Today, we have a special guest here at Pop Culture Curmudgeon: Irene Cazares. Irene has worked on a ton of the VH1 reality shows you love (or love to hate). Check out her IMDB resume here.
Pop Culture Curmudgeon: What do you think draws viewers into reality shows?
Irene Cazares: I think what makes reality television so appealing to so many viewers is the reality of it. In essence as a viewer, you are not watching Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on screen. You are watching a normal person, who after their fifteen minutes will most likely return to their normal everyday lives.
Most “stars” of the reality genre are many times no different than the person sitting watching them on the other side of the television. Anyone can see themselves in front of Simon Cowell and imagine how they would react if they won American Idol, or for many, how they would react to his thorny remarks.
Reality stars are often the introverts, the dorks, the bachelors who can’t find a woman of their own if not for the help of a national television show.
But to put it bluntly, what draws viewers into these shows most is the drama. Watching Jack and Kate break up on Lost, a show where actors are playing parts and true emotions are not on the line, pales in comparison to seeing real couples devastated as they break up, like on Temptation Island, or watching the slow unraveling of a marriage on John and Kate plus Eight.
At the same time, the three things that help reality thrive? Cheating, fighting and flowing tears. Real people. Real feelings. Real situations. That’s reality at its best.
PCC: What would viewers be most surprised about if they were able to go behind the scenes of their favorite shows?
IC: I think viewers would find the grand production that goes on, both boring and fascinating. For a show like Big Brother, thousands of hours of footage is shot. To sort through that and find those interesting moments that fans would most like to see takes tons of manpower and requires weeks, sometimes months per episode. It’s a very daunting task at the beginning of a new show.
Also, here’s some food for thought. With that much footage and only an hour per week of airtime — 42:30 after commercials — a lot of great material is left out based on time constraints.
PCC: What memorable experiences have you had on the set?
IC: I don’t spend much time on set as an editor, but I must say the most memorable moment had to be when season one of Flavor of Love. One of the girls could not control her bowel movements and pooped on set.
PCC: That is no good! What happens in the editing room? (I hope nothing quite as messy!)
IC: Despite there being so many cameras surrounding them, there are always those cast members who think they can sneak away from the camera. When this happens, and we catch them going about their “private” business, we usually get some of our best footage.
It’s another reason people love reality, because its voyeuristic. Like watching a soap opera, but with real people’s lives and feelings at stake.
Also, cutting it down to the wire literally. Teams of people stressed having to do the creative and technical work almost at the same time in order to make air.
PCC: What do you look for in the footage to decide what makes it on the air?
IC: The footage has to be compelling. Something that evokes emotion, whether it be laughter, hatred or sympathy. Boring footage will not be received well, and your show will be canceled. When looking through footage, I tend to go with a scene that grabs me for some reason or other. One that is so scandalous I cannot look away, one so funny that it makes me laugh out loud, or one where the character is just so charismatic that I recognize something within them that people at home would enjoy.
But my opinion isn’t the only one that counts. After I turn in my first cut, it goes into a screening room where producers and other people who are involved with the show get to add their input. From there, it’s a collaborative effort to make a show that is unique and one audiences will love.
PCC: You have had quite steady work. What lessons have you learned that have helped you stay employed in a business that is known for the constant hustle for the next gig?
IC: Keep honing your skills and realize where you are. It’s Hollywood baby. While I don’t consider myself much of a schmoozer, networking and putting yourself out there is key in this industry, even behind the scenes, so if you’re not up to it, then this isn’t the business for you.
However, if you still think you want to break in, cut a demo reel together and have it ready. It’s not a bad idea to have it on the internet, so prospective employers can view your work immediately.
PCC: Do you have any new projects in the works that we should be on the lookout for?
IC: Yes, but none I can officially talk about as our air date is pending. I will let you know as soon as I can.
PCC: Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Irene. I learned a lot — and had some suspicions confirmed — about reality television.
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television, tv, Uncategorized | Jennifer Roland | 
May 21, 2012 5:30 am | 
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