In this can't-miss episode of Go for Donny! host Donny McGuire welcomes a very special guest—his cousin and legendary Director of Photography, Raoul Germain! Get firsthand stories from inside the wild world of reality TV production as Donny and Raoul swap jaw-dropping tales, from working on the *very first* season of "The Bachelor," stealing locations in the Mojave, wrangling gear on "Eco Challenge" with Mark Burnett, to lighting up Paris Hilton’s Thanksgiving special (plus tales about her iconic dog house!). 

Raoul pulls back the curtain on 25+ years behind the camera—sharing hilarious and sometimes harrowing set stories, the evolution of production crews, and what really happens when your family doesn't watch your short films. From handling celebrity encounters with Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and the Kardashians, to surviving madcap on-set mishaps and police encounters in the desert, this episode is packed with insider knowledge, laughs, and actionable lessons for anyone interested in filmmaking, TV production, and the entertainment industry.

Tune in for:

- Raw reality TV confessions: The wild early days on "The Bachelor," "Charm School," and "Joe Schmo"
- Crazy production stories: Breaking (unintentionally!) and entering, set safety, and why permits really matter
- Celebrity secrets: Working with Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, and more, plus how to handle those awkward fan moments
- Behind the scenes: From the chaos of "Eco Challenge" and "Top Gear" to art films and classic sitcoms at Castle Rock
- Industry changes: How production has evolved (for better and worse)—and what it means for filmmakers today

Perfect for film and TV pros, reality show fans, and anyone who loves an epic behind-the-scenes story! Don’t forget to check out gofordonny.com for exclusive Go For Donny! swag and join the conversation with #HTFU.

**Keywords:** reality TV, production stories, director of photography, The Bachelor, Paris Hilton, Eco Challenge, podcast, filmmaking, behind the scenes, GoForDonny, celebrity encounters, set safety, industry secrets

00:00 Life On Set: A Production Family

03:34 "Switch to Channel Two Podcast"

08:07 "Finding Sarah: An Unexpected Search"

12:07 Birth of a TV Juggernaut

15:25 Camera Operators: Then vs. Now

19:12 Cost-Cutting in TV Production

22:16 "Elevator Film Set Challenge"

23:01 Election Day Escape Plan

27:28 Celebrity Encounters: Snoop Dogg Story

31:20 Fame in Today's Work World

32:48 Generous Celebrity Connects with Fans

38:54 New Reality Show Planning

42:10 Reverse Car Seating for Filming

44:03 Film Set Safety Priorities

47:41 Desert Confusion and Police Encounter

52:01 Sheriff's Call Validates Story

55:17 Filming Tensions in Small Towns

56:00 Visit GoForDani.com

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Don’t forget to check out Go for Donny! Switch to Channel 2 where we get to ask our guests some more in depth questions that you the listener want answers too.
“Go for Donny!” & “Switch to Channel 2” can be found on all available podcast platforms.
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