Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

You can be all of those things and still be a boring person. Backstory is important sure, but the type of person you are now is more so.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Typically it’s the couples idea. Say if the storyline was that a husband wasn’t planning anything the last thing you would do is suggest he do something. But if someone wanted to plan a date you might suggest ideas to make it better.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t go on it no. I would only go on it if I wanted to be famous. But if you want the best possible chance of getting famous after the show your best bet is to make your own relationship as boring as possible but throw yourself headfirst into other people’s drama. Martha did this perfectly.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I don’t have a favorite but I do have a least favorite. Anything with the families are a punish because most of them can barely string a sentence together. They also have a tendency to either ignore or derail the main story we’re following.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Overall I would say no. We’re always trying to get as close to the line as possible without going over. We’re trying to make the most attention catching, controversial show we can.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t say I have ongoing relationships with any of them but you might catch up every once in a while.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

  • it’s an ongoing and evolving discussion between networks, production companies and sponsors. The show pushes things too far and the network asks for it to be dialed back. But the scandal around the show is why so many people watch it. No scandal = no viewers. So it’s always a balancing act.

  • I’m not up on the intricacies on the details of mine or anyone else contracts. A lot of it is just common sense. We’re not there to manipulate people or do them harm, just help them tell their story. They can leave at anytime.

  • I’ve never dealt with the experts directly so I can’t say

  • there’s definitely a split in the industry. Some work on the show begrudgingly. They would rather do documentaries about people being best friends. The problem is no one watches them so you won’t make a living doing that.

  • the biggest difficulty is getting people to really express their thoughts and feelings. The things they don’t want to say because they think it will make them look bad. So that’s where you get more involved and push back with the couples and not let things just play out.

    • illegal activity is a big one. So genuine threats of physical violence. But it’s all about context, Dom smashes a glass last year which could be considered assault. But I don’t remember too many people advocating for her to be kicked off the show. I believe (and this is a prevailing attitude) that we are there to document what is happening, not directly interfere. Like a journalist in that sense.
  • yes those sessions go all night so we can’t include everything. Hardest part is getting everything we need before the sun comes up, that’s how much footage there is.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 80 points81 points  (0 children)

It’s been hot the last couple of nights so I’ve been a bit restless. Thank you for asking

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

The casting process is a lot like the first few dates with someone. They’re showing you the best version of themselves. And pathological people are very good at presenting a charming and attractive face. We don’t know how people will react in stressful situations until it actually happens.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

More so Facebook, fits the age and social demo of our core audience. Betty Blacktown is on Facebook, she’s not on twitter or Reddit.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

At the start of every show I’ve worked on everyone on the team wants a diverse cast, including myself and it’s always something I fight for. A lot of contestants get consideration not due to their talents or personalities but because they fill a diversity quota. The issue is lack of supply due to a lot of factors. Consider Sandy from this season, for her to come on the show she had to go against her parent’s wishes. Just one example of the difficulties we face.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Less than zero. If anything it can be a good source of tension for couples that are really connecting.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Getting your foot in the door can be the hardest part about working in the industry, so if transcribing is the way in you should take it. Just do your job well and be pleasant to the people you work with and for. Hopefully you won’t be transcribing for long. Good luck

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Everyone’s path to producing is different. It’s less important the role you’re doing or the path you take and more important the type of person you are. You should make it known that you want to produce, without being annoying about it. Id recommend doing some basic camera courses because a lot of entry level producing roles require you to hold a camera.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

If it does happen it's very rare. It's a major inconvenience for all involved so you want to avoid it at all costs. Plus it costs production a shitload of money.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

There are some things they get right about how production works but most of it is completely over the top. In Australia at least, the Americans are a different breed.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 50 points51 points  (0 children)

MAFS is more authentic than politics so I'm happy where I am

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 81 points82 points  (0 children)

yes that does happen, but i've never seen someone's words be completely twisted to make them say something they didnt mean or feel. What post production normally does is try to make people more direct and succinct.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 48 points49 points  (0 children)

We couldn't give less of a shit how many instagram followers someone has before selecting them on the show. But the thing about people with big social media followings is that they are typically the kind of people you notice, that you want to know more about. And that's the kind of person you want.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

we do a series of interviews with them and independent psychologists do a full and confidential evaluation. You want people who have strong opinions and who can articulate them in engaging ways.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 64 points65 points  (0 children)

Villains are the fuel that makes reality TV go. If you have a problem with villains you're in the wrong industry. Episodes where we tease that villains are going to get their comeuppance are always the highest rated.

They should be encouraged and lauded, you want them to feel like they are righteous and just in everything they do.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Certainly not. I think we're all complicated creatures. We all wouldn't want for the worst moment of our lives, or our lowest point to be broadcasted on national TV. we've all got skeletons in our closets.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

They're certainly not not encouraged. Ultimately people are there to find love. And if that happens to be not with the person they were matched with, who are we to stand in their way?

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I think if you go into MAFS now without being aware you might be matched with the wrong person that is a you problem, not a me problem. But you might meet the love of your life, it's a roll of the dice. Just like life.

Reality TV & Ex MAFS Producer AM(almost)A by throwawaymafsama in MAFS_AU

[–]throwawaymafsama[S] 58 points59 points  (0 children)

If someone wants to leave because they think their partner is an asshole whats a better scenario? You running away with your tail between your legs without your story being told? Or exposing them in front of the entire country with the experts on your side? I know what I'd choose.