Hopefuls try to get in touch with reality

Itching to be on reality TV? Get ready to lose a lot of things: your privacy, your temper, your dignity, maybe even your clothes. Or all of the above.

But reality wannabes don’t have to lose precious time or money seeking dubious fame.

Thank RTVstar.com, the Web’s one-stop shop for reality hopefuls. It’s the brainchild of once-aspiring reality star Brian Ostrovsky, 24, who coveted a spot on Season 2 of NBC’s “The Apprentice” but missed the deadline because of work and school. RTVstar.com simplifies the tedious reality show application process: Hopefuls can post a profile and personal video to a database available to more than 80 reality TV casting pros.

The free service allows users to get pointers from casting experts, watch recaps of reality shows and receive insider e-mails touting new programs in the pipeline. It can save budding stars hours and dollars traveling to casting calls, submitting multiple applications and checking sites of the 100-plus reality shows on the air and in production, Ostrovsky says.

“Someone will see a show and say, ‘I don’t have time to chase it down ... so I’ll throw my hat in the ring on RTVstar.com.’ ”

The new site’s membership base is growing, even picking up people outside the 18-to-34 demographic he expected, Ostrovsky says. So far, though, none of his clients has been cast.

Included in the service is a list of questions the applicant can expect in interviews, including: “What is the wildest thing you’ve ever done?” and “What is your most embarrassing moment?” And genre-specific questions for 15 types of reality shows, including dating, adventure and makeovers, are offered. “There’s a show for every type of person,” Ostrovsky says. “The only recipe is an interesting person who isn’t afraid to do interesting things in front of the camera.”