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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