*** EDIT *** I’ve closed the comments on this thread because it was just getting too huge; if you want to post questions or comments, do so on my Updated Biggest Loser Casting Tips page!
It’s that time of year again … the Biggest Loser is casting, which means I get lots of emails asking for advice on making a video for the application! 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 frontload 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 editting 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 editting for a living. In fact, it can distract from who you are. I’m a video editting 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 descibing 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 Deleware 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!
There’s probably other things to say, but that’s all I can think of at the moment! If you have other questions, post ’em here and I’ll add it to the list! Good luck!
*** EDIT *** I’ve closed the comments on this thread because it was just getting too huge; if you want to post questions or comments, do so on my Updated Biggest Loser Casting Tips page!
1,067 responses to “Biggest Loser casting tips”
(singing to the tune of Dolly Parton's Jolene)
Leroy, leroy, leeerooooy, leeeeerroooooyyy
Im begging of you please don’t leave us now
Leroy, leroy, leeerooooooooy, leeeeerroooooyyy
Please dont leave us just because you can
Your witty posts are beyond compare
With charm you let us know you care
The goofiest grin I think we’ve ever seen
Your words are like a breath of spring
Your advice we take you are our KING
And we cannot compete without you, Leroy
He sings the song while in his sleep
His Polaroid is up for keeps
We’ll cry for you when they call your name, Leroy
And we can easily understand
How they could pick this strong strong man
But now we dont know where you are, Leroy
Leroy, leroy, leroy, leeeeerroooooyyy
Im begging of you please dont stop your posts
Leroy, leroy, leroy, leeeeerroooooyyy
Please dont fade away because you can
They could have their choice of men
But we can only hope you win
You are the only one for us, Leroy
I had to have this talk with you
Our happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Leroy
Leroy, leroy, leroy, leeeeerroooooyyy
We’re begging of you please come back to us
Leroy, leroy, leroy, leeeeerroooooyyy
Please dont leave us even though you can
Leroy…leroy….
Wow … lol.
i think walter either is leroy … or is in love with leroy. that's awesome.
Leroy–if you come back, then i'll cast you in MI IV …
Leroy, if you come back, you can Mr., in Mr. and Mrs. Smith II.
Seriously, I am done, here is why, reality should start sinking in now! (This is real, got it this afternoon. I know most of you will not get this sort of email but I figured I should share!
Hi ********. I’m afraid I have bad news. The producers did not select you guys as finalists for the show. I have no idea why, all I could find out was that it was a no for this season. All of the puzzle pieces have to fit into place and we just never know why the producers make the decisions they do. I’m so sorry. I know you both gave up a lot to do this and I know this really sucks because your brother took off school, etc.
I wish I had better news. Thank you so much for your interest in the show and for putting yourselves out there like that, being willing to give it your all, etc. I hope you both reach your goals and I wish you nothing but the best.
Take Care and Good Luck with everything you do,
*******
Ms. **********, Casting Director
3Ball Productions
THE BIGGEST LOSER SEASON 6
Hey, Thanks for everything! I mean that. I will be watching but I am going to go on and accomplish my weight loss goals on my own. This experience has been a cool one to say the least. At least me and my brother spent some time alone in the process and you cannot put a price on that. If you can, thank ******,*****,*****for all of their hard work.
Grace and Peace!
Will do, and our apologies to your brother for all he had to give up L We hate getting attached to people and then them not making the show. All the best to you guys!
Good bye everyone! thanks for the memories.
Jheron
Ah, leroy–i'm sorry man, i really am bummed for you. I honestly love your enthusiasm for the show, God and life. Thank you for being you. Please let us know about how your weight loss goals go–I'll be rooting for you.
God Bless,
Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, BobsBigBoy, So Motivated (formerly So Sad) and Ryanne.
Hey Leroy, By any chance ar eyou from West MI? Perhaps go to Mars Hill? You have closed out a couple messagesnow using "grace and peace" and you previously mentioned being from the midwest. Jsut curious!! If so…I am also from W Mi…perhaps we could work together on our goals!
Jheron aka leroy, you have been such a motivating force. I recommend you create a blog and talk about your weight loss journey, it's not only inspirational and fun, it helps you stay focused on the road to accomplishment. i'm posting a link to my blog and i would hope that you would at least stop by from time to time and feed me bits of wisdom, as you've done here. i have been giong through casting as well and gained back almost everything i had lost in hopes of having an advantage over the guys…brilliant, right? anyway, please stop by and say hello, and that goes for everyone else on here. i've been communicating with you all under an alias and maybe soon i'll reveal who i comment as.
http://soon2bhottie.typepad.com/
wow, leroy/jheron if you really did get that message, i don't know what to say.
if that message is true, then at least you have some closure, as matt mentioned. those of us who go on not hearing anything will always somehow wonder.
i agree with larissa make a blog so we can support you man!
thanks matt for the WOW! my goofy head is always thinking outside the box!
when i saw so many saying, leroy, leeerorrooooy, that song just popped into my head…no doubt still fresh from AI night. so matt, you never did answer, did you get a call or an email? thanks
Thats strange that ler0y w0uld get that email when they havent even made the final decisi0n yet. Very 0dd
Good morning!! YES! It's Saturday, and also game day! 🙂
I've been following the book since I bought it on Tuesday. While I've not been following it 100% to the T, I've been following it pretty closely. Over the past 4 days, I have been able to lose 1.2 pounds per day (averaging it out). The book is awesome and full of SO much information, it's insane. So, if you don't make the show and are serious about losing the weight, the book is the way to go. And, I'm Nerdy Jock, who HATES to read books, because of the computer and movies…but, this book is easy to read and full of good stuff.
Thank you Matt (and Beth)!!!
SO! Any casting news from yesterday? Calls, emails, and anxieties? LJ, I'm very sorry you didn't make the show…maybe we could all lose the weight together and then I could "steal" some air time from the company I work at…then make our own show or infomercial…LOL 🙂 Peace and grace are yours…the rest is up to you to take…
JD
O.k. so now I am the bad guy because I shared something that may or may not mean anything? Please remember that I am in the same boat as all of you and I am just trying to analyze my chances. All I said is that something was handwritten on my paper. For I all know that could be someones own jibberish notes to themselves. How would I know if that is a code? Do you think it is a code? If so, maybe that explains why you are acting out on me.
So Yoyoyo you think he made it and is covering his tracks?
Nice job JD.
Knock On–Rock on! Some people get a but uptight about it all.
By the way, thanks for making me the feel like I am the last kids standing to be picked for a team in PE class. Yea, I really enjoyed that. Story of my life.
Ahhh, Thank you So Motivated, finally, someone who is kind and motivating to others! Just for your nice warm fuzzy, I hope you get on the show!
i kinda don't think leroy is messing around because he finally gave us his real name, unless of course, it's another alias…gong, gong, gong!!!
Hey Knock On Wood – Keep your head up! I have a question though, did the CD say what "Christmas Package" meant? Did they mention it at all?
Beth- thanks for adding me to your myspace!! Any other Myspace people here?
🙂
my myspace is myspace.com/larissamdiaz
my myspace is myspace.com/candirose1
I actually dont believe a w0rd 0f what leroy says and i d0nt believe that email is real. I dnt believe he would post that on here. And that is m0st likely n0t his real name. He will be back 0ne way 0r an0ther
Jheron aka Leroy Jenkins I haven't posted in a while but have been reading all the posts I was rooting for you you are such an inspiration I hope you start a blog.
I also ordered the book everyone has been talking about Where Did All the Fat Go? from amazon.com and can't wait to get it take care everyone Christina
Hey just an ideal we could start a blog for those who were not chosen and try to help us with weight loss just an ideal
Did anyone send an e-mail answering a craigslist add to dmcasting08@yahoo.com and get a response back?
Like Argh said on April 3…anyone could post an add and I'm just wondering if anyone found this address to be legitimate? Thanks!
I responded and sent pics of me and my sisters and got a call within an hour but since I had already tried out with my husband apparently I am "assigned" to a different CD so she told me she would forward everything to her and since then I haven't heard anything. Maybe they are saving us for season 7 (fingers crossed).
anyone here from W. MI aka Grand Rapids?
I would doubt anything on Craigslist – doesn't really seem like the way they would go about it. I had emailed one of the few remaining producers about the family thing the other week just because I was curious if it was actually true – but I don't want to get in the habit of asking them stuff all the time because then they'll get sick of me! lol
matt, can you tell us if you got a phone call or an email when you found out you were going to be a finalist? or is that something you aren't supposed to share?
thanks man
In general, good news comes over the phone and bad news comes through email … or not at all. : (
matt, do you even know how much just being YOU is making a difference in so many other people's lives?
thanks for giving of yourself unconditionally.
I can imagine God is smiling from heaven.
Hear! Hear! I was actually thinking about this earlier and thought I would write a note to you Matt about how you have been for at LEAST me…but then I decided I should go for a walk first.
SO Matt…in case you ever forget the impact that you have here is how you have impacted me. In my opinion…
Matthew McNUtt is encouraging, giving, selfless, powerful, influential, vulnerable, accesible, responsive, honest, disciplined, committed, loving, available, willing, genuine, kind, hilarious and INSPIRING. I always feel valued and encouraged. Watching your journey makes me believe all things truly are possible and that it only takes one small choice at a time. ANd somehow you have the corner market on time!! But most importantly, you always point everything back to Christ and glorifying Him through all that you do and all of who you are! So Thank You!!
Fingers Crossed, No, she did not verbally say any thing about it.
Matt, I like you, You are cool. But I half agree with you about the Craigslist. That is how I got my audition, but you are right, it could be fraud. But I believe they do have to pay to post now which would cut down on that sort of thing.
You guys are making me blush!
Again, my real name is Jheron. My email was real. I did not make the show so I have nothing to hide. I went to the Columbus casting call and I saw the interest from the CD. I got a call that night. Did the call back on Tuesday and starting getting emails. Sent in all of the info. Found out it was a family show. Got my brother on board, they had us do another call back in Detroit where I met Pete from Season (awesome guy) and had the interview with 2 other casting directors. Stayed in pretty good contact but got the email I posted on Friday after calling to see what was up?
Again, my name is Jheron, and I am going to do this without the biggest loser but with Where did all the fat go!
No more craziness, just Jheron not Leroy. I made up that name after a snow day showed Leroy Jenkins Church closed.
I am not devistated that I did not make the show, I am relieved that I got feedback. My CD was a human and we made a human connection. If I know I didn't make it, made one of you knows you did, who knows.
God bless, Grace and Peace
Jheron and that is my real name.
Listen Leroy (I feel like i dont know Jheron or even how to pronounce it so i'm sticking with Leroy, Church is Closed, Jenkins). Anyway, i'm doing my darndest over here–but i just can't believe you. I guess I'll be watching the first episode so intently–seeing if i see any piece of you on the show!
Do you think they'll be sending everyone a closure email–or just the ones that do Varsity's at the auditions (still have no idea what those are, by the way).
Jheron…were you by chance one of the ones starting the "wave" at the Detroit casting call??
Hey Leroy…(Jheron just isn't who I know. 😉 )
I'm so sorry you didn't make it…
I am glad you have closure to this chapter, but don't give up. Try again for Season 7, unless of course, you're already thin by then! 🙂
I'm doing the book too while I wait… "Where Did All the Fat Go" is AWESOME.
JD, you crack me up…
Ya'll keep in touch!
I can't wait to hear what happens on Friday! The dreaded "Day". 😉
Sooo..I just now ordered "where did all the fat go" for me and my sister…I cant wait to start reading it…I WILL BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY by the end of summer with or without the biggest loser.
I got the book "Where did all the fat go" and have been reading through it. This guy deserves a lot more credit.
Just so you know, I think the finalist were already in L.A. when the Detroit casting call happened. They were just trying to find a missing piece.
You think you know what is going on in reality world but trust me on this, you don't. The show must be protected at all costs. If that means that 1000 people stand in line during a snow storm in Detroit for casting calls that really don't mean anything, so be it.
I know for sure that I met the family of someone on this site at the call backs in Detroit. Only that person and I know who they are. I wonder if your family members made it through? I know you will never tell and we will only know when the show begins!
Well has every0ne given up hope…is any0ne waiting t0 still hear ab0ut being a finalist
I did not do the wave because I went to the columbus casting call. I ended up at the Detriot casting call because I did another call back interview with my Brother. That is when I met Pete from Season 2. He sat with us and prepared us for the call back.
Sorry, did not do the wave.
At my casting call:
So guy dressed as shrek (green face and head, and the outfit)
So girls played twister on the dance floor showing way to much, well lets just say keep America crack free, alright!
They had a 9.95 all you can eat buffet!
A 12.00 omlet bar
a dude with a big sun around his face? Seriously, lose the sun!
This big guy that did a varisty on the dance floor, oh wait, that was me!
This process wa just too much, and in the end I was not chosen. What can you say? I say get the Dr. H’s book, and do it on your own (with the support of friends and family of course)
There are tons of biggest loser contests all over the country and online, join one.
I have read so many people saying this was their last option. Reality check, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. There are other options. I would not do it but, surgery is the answer for some. Don’t just eat yourself too death, get some help. Write me if you are in Columbus or close. I will help you. I went online and signed up to take a Personal Trainer course. It will take me a while to lose the weight and learn the trade but I will help.
jheron.garrett@gmail.com
Hello! "Great website you have here".Very Helpful. I have decided to go on The Biggest Loser.. My public will LOVE me LOL.. 🙂 But how do you find out when the next casting call is.. For season 7? Any Idea.
Thanks for any help. God Bless
i still have FAITH! and HOPE and JOY!
i still have hope. let’s wait until the 9th…
I'm so diappointed that Season 7 is going to be couples as well. 🙁
I've been working out and losing weight on my own, but I really wanted to audition for an individuals season. I have nobody to audition with for either season 6 or 7.
The "friend" that I would audition with can't leave work, and she'd be driving ME crazy after a week anyway, much less the rest of America! I'd end up voting her off myself. LOL
My life is so boring. I remember Nicole from Season 4 and how she said over and over how she "loved every minute on campus" and I know that's how I would have been.
Mebbe I'm just having a little pity party here all by myself. I know I didn't have much of a chance to make it because so many people audition, but any chance was SOME chance yanno?
I just feel old and worn out and like I can't do this by myself. It would have been awesome to have the support and help of other fat people in that type of environment…where everyone is on the same page.
I've gotta keep believing that God is in control and will work everything out in HIS time. The problem is, I'm not on God's time, I'm on human time, and I feel like time is running out for me to ever get what I dream most about.
I wish you all the best in your endeavors to get on the show. If you're fortunate enough to be chosen, thank your partner daily, just because you have someone to support you. 🙂
That is one of the greatest blessings you'll ever have, so be sure to let them know often how much they mean to you.
Okay, pity party over, back to the real boring world of being me.
JD, I am proud of you for jumping on in with the book!!
I am still reading it. I just CANNOT seem to wake up at 5am for exercise.
I am SOOOO not a morning person. It physically HURTS for me to work out that early.
How on earth are you doing it?
Does it really have to be 5am? Why nto 10 am and then again in the evening??? LOL
Beth…ever heard of…um…rabbit food? 🙂 No, seriously. Eating a lot of salads, chicken, fish, whole grain wheat bread (sometimes toasted with cream cheese), brown rice, yogurts, All Bran cereal with yogurt bites (fiber content), eggs, etc.
There are TONS of recipes both online and in the biggest loser books. I haven't gotten to a point where I see any in the book yet, but the biggest thing the book talks about is measuring the amount of calories that are being consumed, versus the amount of calories that are being burned, and trying to create a deficit. It's not easy, and requires a bit of discipline, but I'm sticking to the 1400-1800 recommended and then exercising to create the deficit. I get up at 5 AM and leave by 5:30-5:40 AM to be at work by 6:00 AM. So, if I am to work out, it has to be at night. The only problem with that is I sometimes have lessons in the afternoon/evening right after work. So, it's requiring quite a bit of effort and time management, you know, in other words….the effort is focused on NOT being lazy. LOL
If you notice in the book, it recommends working out 2 to 2.5 hours per day and only suggests you get up in the morning an hour earlier so that you can split up the two hours. From the way I understand it, this suggestion is based on the premise of someone who claims they do not have 2 hours in the afternoon/evening to spend working out contiguously. But, you gotta "start" some where, even an hour a day, in the afternoon is a start.
So…get to it Missy! No excuses… 😛
Craigslist is how I got VIP access and I'm still in the running as a finalist. However, I was Very hesitant to believe the Craigslist post until I was actually sitting in front of a CD. Just wanted to chime in on that one…
Oops, I just noticed I misspelled diSappointed in the previos post…not sure how to edit….
Now, no one shoot me when I say this. But I am not reading the book, "where did all the fat go" right now. I am simply counting calories, eatting lots of fruits and veggies, drinking a lot of water, and working our hard. I lost 6 pounds this week. I will probably buy the book soon because I think it has a lot of good information. Beth, I don't seem to be getting bored with my meals right now. For breakfast I usually have a small bagel, 4 strawberries, and 15 grapes. For lunch I have a south beach wrap meal because it is quick and easy. I'm usually on campus for lunch so I have to stick to easy stuff like this. I usually pack carrots or a fruit cup to eat along with it. For a snack I have 50 pretzels for 100 calories. For dinner I either have chicken, cooked various ways, porkchops, salad, salmon or what ever I feel like cooking. I really love this because it allows me freedom to eat different stuff as long as I am under 1500 calories. I hope this helps! Good luck to all!