How to survive TV show tryouts

Everyone seems to be looking for his 15 minutes of fame through unscripted TV these days, but chances for success are slimmer than a toothpick -- in some cases as little as 1 in 50,000. Looking to beat the odds? You may want to check out “How to Land a Spot on Reality TV,” a Nov. 19 class offered by the Learning Annex and moderated by Jim Dobson, a celebrity publicist whose clients include Benicio del Toro and Roseanne, as well as various unscripted-TV “stars.”

Share experiences will be Marcellas Reynolds, the flamboyant gay diva who shacked up in a Studio City house for “Big Brother”; Rebekah Holly, one of the eligible women on “Bachelorettes in Alaska”; and Blake Mycoskie, the sexy contestant who traipsed around the world for “The Amazing Race.”

What they have in common, other than being charming and attractive, Dobson said, is that they are “diverse, with different experiences and backgrounds.” Their secret for landing on prime-time TV: playing up those idiosyncrasies. Sheila Conlin, a casting director who’s looking for “Bootcamp” competitors, will round out the panel.

Dobson will cover techniques for getting on a show and putting together a standout audition tape. Strategies for winning and profiting from the program after the season is over also will be covered, even though the odds say few, if any, students will have that opportunity.

-- Susan Carpenter

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Ready for prime time?

Class: How to Land a Spot on Reality TV

When: Nov. 19, 6:45-9:30 p.m.

Where: Hollywood Film Institute, 1223 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica

Cost: $49

Info: (310) 478-6677 or www.learningannex.com