Etc.
Section 8 • Page 6
The University Daily Kansar
Students eager for consideration on MTV's Real World
Casting directors will call back 15
By Cal Creek
jayplay@kansan.com
jayplay writer
Casting directors from MTV's Real World brought their cross-country auditions to Lawrence last Saturday.
More than five hundred people applied and participated in interviews, hoping to win a spot on the romance-laden, conflict-rid
den show of backbiting intrigue
and unabashed voyeurism.
The show's casting directors, including KU alumnus Marlon Sanders, conducted the interviews at Abe and Jake's Landing, 8 E. Sixth St., in an effort to find cast members for the show's 11th season. Casting director Rob LaPlante said he wasn't looking for a cookie-cutter person.
"Whether they're sexy or humorous or fun, they need something dynamic that sets them out from the rest of the crowd." he said.
Lawrence was the ninth out of
16 stops. After completing the casting tour, directors will limit the thousands of participants to
about 15 from city. The 15 will have a callback and go through a series of interviews until the directors find the seven people they're looking for.
Although requirements to audition included being between 18 and 24 years of age, the requirements to be cast weren't as specific.
"I look for someone who no matter what I ask them, they can't help but be themselves," casting director Leola Westbrook said. "They can't edit themselves."
LaPlante and the other casting directors interviewed approximately ten to 15 people at a time in a roundtable discussion. Sanders said he liked to ask questions people had firm opinions about. Conversation topics varied from favorite movies to the definition of cheating to affirmative action.
"It was like a debate almost," said Tara Wise, Chicago freshman. "They asked us what we consider cheating. It was cool." Some who were auditioning thought of using specific tactics to get on the show.
"I look for someone who no matter what I ask them, they can't help but be themselves."
Leola Westbrook
Real World casting director
"I was thinking of saying I was an anorexic homosexual, but I'll probably just be myself," said Matt LeCover, Plano, Texas, freshman.
Others attempting to get on the show had different tactics.
"My chances are pretty good because I'm a minority in the Midwest and I have a good story to tell," said Eric Borja, Springfield, Mo., sophomore and Kansan columnist. "I'm going to be mysterious and funny as possible. I'm going to be real discreet and avoid each question."
Edited by Joshua Richards
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