By Sebastian Fryer
Western Herald
Local ABC affiliate WOTV 4 is offering locals the chance to be a local celebrity with their search for “The Face of 4.”
“It’s a contest to find talent for WOTV 4,” said WOTV 4 Marketing Director Kurtis Kaechele. “We’re looking for somebody charismatic. We’re looking for somebody young and hip.”
The winner of the contest will receive a one-year, $20,000 contract with WOTV 4.
It won’t be an easy gig, though: the Face of 4 will be featured in Web, radio, television, and print promotions and will host and cover events such as fashion shows and fundraisers.
Kaechele mentioned that WOTV 4 might even fly the future personality out to Hollywood to interview stars of primetime ABC shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Housewives.”
An open casting call will be held on a first-come-first serve basis at Empire Beauty School in Standale on Nov. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A second casting call will be held at Empire’s Portage location on Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The candidate – who must be 21 or older – will have one minute to pitch themselves to the judging panel.
What will the judges be looking for?
“Be yourself, number one,” Kaechele said, “but, we’re looking for someone with a lot of energy, charismatic, comfortable in front of people, can talk to people, interview them for whatever.”
The judging panel at the casting call will pick twenty semi-finalists to go on to the next round.
While the panel will choose their top five for finals, WOTV 4 will be doing something a little different with the voting process. The semi-final candidates will record a video audition which will be posted online, and the person who receives the most votes from the public will be crowned “The People’s Choice” and given a spot in the final round of six total finalists.
The final round will be filmed live on-stage, and the winner will be chosen by a celebrity judging panel, which will feature Puddin from WSNX morning show “Puddin’s Playhouse.”
“We want to take advantage of a great promotional opportunity,” Kaechele said, “and we want to find somebody in the community that’s maybe a hidden gem.”
Some contestants are already getting creative. Kaechele mentioned that Facebook fan pages have been popping up for future candidates.
However, Kaechele was sure to reiterate one of the most important traits in the future “Face of 4.”
“Be yourself, Kaechele said, “and maybe you could be a star.”
More information, including rules for entry and applications to enter WOTV 4’s “The Face of 4,” can be found at www.wotv.com.
