When the netflix truth aired “The Circle” on the streaming service in the early 2020s, seeing other people living in isolation and interacting with friends on screens than face to face was a new concept.
Now, quarantine has become a truth for many other people in the United States, the coronavirus pandemic.
“There’s no bigger show” to film this pandemic, joey sasso, winner of the first season, told The Arizona Republic: “After just a few days when you sat there, I tell you, it’s getting really hard.
Contestants on the show live alone in separate units of an apartment building and communicate by messaging on a voice-activated internal social network called “The Circle.” Cameras placed strategically throughout each apartment capture every moment of the contestants’ days, which are filled with exercising, ball tossing and sketching when they are not completing challenges or texting the others.
It’s a popularity contest in which contestants don’t know exactly who’s on other screens and the profiles of other players – someone who has created an adjusted ego or is as unique as one can be in a real show. Although some contestants questioned his wonderful flirtatious personality, Sasso maintained that he remained true to himself from the beginning to the end.
Competitors rank as much as they like in their interactions, molded alliances and suspicions of who is a “catfish”. Less popular users are blocked and replaced by new players. In the end, the popular top competitor wins $100,000.
2020: From ‘Beastie Boys Story’ to ‘Hamilton’, these are the films from 2020 to today
Sasso believes that the hearing procedure for the second season will be another of his pre-pandemic experience, but that doesn’t stop him from giving recommendations when potential candidates send him a message asking for a recommendation.
“I can’t say what to expect because, based on my conversations (with the candidates), the total procedure this year is absolutely another because of the situation (coronavirus),” he said. “It’s very simple: be yourself.”
Sasso, an actor and writer, says he did not make it to the series with illusions of fame, money or lasting friendships.
“I think it would hurt my genuine career,” he said of his appearance on the truth show: “It’s one of the things I’m wrong about.
One of Sasso’s projects includes writing, generating and directing in an independent feature film, “Young Lion of the West”. As maximum things, you probably wouldn’t see the mildness of the day until 2021 because of COVID-19, he said.
“Don’t put anything on, don’t check it out to be great for the camera. Don’t check it out to be a star in search of glory,” he advised.
Part of the inaugural band of the truth show, Sasso didn’t know what to expect from filming.
“I really didn’t even understand the concept (of the show) myself. I just understood I’m alone, (and) it’s a reality show,” he said. “I’m going to go have a good time and see what happens.”
Being alone in an apartment for days more complicated than he expected.
“If I watched the show at home, I’d think, “Man, it’s not hard, just sitting there all day,”” Sasso said. The days came here and went, and I just wanted to play with the punches; you just wanted to stay alive in this game and relationships.”
Candidates don’t know what day or time they’re shooting and don’t have access to their cell phones, TV or music, Sasso said. They were allowed to bring books with the approval of the production team, but “I’m an audiobook guy,” he said.
He instead brought a sketchbook to occupy his time.
“What I did when I have a lot in my brain is draw,” Sasso said. “That’s why all over the screen you see me sitting on the couch and drawing and letting the hours pass. That’s what would really help me have a day off.”
He was quarantined for two weeks; Sasso had virtually no human interaction, for a stop from a manufacturer once a day.
“There’s so much secrecy. You have to be blindfolded and wear these ear plugs to make sure you don’t see anyone potentially if you’re in a domain where there are other cast members,” he said. “You’ll have time to move on to the roof and get a brand-new air. In most sensations, you’re alone.
Although the competition of “The Circle” only knew others through virtual profiles, many seemed to approach only through the exchange of messages.
“Me, all those other people in my family, have been through something so lovely together,” he said. “It’s like you’ve known these other people for years.”
Filming for season 2 is expected to take place in the UK in the autumn, as production schedules are consistently converting due to coronavirus. Nominations will have to be submitted by August 31, according to the casting director.
Upon online registration, applicants can be contacted through a casting team member and invited to an audition.
Applicants can register on the website https://www.thecirclecasting.com.
“I’m hunting up front to see who will be at the station at the moment,” Sasso said.
Contact the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
Support journalism. Subscribe to the azcentral.com website today.