by Gina Scarpa

 

Project Runway may have just crowned its season 7 winner, Seth Aaron Henderson, but Lifetime is already gearing up for season 8. On Friday, May 7, casting directors from Bunim/Murray Productions will hold an open casting call at 575 7th Avenue in New York City from 10am-4pm. Auditions in other cities around the country will take place by invite only. Today, RealityWanted spoke to supervising casting director Alissa Carlton in an exclusive interview to get some insight to making it on Project Runway.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is this the first time that Project Runway has done an open casting call?
A. Alissa: There was a switch in production company, because Magical Elves used to be the company when Project Runway was with Bravo and they did open calls. We switched it up by doing invite only calls at first. New York is the heart of where most fashion people. Shh, don't tell L.A. fashion people! We thought we'd try out an open casting call in New York.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is New York the only location for an open casting call?
A. Alissa: It is, we're having invite only calls in other parts of the country. We've let everyone know that they can submit the standard way. We wouldn't want people to get on an airplane to come out to New York when there were other ways that they could apply.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I would imagine that a casting call for something like Project Runway is a bit different than an open call for something like Big Brother or The Real World.
A. Alissa: Exactly! With an open call, it's their judgment as to whether they're talented enough to apply. For sure, I'm sure we'll get some people who love to sew but haven't been doing it long enough or don't have the level of skill we're looking for. It's not just their sewing skills but their ability to work quickly and manage stress.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you looking for, ideally, in a potential contestant for Project Runway?
A. Alissa: For us, really, the only single thing that's ideal is the talent. We want all personalities, types, and points of view because then we get different points of view in fashion. Young, old, black, white, rich, poor, we want it all! What they all have to have in common is the talent.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Will there be fashion experts on hand at the open call?
A. Alissa: Everyone will meet with a panel of experts and they'll determine whether or not they should move on in the casting process.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: People shouldn't show up hoping to meet the actual panel from the show, right?
A. Alissa: They should not be hoping to meet Heidi, Nina, and Michael. Definitely fashion experts but not the actual panel for the show.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: How do you tell the difference between people who just want to get on tv and people with truly big personalities?
A. Alissa: Fashion designers are artists. In general, the personalities tend to be pretty genuine. There's some real characters but that's who they are. People know they have to have what it takes. Nobody wants to set themselves up for failure and try to get on the show when they really can't. I've cast a lot of different shows and we deal with that less for this show. It's not just about being good for television.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What should people expect if they go to the open casting call?
A. Alissa: They should bring four or five of their garments that show their point of view and sewing skills. They should be prepared that only two may be looked at so they should have them in order of preference. They should also bring a portfolio. When they arrive, they'll either go straight in or they'll wait a bit. From there, depending on if the panel thinks they're work is up to par, they may go to a casting interview. The work is really what comes first.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's the best piece of advice you can give to someone who's trying out?
A. Alissa: I'd say just be yourself and come prepared.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Are there any major changes in store for season 8 of Project Runway?
A. Alissa: I don't think so! The show does really well as is. If it ain't broke, don't fit it, right?

 

 

For complete Project Runway casting details, visit bunim-murray.com!

 

(Image courtesy of Lifetime)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

For more Project Runway links, visit SirLinksALot.net