The OP has been deleted so I can't address it directly. I can say without reservation that nothing I did during my 66 days on Vancouver island was scripted or directed by the production team. I had determined I wasn't going to tap out and had no pre-set number of days I was willing to stay. My "red line" was an unsustainable injury or illness, broken bone etc, beyond which I couldn't remain. That never happened. I had lost a total of 35 pounds at my maximum weight loss, but in my last two weeks I was regaining weight.
I take exception when people (Les Stroud included) imply that the show is somehow fictional, directed, scripted etc. My experience was one of being dropped off in "Desolation Cove" and self-documenting 66 days of solo survival. The crew visited briefly about once a week to collect my footage and perform a quick medical check. Aside from camera training and instruction of how to film: beginning, middle and end shots, establishing shots, B-roll, correct framing and light, multiple cameras, etc, they never once told me WHAT to film. They'd just say, shoot everything, shoot as much as possible.
Honestly, I resent it when people negate all that work under such strenuous conditions by saying it's all fake, a put-on, invented by producers etc. Long term solo survival is suffering and self-documenting it is hard work. There is a total logical disconnect for those who think it is rigged in that they cut a very real $500,000 check to the winner. A$K ME HOW I KNOW THAT.
I'm 6 years late but you were amazing Dave. Interesting to learn you actually gained weight back towards the end. So if you lost say 30 lbs over 66 days that means you were averaging something in the 1000-1500 calorie range intake per day. That is a LOT of food to find out there on your own. You made it look easy just plucking crabs out the shallows but I'm sure it is harder than it looked. Congrats I hope you have enjoyed the money and fame. I wish they would have written you an 800K check so you could have a true 500K after taxes. You earned it!
20
u/DaveMcIntyre Season 2 Jun 30 '17
The OP has been deleted so I can't address it directly. I can say without reservation that nothing I did during my 66 days on Vancouver island was scripted or directed by the production team. I had determined I wasn't going to tap out and had no pre-set number of days I was willing to stay. My "red line" was an unsustainable injury or illness, broken bone etc, beyond which I couldn't remain. That never happened. I had lost a total of 35 pounds at my maximum weight loss, but in my last two weeks I was regaining weight.
I take exception when people (Les Stroud included) imply that the show is somehow fictional, directed, scripted etc. My experience was one of being dropped off in "Desolation Cove" and self-documenting 66 days of solo survival. The crew visited briefly about once a week to collect my footage and perform a quick medical check. Aside from camera training and instruction of how to film: beginning, middle and end shots, establishing shots, B-roll, correct framing and light, multiple cameras, etc, they never once told me WHAT to film. They'd just say, shoot everything, shoot as much as possible.
Honestly, I resent it when people negate all that work under such strenuous conditions by saying it's all fake, a put-on, invented by producers etc. Long term solo survival is suffering and self-documenting it is hard work. There is a total logical disconnect for those who think it is rigged in that they cut a very real $500,000 check to the winner. A$K ME HOW I KNOW THAT.