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Arts & Entertainment

Residents to Showcase Life Through a Reality TV Series

'Growing Up Gold Coast' puts together a cast.

Thinking the Jersey Shore is interesting in the summer? Well, Long Island residents, and Connecticut native turned Long Islander, Chris Dunn, seem to think Long Island is the place to be, especially this summer.

“We’re scheduled to shoot in June, provided we find the right people,” Chris Dunn, CEO and producer of the reality TV show concept, “Growing Up Gold Coast,” and dubbed “Long Island Life Reality TV Series” on Facebook.

Dunn, a University of Connecticut grad, loves the entertainment business and thinks Long Island presents the perfect backdrop for one.

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“Long Island is intriguing, there are all different kins of people and everyone has a certain ‘Long Island Pride.’ We’re looking for people that will interact with each other in entertaining ways,” Dunn said, adding that this is simply the next step for him professionally as his career thus far includes a variety of marketing and acting/modeling experience.

The company has already held one casting call  and Dunn believes they may be able to move forward with the contestant selection. 

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Brittany Reph, a possible cast member who tried out at 841 Lounge in Huntington Station last week, said selected cast members won’t know for a few weeks.“It was an excellent experience; I hope I get picked,” said the 23-year-old Levittown native.

Reph was born and raised on the Island and said she and her friends always joked about filming a reality show because her life is “crazy and hilarious,” and she thinks many would be interested in watching the lives of young professionals on the Island.

Reph thinks this will be the most distinctive reality TV show because, as Dunn confirmed, cast members will not be unplugged, or forced to use a duck phone.

“They’re following individual lives and you’ll still be connected. That’s different. Long Island has so many interesting things going on, especially in the summer; from the Nautical Mile in Freeport to Huntington and even the North Shore and The Hamptons,” Reph said. She also works as a model, does a little bit of bar tending and works for a check company. She said she found out about the auditions through Facebook.

Dunn said the marketing efforts have largely been a viral, word-of-mouth effort, which has resulted in a several different locals offering up their space for filming locations.

The cast will be made up of 8 to 10 men and women from 21-31 years old. Dunn said it’s important to find motivated and career-oriented individuals, who will show that the Island’s youth is not being drained to other areas of New York and the country.

Although word on the Internet is that this reality show will be centered in Huntington Village, Dunn said it will showcase all areas of the Island.  The show will follow cast members around their local communities and through their daily lives, including jobs, nightlife, family life and wherever the company can follow cast members with a camera crew.

Dunn said that the show might help the image of the Island and perhaps stimulate the economy through sponsorships and by highlighting the different bars and restaurants.

He added that while the way “The Jersey Shore” has been able to monetize reality TV is “amazing,” he has taken public opinion into consideration for “Growing Up Gold Coast.”

“The Shore is a cash cow, but a lot of Long Island people don’t want it like that; we’ve taken public opinion into account. The concept has been in the works for about 6 months or so,” Dunn said.

Dunn said many former reality TV stars are reaching out, including “The Ozone,” a man cut from the last round of “The Jersey Shore.” The casting call inspired people of all ages, and from as far as Pennsylvania to udition, but Dunn said the majority of people ranged from 23-27. Reph said there were a lot of people in their 30s as well.

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