Prize games were first introduced on TV in 1938, during their experimental period, and have become a staple in television programming since 1950, as they require lower production costs than other types of formats. The prize games host various competitors with the opportunity to have fun while winning cash and prizes, and, in some cases, even have a little moment of glory. Various people who later became famous appeared for the first time on TV in such a program, such as the psychologist Joyce Brothers, competitor in the USA of "The question from 64.000 dollars". If you are considering participating as a competitor in a sweepstakes, try reading and following the advice in the following steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Decide Which TV Show To Choose
Step 1. Think about your skills
Prize games are based on one or more skills. Programs such as "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "The Inheritance" require a good basic general knowledge, while "The Wheel of Fortune" tests the ability to guess phrases. "One Minute to Win", on the other hand, is a program that requires physical skill, while "The Price is Right" requires a good understanding of the prices of various products. Other programs require strong investigative and intuitive skills, or a determined and attractive character.
- Think about which games you are usually best at. If you are good at Trivial Pursuit, it would probably be more suitable for you to participate in a sweepstakes that tests your general knowledge, such as "The Legacy." a program like "The Wheel of Fortune".
- Think about your other hobbies too. If you have good athletic skills and are a daredevil, you could participate in a prize game that requires greater physical prowess, such as "One minute to win". If you like karaoke, you might want to try some TV shows that feature karaoke.
Step 2. Consider the various rewards of the games
Sweepstakes offer both physical items provided by companies that advertise their products in the program, and cash prizes, which come from taxes paid by sponsors, or a combination of both.
- The prizes are chosen mainly on the basis of their television attractiveness, rather than their real usefulness to the competitors. In most cases, these are linked to a game, both thematically and relative to a certain moment in the program, such as the prizes in "The price is right" of which you have to guess the exact value. If you need the items up for grabs, such as a new car or a trip, then opt for a prize game that offers these material items. If you want to win some cash, you could opt for a program that offers prizes in gold coins.
- In Italy, taxes are applied to all prizes won.
Step 3. Also think about the personal motivations that drive you to participate in a program
Beyond the previous suggestions, you may have more important and more pertinent personal reasons for choosing to participate in a sweepstakes. For example, you may want to participate in a certain program that you followed from an early age and, if you are a fan of the presenter, this could be an excellent opportunity to meet him in person. Also, if you want to show off, a sweepstakes is a relatively easy way to do it.
Method 2 of 2: Procedure for Joining a TV Program
Step 1. Find out about the program
It is very important to have a working knowledge of how the game unfolds before trying to become a competitor. Some games have developed strategies that can help competitors, such as the clues contained in the responses of the "The Legacy" program.
Some sweepstakes that have yet to be aired call for auditions to select future entrants. If so, it is obviously impossible to have actual knowledge of the game before being a competitor
Step 2. Check that you meet all the necessary requirements for admission to the game
All sweepstakes have certain eligibility requirements for their competitors. In general, you must be at least 18 years of age, except for those shows that involve children or adolescents (some programs have stricter requirements, such as a minimum age of 21 or not accepting competitors who are already appeared on 2 shows in the last 5 years or 3 in the last 10). Furthermore, it is not permitted to be affiliated in any way with the gaming companies, the production, the network or the syndicate that distributes the program, or with its sponsors and advertisers.
- Famous people are not usually allowed to participate in sweepstakes, unless it is a particular stake for charity.
- Other reasons that may prevent participation in a competition include being an employee of one of the organizations linked to the program, being linked to an employee or knowing an employee.
Step 3. Contact the program or television network
Most sweepstakes come with rules with instructions on how to apply to participate. For most programs, you can submit your application via the network or program site, and for some you can also apply by phone or email.
To apply as a competitor for some programs it is only necessary to report your name, address, age, and other information to verify if the user meets the eligibility requirements. Other programs may also request a photo or short introductory video (for the “Your Business” program, for example, photos of competitors from their past are required, such as childhood photos, which will be displayed throughout the game)
Step 4. The hearings
Most television programs involve auditions / interviews to identify potential competitors and discard unsuitable candidates. For TV games that choose their competitors directly from the studio audience, there are interviews with each studio audience member before recording. For other TV games, contestants can demonstrate their general knowledge and gaming skills as well as an interview; these auditions usually occur long before recording, and may take place in locations other than where the show is being recorded.
If you pass the audition, you will finally have the opportunity to participate as a competitor. The waiting time from your audition can range from a couple of weeks to a year and a half, depending on the popularity of the show and the number of people who qualify. If you fail to participate in the program within the time frame indicated by the show's producers, you will be able to apply again
Advice
Practice for your audition by playing at home with family and friends. It is also advisable to study any planned tests
Warnings
- Qualification is not a guarantee of an appearance on TV. Most televised games qualify more contestants than they actually participate in, and some programs may be canceled before they have a chance to use all of the successful candidates.
- You can apply as a contestant for more than one show, but, as noted above, you can only appear on one show in any given year. If this or any other eligibility rule is violated, prizes won may be confiscated and donated to charity.
- Each aspiring competitor is responsible for all expenses incurred for the audition. If you have to move to another city to participate in the auditions, you could have your audition coincide with other activities, such as a pleasant sightseeing tour. These collateral activities can serve as a "consolation prize" if you fail the audition.
- Most sweepstakes require you to cover your expenses even if you participate as a competitor; however, some programs provide for coverage of expenses at this stage.
