Going the 'mental route' really is a slick way of disarming people.

Remember Rule #1. NEVER talk to the media.

A whack-job??

Well that's a kick in the teeth. Have to agree that it's a bad idea to talk to the Media.

I subscribe to a website and recently received this email from the owner. I guess we should all remember it is "reality" tv.

....Back in 2009 when I was interviewed and filmed for Newsweek's, "Survivalism Lite", I was pretty sure that interest in survival and preparedness was short-term.  Two and a half years later, the prepper movement has grown and has its own place in cable TV on NatGeo's "Doomsday Preppers."

My experience with the show began in August, 2010, when an assistant producer contacted me and asked if I'd like to participate. The show, as described to me, was quite intrusive.  Many questions were about our guns and where we kept them hidden and something was mentioned about a surprise drill.  I couldn't say, "No!" fast enough

A few weeks later I received another call from a very reasonable sounding man, the producer of the show. He explained that the concept of the show had changed and what he presented was more in line with my desire to present preparedness in a calm, instructive manner.  After a few days of discussion and thought, my husband and I agreed to be filmed.

Here's what we learned and experienced.

    Reality TV should be called, "Unreality TV".  Everything you see is pretty much staged and coached, including much of what is said. 

    The producer's job is to create a story that will hold the attention of the viewer.  That's the bottom line: making sure people don't switch channels.  So, everything filmed will be spliced together in a way that tells HIS/HER story. 

    Only about half of what you see, maybe more in some cases, will be completely accurate.

    Sad to say, but "Freaks" have always been good business, going back to the days of the Elephant Man and the Bearded Lady.  So, shading an individual or family with the use of odd camera angles, sound effects, doom and gloom background music all play a part in creating a not-quite-accurate portrayal, but it plays good on TV.

    "Fact checking" is more for journalists than reality TV.  When I stated that only three major highways led into and out of Phoenix, that fact had to be checked, but there was no problem in editing my words to give an inaccurate portrayal of our family.  Another participant said that there were two completely false statements made in her segment, so striving for accuracy seems to take second or maybe third place to creating drama.

    Some people think the preppers in this show are being paid.  Not only did we not receive any money, it actually cost us money in time, gas, and getting the house ready for TV cameras.  I heard that the tilapia guy got paid, but if so, it was kept under wraps.

    Reality TV shows require a signed release form that gives the production company and network 100% control of the filmed words and images.  Other than filing an expensive lawsuit, I suppose, there's no recourse if you don't like how you are portrayed or if too much personal information is divulged.

There is a segment of the population who will do and say anything in order to have their 15 minutes of fame on TV, but the preppers who have been on "Doomsday Preppers" don't strike me as falling into that category.  Like me, their hope is that the non-prepared will learn something and start taking action.  That is the ultimate value of shows like "Doomsday Preppers".

From The Survival Mom

Quote from: Solars Toy on February 13, 2012, 08:21:29 AM
I subscribe to a website and recently received this email from the owner. I guess we should all remember it is "reality" tv.

....Back in 2009 when I was interviewed and filmed for Newsweek's, "Survivalism Lite", I was pretty sure that interest in survival and preparedness was short-term.  Two and a half years later, the prepper movement has grown and has its own place in cable TV on NatGeo's "Doomsday Preppers."

My experience with the show began in August, 2010, when an assistant producer contacted me and asked if I'd like to participate. The show, as described to me, was quite intrusive.  Many questions were about our guns and where we kept them hidden and something was mentioned about a surprise drill.  I couldn't say, "No!" fast enough

A few weeks later I received another call from a very reasonable sounding man, the producer of the show. He explained that the concept of the show had changed and what he presented was more in line with my desire to present preparedness in a calm, instructive manner.  After a few days of discussion and thought, my husband and I agreed to be filmed.

Here's what we learned and experienced.

    Reality TV should be called, "Unreality TV".  Everything you see is pretty much staged and coached, including much of what is said. 

    The producer's job is to create a story that will hold the attention of the viewer.  That's the bottom line: making sure people don't switch channels.  So, everything filmed will be spliced together in a way that tells HIS/HER story. 

    Only about half of what you see, maybe more in some cases, will be completely accurate.

    Sad to say, but "Freaks" have always been good business, going back to the days of the Elephant Man and the Bearded Lady.  So, shading an individual or family with the use of odd camera angles, sound effects, doom and gloom background music all play a part in creating a not-quite-accurate portrayal, but it plays good on TV.

    "Fact checking" is more for journalists than reality TV.  When I stated that only three major highways led into and out of Phoenix, that fact had to be checked, but there was no problem in editing my words to give an inaccurate portrayal of our family.  Another participant said that there were two completely false statements made in her segment, so striving for accuracy seems to take second or maybe third place to creating drama.

    Some people think the preppers in this show are being paid.  Not only did we not receive any money, it actually cost us money in time, gas, and getting the house ready for TV cameras.  I heard that the tilapia guy got paid, but if so, it was kept under wraps.

    Reality TV shows require a signed release form that gives the production company and network 100% control of the filmed words and images.  Other than filing an expensive lawsuit, I suppose, there's no recourse if you don't like how you are portrayed or if too much personal information is divulged.

There is a segment of the population who will do and say anything in order to have their 15 minutes of fame on TV, but the preppers who have been on "Doomsday Preppers" don't strike me as falling into that category.  Like me, their hope is that the non-prepared will learn something and start taking action.  That is the ultimate value of shows like "Doomsday Preppers".

From The Survival Mom

IMO, the 'value' of the show is that the 'Preppers' will be used as tools to make others having a similiar mindset look to be eccentric, foolish and possibly even dangerous.

On another site it was mentioned that one of the preppers shot 1/2 of his thumb off during a 'training' session. Anyone know that for sure? I tried to google it, but came up empty.

Yes, that accident was shown on last nights edition. Guy ended up shortening his thumb by about 3/4". Called it an accidental sticking his hand in front of the barrel as he pulled the trigger. Guy was in such pain he passed out. Paramedic was a member of the camera crew and took care of him.

Still left with the impression the whole "Doomsday 2012 Preparation" effort is being held up for ridicule by this program.

Quote from: Possumpoint on February 15, 2012, 01:50:48 PM
Yes, that accident was shown on last nights edition. Guy ended up shortening his thumb by about 3/4". Called it an accidental sticking his hand in front of the barrel as he pulled the trigger. Guy was in such pain he passed out. Paramedic was a member of the camera crew and took care of him.

Still left with the impression the whole "Doomsday 2012 Preparation" effort is being held up for ridicule by this program.

Thanks, Possum. You won't get any arguement from me on the 'ridicule' aspect.

Also, I was thinking-Is it smart to let your neighbors and all the local criminals know what you have? I sure don't think so!

Quote from: Possumpoint on February 15, 2012, 01:50:48 PM
Yes, that accident was shown on last nights edition. Guy ended up shortening his thumb by about 3/4". Called it an accidental sticking his hand in front of the barrel as he pulled the trigger. Guy was in such pain he passed out. Paramedic was a member of the camera crew and took care of him.

Still left with the impression the whole "Doomsday 2012 Preparation" effort is being held up for ridicule by this program.

Its akin to the guy insuring his collector car he drives once a year and his buddy thinks he's nuts for shelling out so much money since he only drives one day a year.
Only to have it stolen and destroyed in some kids joy ride.

I wear a seat belt, not because its the law, or that I think I might cause a wreck, but because of the other idiot on the road that can't drive worth a damn.
I also have a gun or 30, not because I hunt.

Point is, preparing for tomorrow has always been human nature, to go against what's natural is simply stupid.

Quote from: Solar on February 15, 2012, 03:33:08 PM
Its akin to the guy insuring his collector car he drives once a year and his buddy thinks he's nuts for shelling out so much money since he only drives one day a year.
Only to have it stolen and destroyed in some kids joy ride.

I wear a seat belt, not because its the law, or that I think I might cause a wreck, but because of the other idiot on the road that can't drive worth a damn.
I also have a gun or 30, not because I hunt.

Point is, preparing for tomorrow has always been human nature, to go against what's natural is simply stupid.

Ya gotta love mother nature, it makes you think and plan ahead.  Or you could be a lib.   

Quote from: walkstall on February 15, 2012, 03:44:15 PM

Ya gotta love mother nature, it makes you think and plan ahead.  Or you could be a lib.   

Conservatives work with and respect nature...  libs try to legislate against it...

Quote from: taxed on February 15, 2012, 03:45:54 PM
Conservatives work with and respect nature...  libs try to legislate against it...

A "fool and his money are soon parted."  Then they start looking at how to take our money.

Quote from: walkstall on February 15, 2012, 03:44:15 PM

Ya gotta love mother nature, it makes you think and plan ahead.  Or you could be a lib.   

Yep, and they actually think Gov will be there to bail them out...

Quote from: MAC Man on February 13, 2012, 06:25:05 PM

IMO, the 'value' of the show is that the 'Preppers' will be used as tools to make others having a similiar mindset look to be eccentric, foolish and possibly even dangerous.

It's a dumb show. Not only does it accomplish what you mention, but it also shows the entire world what preparations that individual is making, which invites unwelcome attention.

National Geo had repeats on tonight. Got to watch the segment again with the guy whose guns were taken away. Saw nothing in his demeanor that indicated he was suicidal. Smells to high heaven.

Was kinda comical watching a guy that overweight acting tactical with his assult rifle.

Quote from: Possumpoint on February 18, 2012, 08:37:17 PM
National Geo had repeats on tonight. Got to watch the segment again with the guy whose guns were taken away. Saw nothing in his demeanor that indicated he was suicidal. Smells to high heaven.

Was kinda comical watching a guy that overweight acting tactical with his assult rifle.

It does smell to high heaven.

I couldn't help but laugh when I first saw his picture, though. He could have passed as a relative of that Junior Samples character from the old tee-vee series 'titled 'Hee-Haw'.

shoulda been on Hee-Haw