Check out this interview that Jessica Nunez of Mlive.com did with Helen Phillips, Ron Morelli and Carla Triplett. Michigan rocks! Enjoy.

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Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s A Winner Within You!

Now some of you may be thinking ‘But Pete, you were cast from a video so how can you help me with the Open Casting Call process?’ Good question. That’s why I am giving you this introduction.

Prior to 2008 Biggest Loser had never come to the big, sexy State of Michigan for casting.  Then in March of 2008 they came to town.  The expectation was that there would only be a couple hundred people with only a few call backs.  Well even with a fresh snowstorm blasting the state, along with truly freezing temperatures, more than 800 people from Michigan and all over the country showed up in force.  This was the second largest turnout in the country that cycle This was even though the Casting Call was announced with very short notice!  Shellay and Amy Cremen were cast from that first Michigan open casting call.

So here is the deal.  I have personally been in attendance, from start to finish, at the last two open casting calls in Michigan and I have tried to say hello to everyone in the line.  If they have to stand in line all day I might as well stand with them right?

Also, I have tried to make it a point of actually making the call to those applicants that have been selected for a private call back. I truly love the excitement in people’s voice as I inform them that I am calling to schedule them for a call back interview in the next couple days. I also try to give them a couple of tips to get them ready for the private call back

At the private call backs I have met with the vast majority of potential contestants.  I made it my goal to give every potential contestant advice on what to expect at the private call backs.  My goal, at least in my mind, is to ease the applicants nerves and allow the ‘real’ person to shine through.  I am probably not really needed since the Casting Directors are professionals and put people at ease naturally, anyway.  But hey I want to feel like I am contributing

I have actually been in the room with the casting directors during some of their private casting call interviews. That means I have been blessed enough to actually have been on both sides of the casting call camera.

I have met and hung out with, and asked questions of, 4 different casting directors.

The results of the Michigan casting calls have been astounding!  Eight – count’em 8 – contestants have made it on to the ranch the last two seasons from the Michigan call alone!  I have met them all at the open call or the call backs or both.

Eight!  From Michigan!

Am I typing this to brag?  Not at all. The things I have witnessed will help you but I have had nothing to do with any contestants actually making it on the show. I do not get paid by NBC or the production company 3-Ball.  I don’t do it to be ‘recognized’.  Most folk I meet don’t even remember me from way back on Season Two.  I donate my time for only one reason; To try to give to others a little of what was given to me.  Biggest Loser changed my life and hopefully I can give a couple of tips to others to help them make it onto the ranch and in-turn change their lives.

So over the next few days I will will endeavor to give you the following:

• A brief intro of the open casting call process.  How the line works – how much time you have to talk etc.
• The most important things you should know about the open casting call process.
• How to guarantee your will not get cast.
• And a set of tips specifically for the private call back.

So check back over the next couple days and since I am a slow typist pray for me that I get these posts done quickly so folk outside of Michigan can benefit. Although, maybe I should keep them secret since we have such a great record?!

For the whole series of articles click here

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s a Winner Within You!

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In this post I will endeavor to give you an overview of what to expect at the actual Open Casting Call for NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Actual tips are still to come this week so if you have been already been to an open call then please add your comments below to assist others.

To start off with remember that your goal will be to shine enough in the open casting call that you get a private call back with the Casting Directors.

But before you meet the Casting Directors you will be waiting in line for hours! You really can’t get around it outside of getting a VIP pass. Even with a pass you may have to wait for quite a while. The line will wind its way through or around the location and you may or may not be able to sit down. Bringing a collapsible chair is not a bad ideal. More importantly, make friends, talk to people and have fun. Enjoy yourself and get to know the people around you. Heck, bring a board game if you have one.

You will notice production assistants that have been hired to lend a hand and manage the crowd etc. Listen to the assistants as they will direct you where to go, where to stand etc. They will probably not be able to provide you with any tips and if your reading this you will have all you need. Now if any former contestants are there then of course they will be able to give you some tips so tell them I told you to ask them for tips!

At some point you will finally be positioned to go into the interview area in groups. The interview area in Michigan will simply be a larger open area where there will be a couple of long tables positioned. See the pictures in this post. Once it is your turn you will be directed to sit at one of the two tables. The setup at some locations will require everyone to stand. In Michigan you may be asked to have a seat and move down so everyone can have a seat. If you coming with a teammate be sure to sit down next to them. There is no best seat. I have seen people be called back for a private casting interview from every position at the table.

You will then be asked to take your application paperwork and pictures and turn them away from you and toward the casting directors so that the casting directors can see them. Again, the casting directors need to see your pictures and then read your name so place your pictures on top of the application with your name on the application exposed. Don’t worry if you don’t remember this step as the Casting Directors will direct you and adjust the paperwork as necessary. But do not forget to bring good pictures. This is VERY important! Bring very clear very good pictures, that you can leave behind! Headshots or a full body pic where your face is clearly seen work best. If you have a cute pic from when you were young then that is great as well.

The rest varies by Casting Directors. Everyone may be asked to state their name, occupation and where they are from. This is your first (and for some the only) chance to be heard. Speak loud and clear and you will do fine. Do not look to dominate the conversation as the CD’s have to get through everyone. However, if you do have something witty then add it in. For example, if I would have gone to a casting call when I was 416 I might have said something like ‘My name is Pete Thomas and I am a big sexy brother from the great state of Michigan and my occupation is getting all this weight off!’ Now to be honest you will not lose points for not being witty but it does help to know that you can talk!

The casting director may then give you some insider information about the upcoming season of the show. This will be info that is as good as gold and probably is not even public.

Ok – this post is getting too long

For the whole series of articles click here

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s a Winner Within You!

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The BIG THREE

I have included this audio file for you to listen to so you can maximize your Open Casting Call Experience.

Here are the BIG THREE summarized.

1. Your Look – Come looking beautiful or handsome. Men (and women) should come shaven and looking neat, clean and beautiful. If you’re a slob this is the wrong show for you. We may be fat but you should still have a level of self confidence and respect that shows through in how you carry yourself.  No need to dress for a wedding but Erik from Season 3 bought new clothes. listen to his interview.
2. Your Team – Think about this; Who has a stronger team ’story’ – Two Fat Camp Counselors or Two Third Cousins? Get it? How you ‘relate’ to your teammate makes a big difference since this is part of your story. If you’re an individual don’t worry about this since even on ‘team’ seasons there may be some twist that gets you on the show (think Bernie and Brittany from Season 4). Quick thought – Why haven’t I ever seen a team of 3 or more on the show? 4 fat family members maybe? Hmmm – sounds like an option for someone out there to try!
3. Your Job – Assassins need not apply. Interesting or regular jobs only please.

For the whole series of articles click here

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s a Winner Within You!

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Photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/photos/afrowolf/

How to Absolutely Blow the Open Casting Call

How Not to be Cast on The Biggest Loser

The following stories and examples may or may not be exaggerations but are all based in reality.

“The Casting Call Is When?  I have an appointment at Supercuts”

You must show up. This sounds obvious but so many people have emailed me that ‘this’ or ‘that’ ‘came up’ and they ‘could not make it’ and ‘is there anything’ I can do to help them blah blah blah.  There isn’t.  If changing your life is not worth the time to show up then I can’t help you.

“Why the h*ll is this taking so long?”

Don’t complain about the wait.  Enjoy it.  Some people are going to talk in the line and get to know everyone around them and others are going to clam up (see Erik’s interview) but complaining about the wait is stupid.

I had one lady tell me she had been there standing in line for 4 hours and had borrowed someone’s car to get there and had to get it back to her friend and that she had driven 20 minutes to get to the casting call blah blah blah.  I’m typically never rude to people who stand in line but I was definitely stern with her.  I explained to her that A) the first person in line had taken a plane from Seattle, Washington on top of a 1 hour cab ride to get there.  Someone else had B) driven 12 hours from Georgia AND someone else had C) driven the night before in the snowstorm traveling along at 35 miles per hour on the freeway from Columbus Ohio (which is normally a 4 hour drive at 60 mph).  Someone else was D) moving their daughter from Chicago back somewhere down south and decided to take a 4 hour detour, swing by the casting call and stand in line for 8 hours before getting back on the road.  Yes the moving truck was in the parking lot!  PS – They got a call back .  The lady I was stern with stopped complaining and ended up staying at the casting call.

“I am going to wing it!”

Don’t be a dumb dumb! Do your research or ask for advice in advance.  Winging it might work by there is a scripture that says – In the multitude of counselors there is safety. So get some counsel.  I have had friends and acquaintances (at least 5-7) come to the casting call who never even got in touch with me to ask me what they should expect, even though they saw me weekly.  Ask people – email folk, read our blogs, etc. etc. etc.

“My favorite hang out is the library.”

You must have personality and you must speak up.  The open casting call ( cc ) is not a manners competition.  You will not be guaranteed your ‘day in court’.  So speak up when the opportunity presents itself.  You will only have a couple of minutes in a group of other people so make sure you are at least ready to get your point across.

Here’s a tip.  Watch a few live interview style political news shows (Meet the Press, Fox and Friends etc.) and watch how the hosts of these shows interject questions in the middle of the sentences of the person answering.  If you are not heard you will not get a call back.  Don’t be obnoxious but practice how to be heard.

“I think that Rosa Parks should have kept quiet.”

You must stand out!  Typically, standing out comes natural to those who are the highest of type A personalities.  For example;  At one table there was this guy and every time he spoke the rest of the table just stopped and listened.  I mean it was amazing.  They just stopped and listened!!  He could have spoke for 10 minutes and no one would have interrupted.  It was natural and he just commanded attention.  Perfect. BTW – He got a call back.

“I think Jackass The Movie should have been rated G”

Don’t be obnoxious. There is a fine line here I know.  Sometimes people don’t have anything worth saying so they just say dumb stuff.  The casting directors are professionals.  They know when you’re a dumb, dumb and are just repeating non-sense.  Be confident and speak up but don’t stir up a bees nest by saying something dumb.  Stirring up a bees nest is good if you have a good argument.  Actually that is great!  If you are opinionated you had better speak up!

“My personality is all I need.”

Don’t forget to bring pictures. Do not bring poor pictures. Pictures do not have to be originals and they can be on regular paper but at least make sure they are GOOD quality and can be left behind.  Make sure you have at least a good picture that shows your pretty hair, face and smile (well groomed of course).  Bring pictures of you and your partner together if you are trying out as a pair.  Bring pictures of potential partners if they cannot make the casting call.  I know someone that got a call back and eventually made the show just from a PICTURE!  No LIE! They never even came to the casting call but were in someone else’s picture!  Full length pictures are fine.  Pictures with other people in them are ok. But just make sure we can see your face. Heck speaking of pictures, it is ok to take pics of the contestants in attendance, the CD’s etc.

“They will remember my name and my pretty round face.”

Don’t forget to write your name and contact info on the back of all pictures. What happens if your picture and your application get separated?  You just missed your opportunity to be cast because the picture/application will go in the trash. ‘Why is this picture here by itself?  Wow they would be perfect for the show.  Oh well, in the trash it goes.’ It has happened!

“I think that all Personal Protection Orders should be ignored.”

Don’t be a stalker!  One would-be contestant was in line early and was seen early by the CD’s.  Hours later we looked around and literally saw her sitting behind us.  She sat around for the entire casting session and then congratulated us for seeing everyone. Note: The casting people do not take kindly to stalkers! They are regular folk and get weirded out like everyone else.

“My small friend believes that all Personal Protection Orders should be ignored also.”

Don’t bring along a friend to be a stalker. There was one particular young lady waiting in line who was there with her small friend.  The stalker friend asked questions in advance of the Casting Directors. Then stalker friend asked questions immediately after her friend made it into the interview area and was seen by the casting directors. Then stalker-friend went and started bothering one of the casting directors when the CD was trying to take 5 minutes and eat lunch.  This does not help your friend’s case.  If you don’t have the personality to stand out on your own then having a stalker-friend tag along will only hurt your chances.  After all you can’t take stalker friend on tv to help your personality can you? To be clear, having friends and family come along is fine!  It is going to be a long day.  I enjoyed meeting many people who were not trying out but were there for support.  But having them bug the CD’s is dumb .

“I have inner-beauty.”

Don’t do this – Clean the dog kennels, change the oil in the pickup, drop the transmission, feed the dogs and then come straight to the casting call without changing clothes. You must dress the part. You are not trying out for a part on The Biggest Sloppiest Nastiest Loser.  I have seen people wearing dirty black sweatsuits with cat hair on them.  Why would you come out of the house looking like you just rolled out of your brother-husbands trailer and are trying out for a character on Earl or as Eminem’s moms love interest in the movie 8 Mile?  Even the people who drove very long distances looked nice and clean.

“Forget you Pete – I saaiidd I have inner beauty (neck roll)”

HEY! Pay attention to that last point again! I said dress nicely! This is a TV show about weight loss.  Not a weight loss show that happens to be on tv. Personally, I always tried to look my best whenever I was in public – granted it was hard at 416 with a 60 coat size but still I tried. I dressed nicely when I had my own computer consulting company and as a Real Estate Investor.  Erik Chopin, Season 3’s Biggest Loser said he bought a new leather coat and jeans to wait 8 hours in line in Manhattan. Don’t forget the makeup and grooming people!!

“Why are they taking so doggone long in there?”

Don’t be rude! This didn’t happen in Detroit (I love my hometown) but I was told about a time when a lady actually took time to measure how much time the casting directors spent with each group and gave the CD’s ‘lip’ because they took too long with one group and took for lunch blah blah blah (here in Detroit the CD’s took about a 20 minute standing lunch – that’s 10 hours of interviewing and a 20 minute break).  Come on!  Shoot the decision maker why don’t you.  You would probably curse out the head of NBC because the casting calls are not in every city if you got the chance!

“Fat March, Celebrity Fit Club, that new show with that lady on it – You are all basically the same right?”

It’s called The Biggest Loser. 10 million viewers per week. Watch the show.  You are going to be asked some general questions about the show.  At least know who the main people on the show are.  At least have a working knowledge of the show even if you don’t watch it every week.  Know the main 3 characters and the last few winners.  That should take you all of 15 minutes to read up on.  But don’t feel too bad, the Sunday morning news anchors on our local NBC affiliate, WDIV, didn’t even know who Bob was – and this is one of the best shows on their network!

“I need to go prepare dinner”

If your in line then stay until the end. At the very end of the day we only had approx 2 minutes to look at 10 people at a time.  Even then, there were a couple people that stood out above the rest and were considered for call backs.

“Ba Ba Junior!! I told you to get off that ceiling fan and get back over here!”

Don’t bring your bad kids.  They distract everyone including the Casting Directors and mess up your chances of making it on the show.

“I don’t need the show to lose weight.”

If you can lose weight without the show and you don’t really need the show then don’t show up for the casting call.  What’s the point?

“Pete, I could crush you when you were your biggest!”

You can be too big.  Yes it is possible.  One day I am sure that there will be a 600 pounder on the show who is tall enough and ‘healthy’ enough to be picked for the show.  But until that day comes you need to understand that even a show called The BIGGEST Loser has its limitations. You have to be able to ‘do’ the intense exercise required.

“I am just going to give up!”

Bill and Jim Germanakos interviewed 3 times/seasons before making it on the show. Send in your video, go to the next casting call. Don’t give up.  But let’s be honest, if you’re the type to not give up your not going to wait around for some dumb show to lose weight are you?  One caveat – do you qualify for the show?  Are you what the show is looking for?  More on that in another post.

For the whole series of articles click here

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s a Winner Within You!

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I will edit this all later – this is the outline of my outline but I am throwing it up now because I am running late . Listen now and check back later.  Refresh this post to see if I have made any more additions lately. I am sorry if it does not show or play correctly I am literally doing this while the car is warming up. I have found out that there may be a problem viewing this in Internet Explorer. Try Firefox if you cant view it correctly.

When to come

Arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment. No need to come any earlier. If the front desk does not know where you’re supposed to go, then just hang out in the lobby until someone comes down to get you.

What to bring

Have your paperwork filled out. Before you get here. They will read off of it! What to bring – Bring Pictures – Bring them both on paper for the casting people to see and on disk or usb key so they can be emailed. Be prepared to leave behind anything that you bring. Don’t even ask for it back. Bring pictures from when you were young till now. Hopefully they show a progression of when you were young and lovely until you were older and fatter and uglier

These are the pics I took to my casting call back.

I printed out my pics on 8 x 11 paper and glued them to large poster board and PUT THEM ON A DISK that the casting directors could take back with them.  You do NOT have to do exactly this.  But you get the ideal.  If you do bring pics then have good stories to go along with them.

How to dress

Come dressed very nicely. Hair done, nails done, clean shaven or waxed.  Think of it as a chance to appear on camera an impress America. Don’t come looking sloppy.  Don’t overdo it.  Accentuate the positive.  If you have great eyes then accentuate them don’t downplay them. If your in a uniformed profession now is the time to wear that uniform – very nicely press and all mind you!

Also expect the Casting Directors to take a very up close polaroid picture of you before you leave.  So make sure you look good.

What To Expect

The setting

1 couch 2 chairs 1 camera – Real simple. You are the star!

On the way up to the room

Make them your fan! Know the names of the casting directors – address them by such. (I still know the names of my casting directors Adam and Liz from way back in 2004).  Build a rapport with them.  Ask them about them! Ask how they got into the business, where are they from etc. But dont be fake, be sincere.

What to say and do

Type A personalities get cast for the show, and I would add, The Type A of Type A’s. The point is to be outgoing and outstanding!  Treat the casting directors like they are your close relatives and you are just hanging out with them.

Tell stories about your life that are funny and revolve around you (and your teammate if applicable). Don’t sit around like a rock and not say anything.  Show them your personality.  Your trying out for a tv show not a job in a library.  When a cd asks you a question take the opportunity to take the question and absolutly run with it.  Talk it up!

Additional Info: If the casting directors instruct you in a certain way then you need to follow their direction.  If they want to know about some painful event then go down that line of discusion.  Don’t switch topics to something else.  They are asking you something for a reason.

The Season Six plus Joelle Factor  – If you don’t need the show then dont even show up.  If you fine with the size you are then don’t apply.

Hook or Themes

If you have a story accent that story.  Always the Bridesmaid?  Tell them and show them.  Bring the bridesmaid dresses.  Lost the love of your life?  Bring pictures of those lost loves.

Are they looking for teams – then play that up.  Two doctors should come dressed like doctors and bring cadaviers.  Two lawyers should come with gavels.  I am kidding.  Maybe.  But do bring props etc.

Be witty, be very chipper.  Be open and free.  Talk about your kids with cancer. Reason for wanting the show. Etc. Talk about why you ‘must have’ the show.  Never leave the room saying ‘I wish I had said this’.  Have no regrets.

Your Weight.

Round up. Little fat people do not make it on the show.

For the whole series of articles click here

Also refresh this post to see if I have made any more additions lately.

Once your Private Interview is over then your best bet is to follow the conversation at Matthew McNutt’s place

For the whole series of articles click here

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s a Winner Within You!

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I figured it was best for you to hear it from the voice of someone who has been there and done the improbable.

From 5 hours in the cold to Winning $250,000. WOW!

Click Here:

For the whole series of articles click here

Talk to you soon and remember,

There’s a Winner Within You!

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