| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this reality competition series -- in which amateur photographers vie for a fashion photography contract and prize money -- includes images of male and female models in revealing clothing and posing nude (sensitive body parts are blacked out). There's also some strong language (though words like "s--t" are bleeped) and sexual innuendo, and the series overtly promotes brands like Hewlett-Packard, Victoria's Secret, and Vaseline.
In reality competition series THE SHOT, 10 amateur photographers from all over the world try to prove that they're talented enough to work in the competitive world of high fashion. The group spends 30 days facing challenges designed to teach them new photographic techniques and to encourage them to be more creative. Whether shooting underwater or hanging from a cliff, they're expected to take pictures that meet the high standards of fashion photography. They must also demonstrate that they're capable of working effectively with models, make-up artists, and members of a magazine's editorial staff. Hosted by renowned fashion photographer Russell James, the show also features various fashion industry notables, who offer some tough criticism to the aspiring shutterbugs. After each challenge, the person who impresses them the least is asked to leave. The last one clicking wins cash, a contract with Victoria's Secret, and an editorial layout in Marie Claire magazine.
Created by the producers of America's Next Top Model, The Shot offers an interesting look at the decidedly unglamorous work that goes into creating the glossy images we see in fashion magazines. Like Top Model, the series includes images of models wearing revealing clothing and posing for nude layouts (though no sensitive body parts are shown). But in the end, this series focuses more on the art and technique that goes into taking a good picture rather than what goes into to posing for one.
The show -- much like fellow fashion-industry series Project Runway and The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency -- will likely be a hit with viewers who are interested in that world, as well as with aspiring photographers who want to learn more about the industry and how it works. But the cast's endless bickering, the sometimes-strong language, and some sexually-explicit comments make the series a bit strong for younger viewers.
Families can talk about what life is really like as a fashion photographer. Is it as glamorous as it seems? How do fashion photographers learn their craft? What's the difference between an amateur and a professional photographer? Families can also talk about modeling for the fashion industry. Why are models willing to wear weird clothes (or no clothes), strange hairstyles for the sake of style?
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | VH1 |
| Cast: | Russell James |
| Genre: | Reality TV |