Biggest Loser casting tips (season 10)

Casting has begun for season TEN of Biggest Loser. Can you imagine?  Here are some links with some great casting advice, followed by some of my own advice based on my experience getting on to season three of Biggest Loser (still the best season in my opinion!!!):

  • NBC has posted casting information and the application here.  You can download the application for season ten 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 reason 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!

  • 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. 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! ;)

5,783 thoughts on “Biggest Loser casting tips (season 10)

  1. get excited when they tell you to schedule an appt. with your primary care physician…then u know you were pitched.

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  2. @mountain dewd

    @SillyGal

    About being asked to gain weight:

    Well, how do I put this? I was told I was being pitched at a certain weight and since I am short and barely made the 100 pound requirement, it was going to be iffy. I was told I really stood out, they liked me a lot and the weight would be an issue. I was asked how much I was weighing at that moment and did I think this is about how much I would weigh by the April date that I would find out. So, I would be pitched at 210 pounds for a 5'2" gal. I told my very sweet CD what I weighed ( since I had lost wt. since making my video) and that I would weigh that by the date. People gain for TV and movies all of the time. I didn't think it was that big of a deal at the time. I do now since I didn't make it! haha It did hurt. I got all of my ducks in a row and was sure I was going! You just never know in Hollywood!

    So, now I am 189 pounds and with the 100 pound rule, I think I may stay out of BL. If Jillian's show gets picked up for another season, I will apply since it is only a 50 pounds to lose requirement for women. I have a max of 79 left to lose for my height. BL will not take me with only 80 to lose. I think if I was meant to go to BL, it would have happened.

    I really do appreciate all of the support I get here on the McNutt site. I wish we all lived near each other and we could make our own club and do this together. I am on my own here.

    One of my dreams (now don't laugh) is to lose weight and run the Disney 5K at Disneyland. THey have a whole weekend 5k/health fair thing and I would love to meet a group there and run it together. Then, we could all hang out at the Happiest Place On Earth…hahahaha

    =)

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  3. Oh yeah- I did gain the weight to get to weight at which I was being pitched (210). My video said I was 205. I had lost a little by the time I got called (April 1). My CD called and told me I was being pitched at 210. I am the one that told him I would be that ….after he asked if I could be that. He really wanted to get me cast, so he would do what he could. I would have done a lot at that moment to get to the ranch and I would have played the game the way they asked me to once I got to the ranch. I wanted it VERY BADLY!

    Just a note to all of the dreamers out there (like me): It is Hollywood. If you make it, don't think there will not be a game to play, acting to be done, retakes of real action to be done, etc…. Producers may ask you to focus on certain aspect of your personality. I know many people in "the business" and it is full of hoops to jump through. It may not change who you are and you will still get to lose the weight, and maybe win a prze or two (you get paid while you are there, too), etc… Just remember the whole Hollywood thing. You are being "CAST" for a "SHOW. " Do not be shocked at what you may see if you make it- or be sent home. Advertisers will not pay if the show is boring. Changes will be made at the last minute and hearts may get broken. You have to be willing to take what happens in the casting process with a grain of salt because the odds are against us all. I believed, I prayed, I thought positive thoughts, I read about "the Secret", etc…..I was willing to go the extra mile. I was deperate to lose the weight! I still am. I hate these extra pounds and I am tired of it running my life! I wish I would have been cast- but that was not in the cards…..

    BEST of luck to everyone!

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  4. <blockquote cite="#commentbody-30530">

    SillyGal :Talk about not wanting to give myself away!!! I almost signed the last post with my name!!! LOL

    OMG! That was soooo hillarious!!!! DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT!!!! DO THAT!!! LOL 😀 That would have been the end…

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  5. @dying to know

    The book and I rented the video. It is about visualiztion. I used to use it all of the time for sports and it helped me a lot. Also, feeling you deserve it and giving thanks for what you have.

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  6. Did my post re: the "show" sound b*t@hy? I didn't mean for that. I do that sometimes…sound that way, but not on purpose…I just have a strong personality. You know all of you strong women out there, we can sound that way when we are just matter-of-fact. LOL! hahahaha I first wrote "matter-of-fat"when typing…hahahaha….

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  7. You did not come off that way-I totally get where you're coming from-take Tracey for example, she was a lot kooky on the show no one liked her-but she was super sweet and sane at the casting calls, she didn't even seem like the same person, and she and Liz are best buddies-and they hated each other on the show-I know it's a game-but I'm willing to play to take off this 140 pounds-it's the weight loss lottery……

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  8. Took a long walk on the beach this evening with my girlfriend. Sure wish I didnt have to wait so long; There's gotta be a better way to do this. Soooo many people with soooo many high hopes and soooo few spaces to fill.

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  9. @call back confusion

    At least you know what you are getting into and have a good attitude. That's where I was- I wanted on the show so I could lose the weight that has weighed me down on so many levels.

    I wish you much luck! I will keep reading to see how far you get! If you get on, come back here when you get back and fill us in! =)

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  10. I'm a little discouraged today, my call back was before the 3 dates were added and I was told that I would get a call or email by next week if I move on, but now with the new dates added I don't know if that changes my timeline….also adding 3 dates to me means they are not finding what they are looking for…….

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  11. <blockquote cite="#commentbody-30553">

    Call Back Confusion :also adding 3 dates to me means they are not finding what they are looking for…….

    That does seem strange. I asked the BL Casting "Alums" on here if they have heard of this, but no one answered. Anyone ever hear of them adding CC dates like this so late? It would seem logical either they havent found what theyre looking for, or the Producers changed what they originally wanted.

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  12. <blockquote cite="#commentbody-30555">

    Big Fat Guy :<BLOCKQUOTE cite="#commentbody-30553">

    Call Back Confusion :also adding 3 dates to me means they are not finding what they are looking for…….

    That does seem strange. I asked the BL Casting “Alums” on here if they have heard of this, but no one answered. Anyone ever hear of them adding CC dates like this so late? It would seem logical either they havent found what theyre looking for, or the Producers changed what they originally wanted.

    When they got posted, some other FB comments were similar to these here, but Holland says that the add the dates to give more people a chance to be seen.

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  13. @Big Fat Guy

    I have seen that before and then everyone gets confused. That happened to me. Basically, if they said they would call by such and such date and you haven't heard, the chances are they changed what they were looking for. You could email your CD, but you may not hear back. =(

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  14. @Shawna Joy

    By saying it gives more people a chance to be seen, isn't that the same as saying we haven't found what we are looking for?? 🙂

    I'm headed out for a family vacay… if we come back early I am TEMPTED to hit next week's casting call. If they haven't found what they are looking for… maybe they will take a closer look at me 🙂

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  15. Tempted…I would definetly go for it! Especially if you think you have something unique to offer…You'll only wish you had if you don't.

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  16. Has anybody that did the callback and then the Bio,video, & background check gotten any more emails?

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  17. Hey everyone!

    Hey all, it's Damon (McFatty, twoturntables) It's been a while since I chimed in here. How is everyone? Just want to say break a leg at auditions (please don't break any legs, you will need them when you're on the show).

    Tempted…you should give it a shot. It's worth it!

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  18. Hey Ya'll-

    so it goes

    casting call or video

    call back interview or callback request for more footage

    back round bio paperwork etc.

    Your medical check

    fly to LA for finals

    is that about right?

    And someone said you should be getting emails the whole time?

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  19. Mine was: Sent video, got call, sent other video, got call that I was being pitched to NBC execs…then end of road. It is different for everyone.

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  20. Bigdreamer…

    When I auditioned it was: made a vid…went to casting call….got a callback…callback interview…"You're being pitched!"….bio and paperwork….nothing.

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  21. <blockquote cite="#commentbody-30527">

    Big Fat Guy :<BLOCKQUOTE cite="#commentbody-30514">

    knowing :@Big Fat Guy Level four is not LA. LA is way at the end. There are still a ton of cuts before LA. More info will be requested

    With all due respect Knowing, the CD’s told me there were 5 levels.

    1. Casting Call2. Call Back Interview3. DVD, Bio, BGC and Being Pitched4. Flown out to LA5. Excepted Onto Show

    Holland has all of the steps listed on her Discussions tab on Facebook (and I think she should know since she's the expert). There are a LOT more than 5 steps-go check them out. Holland "Master Caster" Striplin on Facebook.

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  22. Thank you knowing'. I am hoping to be "bugged" sometime in the near future. Like 2 minutes would be good 😉

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  23. @SillyGal

    SILLYGAL, we haven't heard from you in a couple of days. I know you got another email after you sent in your Bio paperwork, but you haven't given us anymore updates. Is it because you don't want to give yourself away? I just really need to know if anybody has gotten any further than the Bio background paperwork. THANKS

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  24. Thanks BLpickme!!! 🙂 where r u in the process right now? If you can say if not. I understand. 🙂

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  25. <blockquote cite="#commentbody-30574">

    justwaitin :@SillyGal SILLYGAL, we haven’t heard from you in a couple of days. I know you got another email after you sent in your Bio paperwork, but you haven’t given us anymore updates. Is it because you don’t want to give yourself away? I just really need to know if anybody has gotten any further than the Bio background paperwork. THANKS

    Nothing more…just waiting 🙂

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  26. Haven't heard anything since "you're being pitched" so it might be over for me, I haven't been contacted…..

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  27. Also if you were told you would hear by a certain date that is YOUR DATE….no matter what else changes.

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  28. @SillyGal Thanks for replying. If you don't mind answering

    , can you tell me how long after you sent in your Bio, video and background stuff did you hear back? I sent in all the Bio and video stuff last Monday and haven't heard anything since. I just want to know how long I should. "hang on" to my hopes. I think that if they have asked you to see your PCP, then they are VERY VERY interested in you. I bet you are so excited that you are about to pop. Please give me as much Info you can without hurting your identity.

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  29. What's strange is that finalist never mentioned anything about seeing their own PCP before they went. Does anyone know for sure what they want specifically from the PCP? It would seem obvious it would be a physical, but is there paperwork they send you for the PCP to fill out? Is there a certain Stress Test they want done? I guess these questions can only be answered by someone who's actually gotten this far. Is there anyone in this forum that has? Thanx again.

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  30. @justwaitin

    I sent my stuff in about 3 weeks ago. They had contacted my teammate and I about "renewing" our info because we had tried out on a previous season. I don't want to #1 give myself away and #2 get anyones hopes up if they are at a different "step". I'm not sure how all the steps go because there has been different discussions about it, but i do know this: Everyperson's journey is different. I have been in this forum for many different seasons and it truely, truely is different for everyone. JustWaitin–Do not, I repeat, Do not give up your hopes yet, nothing is set in stone till the camera's roll.

    I am going to post something that Holland posted on here LAST YEAR, I repeat LAST YEAR. This isn't for this season!!!!!! Someone named HOLT posted this LAST YEAR in response to what Holland had wrote. None of this these posts were from me, I only had copied it and e-mailed it to my partner to let him/her know where we stood at that time. I save everything so I was able to find this is my "sent" e-mails. Maybe this will help any/all questions??

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  31. OK–it may be a bit confusing because there was previous dissusions as well- THE ONLY REASON I (SILLYGAL) AM POSTING THIS IS TO HELP EASE ANY MIND THAT YOU ARE "OUT"–EVERYONES JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT–NO I AM NOT YELLING (IN CAPS) I JUST WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE I STOP AND THE OLD BLOG STARTS 🙂

    From Holt—–

    Sorry for the length of this post in advance. I’ve sat and read the postings for nearly a week without comment. I feel I must finally say (type) what is on my mind.

    Dazedandconfused – Clearly you have never met Holland. I understand you are merely venting your frustration. Hopefully the following clears things up for you.

    It is clear no one knows what is going on and even those that know the process and the individuals involved are not getting responses. Hmmm, that would tell me one of two things are happening. Either 3ball has completely stopped communicating with its potential cast after eight straight seasons or 3ball is working hard to get answers and do not have the time to answer our thousands of phone calls and emails. Let’s give these guys the benefit of the doubt. You all know what it is like to come back to work after a week off. You have tons to catch up on. Well consider that when you left there were six to eight people that helped you with your job and field all the calls and emails. So you are back from vacation and there are days worth of work that need to be accomplished plus you have to continue the new work coming in. Why would Holland and those at 3ball not post that all finalists have been selected? Why would AV and the rest of the voicemails and emails not indicate this same news? Well that would lead me to believe that finalists (those being sequestered) have not been selected. Why provide us with news when there is none? Let’s take what Holland wrote on August 16th and breakdown the casting process.

    REPOST OF WHAT HOLLAND WROTE (I will insert my thoughts in all caps):

    The first phase of Casting for Season 9 of The Biggest Loser will be complete on August 21 – at that time we will be finished going through all tapes that have come in last minute. [OK, THIS MEANS THAT IF YOU SENT A TAPE IN BY THE DUE DATE THEY WILL HAVE JUST FINISHED WATCHING YOUR TAPE AND MADE A DECISION ABOUT YOU BY AUGUST 21] If you have not been contacted by then that you are moving forward in the casting process then you have not been selected for Season 9. [IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED, EMAILED, OR ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION BY THAT TIME THEN YOU ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD IN THE CASTING PROCESS]

    However, the next phase is notifying finalists. [STEP 2, NOTIFYING FINALISTS, THIS DOES NOT MEAN SHOW FINALISTS, THIS MERELY MEANS THE FINALISTS TO BE PITCHED AND BEYOND] Finals week is not until mid September so therefore if you are selected as a finalist then you should know anytime between next Friday and a short time before you leave to come to LA. [FINALS WEEK IS NOT UNTIL MID SEPTEMBER, MEANING THAT FINALISTS SELECTED FOR SEQUESTERING WILL HAPPEN UP UNTIL MID SEPTEMBER, THIS IS PROBABLY WHY WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT ALL FINALISTS BEING CALLED. REMEMBER ALSO THAT SEASON 8 DOES NOT EVEN START AIRING UNTIL MID SEPTEMBER.]

    We do not always notify you if you were not selected as a finalist however feel free to contact your CD to see your status after next Friday. [DON’T CALL US WE’LL CALL YOU IF WE ARE INTERESTED, WE’LL KNOW WHO IS MOVING FORWARD BY THEN] If they know anything they will likely let you know. Please ONLY contact them if you KNOW for a fact that you are still in the casting process. [ONLY CALL OR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE MOVED FORWARD IN THE CASTING PROCESS (A FINALIST) IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THEN YOU WILL MORE THAN LIKELY GET A RESPONSE] Most of us are either on vacay right now or on another show. [WE ARE TAKING SOME TIME OFF TO RELAX BEFORE WE FINISH OUT THE CASTING PROCESS AND START A NEW SEASON]

    How do I know if I am still in the casting process you ask? If you have been notified for background check information, a bio, and gotten an email requesting other answers to questions from our casting coordinator/manager. OR if your CD has told you so. [IF YOUR CD HAS TOLD YOU THAT YOU ARE BEING PITCHED THEN I WOULD STILL BELIEVE IT AT THIS POINT BECAUSE NOTHING HAS CHANGED. IF YOU WERE ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION THEN I WOULD STILL BELIEVE IT AT THIS POINT BECAUSE NOTHING HAS CHANGED. I KNOW HOLLAND WILL COME ON HERE AS SOON AS THOSE BEING SEQUESTERED HAVE BEEN CALLED. THEY ARE JUST NOT UP TO THE SEQUESTERING PART OF CASTING YET. HANG IN THERE, BUT KEEP WORKING ON LOSING WEIGHT]

    I am on vacay everyone but just wanted to stop by to let you know the status of BL9. [THIS IS THE STATUS OF BL9 UNTIL I GET BACK FROM VACATION] I’m sure everyone has been to nbc.com by now to see the new preview video for Season 8. I am sooooo excited and am SOOOO proud of all my Biggest Losers! You guys make everyday worth every tear, every stress out, every phone call, every casting call, every interview, every email I answer. I love you guys! [SHE LOVES YOU] Thank you for being you [THANKS FOR BEING SO MUCH FUN].

    I also want to thank everyone that came to a casting call, interviewed at a callback, sent in a tape, help spread the word to friends and family, etc. You all are a big part of making our show a success. [YOU GUYS ROCK!] I wish you all the BEST OF LUCK in meeting your weightloss goals whether you make it on the show or not. [MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR LIFE DESPITE IF YOU WERE SELECTED OR NOT]

    Think of this everyday:

    What have you done today to make YOU feel proud? If you can’t think of anything then you need to make a change in your life so you can answer that question with your head held high.

    Love to all,

    Holland

    END OF REPOST BY HOLLAND

    Let me break it down. Last week this post was broken down and everyone began to panic about it. The individual that posted the breakdown of Holland’s post might not have been through this process before (SoReady…please do not take offense). So I encourage everyone to take what was said by Holland as FACT and not speculate about what was intended. Sequestering is different than being a finalist. Think of the process in the following order and you should know where you stand:

    1. GENERAL CASTING (all 300,000 people or more)

    2. CALLBACKS (best of that city’s general casting call)

    3. INFORMATION REQUEST (best of the callbacks from that city)

    4. FINALISTS (those being pitched)

    5. SEQUESTERED (sent to LA)

    6. CAST (on the show talent)

    Something to think about:

    Watch these two videos again and put it to what Holland says in her post
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXrjRsNPAnk&fehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDVIf6GXPW0&fe
    Remember if someone was chosen during the last week from the last tapes sent in then they would have about a week to prepare additional footage, provide additional documentation, etc. This would also be a good time for the CDs to move on to other shows and possibly take a vacation. Hmmm. Do you all think that the CD could get through all those boxes of tapes and DVDs in two weeks, contact everyone, get more information returned, edit pitch tapes, and pitch all those people? Not a chance. Relax, this is not an easy process, and I truly think it is far from over. In fact, if you have been told you are being pitched or received a request for more information then you still are in the running just like all the CDs have said. What everyone on this forum is so worried about is terminology. Finalist is nothing more than a word to mean that you are moving forward beyond the first cutoff date. Remember if you are moving forward or being pitched then you are a finalist to some degree. You just don’t know if you are being sequestered or not. I’m sure that will happen soon.

    It is very simple to me. The casting directors are on a much needed break and simply do not need/want to answer the constant borage of questions. If you are in then you will know when they feel it necessary to let you know, if not then you must find the strength to move on. I am so proud of some of you for moving on in this process. I challenge you to get through at least 30 days. Take it one day at a time and try and stay focused each and every day.

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  32. Moral of the story– Holland or a CD will post on here so that we know when it is over. "Not over till the fat lady sings".

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  33. I heard from another web page that they still havent decided whether or not its Couples, Singles, or a mix. The fact they added extra dates might support that…

    But thganks for the Insight SillyGal…

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  34. I heard from another web page that they still havent decided whether or not its Couples, Singles, or a mix. The fact they added extra dates might support that…

    But thanks for the Insight SillyGal…

    Like

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