If I were 30 (or even 20) years younger I'd be pounding on the door to get on to this show. Just like I'd be clamoring to get onto Discovery Channel's "Naked and Afraid." Unfortunately my body isn't up to the task anymore.
I even thought of doing my own variation, "Naked and Loving it" located in the wilds of Southern California. Probably wouldn't go anywhere because it would turn into an instructional show on Native American survival techniques and there wouldn't be enough drama.
But... there is a market for educational survival technique shows that don't go for the drama. It is a niche market. "Survivorman" is one. "Ray Mears" is another..
The only “legal” impediment to nudity in Britain (Scotland has liberalised in recent years but I’m not so sure about Northern Ireland) is in the court of public opinion. Nudity is legal, but not always socially acceptable.
As you say, the presence of a film crew would oil most troubled waters, and in the main one can walk the countryside naked and be greeted with only a smile, but a trek into town .... Few people know the law around public nudity, assuming it must be illegal because, you know, they’re NAKED! and while many won’t react there will always be some. And you can still be arrested because the police don’t always know the law - to be fair, they rarely come into contact with naturists so that obscure legal corner isn’t up there with drugs, thieves and motorists.
Having worked as part of a film crew for many years, I can assure you that it's virtually impossible to film a reality series without a significant amount of interference from the production team. While they try to make it look as authentic as possible, a fair proportion has to be orchestrated to make the sequences work and flow correctly. That fact is something that always influences the way I appraise shows such as this, as I sit on my own personal "judgmental couch".
Having said that, though, the challenges and difficulties faced by the contestants are no less formidable, given the climate of Scotland. I imagine that the one reassuring thought for each of them is that, despite the title, they are not really alone - they are pretty much constantly monitored. I spend many hours hiking the forest trails naked and alone in my own local area and am always safety conscious - always checking in with the girls at the DoC visitor center to tell them where I'm heading and what time I expect to be back. That's just common sense!
I, too, was surprised by the production's lack of awareness on U.K. law regarding public nudity. There is no Scottish law against being naked, or partially naked, in a place where you can be seen. There is just the common law offence of offending public decency - a strand of the breach of the peace - but it's a very high test. A member of the public would have to prove they had been put in a state of alarm or distress by your nudity. Just like here in New Zealand, it is now becoming increasingly difficult for someone who claims to be offended by the sight of a naked person to secure a successful prosecution, unless the naked person was committing an indecent act.
I, for one, viewed the series before it appeared on free to air TV. In reality it's a UK version of naked and afraid. The series was filmed in Scotland, I'm unsure of the precise interpretation of Scottish law but certainly in England and Wales mere nudity is not illegal. The terrain they chose to hold the series in turned it into a mere survival exercise. I watched the series because the pilot was somewhat more interesting. That was filmed in the England and had a far higher level of population in the area. This meant far more interaction with the public and many more opportunities to either to advance or not based those interactions.
Personally I preferred the pilot as you are quite correct a mere survival exercise can be tedious.
Yes, easy to be judgemental from the sofa! Thanks for being thoughtful. I would watch at least one episode if I could find it, but reality competitions are as you indicate fabricated cheap drama and nudity is titillating for many people. A good way to build an audience.
If I were 30 (or even 20) years younger I'd be pounding on the door to get on to this show. Just like I'd be clamoring to get onto Discovery Channel's "Naked and Afraid." Unfortunately my body isn't up to the task anymore.
I even thought of doing my own variation, "Naked and Loving it" located in the wilds of Southern California. Probably wouldn't go anywhere because it would turn into an instructional show on Native American survival techniques and there wouldn't be enough drama.
But... there is a market for educational survival technique shows that don't go for the drama. It is a niche market. "Survivorman" is one. "Ray Mears" is another..
Winning the award for favorite quote of the day, “...it occurs to me that even naked, some people can still be really annoying.” Truth!
The only “legal” impediment to nudity in Britain (Scotland has liberalised in recent years but I’m not so sure about Northern Ireland) is in the court of public opinion. Nudity is legal, but not always socially acceptable.
As you say, the presence of a film crew would oil most troubled waters, and in the main one can walk the countryside naked and be greeted with only a smile, but a trek into town .... Few people know the law around public nudity, assuming it must be illegal because, you know, they’re NAKED! and while many won’t react there will always be some. And you can still be arrested because the police don’t always know the law - to be fair, they rarely come into contact with naturists so that obscure legal corner isn’t up there with drugs, thieves and motorists.
Having worked as part of a film crew for many years, I can assure you that it's virtually impossible to film a reality series without a significant amount of interference from the production team. While they try to make it look as authentic as possible, a fair proportion has to be orchestrated to make the sequences work and flow correctly. That fact is something that always influences the way I appraise shows such as this, as I sit on my own personal "judgmental couch".
Having said that, though, the challenges and difficulties faced by the contestants are no less formidable, given the climate of Scotland. I imagine that the one reassuring thought for each of them is that, despite the title, they are not really alone - they are pretty much constantly monitored. I spend many hours hiking the forest trails naked and alone in my own local area and am always safety conscious - always checking in with the girls at the DoC visitor center to tell them where I'm heading and what time I expect to be back. That's just common sense!
I, too, was surprised by the production's lack of awareness on U.K. law regarding public nudity. There is no Scottish law against being naked, or partially naked, in a place where you can be seen. There is just the common law offence of offending public decency - a strand of the breach of the peace - but it's a very high test. A member of the public would have to prove they had been put in a state of alarm or distress by your nudity. Just like here in New Zealand, it is now becoming increasingly difficult for someone who claims to be offended by the sight of a naked person to secure a successful prosecution, unless the naked person was committing an indecent act.
I, for one, viewed the series before it appeared on free to air TV. In reality it's a UK version of naked and afraid. The series was filmed in Scotland, I'm unsure of the precise interpretation of Scottish law but certainly in England and Wales mere nudity is not illegal. The terrain they chose to hold the series in turned it into a mere survival exercise. I watched the series because the pilot was somewhat more interesting. That was filmed in the England and had a far higher level of population in the area. This meant far more interaction with the public and many more opportunities to either to advance or not based those interactions.
Personally I preferred the pilot as you are quite correct a mere survival exercise can be tedious.
Yes, easy to be judgemental from the sofa! Thanks for being thoughtful. I would watch at least one episode if I could find it, but reality competitions are as you indicate fabricated cheap drama and nudity is titillating for many people. A good way to build an audience.