Get Real, Reality-Show Professor Says, Just Get Real — Courant.com

Get Real, Reality-Show Professor Says, Just Get Real — Courant.com

Robert Galinsky

If you have aspirations of being in a reality round of TV shows like “Survivor,” “Amazing Race” or “Big Brother,” you may want to turn to former Wethersfield resident Robert Galinsky.

The 1983 Wethersfield High School grad turned actor, casting director, producer and entrepreneur has jumped on the reality-show bandwagon by opening the New York Reality TV School (newyorkrealitytvschool.com), a Big Apple program offering a $139 three-hour course on how to get on and stay on a reality show.

Galinsky, who lives in New York City, says his coaching classes bring out the best in people, making them camera-ready for the television genre that is here to stay. As a loyal Connecticut guy, he offered to share some of his reality-star secrets with his fellow Nutmeggers by “spilling the beans” with Java.

Q: I’m not sure I get this. You teach people how to be “real”?

A: I teach people how to be more confident and take stock in themselves. I’ve been teaching it all my life but started focusing on reality shows because they are so popular. I know what the shows are looking for — authentic people. Every casting director I have ever worked with does not want someone who fakes it. They may want someone who is intense but who is real. So we do a lot of different exercises in the class to help people find their niches, be authentic and teach them how to do well in front of the camera. We have past reality-show veterans and stars and casting directors who share their experiences with the class.

Q:So you really think even some of the reality show “characters,” like, say, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth from “The Apprentice,” was really as difficult as she seemed?

A: Even after that show, she continued that public persona, and she seemed pretty darn comfortable. It doesn’t look like she was acting.

Q:So what are your favorite reality shows?

A: I like “Celebrity Rehab” and “Flavor of Love.”

Q:Which are your least favorite?

A: “My Super Sweet 16″ and “Hogan Knows Best.”

Q:So if you want to get on a reality show, what do you need?

A: You need confidence, not cockiness. That will build loyal fans. Take an inventory of what your personal issues are, and be willing to talk about them, expose your personal side when you are trying out and on the show. Research and know the show you are trying out for. Casting producers can’t stand it when people have no clue about the show or why they are even trying out. Research it. Being yourself is really the best advice. But you can use a little coaching, trying out for a show is like getting ready for a job interview.

Read the entire article at Get Real, Reality-Show Professor Says, Just Get Real — Courant.com.