Wanna be on a documentary about Vandwellers?

[Blue]

Theres a website called "vanbloggers" I check out from time to time... I dunno the whole site kind of rubs me the wrong way, like their trying to appeal to mellenials or sell me crap I dont need... anyhoo... they had this interesting post up (from last june)...

http://www.vagabloggers.com/2012/06/interested-in-sharing-your-van-dwelling-life/#more-1223

I was contacted by a production company working on a documentary about life on the road. I'm excited to be given the opportunity to help share this amazing lifestyle. The possibilities of reaching greater audience and giving a broader view of what "home" is and the many options of what it could be. They've asked us to share their casting call with the van dwelling community. Interested? Here's what you need to know:

"Are you planning to pack up and live life on the road? Are you converting your van or truck into your permanent living space? Have you been living in a converted van or truck? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, and you appear to be between the ages of 25 and 54, we want to hear from you for a potential reality show on a major American cable network. Please send your name, phone number, a photo, and a brief description of your story to: [email protected] "

Make sure to tell them The Vagabloggers sent you

 

[AimlessWanderLust]

I had seen this same kind of thing "I was contacted by a production company" from a number of mobile-living-people (perhaps even Bob here??). I was under the impression that it was planned for a TLC network show, but then was canceled.

Personally, I think it's good that it was canceled. If we all want to be stealthy and left alone, then the last thing we want is a ton of publicity and a ton of people "jumping on the fad wagon." It would only bring more attention (both good and bad) to our lifestyles, and in my opinion, having neither would be better. It's best that the rest of America just ignores us.

 

[Trikepilot]

Good its canned. Your vehical would be profiled,
Your face would be public
and those van dwellers you meet would be public too.
180° from what we seek living this life.

 

[sl1966]

Backing Trikepilot's play here ... Don't, just don't. No matter what they say or promise you, you'll only wind up looking like a participant on Maury's You're Not The Father shows.

There have been very few legitimate documentaries done about this lifestyle and HWood has been trying (IMHO) a bit too hard to crack this nut. The simple fact is that many living this life ... well, Mr Samuel Clemmens said it best “Obscurity and a competence—that is the life that is best worth living.” Your life and how you lead it is not worth the cost of being someone elses entertainment.

 

[AltTransBikes]

The vanablooger thing was from June, 2012.

The TLC thing was posted about in March, 2013:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Wanna-Be-a-TV-Star

I don't think either went anywhere.

Mixed blessings.

 

[sl1966]

Thank Frak for that!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I think it is a bad idea as well, they would likely focus on things that are not flattering or stuff that grabs attention, like a reality show. I wouldn't do it.

 

[caseyc]

I'd sum it up in one word..."fuuuughet about it!" Okay, maybe that was 3 words!

 

[Blue]

Well... I think about it the same way I think about "doomsday peppers" one side of me thinks "people will think your nuts and you'll be telling the world about your secrets!!" Though I wouldent be on it, and yeah sometimes I think its been negative, but overall I think its been good for peppers with perceptions being "they are slightly wacky but regular people and its good somebody is prepping" and maybe even promoted the hobby.

 

[sl1966]

It's one thing to share with a single or small group of like minded people who really get you versus people who have no idea what you're about and view you as a low level freak show.

 

[Blue]

Are you telling me if this show gets made, we might suffer stigma, or discrimination? you dont think were already getting loads of that? I dunno... maybe a real expose showing just how human we are, how others could identify with what weve done, maybe even fantasize about it themselves, could help turn that around...

 

[SternWake]

Nah, the humanity of this existence will not sell advertisements. Any show would focus on what sells, what is shocking, what can hold the attention of the mindless cell phone zombies with dollar signs in their eyes.

Keep the mindless ninnies following the Kardashians and don't turn on the general public to what true freedom is. They have to fund this consumer economy.
$laves.

 

[Blue]

Lol I imagine a lot of home owner insurance commercials if a vandwelling reality TV show gets made...

DON'T LET MAYHEM HAPPEN TO YOU... OR YOU MIGHT WIND UP IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

 

[Unchained]

I dunno... maybe a real expose showing just how human we are, how others could identify with what weve done, maybe even fantasize about it themselves, could help turn that around...

IMO, there is a rather large difference between a documentary and a reality TV show.

Even if it was a documentary, I doubt it would make a positive change in attitude. If you disagree, take a look at the comments section of nearly every article written about folks who have, for one reason or another, moved into a vehicle. Unless they are retiree snowbirds living a spanking new RV, you will get the 'lazy druggie bum' and 'living in a van down by the river' memes and much worse.

 

[Blue]

hey, whats wrong with lazy druggie bums? lol, jk

but I do think thats sort of a reality, some people hit hard times, and have no choice but to move into a van or old RV and live someplace they dont have to pay rent... to say those people are worthless and lazy etc de-humanizes anybody who lives in an van etc. rather than distance ourselves from those people or say were so much better than them or just sweep them under the rug like they dont exist... I think its much better to shine a light and show just how normal if unlucky and maybe a little slow or mental they are but generally having good intentions... at least thats been my expirence with the more downtrodden of vandwellers...

 

[jeanontheroad]

Blue: Unlucky, slow and mental vandwellers, coming to park their van or RV in a street near you!

Me: sure, that would be great publicity. I hope we get to vote on who they use to represent us. I would not vote for you, Blue, and if you look back at the couple of conversations we've had, you will understand why I do not think that you represent my attitudes and values.

Those prepper shows do not make them seem more normal, BTW. The people featured are chosen for entertainment value and make the whole group appear over-the-top paranoid.

 

[Blue]

As I said before... I would not do the show, but really why does any vandweller seen in the media have to represent YOUR values and attitudes? Are they the middle of the road, no conflict, no disagreement, I go with whatever the majority agrees uphon vandweller views? Are you some kind of gatekeeper to vandweller beliefs and attitudes? Do you pride yourself on your level of conformity to the vandwelling non-conformists? How does that work?

I remember once when I was a punk rock musician, another punk told me that my mohawk was all wrong, that it looked like something from out of the 1980s new wave scene, that if I wanted to be a real, "rebel against all athorities" modern punk, I'd have to conform to his sense of style, and I should get more patches on my jacket. It felt the same as this.

 

[Unchained]

People in general tend to stereotype others who are different than they are- so, like it or not, that vandweller in the media will represent all of us to the general public.

 

[jeanontheroad]

The people who produce reality shows are not trying to do a public service or be kind. The are in it for the money. They often do their best to turn their subjects into bizarre caricatures of themselves (Mick Dodge) or hold them out for ridicule (Honey Booboo). The only reality show that I can think of off hand which has handled its subjects with dignity or sensitivity is the one that features Dr Pol.

Blue, I don't think you would like to be represented by me, either, but you would be if I was a feature in a reality show. There is not that much that is entertaining about my life, but there is enough that could be twisted, embellished, exaggerated, or outright made up about me (or anyone else) that would make you cringe to have people associate your life with it. That's what most of the reality shows I have watched seem to do.

---

BTW, I have seen 2 serious documentaries done on van/RV dwellers. They both managed to portray their subjects as pitiful, pathetic social outcasts whose lives were out of control.

 

[AimlessWanderLust]

The news, including 60 minutes, has already done "documentary" type stuff on some vandwellers. We don't need more attention. The last thing we all need is more and more people being made aware that we are using THEIR street to park on at night. How DARE we use THEIR street, we'll bring down the NEIGHBORHOOD and it will become a SLUM. They'll just be more likely to harass us, or call the police.

What they don't know is better for all of us.