We are currently in the golden age of television as shows such as “Game of Thrones.” “The Walking Dead,” and “This Is Us” are captivating audiences worldwide. But reality TV is sharing the spotlight too as “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” “The Bachelor” franchise, and “Survivor” continues to pull in big ratings year after year.
If you’re thinking about working in reality TV, then now is the right time to do so as there are various shows out there to choose from. For younger professionals, a job in this type of show can be quite a lucrative, but there are a few things you should know before pursuing a career in reality TV.
Here’s everything you need to know if you want to work on reality TV.
You may have to work long hours
In documentary-style shows such as the “Real Housewives” franchise you’re filming someone’s life, so you’ll have to be present to film different aspects of a star’s life. Expect that you might not get enough time to sleep and that you’ll always be on call to film if ever something interesting happens. Because of this, consider that your own social and dating life will be on hold because of your career.
It’s not all glitz and glamor
The Kardashians may look glamorous as they jet off to Cuba or Iceland in a private plane, but for people who work behind the scenes, the job is mostly grunt work.
A producer who has worked for 15 years in reality TV told Cosmopolitan that her job basically means doing everything. When you’re a producer, you’ll have to work with the people in front and behind the camera, pick up trash, help carry gear, and the like.
Some people may not take your job seriously
Unfortunately, there is still this stigma surrounding reality TV and some people in the industry don’t consider it as real entertainment. You’ll have to develop a thick skin to work in this business and keep on working as you develop your career.
You’ll be asked to keep quiet about the show
A season of a reality series is often filmed months before it airs on the network. To prevent spoilers from leaking, higher ups will require you to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that if something happens on the set, you’re not allowed to talk about it. This means that you can’t tell your partner or your parents anything about what happens on the show.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s report on how to deal with ageism in the workplace.
