If you are interested in applying for Survivor, writing a bio is the last step, after sending an impactful audition video and attending open casting calls.
Survivor is the CBS outdoors competition, reality format show which has been airing since 2000, with Jeff Probst as the host.
It is also one of the longest-running reality television shows as this year marks 22 years of the show, with no signs of it coming to an end anytime soon.
Due to the popularity of the show, getting a chance to be one of the 18 or 20 castaways per season is not easy. Thousands of applications are received for each season, therefore, it is important to apply via as many avenues as possible.
While a perfectly written biography is important, the key to standing a better chance of being on the show is an equally high-quality video and visibility to the cast directors.
What is Survivor?
Survivor first premiered on CBS in 2000 and has since become one of the channel’s flagship shows, as it is currently the longest-running United States (US) reality show on television.
Currently in its forty-second season, the premise of the show is, “A reality show where a group of contestants are stranded in a remote location with little more than the clothes on their back. The lone survivor of this contest takes home a million dollars,” according to IMDb.
Jeff Probst has been the host of the show since its inception, and he has since also become one of its executive producers.
Writing a bio for Survivor
With the changing times of the world, audio-visual content has taken precedence over written content, especially when it comes to applications for being part of any reality show. Survivor, in this respect, is not any different.
Therefore, while writing a grammatically correct and concise biography of less than 500 words to apply for Survivor is key, there are other steps to achieve before writing the biography. The biography is required when filling out the online application.
The key to writing an impactful biography is first creating an impactful audition tape, and having your biography not simply reiterate the video.
In 500 words or less, highlight key aspects from the video, while sharing more interesting and compelling points about yourself.
Before that, however, it is important to be visible to the casting directors, at the helm of which is Lynne Spillman, who is behind the casts that have been on Survivor and the Amazing Race since their inception.
A key in this process is effort and the tenacity to keep applying if you’re declined the first time, as well as creating a compelling video and attending open casting calls, which is explained in detail below.
Survivor audition tapes make or break the casting process
The most important advice when applying to be part of Survivor is, “Be yourself and take a risk,” according to Lynne Spillman. Another important aspect to consider when applying is the creation of the audition tape.
Seeing as the audition is your first introduction to the casting directors, it is important to ensure the following:
- You are clear on the message, which is meant to state why you are the ideal candidate by highlighting how you combat challenges in real life, and what the opportunity will mean to you.
- Include images and videos of yourself living your everyday life.
- That the quality of the footage, images, and sound is high.
- Your media is in the correct format and that the video is three minutes or less.
Survivor hosts open call auditions
Part of improving the chances that you are visible to the casting directors is finding out where your nearest open casting calls are happening.
Currently, Survivor is already sharing dates on its website of open call auditions for season 43. The aim is to increase your chances of being cast for a season of the show.
Therefore, ensuring that you share the same objectives as highlighted in the audition tape is important. Again, Survivor seeks authenticity, so be yourself, or you will be found out throughout the gruelling auditioning process.
Lynne Spillman’s best advice for Survivor applicants
Considering that Lynne Spillman has been at the forefront of choosing the castaways since the inception of Survivor, there is no one better to give advice.
In a 2015 interview with Survivor alum Parvati Shallow, Spillman goes into detail about what to do to improve your chances of getting onto the show. The best advice other than “be yourself” was:
“People make the mistake all the time of saying they’d be perfect because they just got out of school, and they don’t have a job, or they got laid off, so the timing is perfect, and they highlight all the negatives about them or the failures as opposed to showing us why they would be successful at a game that’s socially challenging, challenging from a physical standpoint and emotionally draining.”
Final thoughts
Survivor is regarded as one of the most emotionally and physically draining reality competitions in the world. This is what makes it such a compelling watch, as viewers see the castaways reach their breaking points at various times in the competition.
For those looking to be part of the show, it is important to realise that a written biography is only a formality. What is important is creating visibility to increase your chances of being cast as a castaway.
The best way to do so is to create a compelling video, and to appear at an open call held near you.