CASTING- American Cancer Society's Reality Blog

�Are you interesting? Funny? Surprising? Insightful?
�Are you quick with an interesting thought? Can you riff? Can you describe what you're thinking or feeling on camera? On paper?
�Lastly, do you smoke? More importantly, would you be willing to try quitting?

We're looking for someone to be the STAR of our new online project for the American Cancer Society. Essentially, we're looking for someone to try quitting smoking and then share his or her experiences as they happen.

We want someone America's going to want to listen to. Hear about. Read about. And talk about.

Casting: Man or Woman 25 - 45 (roughly) Smoker, but willing to try quitting. Must live in one of the following states: Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Prefer someone with basic computer skills. Also prefer someone who has tried to quit smoking before.

Important: This is NOT a full time project. The person chosen to star in this project will be able to do this while maintaining their normal life/routine. Person chosen to star in project will potentially need to be available for promotional opportunities.

Reality: This project will receive a PR push from the American Cancer Society. That being said, the more media buzz the project generates in and of itself, the more potential opportunities the lead will have to showcase his or her personality and talent to America. Essentially, as the hype around this project grows, so will the opportunities for the lead person.

Payment: To maintain the authenticity of the project, there is no direct cash payment. The person chosen to star in this project will receive a new laptop computer, video camera and digital camera valued at roughly $3000. If the person follows through on entire project, he or she will be able to keep the equipment. Additional, resources will be given to facilitate the project.

Concept - What's the Big Idea
We're creating a "reality" website that will follow an individual smoker as he prepares to quit smoking, and then we will follow his or her journey and challenges for roughly six weeks to two months after quitting.

Essentially this is a personal project following one person's real life and struggles as he or she tries to quit smoking with the help of his family, friends, and community, as well as all of the resources from the American Cancer Society and the Great American Smoke Out.

Mix of reality TV show, documentary, video, and text blog. Essentially, it's Super Size Me meets MySpace.

Daily Postings
The site will offer (roughly) daily video and/or text postings. The daily postings are a mix of a personal diary/blog.

All postings will be created by the star and will consist of personal writings, confessional-style personal videos, and if possible, hand held videos the person shoots with potentially minimal editing.

Who?
We're looking for a real person - not an actor (Or at least not a professional one.) The person will need to have an interesting dynamic personality. Open. Honest. Willing to discuss his struggle. The best case scenario will be to cast someone who has smoked for years and has tried to quit before.

Overall: We want a real person with real struggles. He or she will most likely stumble a couple of times - and that's okay. As long as they keep trying to quit for the duration of the project. We're looking for a real person that other smokers and quitters can identify with.