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Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 06:09:00 PM EST
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How much would it take to get you to spend 30 days in jail? There's an offer out of $20,000.00. For real. It's from the producers of a new documentary series called "30 Days" that will air on FX (cable network). Here's the details I received from the producers:

If you are a male prosecutor or former prosecutor between the ages of 30-50 who is interested in participating in a documentary about prison life by living in a jail for 30 days, please email a short description of yourself and of your prosecutorial career. Please include what your current occupation is and whether or not you feel you could leave your job for 30 days (with compensation).

We are currently casting for FX series "30 DAYS", a documentary-style, unscripted series from award-winning filmmaker Morgan Spurlock. Thedocumentary-style show adapts for TV the concept of Spurlock's critically-acclaimed "Super Size Me".

From the press release:

30 Days will place an individual in a living environment that is antithetical to their upbringing, beliefs, religion or profession. Topics for the six episodes will deal with social and behavioral differences in America ranging from ethnic to religious to economic. Spurlock, who created the concept, will host and narrate the series, while serving as executive producer along with Silverman. Borderline and Reveille SVP Howard Owens executive produced the pilot.

If you're interested, email Allan Johnson at amjthree@yahoo.com.

Update: Read through the comments. Mr. Johnson responds to many of the questions raised.

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    Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition | 31 comments (31 topical)
    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 06:29:36 PM EST
    A million dollars would not be enough. It is interesting that they want a prosecutor for this.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 06:44:40 PM EST
    Hell, I could do 30 standing on my friggin head. When I add up all the time I've actually SPENT visiting clients, I've already done at least a county year. Mostly, it's just boring as all hell. And they want to make this into some sort of "exciting" reality show!? Maybe the morons behind this show should do the 30. Enough of the bread and circuses already.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 06:48:44 PM EST
    One more thing. I'm game, but not for $20K. I'll do it for $144K and not a penny less. I always wanted to bill for 30 consecutive days - nights included. Cool: do the 30 and then take the next 330 off. Yeah, I think I could handle that.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#4)
    by pigwiggle on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 07:07:57 PM EST
    Jail or prison? I'm in if it is jail.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#5)
    by Kitt on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 07:16:36 PM EST
    Whew! Don't meet the criteria. Regardless, I'm up there with 'one world' - a millon bucks isn't even close. Those six hours for kicking that cop was long enough for me. (Oh now, I just kicked his foot)

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#6)
    by jimcee on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 07:22:29 PM EST
    Just when FOX couldn't get any lower they do. I love it! If only people would stop watching TV.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#7)
    by rigel on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 07:37:42 PM EST
    part of my bumpersticker-philosophy has long been that politicians, judges, and crim lawyers should all have to serve 6 months in prison before taking office or beginning practice. im not one to watch reality tv ever, but this is a series i might actually watch, or at least catch the season finale.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 07:42:25 PM EST
    Could they guarantee that you wouldn't be a victim of violence?

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 08:25:40 PM EST
    30 days in county? Hell I could do that standign on my head. 30 days for a prosecutor in county? Can I tell the guys in GP he is the man? - k

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#11)
    by pigwiggle on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 08:30:47 PM EST
    “Pigwiggle, since you're willing, send him an email” My agreement was only rhetorical; I’m not a prosecutor. I have had friends in both jail and prison. Prison sound like a nightmare while jail is just lame, or so I’ve been told. I imagine jails see a lot of folks pass through that have a bit more clout than the average felon. It would be hard to explain how your city councilman or local retailer was raped or stuck under the sheriff’s care. Unfortunately, the same concern isn’t extended to prison inmates.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 08:36:26 PM EST
    It's not Fox, it's FX (Correction: FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox). FX bought the series from the creators of the show, it didn't come up with the idea. I assume it's jail, as in county jail, not a state prison. Pigwiggle, since you're willing, send him an email Lavocat, I don't think the time we spend in visiting rooms is anything like what it's like in the cellblocks for those counties with real jails.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#12)
    by wishful on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 08:49:10 PM EST
    pigwiggle says, "...I imagine...blah blah blah" That is the problem. Imagining something is probably not much like the real thing. Sometimes County jails are worse than state prisons. Under funded, under staffed, over crowded and privatized, with little consideration for alleviation of the resultant tension. No, I don't know this first hand either. It's secondhand info. I wonder if it will be kept from the other inmates that the "new guy" is a poser, just simulating being an inmate for the entertainment of the mouth breathers.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 09:02:41 PM EST
    Pigwiggle, I have to disagree. County jails in urban areas are no walk in the park. The one I visited this afteroon holds everyone from people who are awaiting trial and can't make bond on misdemeanors, to convicted murderers on their way to the state prison and violent offenders picked up on parole or probation violation warrants. In one buidling at this county jail there are 3 tiers of prisoners, held two to a tiny cell that contains only bunkbeds and a toilet/sink. The meals are fed through the doors--they eat on the bed. Both prisoners are kept in this cell 21 1/2 hours a day. The noise is outrageous, the germs and threat of disease from inmates with hepatitis and other communicable diseases is very real. The feds often warehouse pre-trial detainees in county jails. So those who have not even been convicted --and are presumed innocent--can be housed in the same unit (although probably not cell) as those on their way to the big house about to begin a life sentence for murder. True, there are some jails many people easily could do a month in. Aspen comes to mind, although during a tour, I got claustrophobic just standing in the cell that Claudine Longet did her 30 days in. And yes, it's boring, unless, of course, you're preoccupied with survival. It's not a place with many rich folks, who have a better chance of making bond and of getting probation in state cases if the offense is non-violent.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 09:21:01 PM EST
    i took the bus to work for 6 months and it dropped me off and picked me up right in front of the king county jail. based on what i saw when they let people out, and what i heard (screams - not from abuse, but from what i thought were folks with drug/mental problems) you couldn't pay me enough to spend 30 days in there. heck, even a week... definitely not a walk in the park. interesting concept - wonder if they'll have any takers.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 11:23:40 PM EST
    I will attempt to answer/address some of the above questions. First, I want to clear up a mild misconception it appears some people have. This particular show will be just one 1-hour show. There willl be five other 1-hour shows as part of the six-show series. Each of the six episodes will be produced like documentaries in the style of "Supersize Me." Morgan Spurlock, who wrote, produced and starred in that is the executive producer of "30 Days." This show is meant to highlight issues and explore them in an investigative yet offbeat manner. We are talking with prisons and will decide which to use after we have a prosecutor in place. We are also still working on all the safety/insurance-related issues. We would work with any interested prosecutors to ensure that all their safety needs are met. I know that this isn't for the majority of prosecutors out there, and that the $20K won't equal many lawyers' billing rates for 30 straight, full days, but those reasons, we hope, will help flush out prosecutors who truly wish to be apart of this project, and hopefully the $20K makes this economically viable for the interested lawyer. If anyone is interested I recommend that you send me an email at amjthree@yahoo.com

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 17, 2005 at 11:54:42 PM EST
    Question: how does living in jail for 30 days give a glimpse of prison life? I've spent one (yes, 1) day in county jail, but I'd imagine that it's probably a bit different than prison. I might do it if it were jail, but if there are cameras everywhere like a reality TV show... forget it, that's worse than prison.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 05:17:38 AM EST
    I don't suppose the majority of people will ever understand that there's a difference between being in jail/prison for 30 days, knowing that you'll get out at the end of the month with your job and life intact, and hearing that door slam behind you and knowing that you are the property of the govmint and it's minions for the next 10 years, knowing that when you get out you will have nothing left...no life, no friends, no family, no job. Besides, a pretend 30 days isn't anything like the real thing becauese everyone inside will know what's going on. There are NO secrets in there. However, I do like the idea of prosecutors spending time inside. Learn to love the smell, the noise, the horror.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#18)
    by pigwiggle on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 05:21:56 AM EST
    TL- Thanks for the info; I guess my experience with jail is pretty limited. wishful- “...I imagine...blah blah blah” As unpleasant as always.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#19)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 06:52:41 AM EST
    My kid brother says that the time he spent in Cook County was 10 times rougher than his current prison sentence. He is not in a max facility so maybe that makes a difference, but his time in Cook where overcrowding and gangs rule, was much less safe.....

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#20)
    by wishful on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 07:28:26 AM EST
    pigwiggle, I thought about what you said, and you have a point. I should not have said the "blah, blah blah" bit, sorry. However, I'm not sure how you conclude with "As unpleasant as always." I don't find this to be accurate.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#21)
    by pigwiggle on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 07:49:30 AM EST
    wishful- “However, I'm not sure how you conclude with "As unpleasant as always."” Well, I owe you an apology as well. Too early and no coffee, sorry.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 08:00:34 AM EST
    I like the idea. Unfortunately, the prosecutors who most likely need a glimpse of the inside are probably least likely to offer. While 30 days is not the same as 10 years, I fould the several hours I was locked up in my youth to be virtually unbearable. For me, deprivation of liberty was truly (and unfashionably) a real punishment. I'd like more (all!) prosecutors to understand this.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 08:03:03 AM EST
    I'm with Kitt...the day I spent locked up over a roach was plenty for me.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 08:11:08 AM EST
    "Prison sound like a nightmare while jail is just lame, or so I’ve been told." In my experience it's vice versa. The inmates where I work bug the HELL out of me to find out when they are going to be "Notified," for pickup to prison, meaning they can't wait to get out of the county jail and into the more "relaxed" prison system here in AZ.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#25)
    by wishful on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 08:34:18 AM EST
    pigwiggle: Mmkay, thanks.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 08:35:02 AM EST
    I first came upon the TalkLeft site after 24 hours in the Denver City jail. Even a small dose of incarceration can change your view forever. I can’t imagine the experience as ever being a ‘walk in the park’. After the decidedly unpleasant experience of being arrested, being in lockup is a constant series of indignities, miseries and humiliation. Do you like having your legs kicked apart and being felt up from head to toe? Do you like taking a sh*t in full view of guards? Or being herded around like animals? I’m not saying I was mistreated – I wasn’t. This is the way everyone is treated. It’s depersonalizing, disorienting and frightening. Most of the women had no money for bail, and very fragile lives. Three weeks in jail can be the difference between having a job or losing a job, making rent or not making rent, keeping your kids or losing your kids. Others were obviously mentally ill. There was a ‘screamer’, and another woman who couldn’t understand why her mother couldn’t come and get her. And of course, there was the food, the smell, women coming in covered in vomit, a women who had a seizure, blood on the floor. Breakfast at 4am before you’re hauled somewhat worse for wear in front of an arraignment judge with an overworked and under prepared PD. After I got out I began researching the criminal justice system with an eye towards doing something for those caught up in it. I discovered TalkLeft (and through TalkLeft many other great blogs) and it’s been my homepage for 2 years. Law school is still a long ways away for me, but it’s my hope that some day I’ll be able to advocate for these defendants. They need all the help they can get.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 08:40:35 AM EST
    Kristen, that was beautifully stated and very compelling reading. Stay with the goal, it's worth it, and the defendants need you now as much as ever.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 09:25:59 AM EST
    Here's Texas' official nominee. My own personal write-in candidate is Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal, age requirement be damned.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 09:38:28 AM EST
    Kristen, I agree with TL. Very well put. I have a little on you, total of about 39 months. It gets more tolerable, mostly because we're an amazingly adaptable species. It never gets easy. As for county vs. prison, generally prison is easier for several reasons. Prisons are designed for the long haul, so things like excercise and time out of the cell are more available. Inmates have adapted somewhat and a societal heirarchy has been established, so the "alpha" is already in place and not everyone has to fight over it. Prisons are usually larger, so there's a little more space to move around in. Prisons have somewhat better food (I'm talking in relative terms here) because jails can scrimp since the average guy is only going to be there for a few days and that's not enough time for the malnutrition to begin to show. In prison, most of the acute medical problems and inital drug withdrawal have already occured, so you miss the trauma, vomiting and blood associated with that (except for the part due to the guards). And in most prisons almost everyone has the opportunity to work. It may be demeaning, but it allows you to get out of that Godawful cell. Bottom line, prison is better, but it's like Dante's Inferno....the ninth level of Hell is better than the tenth, but neither is listed in the Michelin Guide with four stars beside the name.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 11:31:38 AM EST
    Regardless of whether it's prison or jail, I doubt we will get an accurate picture of imprisoned life. No correctional facility would allow FX to air what really goes down behind their walls. For example, I doubt they would air prison guards laughing and pointing at a prisoner sitting on a toilet pleading for some toilet paper to wipe his arse, which was the highlight of my one day jail stint.

    Re: Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 02:30:16 PM EST
    Jail is easy and boring (at least in Upstate NY). Prison is one of the circles of hell. In jail, you worry about getting fat on the crappy high-starch diet. In prison, you worry about living to see the next day. Yes, Virginia, there is a very, very big difference. Needless to say, FX is talking about jail and not prison. I could probably handle more than 30 in jail. No way in hell would I want to do a minute of REAL time in ANY prison. THAT would take both guts and insanity. No thanks.

    Casting Call: An Intriguing Proposition | 31 comments (31 topical)