Posts Tagged ‘Reality TV’
Posted by Eunice / Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Northern Virginia businesses are riding the reality TV wave to market their wares.
By Nancy Croft Baker
Brian Jenkins, Stacey Sheetz and Jeremy Harvey, the people behind the “Get Lost in Loudoun” Series at Sunset Hills Vineyard, location of Episode 4. (Photo by Fracis Tatum)
It’s a Tuesday afternoon in mid-November, and Donna Felder is taking a break from her duties as office manager of a bustling healthcare practice in Maurepas, La. Staring intently at her computer screen, she hits one of her bookmarks and is transported to Loudoun County, Va., where she watches a group of young people race down the Potomac River in search of a prize.
Felder chuckles as her favorite contestant, James Wilson, whoops as his raft shoots a Class 3 rapid. “I’ve been watching this reality show every week since it began airing in September,” she says.
The reality show to which Felder refers is actually a series of seven-minute unscripted ad videos for Visit Loudoun, the county’s convention and visitors’ bureau. She followed the link on a friend’s Facebook page and got hooked after the first episode. “I couldn’t wait to see what the contestants would do next,” says Felder, 43. “Every challenge featured a different tourist spot, and it looked like a lot of fun. Loudoun is definitely on my radar screen for vacation next summer.”
That’s just the reaction Jeremy Harvey was aiming for when he conceived the “Get Lost in Loudoun” series. “I was inspired by watching ‘The Amazing Race,’” says Harvey, vice president of marketing for Leesburg-based Visit Loudoun. “Every time I watch the show, I want to go to the places where the contestants have been. Then it occurred to me that we could do the same thing right here in Loudoun.”
Dave Gambale, owner of Freedom Bail Bonding, and Faith Poe, of pure advertising agency, at Dave’s main office in fairfax (Photo by Francis Tatum)
Reality Bandwagon Goes Local
With millions of viewers tuning in to dozens of new reality shows each year, it’s no wonder that a growing number of business owners in Northern Virginia are posting their own unscripted videos on the web and local cable networks.
“The reality show craze is out of control right now on the national scene,” notes Aba Bonney-Kwawu, president of D.C.-based marketing and public relations firm The Aba Agency. “Reality TV allows us to indulge our inner voyeur to see how other people live. We identify with them, and you build a sort of relationship with them. So it’s a natural progression for businesses to want to tap into that as a way to generate a loyal clientele.”
Kwawu, 36, points to the phenomenal success of “DC Cupcakes,” a reality show on TLC about sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis of Georgetown Cupcake. “When my husband’s boss traveled from New York to visit D.C. last year, it was cold, she was very pregnant and it had been an extremely long day, but all she wanted to do was go to Georgetown Cupcake,” Kwawu recalls. “She’s a big fan of the show, and the highlight of her trip was getting one of their cupcakes. I’ve seen people stand in line for two hours in the rain to get into that place.”
Faith Poe hopes to create that same avid fan following for client Dave Gambale, owner of Freedom Bail Bonding in Fairfax. “The Real Ride to Freedom,” which airs on COX Cable Video on Demand and YouTube, takes viewers into the daily world of bailing people out of jail. A cross between “The Office” and “Night Court,” the episodes feature Gambale’s eclectic staff and colorful cast of characters, who wander in and out of his office at all hours of the day and night.
“People have been telling me for years that I should do a reality show, because you can’t believe the craziness that goes on here,” says Gambale, a hard-boiled former Marine drill instructor with a soft heart for the down-trodden. He had been advertising his five locations primarily via Spanish-language radio spots and signage on his fleet vehicles. Poe, however, saw a wider market for Freedom Bail Bonding and sent a film crew to capture a day in the life of Gambale and friends. The first two episodes are steadily gaining viewership with a third episode scheduled to begin shooting this spring. Poe also is pitching the series to national cable networks, such as the Discovery Channel.
Viewer Emily Blease tuned in to “The Real Ride to Freedom” after a friend sent her the YouTube link. “I was curious to see what that world was all about,” says Blease, a 24-year-old college student who works part time in Fairfax. “The subject matter turned out to be pretty interesting, and I like the combination of unscripted interaction with the on-camera interviews. I feel like I know some of the regular characters. It doesn’t seem like a marketing ploy to me.” Although Blease says it’s unlikely she would ever need Gambale’s service, “he’d be the first one I’d call if I ever found myself in jail,” she laughs. “Dave seems to genuinely care about his clients.”
‘The Real Ride To Freedom’ - Fairfax-based Freedom Bail Bonding owner Dave Gamble says his show is more than marketing. Its focus is to show that he is there for his clients; it’s like a “ministry.”
Gambale, in fact, hopes “The Real Ride to Freedom” transcends mere advertising. “What I really want to do is give people hope and a second chance,” he says. “When people get arrested, they’re in a bad place emotionally and spiritually.” Contrary to the perception that bail bonders are rough-and-tumble bounty hunters, Gambale and his staff offer advice to the wayward, food to the homeless and a place to regroup after lockup. In Episode Two, a former drug addict and frequent customer shares a moving story of how Gambale helped him turn his life around. “I really see this as a ministry,” remarks Gambale, 49.
The series has been good for business, too, notes Gina Castro, Gambale’s assistant. “A lot of viewers now recognize us on the street, and the advertising numbers are looking great.” Media coverage has picked up as well, including a Washington Post Magazine cover story, a segment on CBS affiliate WUSA9 and numerous radio interviews.
Ad-weary Viewers Embrace New Genre
“I’m excited about this trend,” says Ted Smoot, a Sterling-based IT professional who plans to launch his own Internet reality show next spring. “I think everyone is tired of the loud, obnoxious, in-your-face commercials over the last 20 years.”
Smoot, 35, began following the “Get Lost in Loudoun” series as a means of reconnecting with his home county after years of traveling outside the Commonwealth. “I was looking for things to do on the weekend and stumbled upon the series,” he says. “I really enjoyed watching the foursome compete in a variety of challenges at venues I might like to visit.” Smoot’s favorites? “I loved watching them trying to catch a pig at Great Country Farms in Bluemont, paintball at Pev’s in Aldie and throw pots with Redskins tightend Chris Cooley at Glenfiddich Farm Pottery in Leesburg. The contestants were believable, and the activities looked like something I’d enjoy.”
Attracting a younger demographic was high on Harvey’s mind when the 40-year-old began planning the reality-style marketing videos. “People typically associate Loudoun County with relaxing tours of wineries and Civil War battlefields,” he explains. “We decided to take it up a notch and show some adventure. We wanted to capture average 20-somethings discovering Loudoun.”
A cast of four contestants and a Ted Allen-esque host was selected from among 35 people who responded to Visit Loudoun’s casting call last spring.
“I had never heard of Loudoun County and wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but I had a blast,” says Haley Phillips, an office manager for a financial services firm in New York. She was joined by Austin, Texas-based poet James Wilson and videographer Andrew McDonald as well as graphic designer Jolyn Janis, who hails from Ocean City, Md.
“The four of us completely forgot the cameras were rolling and really got caught up in the competition,” says Phillips, 26. “I wasn’t looking to become a reality star, but seeing myself on video has been a lot of fun.”
Caveat Venditor
While the thought of becoming a local reality star may appeal to some business owners, PR and branding guru Kwawu advises them to be aware of the caveats before plunging into that world. “Today’s consumers are extremely smart. They value authenticity and can quickly spot a fake,” she says. “They want to see the good as well as the bad, so business owners should be ready to expose their flaws to the public.”
Indeed, when “The Real Ride to Freedom” first posted on YouTube last summer, Gambale was the target of some scorching comments, albeit mostly from competing bonding firms. “It didn’t bother me,” Gambale shrugs. He adds, “You’re always going to have critics in anything you do. People who take time to watch the whole show can see we’re the real deal.”
Kwawu also warns business owners to avoid blatant product hocking in their productions. “Consumers have gotten very sharp about spotting product placements,” she says. “A subtle approach is best.” Like when reality star Kate Gosselin made a cameo appearance on “DC Cupcakes” in Season Two. The divorced mega-mom of eight spotted a handsome passerby outside the bakery and decided to meet him via an impromptu cupcake sample. Turns out he had a gluten allergy. Whether staged or serendipitous, the encounter proved to be the perfect opportunity to mention the bakery’s gluten-free selections. Just in case viewers were dubious, an on-camera interview revealed the gentleman had no idea he had just been wooed by a famous reality star. He thought she was the bakery owner. Ouch.
Whether it’s cupcakes, catering or bail bonding, Northern Virginians can expect to see more of their favorite local proprietors on the air.
PURE Advertising’s Faith Poe, for example, is working with another client on a reality series, while Ashburn-based videographer Nicholas Cambata of 8112 Studios has several productions in the works and has been approached by a growing number of local bloggers, entrepreneurs and entertainers who want to take their enterprises to the airwaves.
That’s just fine with folks like Ted Smoot. “I don’t think our appetite for reality video is going to be satisfied any time soon,” he says. “Whether it’s a show or an ad, it’s equally entertaining.”
Are You Ready For Reality?
Nicholas Cambata, owner of 8112 Studios, was not surprised to see one his potential clients on a national reality series recently. He had been approached by a jet-setting couple wanting to bolster their business by chronicling their escapades and philanthropic endeavors via their own reality show. But when it came down to focus and financing, their sparkle quickly fizzled. Cambata decided to turn them down.
“Clearly, they were determined to get on a reality show,” he says, but their negative portrayal on the national series may not have worked in their favor.
Specializing in documentaries, music videos and reality productions, Cambata, 31, says he has turned down more clients wishing to get on reality TV than he has accepted. He explains, “Most people are totally unprepared for the reality of reality.”
The Checklist
Be sure you have a clear story to share. “I tell potential clients that if they can’t describe their show in 15 seconds, it’s probably not worth watching.”
Be well capitalized. “People have no idea how much work and expense goes into video production. A five-minute clip can easily run five figures.”
Show plenty of conflict and cliffhangers. “Nobody wants to watch someone who tries to seem perfect. Viewers tune in to see people behaving badly and how they resolve their differences. Conflict and cliffhangers keep them coming back.”
Keep it real. “If you don’t normally interact with colorful characters, you can’t fabricate them. People respond to the development of relationships, and consumers are very savvy about authenticity.”
Let it all hang out. “If you’re uncomfortable with cameras watching your every move and you don’t like public criticism, this is not a good venture for you.”
(March 2012)
Posted by Lynn Norusis / Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Oprah looking for singles in Culpeper for reality TV show
VA process of assessing sexual offenders flawed
Dale City tries Winter farmer markets
Man accused of Pentagon shooting pleads guilty in unrelated case
MasterChef Auditions This Saturday!
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
NoVA’ers, ever thought about bringing your culinary skills to the reality TV table? MasterChef is holding an open casting call this Saturday, November 12 (and yes, Gordon Ramsay himself will be there!).
In MasterChef’s upcoming third season, the legendary Gordon Ramsay and judges Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot are, again, giving skilled chefs the chance to win a huge cash prize with the title of “MasterChef” through a series of crazy culinary challenges.
Past winners were Jennifer Behm, who’s now writing a cookbook and runs a successful private catering company, and Whitney Miller, who has already released her first cookbook. You could be the next!
All you have to do is go to the open casting in at Trinity Washington University in D.C. on Saturday, November 12, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with one of your best homemade culinary creations to serve to the food judges.
The open casting call in D.C. is the only city where Gordon Ramsay will be there in person– so even if you’re not brave enough to audition, it might be a fun cheflebrity sight-seeing trip!
To audition, you must print out and bring an application with you and your food. For more details, visit the MasterChef casting website.
Good luck!
-Julia Harbo
Posted by Warren Rojas / Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
What’s a reality TV-anointed cheflebrity to do once the camera’s glare has receded? Rahman “Rock” Harper now basks in the adoring gaze of aspiring culinary students:
(Image: Urszula Stern)
Having logged countless hours behind the burners at various high profile, local restaurants (B. Smith’s, Ben’s Next Door, The Carlyle Club), Harper now dedicates his time to academia–he currently shares his accrued hospitality knowledge with those enrolled at Stratford University–and his burgeoning cookbook catalog.
WR: Salt. Pepper. What other culinary elements could you not live without?
RH: Tough one but I would go with garlic. It is amazing in flavor and a little goes a long way so you don’t need much. I also love the fact that it is extremely healthy for you!
WR: What’s the very first dish you ever mastered? How long did it take? Do you still make it today?
RH: Don’t know if I have mastered anything, because it can all be improved. My fried chicken is pretty close to perfection though. Over 15 years I would guess. Absolutely!
WR: What seasonal ingredient(s) get your creative juices flowing?
RH: Peaches and tomatoes!
WR: My latest cookbook obsession is …
RH: “Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes” from Dr. Maya Angelou. I’ve owned it for a while but after thumbing threw [sic] it the other day I am determined to cook everything in it! She speaks, teaches and writes with such passion and love; her cooking is just as amazing.
WR: What’s the most challenging dish you’ve ever attempted? Would you make it again?
RH: Foie gras torchon from Michael Mina’s book. Yes, I have and I got it, but it was challenging indeed.
WR: If I could the spend the day working alongside any local chef, I’d love to collaborate with …
RH: Wow, that’s tough. We’re a “top 5″ dining city in the country now! R.J. Cooper. I’ve had his amazing cooking before, but I would love to see how he executes Rogue24 from top to bottom.
WR: What’s the easiest/quickest–but still wholly satisfying–meal you make for yourself?
RH: Scrambled eggs, a sharp cheese, chives, summer tomatoes, on toasted wheat.
WR: In the next six months you won’t want to miss my …
RH: Next book! Rock Your Kitchen Rock Your Love Life: Building a Successful Relationship Through Passionate Cooking
WR: It’s quitting time. I’m pouring myself …
RH: Big and beautiful California cabernet
————————————————————————————————————————————————
Just so you know, chef, I’m totally stealing your breakfast of champions.
Come back next Tuesday for another helping of Red Meat.
–Warren
NoVa’s Matthew Petersen to Battle it Out on Top Chef Just Desserts
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Matthew Petersen (Image: Bravo TV)
His bio reads like a pastry student’s dream: graduate of Johnson & Wales University’s Providence campus; pastry chef at Morimoto and then Daniel Boulud’s Restaurant Daniel and db Bistro Moderne; Executive Pastry Chef of Miami’s Café Boulud; and currently, Executive Pastry Chef at the Mandarin Oriental’s CityZen and Sou’Wester, working alongside James Beard award-winning Chef Eric Ziebold.
And he’s only 32 years old!
Now Arlingtonian Matthew Petersen has chosen to jump from one of the area’s most acclaimed kitchens into the fray of Season 2 of Top Chef Just Desserts.
For those of you who haven’t watched the dessert spin off of Bravo’s highly successful Top Chef, I’ll clue you in. The basic format is the same–quick fires and elimination challenges—the main difference being that this is pastry geek central. And with a lot more back-biting, back-stabbing, and histrionics (two words: Seth Caro), giving the lie to the myth that pastry chefs are more easy going than their savory counterparts. Ha! Not so in the world of Extreme Pastry. This show should be called “Pastry Chefs Behaving Badly.”
Gail Simmons and a barely-recognizable (Who’s) Johnny Iuzzini (pompardourless and sideburnless this season) are back as host and head judge, alongside my favorite French man and judge Hubert Keller.
So what else has changed besides Iuzzini’s hairstyle?
This season’s 14 cheftestants are newly outfitted in pink-accented black chef jackets (no doubt Iuzzini-inspired). This crop of contenders is also considerably younger than the previous season’s. (Season 1 only had three contestants under the age of 35. Season 2, in contrast, only has two contestants over 35.) We also have a guest appearance by Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock to look forward to (Petersen is particularly psyched from the clip below).
Top Chef Just Dessert’s second season premieres August 24 at 10 p.m. on Bravo. For more information on the show and its contestants, click here.
In the meantime, here’s a preview of what’s to come:
-Johnisha M. Levi
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, August 30th, 2010
(Image: Orange Juice Blog)
The Food Network wants your help selecting the next gang of roving restaurateurs to follow around on The Great Food Truck Race.
That is, assuming you are down with throwing your support behind food you’ll probably never taste.
Windy City Red Hots is the ONLY NoVA food truck that made it through to the round of public voting, where it must now compete with the 271 other contenders for the $10k cash prize and a shot at appearing on season 2 of the mobile vending-marathon.
A handful of other D.C.-Metro meal slingers–D.C. Slices (which is erroneously tethered to Alexandria, even though they’ve yet to serve even a slice on this side of the Potomac), Sauca, Fojol Bros. and Pedro & Vinny’s all got the nod–are also in the hunt.
Best of luck to Angel and Pia Miranda and their Chicago-style grub.
But methinks the Food Network could have picked up some other local superstars if they’d only done their homework…
–Warren
Local Sixfortyseven Nixes TV to Focus on Education
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Derek Luhowiak maintains that he pulled the plug on tomorrow’s planned taping of “Eat St.” for Paperny Films (they’re rolling with Rebel Heroes today), not because business is flagging (as PF seemed to suggest) but because he’s reached a philosophical/professional crossroads.
“We were so busy that in fact our next step was to become a restaurant or grow to a large trailer. Neither of which we wanted,” Luhowiak informed us via email. “Knowing that, we did not feel right using airtime that could go to promote another local business so that they can succeed with their dream.”
So, what’s next for the seasonally-inspired-food-cart-cameras-evidently-adore?
That would roughly be teaching.
“Local Sixfortyseven will continue to operate as a private for hire catering focusing on small intimate parties where I can really focus on utilizing our food to its fullest,” Luhowiak pledged, adding that he’s hunting for more land to sustain additional crops, an expanded apiary and “a small flock of birds.”
Luhowiak also expects to up his hands-on instruction, mapping out plans to incorporate food preservation, home butchering and biodynamic horticulture classes into his forthcoming culinary curriculum.
“The one thing I have learned in the last five years working with the local food industry is that no one model fits and you have to be willing to improvise on a dime as the industry progresses,” he said of his still-evolving, education-first mission.
Oh, and don’t worry about the Paperny folks.
They’ve already made arrangements to stalk the D.C. Slices truck instead.
–Warren
Eye on NoVA: Food Shows Feast on Local Talent
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, July 12th, 2010
View NoVA Food Show Tapings in a larger map
Seems you can’t throw a rock these days without hitting a reality TV/cooking show camera.
Of course, if you’ve been dining at any of the buzzy eateries above–or now plan to hightail it out to one of the upcoming tapings–you’ll have no one to blame but yourself when Joel McHale gleefully mocks you on The Soup.
–Warren
Trump Taps First Cheflebrity for ‘Celebrity Apprentice 3′
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, January 4th, 2010
(Image: The Kitchn)
Aussie chef and Marco Pierre White protege (hope he fares better than The Chopping Block) Curtis Stone has made the cut for season 3 of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice series, becoming the first food personality to vie for a chance to suckle at Trump’s proverbial teat.
Stone is a reality TV vet, having hosted cooking shows on at least three continents–Surfing the Menu and My Restaurant Rules in Australia, Dinner in a Box in the United Kingdom, and most recently, Take Home Chef here in the U.S.–so he should, at least, be a little more camera-savvy than competitors who’ve been out of the limelight for quite some time (Goldberg? Really?).
Good luck, Curtis.
And remember: never let them see you cry (unless the waterworks will guarantee you immunity/more rations/a shot at being the next Bachelor).
–Warren
Just Try and Ignore Tonight’s Top Chef Finale
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
You can’t.
Bravo is scheming to bring social media to its knees via their “Ultimate Virtual Viewing Party.”
Local fans will have the chance to live tweet (#TCParty) along with season six finalists Bryan Voltaggio and Kevin Gillespie, as well as judge Toby Young. West Coasters can trade cyber-barbs with finalist Michael Voltaggio and former competitors Ash Fulk and Robin Leventhal.
No time for Twitter?
Go here to RSVP for the Facebook version of the virtual viewing spectacle.
Done with season six but still pining for more Top Chef action?
Capital Spice is giving away a Top Chef season 5 DVD and Quickfire Challenge cookbook to any amateur producers with sure-shot plans to lure the Top Chef cameras to D.C. for a future cycle.
The most common themes to date include Jose Andres, Ben’s Chili Bowl or some sort of presidential tie-in. I’m digging the “toothpick rule” quickfire challenge, cook-off at the Maine Avenue fish market and Eden Center shopping ideas. Pitches will be accepted until 10 p.m. EST.
Prefer to do your Top Chef ogling in person?
The James Beard House has got you covered, beginning with a Tom Colicchio-led, all-things craft event on March 8 followed up by a Voltaggio brothers’ dinner (both Bryan and and Michael are confirmed) on March 9.
–Warren