5/26/09 Update: Apply to Solitary 4.0 HERE

We are back with another installment of our "interview with a reality TV casting pro".  We talked with associate casting director Frank Parther and grabbed some great casting tips...check it out below

Q.  Mark, RealityWanted.com: Frank, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. Talk to us little bit about what your currently working on.

A. Frank , Casting Director: Right now I'm working on a new MTV show produced by Stuart Krasnow and Fremantle. It's actually kind of top secret so I can't give away many details, but it's going to be an awesome show. Regardless, we're about to wrap casting so we won't need any more applicants at this stage.

Q.  Mark, RealityWanted.com: What kind of applicants are you looking for on this particular project?

A. Frank , Casting Director: Our target cast for this particular show is the 18 to 24 year old crowd. That's MTV's basic demographic. Other than that, we were open to all types of people. Mostly what we wanted to find were people with great personalities.

Q.  Mark, RealityWanted.com: You and I have talked about this before and I wish we had recorded it but talk to would be reality contestants about basic things to do and not to do?

A. Frank , Casting Director: Things to do: The most important thing to do is to be yourself. I don't mean that you should tell me what you're like, show me. Be the version of you that you are amongst your friends or family. Telling me that you're "outgoing and funny" is like telling me you like pizza. Everybody likes pizza. Tell me a funny story about something you did recently. Describe to me how you spent a day where you committed to engaging 10 strangers in conversation, and what happened. That's outgoing and funny.
Things not to do: Don't try to guess what I'm looking for when you fill out an application or come to an interview. You are what I'm looking for already, so show me what you've got. I can tell when people aren't being themselves and the entire time I'm thinking "next".

Q.  Mark, RealityWanted.com: Whats the biggest mistake contestants make when sending in a tape?

A. Frank , Casting Director: It seems like a lot of applicants don't prepare before their tape. They just turn it on and wing it. I'm not saying to contrive your answers. What I mean is, prepare some questions and have someone else ask them to you, unless you're brilliant and focused while giving a monologue. This will keep you on track and help you get out all the information. Also, try to give us some insight into your life. You don't need to put other people on the tape unless the show calls for that. But maybe take us on a tour of your house, or show us something cool in your town and tell us a personal story about it. Most of all, try to open up. When we interview in person we can dig for more interesting stories but when you send in a tape, we only see what you give us. If it's boring or we don't feel like we see your personality, it goes in the "no" pile".

Q.  Mark, RealityWanted.com: Whats the biggest mistake contestants make when sending in a photos?

A. Frank , Casting Director: The biggest mistake is sending in professional modeling photos or headshots, unless you're submitting for a show that requires it. We want to see what you really look like. I don't mean what you look like at 7am, hungover with bed head and eye boogers. I mean what you look like at your best, when you're gonna hang out with your friends. Also, make sure the photo is clear, shows your face and body, and is recent. If I see a time stamp that says 2004, I'm going to assume you've gained 64 pounds and don't want to admit it.

Q.  Mark, RealityWanted.com: Whats the biggest mistake contestants make when coming to an open casting?

A. Frank , Casting Director: It's so difficult to narrow it down to one mistake, so I won't. First and foremost, try to be on time. We're usually on a tight schedule and would prefer to get to be able to eat lunch before 5pm. Other than that, bring your A-game personality. A lot of people get nervous and to overcome that, they shut down. You get one shot for that particular show. Throw caution and nerves to the wind and bring it. Remember, we're on your side. When I interview somebody, I want them to be great. I want them to wow me. Because when I show them to producers it's going to make me look good. So when I tell you to unleash the glory that is your real, honest personality, do it. It's reality TV and that's not the place to be shy.

Q. Mark, RealityWanted.com: I have received emails from members on our site wanting to give up after applying to one or two shows or applying for a month or two.  What would you say to someone who throws in the towel so quickly?

A. Frank , Casting Director: If you're level of resolve to succeed in television is that low, I say to give it up. Because we want people who are dying to be on TV and will perservere for eternity to get there. Okay, that might be a bit extreme. But the truth is, it's tough to get on TV. We get a lot of applicants for every show so you're going to have a tough time standing out from the crowd. You also might think you're right for a particular show, but maybe we don't happen to think so. None of that is meant to be discouraging. What it means is that, if you really want to be on TV, be patient. Some of reality televisions biggest stars took years to get on the shows they were on and probably applied to hundreds. My best advice is to keep an eye out every day for casting calls that might be a good fit for you and apply. Just do this day in and day out. If you do, eventually you'll get noticed and be a good fit for a show.

Q. Mark, RealityWanted.com: People often email us asking us look at their photos and then ask us tell tell them what their chances are? What would you say to that?

A. Frank , Casting Director: If you have photos up that are a good representation of you, you're fine. Just make sure they're clear and show what you really look like in person. Personally, I like to see at least 4-6 photos of a person before I feel like I really know how they look. Maybe two that are close ups of their face, and a few more that show them from head to toe. I don't mean shirtless or bikini pics, I just mean in normal daily clothes. If you have honest pics, you have a great chance, at least visually. Remember, we might be casting for America's Next Top Model or maybe for Biggest Loser. So show us what you are, and we'll let you know if it's right for this particular project.

Q. Mark, RealityWanted.com: Whats one the worst things you can say to a casting director? Something like, my friends think I am crazy I get drunk and do wacky things watch me bust a plate on my head?

A. Frank , Casting Director: If it's me the worst thing to say is, "I think you're having a bad hair day". More generally speaking, the "I'm wacky and will do anything drunk" is pretty bad. I don't care if you and your friends are "just like the guys on Jackass", because I'm not casting that show. Pay attention to reality TV and you'll see that they most entertaining people are the ones who open up and let their real personalities out. I'm interested to know that you smash plates on your head, but that won't make me want to show the producers your interview tape. Now, tell me that after you and your friends do that, you go and spend the entire evening on webcam with your girlfriend because you can't live without seeing her face, and I might be intrigued.

Q. Mark, RealityWanted.com: Any final tips you want to give would be cast members?

A. Frank , Casting Director: Just have fun with the whole process. Build a great profile on this site, submit for shows that excite you, and keep after it. If you send in submissions, or get called in for an interview, make that your moment to shine. There are a lot of shows out there and new ones being created every day. You never know when one of them turns out to be a good fit and you become a reality TV star.