Biggest Loser / Diet / Entertainment / Jillian Michaels / Weight Loss

Biggest Loser Casting Tips (season 8, page 3)

Matthew McNutt790 Comments

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Okay, casting is well on it’s way for season eight of Biggest Loser.  I’m reposting this entry to enable people to continue the conversation started here.  As you can see by the title, this is actually page three; page two is here.  There’s over a couple thousand comments worth of ideas, notes, and other information, including casting directors, and former contestants (other than myself) on each of those pages, so if you have some time it’s worth exploring.  Here are the vital links:

  • NBC has posted casting information and the application here.
  • Pete Thomas, the season 2 $100,000 winner has some of the best casting call advice out there, which you can find at www.WinningMan.com.
  • Jen Kerns, a season three contestant like myself, and a doctor for the show for seasons four and five, has also put together some fantastic casting advice that you can read here.
  • My original casting tips post with over a thousand comments worth of discussion, click here.  Stacy, Adam, Phil, Amy and Coleen were all reading and posting in the discussion there – it’s fun to look back and realize they were some of the superstars of season six!
  • My second post (fairly identical to this one), with well over two thousand comments worth of discussion, click 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!

  • 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!
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)!
  • 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.  Good luck to everyone … and let me know if you make the show!  Pete Thomas has more contestants on season seven than I did and I’m bitter!  😉

790 thoughts on “Biggest Loser Casting Tips (season 8, page 3)”

  1. Oh yeah, I also agree with the order of eliminated players. I like Ron, but I think it's time for him to go. As for the Eliminated contestants coming back, I would love to see either Daniel or Carla return to the ranch. But NOOOOOO David or Joelle.

    As for the whole thing with Filipe. I can understand him being upset that Jillian didn't work with him, but to act like that…..come on now. I did see somewhere (I forget where though) a picture of Jillian and Filipe talking. So IMO, I think they did talk about what happened, but was never aired. I love both trainers.

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  2. Applied Again- I have not heard that there will be 4 teams but that is what I have been thinking for a long time. With the whole fattest city theme I was thinking they will have the North, South, East and West as teams going against each other. This way America will not only be inspired by individuals but by the team that is representing their region as well.

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  3. sherri_pie: I think we're in the minority! Everybody seems to love her. And I usually LOVE the strong woman who can kick everyone's butts but I also appreciate people who care about others, who have a positive attitude, who don't think they are better than others just because they are stronger, that don't roll their eyes every 2 seconds and look irritated all the time, someone who is confident in their strength and doesn't always have to 'prove' something, and someone that will sincerely be happy for others when they aren't #1.

    Oh – and like I said yesterday she is not genuine! She did not vote for Aubrey to honor Mandi. She did it because Filipe is the bigger threat – so just say that. And she didn't vote to keep Joelle for Joelle's sake like she said, as she was all choked up, she did it because she knew it was smarter to keep Joelle.

    Those of you feeling sorry for her – just remember, you reap what you sow. And your attitude goes a LONG way in how other people treat you.

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  4. I am also hoping that Carla gets to come back on..I feel like she was robbed by that sorry friend of hers Joelle..

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  5. sherri_pie: Again, I agree with you on that one! I'm so eager to see who wins the $100,000 prize for the at home contestants!!

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  6. Hey There BL Hopefuls!

    I just wanted to drop in with my weekly word of encouragement. I hope those who are out of the process have started making healthy choices and changing your lives for the better, remember that there is ALWAYS a tomorrow but you only get one chance at today.

    In regards to the current season.. I gotta give my 2 cents.

    Tara – EVERY season there is one female who really just rocks it out. Tara is obviously this season's Kae Whang, or Michelle Aguilar, or even Suzie-Preston Hoover. Now, do you see a difference between these four women? Obviously it comes down to the personality differences. If Tara were quiet and somewhat timid she would be seen as less of a threat and praised more for her work. Instead she is a VERY type A personality who is not afraid to speak her mind, and suddenly she is a target. But, I have a STRONG feeling that she will make the finale.

    Ron – Male.. Vickie.. 'nough said.

    Filipe and Sione – This season's Jim and Bill!

    Helen – This season's sleeper.

    Kristin – If she can get the overall weight down before the finale she could EASILY win it all. There are some advantages to starting out bigger.

    Mikey – He seriously looks like Nathan Scott from One Tree Hill. I love this kid, seriously, good work ethic, humble, honest, and funny. I HOPE he wins.

    Laura – This season's victim of editing, IMO.

    And.. who do I think will come back next week?

    DANIEL! End of story.

    Keep rocking it out BL peeps. For those who make it this season, you better bring it!

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  7. I am not knocking Tara I think she is a fierce individual..I just think her attitude needs to be checked…In the beginning I loved her and wanted her to go all the way but as the show has progressed I just think she has a "I am better than you" attitude…

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  8. Last comment on my view of contestants =)

    There's a big difference between being 'timid' and being 'nice'. You can be a strong opinionated woman and not be rude. I'm like one of the most opinionated people in the world and I am never afraid to speak my mind. But I can do it without alienating people. There's a way to speak your mind without giving non-verbal cues that you think everyone else is stupid. When you are talking to, or about others, and you sigh and roll your eyes then you are being rude and not just being a strong, opinionated female.

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  9. Jay Baby, interesting thought on the 4 regions. But it seems that most of the fat cities were in the South? I guess they could put some of them in the East (they are South East). How do you think they would set it up? I have often wondered what the twist would be.

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  10. I always look forward to the Finales..Cant wait to see who wins it all..If I dont get a call back by next week than I will start my weight loss journey on my own…

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  12. sherri_pie,

    I felt the opposite. In the beginning I wasn't big on Tara but as the season progressed I saw where her motivation was coming from. Being New York Italian automatically gives her a large "I'm not mousy" attitude. I think it's not so much that she thinks she's better than anyone but rather it's more she's very focused and determined. Watch the bonus footage on NBC each week. It helps give better insight.

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  13. Totally not bashing on the South- I love the South very much (especially the food and the people). Just looking at the cities on the list and most of them are Southern cities that is all.

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  14. All I gotta say about this season is this "Well behaved women rarely make history." hahahahah you know what I'm saying people? Do you hear me?

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  15. That's a good point TBone – but Krisitn beat Tara last episode when it came time for history making =)

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  16. TBone- there is a store called Junk Gypsies in Nashville and they have a website too. They sell several shirts with that saying on them about well behaved women. I love the saying. I will say though if you are like me (big but beautiful) the shirts look more like onsies than XL's for adult women!

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  17. McF,

    Why did you post that 3 times?

    Jay Baby,

    We were told at my CC that an idea being thrown around by NBC was doing a singles (8) versus couples (9). And that that could mean 4 teams on campus hence the need for one or two more trainers.

    Now the way I think that might play out is that they're taped simultaneously separately but that the challenges and weigh-ins would be together. That way they'd get two seasons taped at the same time. It could be one reason why they're casting singles and individuals as well as the trainers and why the deadline was extended.

    Again, I am speculating.

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  19. Hmmmmm…… I'm talking attitude not bottom line. Ha! They both did fantastic in that category!

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  22. Applied Again—Well I will watch go and watch the extra scenes…I am usually very opened minded..It is very hard for someone to turn me off..I want to route for her because I see how driven she is but she just comes off as kindove conceited..

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  23. Hey ya'll! I hope you're all doing great!

    Welcome back McFatty! Glad to "see" ya! I always look forward to your posts!

    I don't know about all the negativity. I can't stay on long enough to read all the posts, so I usually scroll up a bit at the bottom and read.

    I agree with you about Tara and Jillian. I'd go straight for Jillian too, although I'd love Bob silently from afar…

    I really like Kristin. I didn't like Tara at the beginning but she's really grown on me. I love her drive and determination to take what makes her feel horrible and change it to her advantage. And I loved that Laura stepped up and helped cheer her up in this week's episode. It was about time that Laura helped Tara because Tara had been helping her so much in the earlier episodes.

    I wonder what happened to all the people who were on here posting last year for Season 7! That was a great group of people who really supported each other! Give us a shout out if you're lurking around…

    I hope Daniel gets to come back on campus. I also hope that Joelle or Carla get to come back. If Joelle gets to come back it will show that she DID learn while she was on the campus. That would be great!

    Allison Sweeney just tweeted last Saturday that the finalists went home, so it seems like filming lasted almost a month longer than the 5 months we were told last summer at the casting calls.

    Hope ya'll have a great day!
    ~Christi

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  24. I agree that Tara is not perfact but that goes for all of us. The negative comments about tara is all in your own minds she is was she is and she spoke it out. It was how she was feeling about it at the time. I dont think she was trying to make people feel less she was just speaking the truth however that may sound it was the truth. If Laura had a problem with that she could have said something to her in private. I dont know it is just my opion. Jillian is a strong woman to and she speaks her mind. Its not alway the way people want to her it. I like strong people because it brings the strong out of me.

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  25. Applied Again- I don't understand. Couples vs singles? What would be the point or the message behind that?

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  27. Why are people hating on Tara? She is just a tough New Yorker who is determined and who also happens to win everything. I dunno… when I watch her side interviews I don't see the negative. What I do see is the rest of them ganging up on her because she is a fierce competitor and a huge threat and she took it personal. How would you feel if you were in her shoes? I know if I was backed into a corner, I would claw my way out. But, to each his/her own.

    Regarding the fattest cities… I was told by my CD that they are not doing the fattest cities. Just to squash that theory. It's just an extra "trainer or 2" to add to the season. But, who the heck knows lol. Who cares really? I just want my season to be interesting 😉

    Hope you all are having a good week 🙂 Remember patience is key!

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  28. Realhopeful-I think the key reguarding couples vs. singles is what you said you want the season to me interesting. I am sure thats what the producers are thinking. They are thinking of ways to make it that way.

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  30. Maybe it would be because of the whole couple vs single discussion that was on the message boards– how having family who were your enablers can hinder the process. People thought the singles did well and bonded well together because they didn't have someone to cling to already. IDK, just throwing out what was said to me by my CD at the CC. My CD had just gotten off the phone with the boss right before my CD said that.

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  31. don't worry RealHopeful, our season will be interesting. 🙂 how could it not be with us on it, haha.

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  32. Well last year my son and I did the biggest loser at the health club for 3 months he lost 50lbs. I lost 9lbs the first month and then he was upset because I was not doing what i was suppose to so the next two months I lost 41 lbs. for him so we could win as a team. We won! Then when they did it again he had already lost another 50lbs so he didnt need to lose anymore so I did the biggest 2 more times and slacked off again. My son was my motivater. I was his enabler and now he looks so great and is keeping it off. I have gained almost all of it back. I applying for the show because now its time for me to get with it as a single. Self distruction is so bad!!! I was real upset last season with Vickie because she said she didnt have an emotional problem with overeating that is stuppid because to eat that much and sit on your backside you there is a problem. I have a problem and I know it. Emotions play a big part. I wonder if they have counclers on hand at the ranch! lol I will probably need it! No denial for me.

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  33. Maybe it's just me but I've never been a fan of all of the twists anway. Espically the one this season. It was kind of cruel to me. I feel like Nicole didn't get a fair shot at all. I'm personally routing for her and Carla to get back on the ranch.
    Do you guys like the "BIG" season when they had 50 people on the show? I didn't really watch it then but was it hard to get conected with the contestants due to there being so many of them? Id be thankful to get on the ranch by any means but if I had my choice I'd prefer not to have to compete against 49 people. I like the family oriented feeling of the smaller groups.

    One more question- sorry for all of the questions/ideas. Earlier somone said that they think the person who loses the least amount or gains the weight should go home and that made me think. When women are on their monthly they tend to retain water and weigh more. Do you guys think tat is considered in the weigh ins?

    Okay Okay I'm done now.

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  34. So it's kindof a thing now to let every one know what's for lunch or dinner….. it's cool here so I'm eating chili and tostitos. For some reason I've been soooo hungry today. Can't stop eating! urrr.

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  35. I think the more the better on the show. Gives more chances,, effects more lives, get's more people to watch… I like the idea of lots of people.

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  36. Off topic, but I have to vent my frusteration with the USPS!

    I sent my video package Monday with signature confirmation. I've been tracking it and it made it to San Diego in a day, then 12 hours later, it says that the package was "missent". That the problem has been corrected and they're making every effort to get the package to its destination in a timely manner. There has been no new processing information in 24 flipping hours! I'm agrivated and quickly becoming angrrrryyy!!!

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  37. I dont know what happened but when my son yelled at me because I effected him and winning I became like mama bear and worked out a lot and ate only what I needed. I found the motivation for him. Now I need to find it for me.

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  40. Hello all…
    Been lurking on here for a couple of weeks… loving all the tips I have gotten. I sent my video off last week. Crossing my fingers!

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  41. Simplyme – oppps I hit enter too soon.
    Haaaa haaaa that's funny you don't even remember her becasue she never got a chance. Nicole is Damien's fiance' from the red team.

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  43. Simplyme…I too hope they address the emotional aspect of weight loss. It is absolutely essential.

    Can any of you honestly say that your eating has no emotional ties? I KNOW it is a huge (pardon the pun) factor in my weight gain and eating. I can literally name as many reasons why I eat as I have fingers and toes.
    Losing weight is great, but until an emotional eater gets at the root of the problem, there is no way to combat gaining weight back. Believe me, I have first hand knowledge of this!
    Now is a particularily bad time for me in that respect and am using food to cope. Ugh! I so need help!!

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  44. running late….. Send a copy of the video that got "missent" today. You've got until the April 3 or 4 date that's posted on the NBC page of the BL! Go now… run and don't be late!

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  45. oh and…simplyme-I totally agree with the need for you to do this for YOU. You have a very realistic and healthy view of what you need and I know once that switch is flipped in you, there is no stopping what you can accomplish! Go for it!

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  46. FancyFace here! Lots of talk today about Tara and her personality. IMO, she does have a little chip on her shoulder, but DANG who wouldn't when you crush the competition every week. She is the dominator! I guess she could use a little humble pie and not celebrate so much in front of the others? I like her though.

    I don't see how the couples vs. singles would work. Obviously, the couples team would lose more weight than the single person would – UNLESSSSSSSSSSS the couple would have to chose between themselves who would weigh in for that week. It would be a gamble. Then what would the singles have to do? That's a toughie!

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  47. Jay Baby – funny I was wondering the same thing… and when you said Damien I thought to myself "wasn't that last season?"… I looked it up…. wow how soon we forget…. LOL

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  48. Then at elimination, it would be the couple going home together, not just one going and one staying. Hmmm…it's kinda starting to make sense if you look at it from different angles. Anyone else have ideas for the couple/singles thing being tossed around?

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  49. Thanks Jay Baby! It made me laugh the first time I said it…
    I wonder if they do the couples vs singles idea if it is to prove that it helps to have a buddy. I hope they cast a lot of contestants this season so that we all would have a better chance of getting to the ranch! I am obsessed with the thought of getting there… my friends say that I am talking as if I already have my plane ticket to go. LOL! Just a positive thinker… :0)

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  50. Jaybaby- I am sorry I did forget about her. I forgot her name as well lol.

    I like jillian because she seems to address that with her contestants. Its that female aspect of it I guess.

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