I saw this in an email newsletter from Home Education Magazine: "My name is Sean De Simone and I am a Casting Director with Back Roads Entertainment, a major NYC reality TV production company (www.backroadsentertainment.com). We're currently developing a non-scripted TV series based on homeschoolers and homeschooling families. Below is a casting notice for your review, and to forward to interested parties (it would be most appreciated). If interested in learning more or to discuss interest, do not hesitate to contact me at homeschoolcasting@gmail.com. Sincerely, Sean De Simone Casting Director Back Roads Entertainment www.backroadsentertainment.com NOW CASTING: HOME SCHOOLING FAMILIES THAT ARE GENUINE & INTERESTING Are you an unabashed advocate of homeschooling? Do you feel that traditional schooling is a waste of time? Are your kids prime examples of the power of alternative learning methods? A major television production company is searching for parents who are strong proponents of homeschooling and other untraditional learning structures. We are seeking families that are genuine, unique, and dynamic for an unscripted television series now in development. If interested, please email homeschoolcasting@gmail.com with a brief letter of interest about your family and educational philosophy, as well as a current family photo (or photos) and contact number. " WOW. I think that's an awful idea. It's gonna make us come off like nuts and weirdos. What do you think?
Sign me up! :lol: My kids and I have often talked about what it would be like if anyone ever did a reality show on homeschoolers. We are the odd ones around here, though. We only have two kids, we are very relaxed, my kids listen to secular music, etc. I think I'm going to talk to Dh and email the guy.
It's probably a bad idea. Reality shows are looking for DRAMA. If there isn't any, they will find a way to make some. Many people already have negative stereotypes about homeschoolers.
I think it could be pretty cool! Think about the Duggar family- their show is produced with respect to the individuals involved and (I think) has been a positive showing of a large, homeschooling, Christian family. For our family it is not an option to be on the show but I think it could be great!!
I have to agree with this. People will want to see the problems, heartache, disappointment, resentment, anger, frustration, attitude, tears, fights, etc etc etc. Sadly, this is what reality TV is. Mostly.
Yeah, it's definately something I would NOT be interested in...either to take part, or to watch! DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA!!!
Honestly I hope it doesn't happen. I seriously doubt they'd show a positive experience. The letter sounds a bit loaded that way now. I worry if they find some crazies and create a bunch of drama it could cause real problems for homeschoolers (more pressure for more government control over homeschoolers).
I noticed they were looking for "attitude" about homeschooling advocacy, too. I'm sure the actual show will be a far cry from the reality of the majority of homeschoolers, but I think I'd still be curious enough to at least watch the pilot.
I don't know, it seems sorta fishy to me. I wouldn't write to it. If it was real, and not a scam for your address and so on then I still wouldn't touch it. I don't need any Drama around here, and there are always going to be people out there that are going to hate you for what you do. Why broadcast it? I agree with an earlier poster who said that it could be used as a ploy to cut homeschooling or to make tighter laws for it. Like, "Look how full of drama these people are" or "Look how crazy these folks are!" You know they want the "Everything is the devil" sort of homeschooling family. I dunno. Just sounds too odd to me.
Lol, Meg, my cousin does in-home child care, and had a family of two that were homeschooled part-time. My cousin LOVES to decorate for holidays, and tends to go all-out. She decorated for Halloween. The kids came over, their eyes VERY big, and the oldest one asked her, "Do you worship the devil?"
I think everyone at the spot should apply so homeschoolers don't come off as nut jobs! LOL I've discussed this with hubby before, saying IF you could get a station to do it RIGHT it'd be a great idea. I mean the Duggar's homeschool but you rarely ever see anything about homeschooling on their show. And when you see homeschool characters on TV shows it's ALWAYS shown in a negative manner with the typical stereotypes played up. If done right (which I doubt it would be) I think it could be great. But you know they are going to pick the 'best ratings' families. The unschoolers who don't believe in any disciple at all, the ultra conservative Christians that think those who celebrate Halloween are devil worshipers, etc. You know, the stereotypes that make better ratings. They'll pick the family that doesn't have TV, radio, video games or internet and only socializes with church friends. They won't pick the family that uses a co-op or one that uses a full boxed curriculum and goes on a monthly field trip with a homeschool group, or the family that has a child that was getting bullied and was failing and now is thriving socially and academically as a homeschooler. They won't pick the family that homeschools some kids and sends others to public or private school because they are doing what is best for each child. They won't pick the family that has an only child who they homeschool so they have plenty of time to develop their gift in a sport or music. They won't follow the family who's 14 year old son owns a internet business he runs all alone that makes more than many adults with college degrees can.
Controversy and Kooks are what keep viewers coming back week after week. Networks don't want to feature nice, normal people and families.
I was hoping they might chose several families to get a good cross-section and at least represent a few different hs'ing stereotypes. :lol:
I can think of a few families that would provide some good amusement but would unfortunately probably not be the best advocates for homeschool.
I took the wording of this statement as they are choosing different families. "We're currently developing a non-scripted TV series based on homeschoolers and homeschooling families." I wouldn't do it. I would watch it though.
I wonder if this is for the same show? http://homeschooling.penelopetrunk.com/2012/06/29/how-i-put-homeschooling-on-reality-tv/