As TV viewers increasing covet their own 15 minutes of fame, talent agents at Cineflix Productions last week completed a U.S. swing in search of reality TV’s next stars.
Billed as the America’s Got Real Talent search, Cineflix execs made stops in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis, Tennessee to judge the skills and personalities of local reality TV wannabes, as opposed to seasoned performers.
“This isn’t about creating yet another TV talent show, we aren’t looking for singers or wanna-be celebrities,” explained Simon Lloyd, CEO of programming at Cineflix.
“We want to find real Americans with real skills who have a passion in life which they can communicate to a wide audience,” he added.
Cineflix execs added they had no one reality TV concept in mind with the casting call, and instead were searching for real people with real talents for reality shows not yet developed or determined.
They also stress reality TV producers receive a mountain of audition tapes each year in the mail, leading talent agents out into the field to find real people that stick out in a crowd.
Popular series like American Pickers (pictured) and Colin and Justin’s Home Heist also succeed because of hosting teams.
So casting calls help talent agents judge how a reality TV wannabe interacts with groups or possible on-air partners.
The U.S. talent search was also prompted by TV series like American Pickers and Property Virgins having become calling cards for Cineflix in international TV markets.