PITTSBURGH,None — See & Be Seen got an inside look at the open casting call for Season 26 of "The Real World" in Pittsburgh. Casting directors from Bunim/Murray Productions, creators of hit MTV show, held auditions at Buckhead Saloon on March 16.
WPXI.com intern Sean Devine walked through the actual process in hopes that he'd be selected as part of the cast. Read his story below.
I arrived for the casting call at 2 p.m. and was greeted by Erin Swentosky and Jesse, the managers of Buckhead. Erin and Jesse explained all of the casting call information and asked me if I had a photo to attach to my application.
After I said that I didn't, they told me it wasn't required and before I knew it I was headed into the bar with an application and a pen. Jesse guided me to a set of tables where eight people were already filling out applications.
At that time, there were three other sets of tables occupied by other groups. I sat down at the table and got down to business. The mood in the group was light, people cracking jokes and making small talk with each other.
Most of the people in my group were college students ages 18 to 22 and I found out that two group members go to the same school as me, the University of Pittsburgh.
As I got back to filling out the paperwork, I talked with Daniel Cuevas, Samantha Guy and Samantha Gubala. All three attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania and made the drive to Pittsburgh together.
Each application was only two pages long, but the first page was packed with 14 questions, sometimes not leaving enough lines for a thorough answer.
"How do we fit our relationship and family status on only one line?" Samantha Guy asked. The applications had a number in the top-right corner to show what order they arrived in. I was number 150.
The top portion of the first page was for our contact information and the rest of the page was full of questions. The first two questions asked "Have you ever been a member of the Screen Actors Guild?" and "Have you acted or performed outside of school?" After writing no for both, I moved on to the next questions.
They started off easy enough, asking about education and job experience, but then they got more complicated. They asked if I currently had a significant other, where does the relationship now stand, and what qualities I look for in a mate.
Next, the questions got more personal.
They asked if I had ever been convicted of a crime or DUI, what is the most important issue facing me today, how would someone who really knows me describe my good and bad qualities, and to describe my most embarrassing moment.
After writing those answers, I moved to the next set which included questions about my relationship with my parents, the most unusual thing about me and my career goals and passions.
The final question was the only one I had already thought about, "Why do you want to be on 'The Real World?'"
When everyone was done, Jesse led us to a booth where casting director Jessica Thompson was waiting. We sat in a circle and passed our applications to Jessica.
Jessica was very cool and laid back, which made us feel a little more comfortable. As Jessica went around the circle asking questions, some people seemed nervous and others seemed relaxed. I was a little nervous but managed to answer the questions pretty naturally.
First, we went around and said our names, where we're from, and one thing about ourselves that other people may not know. Next, Jessica asked us if we were stranded on an island and could only be with one person and could only have one meal for the rest of our lives who and what we would choose. The answers varied from family members to celebrities, and from pasta to steak. I answered that I wouldn't mind being trapped on an island with Christina Milian and that if I could choose just one meal I'd pick lasagna.
The next questions focused on our reactions to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and describing the one thing on our bucket list that we just had to do.
After about 15 minutes with Jessica, we were told that if we were selected for a second interview, they would call us by 10 p.m. tonight. As we left, Jessica asked two group members to stay back because they needed to clarify some information on their applications. However, I soon found out that these two were selected for another interview and they were sent to a different area of the bar to get a picture taken and to fill out another application, which was more than 15 pages long. One of the people selected was Daniel Cuevas, the IUP student who I talked with earlier.
I sat with Samantha Guy and Samantha Gubala for over an hour while they waited for Daniel to finish. While they were happy for Daniel, they both were obviously upset that they didn't get picked.
I waited until he finished so I could get an idea of what was on the much longer application and Daniel had no problem letting me know.
"They asked the same questions but they were way more in-depth," Daniel said. "They also asked about stuff like affirmative action, the U.S. economy and how I would try to fix it." Some of the other questions included his medical and mental history, his relationship status and what he hoped to accomplish by being on "The Real World."
Daniel summed up the experience by saying, "The application was super long and after all that I definitely need a beer." After the two Samanthas and Daniel left, I snapped some photos and talked to some other cast hopefuls.
On my way out at around 4:30 p.m., the bar was packed and the application numbers were over 300. I thanked Jessica and Jesse for having me and I headed out of Buckhead. Everyone I met was very nice and helpful, especially the members of my group.
The mood of everyone was very positive and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I definitely had a great time during the casting call even though I wasn't selected for a second interview.
Maybe next year for Season 27.
Previous Stories: March 15, 2011: Bunim/Murray Productions Casts For MTV's 'The Real World' In Pittsburgh
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