Big Brother Canada rolls into Vancouver in search of houseguests for new season

If your idea of an awesome spring involves hanging out with 14 strangers in a custom-built house for two months as you participate in wacky competitions and have your business broadcasted and live-streamed across the country—all for a shot at a crisp $100,000—you’ll want to head to the Bourbon (50 West Cordava Street) this Saturday (October 1).

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Big Brother Canada show-runners will be taking over the Gastown bar to cast for the reality TV program’s fifth season. Applicants must be at least 19 years of age.

To help up your chances, we asked casting honcho Robyn Kass—fittingly known as Kassting among long-time Big Brother and Big Brother Canada fans—for her top don’ts when attending an inperson casting call.

Don’t over-prepare

There’s no need to study Big Brother and every one of its international iterations prior to your interview. In fact, it’s fine if you’ve never seen an episode.

“Get a good night’s sleep, wear something that you feel really good in, and just show up with a good attitude,” says Kass by phone.

Oh, and be prepared to share a little bit about your life—and what makes you different from other Big Brother Canada hopefuls.

Don’t go over-the-top

Contrary to what you may have heard about reality TV, the casting process is all about keeping it real.

So although dressing in costume, arriving with homemade signs in hand, and preparing a full standup set peppered with Big Brother Canada jokes may make you the star of the queue, it’s not what producers are looking for.

“We want people who are authentic,” says Kass. “On day three in the Big Brother house, when you forget the cameras are there, that’s the person I want to get to know.”

Don’t channel a past houseguest

Sorry to break it to you, but chances are you’re not the second coming of Gary Levy or Jon Pardy. So put down the glitter and, for God’s sake, quit it with the “Wake up, Canada!”

“We’re looking for new people, new energy, new approaches to the game, new strategies,” says Kass. “It’s okay if someone says, ‘I see a little bit of this person in myself’, but we’re not looking for a ‘repeat’ anybody.”

Big Brother Canada will also be conducting casting calls in Edmonton, Halifax, St. John’s, Toronto, and Montreal over the next month. If you can’t make it inperson, applications are being accepted online until October 24.

Big Brother Canada’s fifth season premieres on Global in spring 2017.