MovieChat Forums > Below Deck (2013) Discussion > Casting

Casting

posted 8 years ago by HallmarkMovieBuff
1 reply | jump to latest

Reality TV is not my primary gig but thanks to a blurb in the "returning favorites" issue of TV Guide, I've become hooked on this series. I've even managed to catch a couple episodes of reruns of season 1.

So, tell me, who does the hiring for this show? Since this is unlike most other reality TV in that those on camera need very specialized skills, does the captain hire his "crew" or do the producers hire the "cast" (for the typical reasons, i.e., people they think will create drama and will look good on camera)?

[–] ABBAcat 8 years ago

I have no inside info on their casting process but I can speculate based on the cast members they hired in previous seasons. First, most of the upper level staff have experience in the yachting industry. From that I guess the producers consulted with the charter companies to scout out possible cast members, such as Ben, Kate and Eddie. I think Capt Lee may have given input too since some mentioned working with him on prior charters. I think there was probably open casting for the entry level jobs (3rd stew, Jr. deckhand) which drew in inexperienced people like Sierra, Connie and Daniel. That gives producers some leeway to cast some drama makers and people that have the look.

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