Does your life deserve its own reality television show? Would your home or surroundings look fantastic on the big screen? Do you have expertise that would enhance a program if only you had the right connections to make the scene? Well, Cast My Reality might be the startup that can make all your Hollywood fantasies come true.
Founded by a former Merv Griffin TV Executive, Scott Manville, and escape artist Steve Santini, Cast My Reality is a service that connects producers with individuals whose lives should be developed into shows. Years of firsthand experience taught these two entrepreneurs that executives and casting staff constantly need people on screen, new locations to shoot, both businesses and lives to incorporate into programs. They look to become the centralized source for ordinary people and network brass to discover one another.
Manville likes to point out that “the hottest shows in Reality TV today are born from unique lives, professions, and expertise of real people.” On location at KillerStartups, he let the stage lights turn in the direction of his company. Here’s what he had to tell the cameras about real daily life at Cast My Reality.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
We looked at the core of what the service was providing and used a play on words to project that concept through the title.
What’s the very first thing you do at work everyday?
Immediately respond to any queries or issues that are priority…and COFFEE.
How many people did you start the company with and how many people work for you now?
2 – Myself and my business/creative partner Steve.
Remember the early days starting up? Maybe you can describe the struggle you went through?
We’re in the early days now, and loving it. The inspiration and agenda are still so fresh and exciting.
How do you handle frustration? When/how was the last time you dealt with frustration?
Talk with my creative partner, or take a long bike ride and meditate.
How do you picture your company in 5 years?
The go-to source for producers of reality-based programming out to discover remarkable people and subjects for TV.
Who or what inspires YOU? Role models? Quotes? Running?
My wife and children. They keep me humble, inspired, and very focused.
How’d you fund this venture? VC? Self-funding? Crowd-funded?
Self-funded.
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
Don’t rush. Do all you can to invest your own resources before seeking help.
What would you be doing if you had one year off and $500,000 to spend (and you couldn’t spend it on your current startup / projects)?
I’d target a few individuals or families in dire need, and help them out financially.
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur right now? If not, what’s it gonna take to make you feel successful?
Yes, but never enough.
Website you couldn’t live without and why?
Cast My Reality, because it’s our greatest inspiration. That, and TVWritersVault, because they’re both connecting ordinary people with the leaders of the television industry.
Mobile App you’re in love with and why?
Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
iOS or Android?
iOS
What’s the greatest thing about your company/website/idea?
We’ve tapped into the most turbulent area of development and programming for TV, that being the hunt for extraordinary people as subjects for new programming. We’ve proven our model in other methods, and have finally created the venue and device that brings top Producers to our database, scouting people to Cast.
Some recent production companies or networks that have joined your service?
Discovery Channel, and Fox TV Studios.
Where can our readers get a hold of you?
Our company website or Facebook.
Photo Credits
Cast My Reality / TVWritersVault.com / LinkedIn.com / ScottManVille.com
