Bronxville Documentarian Seeks Funds for Reality TV Exposé

The crowdfunding website GoFundMe.com has been used to raise money for a host of causes, and Bronxville’s Paul Grassi has come up with a unique one.

Grassi appeared on the Reality TV show “The Mole” a few years back, which sparked his curiosity about what happens to such performers after their 15 minutes of fame expires.

So Grassi turned to GoFundMe to help finance a documentary called “The 16th Minute” that explores the lives of Reality TV stars after the bright lights wear off.

Grassi launched the campaign last month, and to date he has raised almost $1,500 toward his goal of $15,000. A total of 11 people have given donations in a month.

Here is his description of the project and campaign:

Hello Everyone,

Are you a fan of Reality Television? Maybe your not a fan but you've always wondered what it's really like to be on Survivor, Big Brother, or The Jersey Shore. I am currently raising money to finish a film I am working on called The 16th Minute. I've completed filming but still have costs associated with post production that I could use everyones help with.

My name is Paul Grassi and several years ago I was on a reality show called The Mole. After the show was over and I returned to the real world people would always ask me the same questions over and over. What was it like to be on a show? How much did you get paid? How long were you away? WAS IT REAL? So I decided to put my newfound knowledge to good use by putting these questions to paper, grabbing a camera, and asking a few of my new reality friends to help.

Andy Warhol said everyone would be famous for 15 minutes. The film “The 16th Minute” answers the question of what happens when a reality stars clock runs out and their 15 minutes are up. Get a behind the scenes look into the wacky world of reality television and see what it takes to beat out thousands of people for the coveted role. Viewers will receive a detailed look into the audition process, the daily life on a set, what happens after a show hits the airwaves, and most importantly….…Is it real?

The 16th Minute will give the viewer a unique look into their world and the countless events and opportunities presented to these “stars”. Meet the principle of The New York Reality TV School, a school designed to teach people how to get on reality TV. Watch reality stars from shows such as Survivor, Amazing Race, Jersey Shore, Real World, Hellʼs Kitchen, Big Brother, The Mole, I Love Money, Rock of Love, and more. See how these stars have managed to cope with the stress of their newfound fame and the heartbreak of losing it all in the blink of an eye. Every question you have ever had about reality television is answered by the people who have experienced it firsthand.

Find out what happens to a reality star when the lights and cameras are turned off and their 15 minutes are up on.... “The 16th Minute”.