How to Get on a Game Show and What to Expect when You Get There

Sometimes watching your favorite game show is just not enough. How many times have you
played along with the TV and aced the contestant on the screen? They are real people like you that took
the first step to getting on the show. Nationwide searches are always in progress whether done
on recruiting tours or via video tape mailings. Most shows select a wide variety of faces and personalities,
thus ensuring that their program connects with a wide audience.

Taking the first step is as easy as visiting the website of your favorite game. Here are 10 tips to prepare you
for that day of audition and what to expect when you get there.

1. Know that game well. If it's a word or trivia-type game, study up the best you can. Even if it's a
game of chance, learn all you can about the format. Playing well under pressure starts with playing
with virtuosity at home. Once you've submitted your contestant's application, sit tight for a call back.
Depending on the popularity of the show, the call backs may be swift, or a matter of months, or not at all. Stay
positive.

2. The camera loves a smile. Once you're called back, an appointment will be set for an audition. This screening process will test your skill on the game, ensuring that you're a viable competitor, but also, they are looking
for your personality. Smiles win big. As a contestant, the camera will be zooming in for your
facial reactions. Give them a nice, warm smile. If you don't have one, go get one. This is your
first step to appeal to the producers. Game shows are about having fun. Your smile and
personality must reach to the viewing audience.

3. Be a team player. Nobody likes a sore loser. Always encourage your fellow
competitors and genuinely mean it. The game is not about you. You are just a guest to perform well
and give the producers a nice finished product. By showing good sportsmanship at the audition,
they will know that they can trust you on air.

4. Be interesting, but not boastful. Be prepared to tell something interesting about yourself. But, keep it simple and brief. They may wish to bring this up on camera, so keep it short and to the point.

5. Dress appropriately. To enhance your appearance on television, choose solid colors above the waist. Most shots will be upper body and close ups, and wild print will compete with your face. Black is always slimming
for the hips and perhaps you'd like to off -set that with a bold colored blouse. The key is keep it simple.

6. Attaching the microphone pack. . Just before the show begins, you will be issued a microphone pack that must be clipped to your clothing. The microphone is one of the final stages before show time, and you don't want to have trouble attaching it. The pack is about the size of an ipod and clips easily to a belt buckle around your back. Two piece outfits work best. Dresses without belts will make this task difficult and bring you undue stress.

7. Putting your best face forward. Avoid eating salt one to two days before air time. Salt will cause you to retain fluids and can make your face puffy, especially around the eyes. Also, be mindful of the sodium hidden in processed food. Drinking 8 glasses of water will help to flush the toxins out of your skin. For best results,
start as early as you can, and no later than the day before air time.

8. Avoiding stress and headaches. Most studios tape more than five shows per day. So, although your air time is only a half hour, you may be at the studio eight hours or more waiting your turn for "action". In the green room, a table of food will be spread for the entire day. Be sure you eat plenty, the more natural the food, the better. Failure to eat may result in a headache that could render you incapacitated for the show. We all want to look our best for the camera, so I recommend you reduce or eliminate sugar intake several days before the taping. Sugars can cause anxiety and nervousness that may impair your performance.

9. Standing on solid ground. Shoes. They matter. Studio flooring is usually concrete and quite slippery. Wearing new shoes with slick soles will not give you stable traction on those floors. In addition, a maze of electrical cords are anchored to the floor with duct tape making it difficult to manuever in high heels. For your comfort and overall well-being that day, be sure you have comfortable shoes. The style doesn't matter, as no one is going to see your feet anyway. What counts is that you feel good and are ready for anything.

10. Don't take yourself too seriously. Whether at the audition or actual air time, be sure you have fun. Winning money is great, but showing signs of desparation is not. If you relax, you'll even perform better. Game shows are designed for "feel-good" television. If you can put yourself at ease, the audience will rally
behind you and the network will thank you.