Biggest Loser casting tips (season 14)
Biggest Loser is getting ready to start casting for season 14! Casting calls will be happening this summer and will be posted soon on the Biggest Loser casting website. Basically, this post is a collection of tips I’ve written based on my experience making the cast of season three, as well as some links to casting advice I don’t think you should miss:
- NBC has posted casting information and the application here. They have all the casting news and information on a special blog just for Biggest Loser casting, which you can find here.
- Pete Thomas, the season 2 $100,000 winner has some of the best casting call advice out there, which you can find at his website, Winning Man.
- Holland, a casting director for Biggest Loser sent me a bunch of great advice on how to be casted, you can find it here. She updated them October, 2009.
- I’ve been posting these casting tips for the last few seasons and they always seem to end up with thousands of comments; just about every season has contestants that were hanging out on here, reading and giving each other thoughts and advice. You can find the most recent one here.
- If you’re dealing with disappointment about not being cast, then check out my post on Biggest Loser casting disappointment.
One of the questions I hear a lot is about money … how do contestants afford to be away from home and work for months at a time? I don’t know what it is now, but when I was a contestant there was a $500 a week stipend for cast members on the ranch. When you received the check you could cash it and spend it, send it home, save it, whatever. All airplane tickets, hotel accommodations, etc., for the contestants and potential cast members are taken care of by NBC, and during the casting process it self there was a $50 per diem to cover food costs.
Another question is timing; typically a season lasts for about 8-9 months. About four of this is spent in filming; if you last all the way until the final three or four, you could be away from home for as much as four months or so. Once the ranch filming wraps and the last few contestants are sent home, however, there is still another four or five months that all the contestants have to continue losing weight until the finale. In addition, potential cast members are flown out to California a couple weeks before filming begins for the final round of casting, medical checkups, psychological evals, etc. NBC brings out more people than what they need and the cast is not finalized until filming literally begins. People have been cut at the last minute and replacements flown in with hardly any time to spare. Nothing is in stone until it’s on camera!
When will you hear from Biggest Loser about your video? There is no way of knowing. I heard back a few weeks after I sent it in, but even after that it’s a big waiting game. If you get a phone number or email from a casting direction, definitely drop them a line/call every couple weeks to find out if you’re still in the running or what’s going on. Schedules and plans change almost every day, so it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. If you don’t hear back within a month I would think your video didn’t make the cut. That doesn’t mean you can’t send in another or visit a casting call – it’s just up to you!
Finally, here’s my video application tips! This is by no means a recipe for success; it’s based on my video application and the conversations I had with casting directors out in LA in between things. I was pretty curious about the whole process so I was pumping them for info even after filming began. I’m such a nerd!
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They’ve usually decided if they’re interested in you within the first 30-60 seconds of your video, so front load it with your best stuff. Make it interesting! Start off with something funny or exciting!
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Keep in mind, if you’re going to be cast, your video is going to be watched hundreds of times by producers, executives, casting directors, etc. If it bores you or your friends the second or third time watching it … put some more time into it!
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Special effects? Don’t bother! We’ve all got video editing software with all sorts of bells and whistles on our home computers, but fancy transitions are not going to sell you to people who do video editing for a living. In fact, it can distract from who you are. I’m a video editing nerd and I didn’t use any special effects other than putting my name and contact info on as a subtitle at the beginning.
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Don’t bother talking about why you need to lose weight. When I first started filming my audition video I started describing all of my health reasons for losing weight – but when I was watching it back, I realized … they don’t need to hear it! One look at me was all they needed to know I needed to lose weight! Show them why you need to lose it; I said I needed to lose weight for my kids, and then I followed it with a minute or two of the best footage I could find of me with wrestling with my three boys. We probably filmed half an hour of that insanity and I grabbed the cutest, loudest, and funniest few moments for the audition video. Your physical need to lose weight is not nearly as interesting as who or what your losing the weight for.
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Live loud! Reality TV is over the top, dramatic, and filled with loud personalities. They need to see that on your video! I wanted them to know that even though I was morbidly obese I was up to the challenge of the crazy competitions and workouts – so I threw on a bunch of clips from my different youth group activities; me getting slimed, snowtubing, playing paintball, screaming at events, being on stage, running around … you get the idea. Other contestants did things appropriate to their lives; Tim from Oregon had himself spinning out on his Harley, Tim from Delaware recruited his elementary school class to do things with him, Heather Hanson filmed herself running around in a sports bra all day doing her household chores and errands. The less talking and more action you can have, the better (in my opinion)!
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If you have footage or photos of yourself thin, include those at some point on the video. If you can show them what your after will be, then do it!
Remember, enjoy the conversation here and know that I will never compromise your anonymity – not to NBC, 3Ball, Casting Directors or anyone. You can post anonymously, or you can leave your names and contact information … just remember that NBC likes to be the one announcing their cast for the show, so if you start identifying yourself publicly as a finalist, you’ll probably find yourself eliminated from the casting process. Be aware that casting directors do check in at my blog to see what people are saying, get a feel for what questions are going on out there, and sometimes to give us updates. Good luck to everyone … and let me know if you make the show! I get a kick out of hearing about the different contestants that have hung out on my blog before making the show! 
I'm Matthew, and you've found my blog! I'm married to Heather, a father of four boys, the Youth Pastor at Brandywine Valley Baptist Church, and former contestant on NBC's Biggest Loser.
@Big Fat Guy —> I am a newbie…
It sounds that there are many here that have had CB from SV or CC.
On CC do they call you that night or do you get a slip after your group table chats?
I realize I am not Big Fat Guy (and I’ve never got a CB), but I recently saw this posted on “BiggestLoserCasting”‘s facebook page.
“Coming to a casting call? Please read this info sheet! Going to casting call from out of town? Usually callback phone calls are made by 10pm but occasionally we may call by Monday. We try our best to book callback interviewees from more than 5+ hrs away on Sunday whenever possible but it varies”
Info Sheet (royal blue in color and posted yesterday, Wednesday) is on their facebook page for all to see. You may want to check it out.
Sorry, I forgot I could post the link.
https://www.facebook.com/BiggestLoserCasting?sk=wall&filter=1#!/BiggestLoserCasting?sk=wall&filter=1
Hi there,
I’ve been lurking since the end of last year, just trying to learn as much as I can about the process. I really appreciate all of the information everyone is willing to share.
I will be at the Atlanta casting call!
I have a question. So, I pre-registered a couple of days ago, but I didn’t get confirmation email or anything afterwards. Is that normal? Should I have gotten something?
Thanks!
They will go look at your Facebook page to see more of who you are. As for the rest, if you progress to sequester you will receive a list of things you need to bring with you. I don’t know how they decide who gets what color. You are going there to change your life, so I don’t think you can make food request, but if your doctor has you on some kind of restrictions (like no salt) that will be included in your drs note. I hope that helps.
It took about a week to get mine. There is just alot of people registering at the same time.
No, but I should have…lol
I’ve made it as far as you can W/O going to Finals Week. For my CC, I was literally the last table seen(My personal stategy); and we left at 6pm. I was eating Pizza out w/ my family when I got the call; it was about 8:00 that same evening.
The stipend they give you can be used on Toiletries and the rest sent home, or whatever you want to do with it.
Shirts, shoes, and all outer clothes are covered, unless you need to wear regular clothes for whatever reason. I’m pretty sure you have to take care of your own under and NO Commando allowed!
Showing youre crazy is probably ok, showing youre nuts, is not….lol
*Underwear….Damn I wish they had an edit feature on this…
Try registering again; if it doesnt let you youre in, if it does, youre forst one didnt take.
Kinda like “Balzie”. I can do the gangster accent. May have to use that one.
Not boring. Wow. Loved that one. I know it was probably quite the situation while you were in the thick of things, but man. What memories. Glad you guys are okay.
If you are what they need for that season, they call back usually that night to let you know about your interview. Getting an interview, like my fellow hopefuls can tell you, does not meant that you will get instructions for the video. Be yourself, don’t stress over “the process” and stay positive. By admitting you need the help with your weight loss, you are taking the first steps toward the rest of your life.
Wow sorry I’ve been gone! I’ve edited all the charts and everything. BFG that’s an AMAZING story!! Must have been so cool. Tempted, I’m sorry about your pinched nerve. My father got in a car crash and also has a pinched nerve. He’s alright, and it isn’t very bad. He just goes to his chiropractor a few times a week. Anonymous, I hope you get better.
Quikwits, I talked to the ladies about their diet. It’s called the “HCG diet.” You can read about it, and you can buy a kit at Wallgreens.
Now I just had remembered something that happened about 6 months ago I believe. And everyone (including myself) forgot about it. Two of you on here are the same person, but I can’t remember which two :/. I think it was PI and BFG..? Oh well. We’ll find out soon enough
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I am anonymously the same person lol
I just meant the questions are a little different. Without looking to specifically quote I can’t remember why I thought they could be leading in a different direction! But, I feel quite certain several of the questions are different than in years past!
UnderWhere?
Did I miss something or do you have an earlier post, that may be being delayed, while waiting for moderation?
Just asking…
I know it isn’t you
.
Hello
It’s not me either
Nope, not you either then
.
can they access private facebook pages?… hahaha how did you strategize for last table? HAHA DID YOU wait in your car to make sure you were lat.. lurking from the drivers seat?!!? how many actual crew show up to each city?!..anyone wanna run us through the inside scoop of the cc process.. i get the basics.. line up fill out their application… goto the table get questioned with all other nervous recks & try to talk …..anything else we should know?! what do most people wear… i understand “dress to impress”..but really…should i be in heels nylons & full makeup?
It’s not me. As I stated recently, I am definitely female and BFG, well, I would say is a guy (and a Big Fat one, as he puts it).
You may want to take another stab at it…
probably not if you’re a guy! jk
I’ll leave it to BFG to explain himself getting at the last table. He has a whole strategy and I’m hoping he may have it all written out (on his computer) that he can just copy and paste.
I am only one person, as there are no multiple personalities here.
Ok weigh in. I knew it would not be as much as last week.
11.2-8.8= 2.4 pounds this week
You are gonna be in line a looong time. I would suggest some thing more comfortable than nylons and heels. I always wear a sundress and sandals.
Only 1lb down this week.
If we are still doing BFG’s challenge I scored 36 points this week. Mostly swimming points.
I start treatment on my foot on Monday. It’s doing a lot better. I will seea chiro who specializes in active release therapy and graston.
It’s not me…although I was tempted to let the suspicion ride a bit further…lol
I think youre referring to the Girl that got on The Revolution. She had two names which I can’t remember. I only know her by her real name; in fact I texted her yesterday. Was it DTK(Dying to Know?).
Only if they are comfortable…and youre female…
I am going to the casting call in Atlanta and I was wandering if you could tell me if I still need to make a DVD? Also what should I expect other then a long wait? Like I am trying to read up on the advice and I noticed it said something about sitting a group of at the table and asking them questions and the importance of being able to be noticed without being rude could you tell me more about how this process works? I am wicked nervous but I have a super big personality I mean I sing and dance in front of others for fun dress up as a cheerleader for football games ect. and I just want to show the CD’s that.
LOL!!!!!
I was told by a CD to dress as you would on a first date. I always go casual but cleaned up. I wore some nice jeans and made sure I combed my hair!
I’m not so sure the CC is the time to show THAT much personality! Be yourself…. the way to stand out is not by showing off, but by being yourself. If you get a callback or make a video you can show yourself singing and dressing up, but I think you would just come across as annoying at a CC. Just MY OPINION…..
Weighed in = up 2.2
Sorry, but lack of exercise with this sciatic nerve issue is making me bloat. Going to the doc again next week to see if there is something more I can do to get past this pain….
Well what I remembered happening was that one person was pretending to be 2 different people. No it wasn’t DTK. Because all of a sudden two users ended up with the same avatar. Which can only happen by having the same email. So one person was pretending to be 2 people all along.
Congrats on your weight losses this week. Tempted, it’ll get better
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Weight loss this week…wait for it….wait for it…
17 pounds!!!
MMMM HMMM…no typo there!
.. Lost only 1.4 this week… No points.. Major Slacker …
QUIKWITS! CONGRATULATIONS! We have this week’s Biggest Loser
!
OSF, it’ll get easier. It’s OK
. At least it’s not a plus (sorry Tempted.. Just want to reassure him).
anyone ever have braces on BL?!. What questions do they ask for at the first CC )table group interview)
WOW!!! Did you do anything special for that?
QW how’d you do it? Colonics?
I hear people get skinny on crack, but as Whitney would say, crack is whack.
I would love to hit that mark in a week…but fat chance of that happening.
You rocked it this week.
I have been reading a lot about the benefits (not just weight loss) of water fasting. So I tried it. Was not hungry at all- but had withdrawl headaches day 2 and 3. I did eat something yesterday, but I am going to try again.
If you do research- you will find that water fasting is great not only for weight loss of course, but to get ride of migraines, asthma, fibroids, even some tumors, etc.
I did not exercise at all, as the recommend rest.
They’ve asked things in the past like…
What would you do if you lost weight?
Why do you think you haven’t lost weight?
How would your life be different if you lost weight?
What’s something fun or unique about you.
Quikwits, I did find out about that diet. It’s called the HCG diet and you can Google it and buy the kit at Wallgreens
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Thanks for the info supercyber
COPY CAT!
Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, I was first.
I guess great minds think alike.
“Should have been a PI says:
June 9, 2012 at 4:48 am
probably not if you’re a guy! jk
I’ll leave it to BFG to explain himself getting at the last table. He has a whole strategy and I’m hoping he may have it all written out (on his computer) that he can just copy and paste.”
Don’t forget the video chat with the casting directors today at 5:30 pst. The link is on The biggest loser casting Facebook page. I’ll be tuning in. Anyone else?
what do they do when they fly you to LA for a week if you make it as a finalist?
Biggest Loser Casting shared a link on their facebook page
June 6
We will be doing a LIVE Video Chat on Monday, June 11th at 5:30pm (PST). If you cannot watch it LIVE then we will be recording it so that you can view it later! We will be answering YOUR questions. NO WEBCAM NEEDED! You will see us on video and you will type your questions to us on the LIVE feed. You may need to log in so be sure and visit the site ahead of time and get familiar with it! The chat will happen at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/BLCastingTeam – See you there.