#25 Apply to be on a TV game show
I enjoy watching a good game show, mostly the ones which require some real general knowledge like The Chase, The Wheel or Tipping Point. Like most viewers I play along, feel pretty pleased with myself when I score better than the contestant and say that I should apply myself one day. That's why applying to be on a TV game show made it on the list!
Early in 2021 I began by applying for all of my favourites using their online application process and waited for a reply. As I was now registered on the application site I received an email with information about a new show looking for contestants called Unbeatable and applied for that too, as new shows get fewer applications. These applications all follow a similar pattern: besides your details, occupation and interests they want to know which topics you are good and bad at and what you would spend any winnings on. They then ask a series of more interesting questions, those I had to answer included:
"Describe your most embarrassing moment." Hmmmmm, it involves a German lesson and a pair of pants but I won't elaborate here...
"Who is your celebrity crush and why?" David Mitchell obviously...
"Which word would people use to describe you?" Umm...loud?
In addition to written answers I had to upload a one minute video clip introducing myself, presumably to check that neither my face nor my voice would scare viewers and to give them a first look at how I might come across on screen for their initial sifting process. Having done all of this I forgot about it, having ticked off this item in my list, and carried on with my lockdown remote teaching routine.
Then about a week later I was on my break in my empty classroom when my phone rang. Megan from 12 Yard Productions had called me back regarding Unbeatable and wanted to conduct a phone interview! This was a lot of fun. She asked me many of the questions from the original application and a few new ones. Then we did a 15 minute trivia quiz so she could see my level of general knowledge and a quick mock round of the game. At the end of the call she told me that she thought I would be a great contestant but the next stage was for me to submit a 5 minute audition video. Here were my instructions:
Unbeatable – Video Audition Guide
This is your chance to shine. Remember to be as enthusiastic as possible. Don’t treat it as a job interview. We are trying to imagine you on TV so have fun and smile!
Top tips:
- Place your phone/tablet on a hard surface and prop it against something to reduce camera motion.
- Please film your video landscape
- Film audition in a well lit room with no TV or radio on in background - we need to be able to see and hear you properly!
YOUR AUDITION
Make sure we can see and hear you clearly.
Press record and give us a big smile for a few seconds before you start speaking.
Please start by introducing yourself with your Name, Age, Town and Occupation.
Why would you like to be on the show?
What hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your spare time?
Dead or alive, which five people would you invite to a dinner party and why?
Best or worst advice ever given?
What would most surprise us about you?
How would your friends describe you in three words?
Any other interesting facts that haven’t you already covered? (Any obsessions, talents, idols, dream celebrity encounters, unfulfilled ambitions etc.)
The video should last no more than 5 minutes.
So on went the face powder and lipgloss, I ran a brush through my hair and popped some quick ideas on a post-it which I stuck to my PC monitor. I played it quirky and over the top - I think I even sang and did jazz hands - then uploaded it to the production team website and waited to hear back from Megan. She emailed the next day to say that she had watched the video and was recommending me, it would now be watched by the production team and she would get back to me soon.
On the 12th of February I received an email:
Congratulations, you have been shortlisted for Series 1 of Unbeatable.
As you were informed at the audition stage, this does not guarantee you a place on the show. We shortlist more people than we need for casting purposes but you have done extremely well and you are one step closer!
If we would like to invite you along to one of our studio days or book you as a standby contestant, we will be in contact with you by Monday 5th April 2021 at the latest. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to contact individuals to inform them that they have not been selected for the show.
I was a step closer and now had to wait. However while waiting there were lots of administrative tasks to complete: an Online Clinically Vulnerable Form (this being during the second lockdown), a Contestant Agreement and an online biography form. I also had to send photo ID and proof of address.
By some miracle hairdressers and beauty salons were scheduled to reopen on the actual day of my trip to Glasgow! Messages were sent to my hair stylist and brow lady (there may have been begging) and they both came to my rescue. Lovely Caroline arrived to cut and colour my hair at the inhuman hour of 7am and then after getting ready and finishing my packing I dropped in to have my eyebrows tamed en route to my 10.22 train.
The train journey to Scotland was an adventure after a year of no travelling. As non-essential journeys were still prohibited the carriages were quiet and I enjoyed catching up on some knitting and reading. Changing in London was quite straightforward and by the time I arrived in Glasgow at just past 7pm I was grateful to hop into a taxi and settle in to the hotel.
The journey there, along the riverside, was beautiful but I was unprepared for the beautiful view from my hotel window and the luxurious room. I was certainly very well looked after during my stay, despite all of the difficulties caused by the lockdown.
On arrival at the studios the next afternoon I met my fellow contestants and the production assistants who would be looking after us. Several episodes are recorded each day, so while we were preparing another group was recording and then as we entered the studio the next group would be getting ready. We were told to arrive wearing our makeup but carrying two or three choices of outfits: no brand names or slogans on them, no fussy patterns and no plain black. A wardrobe assistant looked over our choices and decided on the best one for camera, then whisked them away to be pressed. Meanwhile we had lunch in the studio canteen and then several practice games of Unbeatable in the green room with the production assistants, so that we would understand the format by the time we had to play for real. Then there was makeup, which was very weird as the artists were not yet permitted to break social distancing guidelines and had to give us instructions from a distance, changing into our studio outfit and finally a visit from the sound technician to fit our radio mics before we were led up to the studio.
The recording itself was a lot of fun! Despite several "I could have kicked myself" answers I made it to the final, only to be faced with a question on football - my worst topic. So it wasn't a life-changing win but a respectable £1000, big enough to excite my students when they eventually saw the show and to pay for the holiday which is also on this list.
about the outcome until the show was eventually broadcast on the 10th of September, five months later.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! I have my heart set on winning Beat The Chasers!
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