Naked and Afraid on the Discovery Channel has frequently been accused of being fraudulent. However, producers Mathilde Bittner and Steve Rankin disclosed that filming the reality series is actually “treacherous” for them.
The main reason for this is that the two survivalists are essentially “on their own” for the duration of the season, spending 21 days in the wild, naked, and without food or water.
The cast members are confined in a “bubble” even though they have an emergency line to the production staff. According to Rankin, the only instance in which they “choreograph” the moment is when the two supposedly underpaid contestants first cross paths on day one. The remainder is actual and frequently hazardous for the participants as well as the camera team.
Producers of “Naked and Afraid” Don’t Always Get Quality Footage Because They Don’t Assist Survivalists in Navigating the Wilderness
Bittner stated in an interview with Reality Blurb in May 2015 that production leaves the camp before dusk. She clarified that the participants are “on their own” and said, “We need to be safe, too. Sometimes we need to get out of there before nightfall because it’s treacherous for us.” They do, however, have “an emergency radio transmitter/walkie-talkie” and a whistle in case assistance is needed.
Rankin explained that “they have a map, a very basic sketch map,” and that “if they go off track during that walk, they might just have a little nudge from the producers.” This is how the participants navigate the wilderness.
Rankin explained that the challenge for Discovery Channel lies in their approach to filming. “We’ll attempt to remain in the background to capture wide shots and understand their location in the environment, but we allow them to venture into specific areas independently to ensure their success,” he said about their shooting method. He added, “This doesn’t guarantee that the footage will be of high quality.”
Nonetheless, he finds satisfaction in “the incomplete coverage… as long as we can tell the story.” You can tell there isn’t a producer behind the camera because of such elements, which truly add to the show’s impact.” The show began to “allow the cast more freedom” following the first season.
Consequently, producers have increasingly urged them to utilize their diary cameras, providing them with more unsupervised time. The production team obtains footage from an infrared-capable fixed-rig camera in the shelters, allowing the survivalists to feel more isolated while ensuring that nothing is missed.
The Producers of “Naked and Afraid” Only Intervene When the Survivalists “Start to Crack” in the Wilderness
Speaking of Rankin’s concept for Naked and Afraid, he stated, “The key to this is giving the survivalists free freedom and the opportunity to stay in the environment both physically and mentally. It is best if we avoid interacting with the survivalists. We make an effort to interact as little as possible.” Thus, the participants stay focused within their survivalist “bubble” and aren’t even informed about production concerns.
They live in a bubble, according to Rankin. “We enter the bubble and bust it more as we interact with one another. We always go away from the cast to discuss any problems we are having with the production process before returning.”
However, Bittner revealed that they do not cater to the participants’ food requests. “We don’t provide them with sandwiches at the end of the day,” the supervising producer stated. “They ask for various things—Snickers bars, cake, spray, and so on—but what you see is what they get.”
They only intervene to encourage the survivalists when they are at their most vulnerable. “If you lose your mental strength or your motivation, it’s over,” Bittner said. “A significant portion of what I do is to help them remember why they are there, especially during these dark moments when they say, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.'” Reminding them of your purpose for being here, your commitment, and your inherent strength.”
She said, “Your mind will find excuses to get you out.” Ranking added, stating that “people start to break when the anguish becomes too great. When someone reaches their breaking point and is helpless, it’s awful and heartbreaking to witness. They all regret it, every single one of them.”
The Producers of “Naked and Afraid” Are Taken Aback by the Survivalists’ Tenacity in the Wilderness
Both Bittner and Rankin acknowledged that when cast members arrive at the extraction location quickly, it frequently catches them off guard. Typically, “they’ll actually be much more efficient than we were on our scout,” the former told Reality Blurb. They are genuinely observing the setting in which we occasionally have a tendency to get a bit too close to our electronics.”
With regard to the survivalists, Bittner remarked, “They surprise us how fast they move.”
Rankin mentioned that the production team can never predict what will occur during the 21 days. “We’ve gotten to know these individuals, vetted them, and ensured they are fit to participate and complete the 21 days,” he said about the pre-season process. “We create a profile of who they are, their personalities, likely behaviors, and interactions with each other.”
The producer stated, “Every time, our expectations have fallen short. It’s always different from what we anticipate, teaching us about judging people.” Bittner added that the crew “never knows what each day will bring,” and that “I was most surprised by how many have these small realizations about what truly matters in life.”
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