"30 Days" (2005) TV series 2005-????

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

15 June 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Reality-TV

Plot:

An unscripted, documentary-style program where an individual is inserted into a lifestyle that is completely different from his or her upbringing, beliefs, religion or profession for 30 days.

Plot Keywords:

Fish Out Of Water | Number In Title

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Morgan Spurlock

...

Himself - Host / ... (12 episodes, 2005-2008)

Series Directed by
Jay Bluemke		(1 episode, 2008)

Series Writing credits
Sarah Carney		(6 episodes, 2008)
Colin Devenish		(6 episodes, 2008)
Rebecca Lock		(6 episodes, 2008)
Sona Panos		(6 episodes, 2008)
Matt Taylor		(6 episodes, 2008)

Series Produced by
R.J. Cutler	....	executive producer (18 episodes, 2005-2008)
Alexandra Reed	....	producer (12 episodes, 2006-2008)
Michael Bernstein	....	supervising producer / senior producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
Jonathan Chinn	....	executive producer / co-executive producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
Alan LaGarde	....	senior producer / producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
Mary Lisio	....	producer / co-producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
H.T. Owens	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
Benjamin Silverman	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
Morgan Spurlock	....	executive producer (8 episodes, 2005-2008)
Lyle Gamm	....	story producer (7 episodes, 2005-2008)
Max Swedlow	....	supervising producer / lead story producer (7 episodes, 2005-2006)
Todd Cohen	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 2005)
Nick McKinney	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 2005)
Chris Lehman	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 2007-2008)
Jay Bluemke	....	producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Margaret Burris	....	associate producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Poppy Das	....	supervising producer (6 episodes, 2008)
John Gray	....	story producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Keri Hammond	....	producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Nate Harrington	....	producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Matthew Hobin	....	associate producer / co-producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Elsa Johnson	....	consulting producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Mark Kadin	....	co-executive producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Graham McKay	....	associate producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Grant Rickard	....	story producer (6 episodes, 2008)
David Roma	....	senior producer / producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Kathleen Shugrue	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Jill Snyder	....	story producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Paul Storck	....	story producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Matthew Testa	....	producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Isabel Vega	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Emma Webster	....	senior producer (6 episodes, 2008)
Alison Ellwood	....	supervising producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Keith Hoffman	....	supervising producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Carolyn McEwen	....	segment producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Ellen Raphael	....	line producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Kaarina Cleverley Roberto	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Eric Salat	....	segment producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Mary Belton	....	segment producer / story producer (unknown episodes)
Mala Chapple	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Dave Hamilton	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Jill Hutchinson	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Mark Koops	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)
Mark Landsman	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Kim MacQuarrie	....	story producer (unknown episodes)
Monica Martino	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Chris Nee	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Stacey Offman	....	supervising producer (unknown episodes)
Fred Pichel	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Kate Richter	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Jonathan Ruane	....	story producer (unknown episodes)
Michael Selditch	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Angela Victor	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Jeff Cardoni		(12 episodes, 2005-2006)

Series Cinematography by
Sarah Levy		(3 episodes, 2005-2008)
Brian Danitz		(unknown episodes)
Mike Desjarlais		(unknown episodes)
John Mans		(unknown episodes)
Bob Maraist		(unknown episodes)
Gary Russell		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Maris Berzins		(6 episodes, 2008)
Diana DeCilio		(6 episodes, 2008)
Eileen Finklestein		(6 episodes, 2008)
Greg Finton		(6 episodes, 2008)
Yaffa Lerea		(6 episodes, 2008)
Jillian Twigger Moul		(3 episodes, 2008)
Andy Robertson		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Morgan Fahey		(6 episodes, 2008)
Jaye Fenderson		(6 episodes, 2008)
Chad Hillman		(4 episodes, 2005)
Nisa Ahmad		(2 episodes, 2005)
Carmen Cuba		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Abby Lyle	....	key makeup artist (2 episodes, 2008)

Series Production Management
Rita Doumar	....	unit production manager (6 episodes, 2006)
Nathan Rotmensz	....	post-production supervisor (2 episodes, 2005)
Sean Gordon	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Barry Lawson	....	sound re-recording mixer (10 episodes, 2006-2008)
Lain Morgan	....	sound mixer (7 episodes, 2005-2008)
Brian Whitlock	....	sound mixer (7 episodes, 2006-2008)
Troy Smith	....	sound re-recording mixer (6 episodes, 2005)
Tomm Dauenhauer	....	sound mixer (6 episodes, 2008)
Jonathan Ingalls	....	sound mixer (6 episodes, 2008)
Jeff Leemon	....	sound mixer (6 episodes, 2008)
Chad Grochowski	....	sound mixer (2 episodes, 2005)
Brian Foley	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Jorge Rivas	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
James Stein	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Holly Sweet	....	additional sound (unknown episodes)
Ted Thacker	....	additional sound (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Scott Coleman	....	graphics and animation: ACME Filmworks (2 episodes, 2005)
Pernille D'Avolio	....	graphics and animation: ACME Filmworks (2 episodes, 2005)
Ron Diamond	....	graphics and animation: ACME Filmworks (2 episodes, 2005)
Michael O'Donnell	....	graphics and animation: ACME Filmworks (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Mia Barker	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2005)
Kevin Early	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2005)
Greg Glomb	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2005)
Jose Luzquinos	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2005)
John Roher	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2005)
John P. Tarver	....	camera operator: additional photography (1 episode, 2005)
Tom Waldron	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2005)
R.J. Bain	....	additional photographer (1 episode, 2006)
Patriq Luo	....	electrician (1 episode, 2006)
Bryan Donnell	....	additional cinematographer (1 episode, 2008)
Colleen Laffey	....	camera operator (1 episode, 2008)
Sandy Chandler	....	additional photographer (unknown episodes)
Doug Hyun	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Mark Whaley	....	additional photographer (unknown episodes)

Series Animation Department
Pat Smith	....	animation director (1 episode, 2005)
Cameron Teisher	....	animator (1 episode, 2008)

Series Casting Department
Stephanie McCanles	....	casting associate (6 episodes, 2006)
Carmen Cuba	....	casting producer (2 episodes, 2005)
Chad Hillman	....	casting associate (2 episodes, 2005)
Allan Johnson	....	casting associate (2 episodes, 2005)
Lea McMullen	....	casting associate (2 episodes, 2005)
Kat Ogden	....	casting associate (2 episodes, 2005)
Jonathan Putnam	....	casting associate (2 episodes, 2005)
Abigail Golden	....	casting associate (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Esther Pak	....	wardrobe supervisor (1 episode, 2005)
Esther Park	....	wardrobe supervisor (1 episode, 2005)

Series Editorial Department
Peter Bruno	....	post-production coordinator (6 episodes, 2005)
Noah Musser	....	on-line editor (6 episodes, 2005)
Robert Condol	....	on-line editor (6 episodes, 2006)
Ove Langevei	....	post-production coordinator (6 episodes, 2006)
Dave Maguire	....	colorist / on-line editor (6 episodes, 2006)
Jason Hagen	....	post-production coordinator (6 episodes, 2007-2008)
Mickey McLaughlin	....	post-production coordinator (4 episodes, 2005)
Phillip Pableo	....	lead assistant editor (2 episodes, 2005)
Darren Kloomok	....	additional editor (2 episodes, 2008)
Luis Ortiz Guillen	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Mark D. Lee	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Lara Mazzawi	....	associate editor (unknown episodes)
Amber McKenzie	....	on-line assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Margaret Yen	....	music supervisor (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Other crew
Thomas Carmichael	....	production associate (6 episodes, 2005)
Justin Eldreth	....	production coordinator (6 episodes, 2005)
R.J. Bain	....	researcher (6 episodes, 2006)
Shaifali Marsh	....	production coordinator (6 episodes, 2006)
Diana Nguyen	....	development associate / production associate (5 episodes, 2005)
Katie Moran	....	associate story editor / assistant story editor (3 episodes, 2005)
Kristi Burns	....	stock footage researcher (2 episodes, 2005)
Jeremy Chilnick	....	assistant: Morgan Spurlock (2 episodes, 2005)
Mari Colabelli	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 2005)
Colin Devenish	....	researcher (2 episodes, 2005)
Justin Dillon	....	assistant: H.T. Owens (2 episodes, 2005)
Ruth Fertig	....	researcher (2 episodes, 2005)
Karma Franklin	....	logger (2 episodes, 2005)
Daniel Hopps	....	logger (2 episodes, 2005)
Jeanne Kowalski	....	production accountant (2 episodes, 2005)
Dani Michaeli	....	researcher (2 episodes, 2005)
Jill Snyder	....	assistant: R.J. Snyder / production associate (2 episodes, 2005)
Chris Stangl	....	logger (2 episodes, 2005)
Deborah Taylor	....	assistant production coordinator (2 episodes, 2005)
Dickson Thirima	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 2005)
Dan Tischler	....	assistant: Ben Silverman (2 episodes, 2005)
Robert Tonkin	....	director of operations / director of studio operations (2 episodes, 2005)
Roxana Altamirano	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Geoff Ernst	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Abigail Golden	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Alexandra Lambrinidis	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Eric Leven	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Stephanie McCanles	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Lance Ripka	....	field assistant (unknown episodes)
Patrick Roche-Sowa	....	story associate (unknown episodes)
Reneira Wolff	....	production accountant (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Ted Baker	....	special thanks (2 episodes, 2005)

Production Companies

• Actual Reality Pictures
• Bluebush Productions
• Borderline TV
• Reveille Productions
• Warrior Poets

Distributors

• More4 (2005) (UK) (TV)
• TV6 (2009) (Hungary) (TV)
• WoWow (2006-) (Japan) (TV)
• fX Network (2005) (USA) (TV)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Actual Reality Pictures

Quotes:

Reverend Dr. Penny Davis: [talking about homosexuality and the Bible] I think God cares more about what we do with our resources than what we do with our genitalia.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from Super Size Me (2004)

To me,THIS is a reality show

The phrase "reality show" has been stretched so far that it would snap even if it were taffy. Whether it's pseudo-documentary style trash or endurance competitions that seem like game shows on steroids,it seems like there are very few true "reality" programs. Sometimes,these reality shows can have something constructive or vaguely positive about them(I'm thinking of "Nanny 911","Super NAny","Project MAkeoever:Home Edition" as examples)or actually seem like they are following the trek of a realistic situation,or as close as they can get to having one(The Restaurant or Tommy Lee Go to College come to mind),but rarely does a reality show--in my mind--aim to AND create positive results,showing opposite sides of an issue or opposite lifestyles and portray them with some respect,instead of merely breeding conflict. "30 Days" does that,and for the most part,it's effective.

Host Morgan Spurlock,whose Supersize Me from 2004 was a surprise break-out hit of a documentary, employs the same type of tactic here as he did in his film. Using a month's time to introduce someone to a different philosophy and/or culture. Whether it's the white American Christian trying to live as a Muslim,a macho Marine living in a Gay neighborhood and house,a member of the Minutemen group(a group of border citizens who try to stem illegal immigrants at the U.S./Mexico border)living with a family of illegal immigrants from Mexico,an Atheist living with Christians,an American working in India where call-centers train natives to "sound more American"(as per outsourcing) and a pro-choice woman living and working at a pro-life birth and counseling center. I know there are other shows,I haven't sen all of them,but I've sen enough of this series' episodes to say that I am quite impressed with this show and its aims.

The "fish-out-of-water" concept for a television reality show is such a delicate endeavor:basically,it seems like a set-up for either showing up the participant or showcasing the group the participant has joined as being rubes,fanatics or a combination of both. But this show takes great pains to explain and document both sides of the issue,with Spurlock interviewing members of both sides and giving those involved(And in some cases,those allied with both sides)as much time as possible in front of the camera to vent misgivings,discoveries and feelings. Very similar to other reality programs,but--as alluded before--it's the outcomes and the intent of this show is what pleases me.

To those who don't believe reality shows can be used to evoke interest,educate and make attempts to build bridges as opposed to burning them,I would point them to this show and hope that more people(as well as FX network)give this a chance.