is about who you know, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in without a connection. Network building, once you’re in, is key

11. Q: Do you need to study a specific branch to be a casting director?

A: No, not necessarily! No specific branch, but in school, when you’re working on a bunch of projects, you get to know other people who are hoping to be producers or directors. If you stay friends, and they know you like casting, they might try to put you on their casting team.

I would look into casting companies as well as production companies themselves and their casting departments. Additionally, you could find interesting people and make a sizzle starring the cast you’ve found and try to sell that show.