CMU School of Drama


Thursday, September 29, 2022

I Worked on the Survivor 'Dream Team' Testing Challenges

www.businessinsider.com: If you're looking for the most epic job, then you should join the "Dream Team" on "Survivor." I've always been a massive fan, so when I got the opportunity to work on the show, my mind was blown. It was like being a contestant, except without the mosquitoes and hunger.

9 comments:

Sophie Rodriguez said...

This job sounds incredibly interesting. I’ve always been curious about how different shows conceive of and test these challenges that they show. I also wondered about loading in the “setting” for these challenges, and who constructs them. This position sounds like it covers such a range of tasks, physical challenges to standing in for lighting... However, the eating challenge reminds me of something similar that is done on Hell’s Kitchen – blending random foods into a drink, I’ve wondered how real these were, or if they were just production. Hearing that people actually test this is a tad unfortunate. I don’t know anyone that has ever completed a job like this but I know people that would love to, it’s interesting to think that there is some type of job listing that lists that range of potential tasks and disclaimers considering how intense Survivor can be. I also wonder what type of corresponding production jobs exist for a show like this which incorporates so many different aspects – games, nature, challenges, reality TV, filming, safety…

Angie Zarrilli said...

I never really thought about the fact that the challenges they bring out in Survivor have to be tested by people. In hindsight, it makes sense as they not only have to make sure it’s safe, but visually entertaining for an audience. This reminds me of a show I used to watch where this guy would go out and try the strangest jobs. It makes me really excited to get into the job world and see what fun job I can get. Obviously I am going to have to work for it, but I really look forward to being able to do fun things like this. Maybe I would be able to design the challenge, or film for a show like Survivor in the future. It just opens my mind to all the possibilities of what is possible outside of normal-esque jobs. Why would I choose to do something boring when I could be getting paid to do something that I enjoy and find fun or appealing.

Ava Notarangelo said...

It never really crossed my mind that people had to do these types of jobs. Although I knew it existed, I never really thought about it especially for reality types of shows. Of course the job has to be done, but it’s something so absurd that people don’t typically think about or long to do. I’ve always thought of wipeout as one of the bigger reality game type TV shows, but it’s another show I didn’t think about the different types of jobs for until now. I think these very unique jobs are super interesting, and it would be really cool to get a job I think is super interesting in the future. Staying interested in my career is very very important to me, so I think being involved in something as weird and different as Survivor would definitely keep me interested because there are so many things that can happen.

Dean Thordarson said...

This job sounds like such a fun and incredible opportunity. I have seen a couple bits and pieces of the show and several other similar styles of wilderness survival show and have always been curious what the experience is like. This job allows for the full experience of the contestants without having to live in the wild at the same time – which definitely seems like it would make the experience a lot more fun for the members of the dream team. I have always been curious what it is like for the contestants to have to endure all they do while the shooting crew have all the resources and amenities they need. Obviously, if the contestants are in danger or in dire need of help, they will receive it, but when they are several days into their foray, I can’t help but wonder how they must feel seeing the people filming them who get to shower and eat actual meals every day. The dream team job sounds like a really fun experience, and although I likely would never be selected for the job, I still think it would be really fun to try.

Brynn Sklar said...

Survivor is my not-so-guilty pleasure. I have actually auditioned to be on the reality television show and will probably do so again in the future. After reading this article it makes me want to shift and try this. Obviously it's not my sought after career move post college but it would be fun to just get to participate in some capacity. Plus it is more likely that I do not have a personality for the camera and might do better just applying to be behind the scenes (kind of like how it usually is.) I also just did a quick google search and it does not seem like this application process is advertised to the public so I wonder how CBS or casting goes about it these days. I will have to do more research into it but over all this seems to be a really cool, once in a lifetime experience.

Danielle B. said...

This is cool. I don’t think I could physically do this job but I would love it. I personally have no drive or desire to ever be infront of a camera, but to be the test crew for a show would be so cool! This seems like an experience I would do for one season and never again.
I do think the way he got the job is very reflective of the theatre industry to this day. It unfortunately and fortunately is a game of who knows who. Theater is like survior a lot. The slogan “Outwit. Outplay. Outlast” is reflective of the theatre’s drive to push boundaries and be successful. Sometimes I feel like shows need a dream team of their own who can test things out and show what is at stake…oh wait we do do that with workshopping shows, previews, and techs…so is surviver and the dream team just theatre or is theatre all one big game of survivor.

Carolyn Burback said...

I love this show and have always wanted to do this!!! It does sound intense however doing all the activities for that long over all those months sounds exhausting. I always considered they’d need to test the obstacles to see if they’re doable but never abt the camera angles that optimizes shots of the action. I also think it’s nice food and boarding is payed for considering they’re doing some very intense experimenting with obstacles that might not even be possible without injury or excess bodily strain. It’s interesting they have to drive out to different terrains instead of testing in a place where it’s all in the same place. I do like how they make sure the challenges are doable because a lot of times my family and I have been like “is that even possible?” when the contestants are struggling for a while. Im curious though if it changes anything that they’re not starving like the contestants who have gone days without food or shelter. Like the obstacle might ONLY be doable if the person has eaten and rested properly.

Jackson Underwood said...

Every day, I realize there's more and more jobs in the field of entertainment than I would ever have thought about. Being on Survivor’s Dream Team is probably not for me, because I’m not one to push myself physically, but it’s definitely an incredible opportunity for those that can handle it. You never really think about how much planning, preparation, and manpower goes into reality TV competitions like Survivor. I know this job isn’t for me, though, because I would tap out of any kind of gross eating challenge the second it was announced. There is no way I would put myself through that. However, someone’s got to do it before the actual contestants to make sure its safe, and I respect that. Seemingly, the most valuable part of the job isn’t the places you get to travel or the fears you overcome, it’s the people you meet and the networking. That reminds me of my life right now.

Allison Schneider said...

I love this show, and looking at the job of the dream team is not a common perspective! This is actually one of my sister's dream jobs! I really enjoyed getting to see the different things they do behind the scenes, although I admit When watching the show I didn't realize just how much they had to do. I remember how gross that milkshake challenge was when watching the show, though for some reason I didn't think the dream team would have to actually drink them when testing it out! It makes sense now that I'm thinking about their job after reading the article, but I had initially thought their job for the challenges was more for filming purposes than the testing. For some reason I had assumed they had already been tested somehow. The Dream Team clearly works very hard and my sister definitely needs to step it up if she want to be a part of it!