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- Aug 5, 2008
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I know some people really despise the guy but this looks like it should be pretty cool to watch.
[youtube]qPUQhTVyCVc[/youtube]
Are you a fan of the show Man vs Wild? Are you a dude between the ages of 21-40? Then this will be of particular interest to you -- although I certainly don't want to discourage any ladies or older dudes from reading this. Earlier this week, I scored an interview with Man vs Wild producer Josh Berkley, and he filled me in on the details of an unusual casting call that will give four lucky fans the opportunity to hone their survival skills with Man vs Wild star Bear Grylls. Read on...
What is your involvement with Fan vs Wild?
I am the Executive Producer for Man vs Wild, and this Fan vs Wild contest is an extension of that program. I am also the Executive Producer of the webisodes that will showcase the Fan vs Wild Degree Men Adventure Challenge, which is sponsored by Unilever, the makers of Degree Men antiperspirant.
What was the inspiration for this contest?
After the huge success of the Will Ferrell episode of Man vs Wild [in which the actor accompanied Bear on an Arctic survival adventure], Jeff Strong in our Marketing department suggested that it would be cool to do a similar episode with a fan and call it 'Fan vs Wild.' Considering how popular that episode was -- we received so many emails and comments about it -- it seemed like a great idea.
What kind of people are you looking for to apply for the Fan vs Wild Challenge?
People who are fans of the show. They don't need to be survival experts -- they just need to share Bear's approach to life. A certain fearlessness and willingness to embrace life and adventure. Because we are partnering with Degree Men, the casting call is open only to men ages 21-40, but within that group we are hoping to attract people from all walks of life, with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. This will truly be an adventure of a lifetime for fans of Man vs Wild.
Can you describe the Fan vs Wild Challenge and how the winner will be determined?
From all the applicants, we will chose 4 fans to join Bear on location in Western Canada -- possibly Calgary or Vancouver -- to compete over five days in a variety of wilderness survival challenges similar to those Bear himself faces on Man vs Wild. Bear will be guiding and critiquing the fans -- along with some special surprise guests --- and at the end of the five days, one of the four fans will be deemed the most deserving of appearing with Bear in a special episode of Man vs Wild.
The Fan vs Wild Challenge will be filmed and shown as a series of six webisodes premiering each week after a new episode of Man vs Wild, starting August 11.
How will the special episode of Man vs Wild differ from the regular series?
For the special, Bear and the winning fan will go on a 48-hour survival odyssey together, much like in the Will Ferrell episode. They will have to find food and shelter, and make their way from the drop-off to the pick-up point. The fan will be expected to show Bear what he has learned during the Fan vs Wild Challenge.
Where will it take place?
For logistical reasons, it will also be filmed in Western Canada -- with similar terrain as where we'll shoot the Fan vs Wild Challenge, but in a different location.
Did you need any special insurance or other measures for producing the webisodes and special episode with non-actors?
Our production team is now working on the 5th season of Man vs Wild, so they are very skilled and competent when it comes to safety. Nevertheless, we stepped up every level of safety for this special, including additional insurance and more safety experts on site. It will be like producing an episode of Man vs Wild on steroids, so to speak. Safety will be the first priority when working with the fans, and there will be multiple redundancies in place to make sure everyone in safe.
Were there any special challenges you faced in orchestrating this Fan vs Wild contest?
The biggest challenge was just the sheer scope of the project. It touches almost every division within the Discovery Channel, along with multiple vendors and partners. It was a massive coordination effort.
http://blogs.discovery.com/discovery-insider/2010/03/fan-vs-wild.html
[youtube]qPUQhTVyCVc[/youtube]
Are you a fan of the show Man vs Wild? Are you a dude between the ages of 21-40? Then this will be of particular interest to you -- although I certainly don't want to discourage any ladies or older dudes from reading this. Earlier this week, I scored an interview with Man vs Wild producer Josh Berkley, and he filled me in on the details of an unusual casting call that will give four lucky fans the opportunity to hone their survival skills with Man vs Wild star Bear Grylls. Read on...
What is your involvement with Fan vs Wild?
I am the Executive Producer for Man vs Wild, and this Fan vs Wild contest is an extension of that program. I am also the Executive Producer of the webisodes that will showcase the Fan vs Wild Degree Men Adventure Challenge, which is sponsored by Unilever, the makers of Degree Men antiperspirant.
What was the inspiration for this contest?
After the huge success of the Will Ferrell episode of Man vs Wild [in which the actor accompanied Bear on an Arctic survival adventure], Jeff Strong in our Marketing department suggested that it would be cool to do a similar episode with a fan and call it 'Fan vs Wild.' Considering how popular that episode was -- we received so many emails and comments about it -- it seemed like a great idea.
What kind of people are you looking for to apply for the Fan vs Wild Challenge?
People who are fans of the show. They don't need to be survival experts -- they just need to share Bear's approach to life. A certain fearlessness and willingness to embrace life and adventure. Because we are partnering with Degree Men, the casting call is open only to men ages 21-40, but within that group we are hoping to attract people from all walks of life, with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. This will truly be an adventure of a lifetime for fans of Man vs Wild.
Can you describe the Fan vs Wild Challenge and how the winner will be determined?
From all the applicants, we will chose 4 fans to join Bear on location in Western Canada -- possibly Calgary or Vancouver -- to compete over five days in a variety of wilderness survival challenges similar to those Bear himself faces on Man vs Wild. Bear will be guiding and critiquing the fans -- along with some special surprise guests --- and at the end of the five days, one of the four fans will be deemed the most deserving of appearing with Bear in a special episode of Man vs Wild.
The Fan vs Wild Challenge will be filmed and shown as a series of six webisodes premiering each week after a new episode of Man vs Wild, starting August 11.
How will the special episode of Man vs Wild differ from the regular series?
For the special, Bear and the winning fan will go on a 48-hour survival odyssey together, much like in the Will Ferrell episode. They will have to find food and shelter, and make their way from the drop-off to the pick-up point. The fan will be expected to show Bear what he has learned during the Fan vs Wild Challenge.
Where will it take place?
For logistical reasons, it will also be filmed in Western Canada -- with similar terrain as where we'll shoot the Fan vs Wild Challenge, but in a different location.
Did you need any special insurance or other measures for producing the webisodes and special episode with non-actors?
Our production team is now working on the 5th season of Man vs Wild, so they are very skilled and competent when it comes to safety. Nevertheless, we stepped up every level of safety for this special, including additional insurance and more safety experts on site. It will be like producing an episode of Man vs Wild on steroids, so to speak. Safety will be the first priority when working with the fans, and there will be multiple redundancies in place to make sure everyone in safe.
Were there any special challenges you faced in orchestrating this Fan vs Wild contest?
The biggest challenge was just the sheer scope of the project. It touches almost every division within the Discovery Channel, along with multiple vendors and partners. It was a massive coordination effort.
http://blogs.discovery.com/discovery-insider/2010/03/fan-vs-wild.html
Should at least be interesting...
