2004 Conference Archives

Q&A with NATPE speaker Bertram van Munster

NATPE recently caught up with producer Bertram van Munster who appears at NATPE on Tuesday, January 20 at 12 noon in the Bellini 2101 A-B rooms on the casino level of the Venetian Hotel as a NATPE Chat Room guest to speak on reality television. He is the globe-hopping Executive Producer/Co-Creator of CBS' Emmy Award winning reality series The Amazing Race. The show pits 12 couples in an eye-popping race around the world to win a $1 million prize. Having just returned from six weeks around the world preparing for The Amazing Race 5, which will air on CBS in 2004 -- Mr. van Munster sat down with us at his Los Angeles office to talk about the award winning and critically acclaimed series he and his wife, Elise Doganieri, Senior Producer and Co-Creator have developed into a true winner.

Q: Why do you think The Amazing Race won an Emmy Award this September in the newly created category, reality/competition? What makes the show so special?
A: The Television Academy recognized The Amazing Race for its storytelling, drama, humor, production value, cinematic approach and its reality.

Q: Tell us about preproduction for The Amazing Race…how do you plan a route around the world?
A: It takes years of producing experience the world over, a world map, scouting and lots of thinking. My co-creator of the series, Elise Doganieri, and I take separate global routes when we scout. It can take us two to three months of pre production before we start shooting.

Q: As a producer, what are the toughest hurdles you have to overcome to deliver a show like The Amazing Race?
A: It's the clock. The scope of the show is without boundaries. Sometimes we have to make quick on the spot decisions and hope they are the right ones. I keep hoping someone will create a 34-hour day.

Q: How long does it take you to shoot 13 episodes of The Amazing Race?
A: It can take us anywhere from 28 to 33 days to shoot 13 editions of The Amazing Race.

Q: How many personnel world wide -- including host Phil Keoghan and your partner Jerry Bruckheimer -- are on board with you to bring The Amazing Race to TV viewers?
A: It may sound extraordinary, but it fluctuates from a core of 45 people to as many as 2,000 worldwide.

Q: Why do you think reality television has become so popular?
A: Television audiences can totally relate to reality television. I thoroughly believe that reality television has matured into a new focus and popularity. It has become the difference between 'Car 54 Where Are You' and 'Cops'."

Q: If you were to name your favorite reality TV shows, what would they be?
A: The first season of The Osbournes was a lot of fun. But I sincerely believe that The Amazing Race, Profiles from the Front Line and Wild Things all set a new standard in the approach of reality television.

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