It isn’t very often that someone gets the chance to break into the television industry through an open casting call, but the Shop At Home Network is giving UT students and faculty just that opportunity.
Beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, the Shop At Home Network will hold auditions to find fresh on-air talent for its sales programs.
There is one catch, though. The auditions are one day and one place only — Nashville.
Even though it may seem like quite a challenge for students and faculty to make the two-hour drive with classes in session, Allison Walden, public relations coordinator for the network, said that this is “the opportunity of a lifetime,” and should not be passed up because of the distance.
The casting call begins at 8 a.m. at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, and Walden stresses that only the first 150 people in line will be auditioned.
“It is recommended that you show up as early as possible since we’re only seeing 150 on Friday,” she said. “We’re going to get contact information from everyone else.”
Steve Bryant, vice president of talent for the network, added that anyone not seen Friday would be called back for another audition at a later time.
Walden explained that there would be no pre-registration requirements, and that hopefuls only had to bring two things with them — enthusiasm and a small consumer product to pitch to a panel of judges.
Bryant emphasized that the product be small enough to fit in your hands.
“You’re going to be standing in line with whatever you bring,” he said. “So keep that in mind.”
Each person will be given five minutes in front of a panel of six judges, including Bryant, to give their best sales pitch for whatever product they choose.
Those advancing to the second round of auditions will be given a surprise product to market to the panel.
When asked what advice he had for those auditioning, Bryant (without hesitation) said, “Try not to be like everyone else. We’re probably going to hear, ‘Hi, I’m so-and-so. Welcome to Shop At Home,’ a hundred times. Be creative.”
Walden said Shop At Home is looking for well-rounded people with charisma to become hosts for its programming.
“You must have a good personality, a good camera presence and be able to sell a product,” she said. “Other than that, it’s very open. It doesn’t matter what a person’s major is … and no professional experience is required.”
Bryant, also a seasoned Shop At Home host, stressed that this audition was not for people who wanted solely to become a television celebrity.
“First and foremost,” he said, “this is a career for people who want to sell. Selling has to be a passion to work successfully in this industry. We’ll know in the first 30 seconds whether a person has potential.”
Participants must be 18 years old and ready and willing to go into full-time work with Shop At Home if offered a position.
