A couple of days ago, I wrote a snarky post about the casting call for Season 2 of Top Shot . It seems that the folks at Pilgrim Films, the casting company for Top Shots, have been dropping their press release on the comments section of several gun bloggers websites (Stuff From Hsoi’s blog, Say Uncle and In Jennifer’s Head), and as you can see at the bottom of the original post, we were also paid a visit.
Since Mr. Aboud from Pilgrim Films was kind enough to leave a personalized comment on our site, I decided to reach out to him to thank him, as well as provide him with some of my own comments about Top Shot. Mr. Aboud promptly respond to my email, and I’d like to share it with you, along with my original email to him:
Hello Mr. Aboud,
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment on our blog at https://www.greatsataninc.com/top-shot-2-casting-call/13/ this afternoon. It appears that my post was taken with the grain of salt that was intended, and I appreciate your professional response. Despite what it may look like, Top Shot is one of a select few shows I make time to watch each week. I do enjoy the shooting aspects of the show and I wish there were even more challenges for the contestants.
The entire shooting community was excited about the prospect of positive national coverage of the shooting sports. The show appears to be shifting to emphasize personality conflicts and strife, which is a shame, as I believe this is the best crop of shooters you will be able to attract if the trend continues.
As a 2nd Amendment advocate, I am concerned that the personality conflict aspect of the show will only perpetuate media driven caricatures of shooters as volatile and dangerous people. This negative image will harm the shooting sports and the shooting community. If interpersonal conflict is the driving force of the show, then I fear that you will only attract marginal shooters from the ugly fringe of possible contestants. I understand that drama is an important and necessary part of a successful reality show, but I question the focus of that drama.
Shooting is a dramatic sport in its own right. Biting personality conflicts and “crises” have already become a distraction from what has made Top Shot uniquely interesting and exciting. Some of the current contestants are outstanding shooters who would probably elicit strong emotional responses if pushed to shoot well beyond their abilities. Shows like “The Deadliest Catch” and “Dirty Jobs” have continued to reign because of the organic nature of the drama, and I believe Top Shot would do well to capture some of that essence, rather than become “Rock of Love” with Firearms.
That being said, I hope my opinion does not disqualify me from being considered as a contestant in the future. After all, I’ve got the big opinions and personality part covered. ; )
Sincerely,
MzVRWC
Mr. Aboud’s response:
By all means, (MzVRWC), apply this season! The one thing we’ve maintained about this show from the very beginning is that it’s a “reality competition” show. Top Shot probably wouldn’t have the exposure and popularity that it does if we didn’t focus on the personalities as well as the skill. Folks looking for coverage of speed shooting and multi-gun matches can find them on the web. But we think this format has broad appeal. These people are real shooters with some real skill, and these are their real personalities. There will always be critics who think your average gun enthusiast is too “stoic” for television, and there will always be critics who think that anything beyond the stoic professionalism of the average shooting competitor has no place in a shooting competition. I’d like to think Top Shot strives to strike a solid balance in order to educate, entertain and put a human face on the community.
Enjoy the show and best of luck!
FYI, I expect fair royalties when and if Rock of Love: Floozies with Firearms goes on air.
