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HornHighYo11
HornHighYo11
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July 28th, 2015 at 5:50:17 AM permalink
Just pressed the little triangle in the top right of my screen and got dumped onto Mike's YouTube channel...
Nice Audition video for Survivor, Mike. Best of luck. Send one in to Man Tracker, too.
That youth camp sounds interesting, as well. But way up in Canada? You could be 2 hours from Toronto and be lost in dense bush. (ok, more like 4 hours)
TwoFeathersATL
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July 28th, 2015 at 6:00:52 AM permalink
I have been a Survivor fan since season one, since Richard Hatch, who went jail for tax evasion I think.
I will watch audition video and vote on poll.
Considered auditioning myself for years, have spent some time in outdoor survival mode.
But it would be so embarrassing to be the first voted off the island because you were perceived to be a jackass ;-)
Youuuuuu MIGHT be a 'rascal' if.......(nevermind ;-)...2F
coilman
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CrystalMath
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July 28th, 2015 at 8:02:50 AM permalink
I don't watch TV, but I would make an exception if Mike got on Survivor.
I heart Crystal Math.
DRich
DRich
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July 28th, 2015 at 9:29:25 AM permalink
Quote: CrystalMath

I don't watch TV, but I would make an exception if Mike got on Survivor.



+1
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
studmuffn
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July 28th, 2015 at 9:31:56 AM permalink
So many talents! I had a friend get a call-back from Survivor for last season's family challenge, but didn't make the second cut. And I must say that the Wiz's video is a little better.

Also, I know that American Ninja Warrior always features people with unusual nicknames and occupations, and I'm sure Survivor is no different, which can't hurt his chances.
beachbumbabs
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July 28th, 2015 at 4:23:52 PM permalink
Quote: CrystalMath

I don't watch TV, but I would make an exception if Mike got on Survivor.



+1
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
beachbumbabs
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July 28th, 2015 at 4:28:54 PM permalink
I think that's an excellent video! You show a huge variety of skills, Mike, and you come off friendly and approachable. Hope it works!
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
DoubleOrNothing
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July 28th, 2015 at 5:03:06 PM permalink
Might be too gimmicky for television.

Suppose he won? Television producers do a lot of research and vetting.
I can't believe what I believe.
HowMany
HowMany
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July 28th, 2015 at 5:35:00 PM permalink
Magnificent audition video. I know the show well, although I haven't watched the last 4-5 seasons.

If the producers do not select the Wizard, they are idiots.

Not sure if he'd win though. Too smart = major threat.
Ayecarumba
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July 28th, 2015 at 6:03:43 PM permalink
I have never watched more than a few minutes of the show. As I understand it, the players compete, but the audience picks a winner, so it seems to boil down to a popularity contest, rather than a test of endurance and skill.

That being said, I would watch the show to root for the Wizard if he was selected.

If someone is picked, how big a commitment is it? three or four weeks? Do players usually need to quit their regular jobs to do promos and appearances?

Would they allow Mike to wear a "WizardofOdds.com" T-shirt on the broadcast without blurring it out?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
EvenBob
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July 28th, 2015 at 6:45:37 PM permalink
Survivor is a personality driven show, as you will see
if you go to youtube and watch a few videos of
people who were selected for the show. The more
whacky and oddball you are, the better your
chances. Off the wall people make good reality
TV.

These people got selected.






This one has nudity.

"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
TwoFeathersATL
TwoFeathersATL
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July 28th, 2015 at 6:52:06 PM permalink
I watched the audition video. Nicely done, not extreme in any way, but interesting.
I voted, I voted yes, will make the cut
You got to understand that these casting calls are way, way out in advance.
By the time you watch a Survivor episode they are already filming the next season.
There is a tremendous amount of editing of huge amounts of footage to put on each season.
Like the casino, they are not your friend, they want your money.
Actually they want your viewership, they can sell that to the advertisers for money.
They have been seriously successful, as attested to by the multiple knockoffs,
And knockoffs of the knockoffs continue.
I don't enjoy as much as I used to, it's hard to stay 'fresh' and exciting.
But I still watch, and for the most part, I don't watch TV.
A little news, used to watch China Beach, West Wing, a couple others over the years.
Liked Parenthood, gone now. I will tape and watch Survivor this next season, starts in Fall I guess.
Wiz should take me with him if he gets picked, we could be on opposing tribes.
Youuuuuu MIGHT be a 'rascal' if.......(nevermind ;-)...2F
rxwine
rxwine
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July 28th, 2015 at 7:52:04 PM permalink
I will give my brutal honest opinion (all 2 cents)

1. It was better than I expected.
2. It was actually very good, but 3 is the most important.
3. If you watch it to the end, it's a great resume' tape. But anyone who deals with thousands of interviews is likely giving up after 30 seconds. After all, they watch a lot of these, and if you haven't grabbed their attention by then they won't even see the rest of it. Is it enough? Not sure. Maybe.
4. Good luck!
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
beachbumbabs
beachbumbabs
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July 29th, 2015 at 1:41:00 PM permalink
Quote: rxwine

I will give my brutal honest opinion (all 2 cents)

1. It was better than I expected.
2. It was actually very good, but 3 is the most important.
3. If you watch it to the end, it's a great resume' tape. But anyone who deals with thousands of interviews is likely giving up after 30 seconds. After all, they watch a lot of these, and if you haven't grabbed their attention by then they won't even see the rest of it. Is it enough? Not sure. Maybe.
4. Good luck!



If I were editing (and I'm not, so totally FWIW), I would echo what rxwine said in 3. You show, at the end, a WHOLE lot of interesting variety of skills and experience that did not get discussed at first. I would start with 10-15 seconds of head-first camera as you do, and then move that to voice-over (rather than continuing the same head shot) for the video cuts currently at the end, come back to the heads-up stuff, on to the unicycle and all that. Front-load your skill-set, in short, because you're sort of burying the lead by putting those at the end.

That does not make my opinion of the video as it stands any less; but it would tighten it up and lead with your skills.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
EvenBob
EvenBob
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July 29th, 2015 at 2:52:04 PM permalink
I don't think it matters what you send in.
They have been on for 30 seasons, they
are looking for a very specific type of
person and they have it down to a
science. They should know in the first
15 seconds if you're that person. They
get thousands of videos from around
the world.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
DoubleOrNothing
DoubleOrNothing
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July 29th, 2015 at 2:56:21 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

Survivor is a personality driven show, as you will see
if you go to youtube and watch a few videos of
people who were selected for the show. The more
whacky and oddball you are, the better your
chances. Off the wall people make good reality
TV.

These people got selected.






This one has nudity.


Nailed it again.

I would say, "Stars aren't made, they're born." Nothing staged, they make it look easy.

On the other hand, a philosophy professor of mine said, "Young people hold themselves out like garbage cans waiting for others to fill them up." Kumbaya material.

Mike at least interacted with others in this old thread's video at https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/slots/15324-i-made-the-channel-15-news-in-phoenix/ . (I had to re-click the link in the first post to get past the flyers and to the video.)
I can't believe what I believe.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
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July 29th, 2015 at 3:40:07 PM permalink
Thank you for all the kind words.

To follow up, I'm sad to say that I have heard nary a word from Survivor.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
EvenBob
EvenBob
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July 29th, 2015 at 3:51:42 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

have heard nary a word from Survivor.



Since 2000, that's you and probably 100,000
others who submitted videos in the last 15
years. I know the contestants sometimes say
they applied dozens of time over the years,
you just have to keep making different videos
and sending them in. Personality and originality
count for a lot in the video.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
RonC
RonC
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July 29th, 2015 at 4:04:38 PM permalink
Keep submitting videos...I think you would be a good contestant, but getting past the initial process is tough. Thousands of "good contestants" never get the call when there are so few slots. If you really want to be on the show, keep working at it!!
rxwine
rxwine
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July 29th, 2015 at 5:27:04 PM permalink
I think if you submit a new video, do your introductory statement on the road with the camera in front waist up. Make them expect you are on a bicycle but then pan out to show the unicycle you are riding while giving your introduction.

Actually, it would be even more startling if you could get permission to ride through a casino. Might even be worth getting thrown out by security if you could pull it off before they came for you. You only need maybe 15 seconds of riding and a couple sentences.

Go in the middle of the night maybe.

Keep all that other stuff -- just rearrange it.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
rxwine
rxwine
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July 29th, 2015 at 5:39:07 PM permalink
...come to think of it, if you film security grabbing you on your unicycle in a casino -- leave it in!
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
HornHighYo11
HornHighYo11
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July 29th, 2015 at 7:38:04 PM permalink
Actually the show Naked and Afraid is another choice. It is a "pure" reality show by not having a prize reward. Bragging rites only.
Interesting concept: you are transported to a harsh, remote area (desert, tundra, tropical, swamp...) and get out of car/boat and take your clothes off. Wander to a meeting-site and discover your naked companion of the opposite sex. No food, no water, no fire, no shelter. 30 days.
Mind you, I'm not saying it's amazing television, but it does give you a bit to think about...
Joeman
Joeman
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August 7th, 2015 at 9:22:17 AM permalink
Quote: HornHighYo11

Actually the show Naked and Afraid is another choice. It is a "pure" reality show by not having a prize reward. Bragging rites only.
Interesting concept: you are transported to a harsh, remote area (desert, tundra, tropical, swamp...) and get out of car/boat and take your clothes off. Wander to a meeting-site and discover your naked companion of the opposite sex. No food, no water, no fire, no shelter. 30 days.
Mind you, I'm not saying it's amazing television, but it does give you a bit to think about...

I watched the first two episodes of Survivor back in 2000, and then just lost interest. At first I was enthralled at the concept. As the show progressed, I was more and more disappointed that it was less about actual "survival" -- as in keeping yourself alive -- and more about social survival. I gave the next episode a chance, but gave it a big old, "Meh!" and haven't watched it since.

I might have to check this show out some time. It seems to be what I thought Survivor should have been.
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
ams288
ams288
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August 7th, 2015 at 11:25:04 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Thank you for all the kind words.

To follow up, I'm sad to say that I have heard nary a word from Survivor.



Every year Survivor tapes both of its seasons (fall and spring) back-to-back over the summer. So I assume they don't start actually casting them until late fall/early winter.

I've watched every season. It's great. Hope you hear back.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
TwoFeathersATL
TwoFeathersATL
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August 7th, 2015 at 11:55:29 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Thank you for all the kind words.

To follow up, I'm sad to say that I have heard nary a word from Survivor.


I got a friend up in Jersey. He got friends, well everywhere you need to have friends.
I look forward to you trying to light a fire.
This gonna be fun....
Youuuuuu MIGHT be a 'rascal' if.......(nevermind ;-)...2F
odiousgambit
odiousgambit
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August 7th, 2015 at 2:26:29 PM permalink
Quote: HornHighYo11

Actually the show Naked and Afraid is another choice.



They show total nudity from the rear, both sexes.

I am 100% 1,000,000% sure that is the entire reason for the show and also the reason it is still going.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!”   She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
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