For the past four months I have been a series regular on a reality show called The Pit Boss, playing The Acting Coach. I came to this experience as a lifelong member of the acting profession, with stints as a writer and director. Suffice it to say that my perception of the reality TV medium has shifted.
I now understand reality TV, and it is an understanding based on working closely with a popular reality show. Having looked down on the reality genre for many years and having labeled it a non-creative medium, which cleverly exploits our global obsession with celebrity for the sake of celebrity, I no longer feel that way.
I learned a long time ago that if you tell your audience a story rife with compelling characters who fight for a cause you can root for, your audience will stick around. Is reality TV, then, different from scripted television? No doubt the shooting style is different, the dialogue is mostly improvised, and the fourth wall goes in and out, but is it really different?
Truth is a story is still being told and performances are still being given. Trust me, when the camera rolls it is as much of an acting job as anything else, a job you do until you get it right.
And after your director says CUT!, you are not the same person you just were in front of the camera. Once again, acting is acting is acting.
It occurs to me that a lot of the negativity about reality TV comes from the fact that it does create celebrities who do not deserve our love, and also because a lot of it is not very good. But the cinema has created many undeserving celebrities as well, and there have been plenty of bad movies made. At the end of the day, reality TV is a sign of the times and it is here to stay. Professional actors don’t need to go into it, but if you find yourself on a reality show, treat it like an acting job, because that’s what it is.
Usually I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this article really forced me to do so! Thanks, really nice article.
Evony…I appreciate your reading my stuff…right on….
Eugene
hey man, nice blog…really like it and added it to bookmarks. keep up with good work
Thank you so much for your honest sentiments on Reality TV as far as it helps/hinders a professionally trained actor. I admit, the jury was out from my perspective – till I read your article. At the end of the day, if you’re having fun – and the story doesn’t contest with your personal morale . . . than why not? If the opportunity is there – a job, is a job, is a job – the creative output is up to you . . .and the crew.
Hello Eugene:
Pit Boss is where I first saw Acting Corps; and how you work with actors…Drop-jawed…I witnessed your unconventional, in-your-face, approach. Stunned by blunt-trauma of the truth presented to new student actors, I would see them sit, speechless, in your wake! You are basically calling them on the carpet, to be more then just-talk; to actually apply talent with systematic diligence… I realize that your philosophy and application can be converted into any endeavor and talent. As a commercial artist/ and blogger, I see your unapologetic challenge as an invitation to step-up-your-game, and take whatever endeavor one does, with decisive action.
Thanks for hitting-one-out-of-the-park for me! Your batting 1000 in my book!
Hi, Hollyn,
Thanks so much for the kind words…
Best,
Eugene Buica
Exactly…It is not my first choice as far as creative media goes, but maybe it is our job to suffuse whatever work we do with creative courage and our best effort…
Cheers,
Eugene Buica
Such a well written post.. Thnkx for sharing this post!
All our deeds can’t be gems, next please. Eugene Buica, you are very much appreciated sir, thank you for sharing your wisdom
Thanks for reading, Bryan…
Eugene