For several years the world has been obsessed with the possibility that one day, very soon, the earth will meet its end. The intensification of weather patterns, the anticipated planetary alignment and increasing international discord all seem to point to an inevitable cataclysm that may very well make the surface of the earth uninhabitable. The scientific community is a buzz in search of the answer in the critical debate - What if the predictions are true? But there is another question – one that is seldom addressed but ultimately of much greater consequence. What if you survived? In a rare social experiment, the world is about to watch as twelve humans descend underground for an entire year – and the cameras will be ON.
For more than a decade, the scientific community, fueled by the media, has been asking – “What if the predictions about doomsday are true?” While the debate rages on, a small group of business-minded visionaries is asking yet another question – one way more important than “IF”. Through a ground-breaking internet-based “reality show” platform, Enlightened Film Productions is asking, “What if you survived?” In less than a month, twelve people will descend underground for an entire year - into a retrofitted 1960’s fallout shelter - to find out. The cameras will be on and for a meager price the world will have the opportunity to watch first hand, on the internet, exactly what happens.
Spawned by doomsday enthusiast and writer, Russ McCullough, The Vault evolved out of Russ’s own fears about the end of the world. “I personally believe at least one of the predictions will happen” says Russ. “But for me, the most important question is not, IF it will happen, but what you will DO if it happens?”
With that question in mind, Russ and several other investors came together and started planning one of the most ground-breaking reality show ideas to hit the scene since Survivor. Titled simply, “The Vault”, the show will place 12 people in a real, live bunker built during the Cuban Missile crisis – for an entire year. Outfitted with a dozen cameras and little more than the basic supplies they’ll need to survive, the cast will be tested in a variety of ways, primarily the isolation itself. There will be no access to LIVE television, LIVE radio, newspapers or current events of any kind, no cell phones or communication with loved ones. The Vault will be virtually and literally sealed off from the entire world – we can see in, but they cannot see out.
Advising on the psychological implications of the premise and helping to select the personalities most apt to handle the stresses of the situation is Dr. Larry Grimm of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“We anticipate these cast members will go through a full range of emotions from fear and panic to depression and stress” remarks Dr. Grimm. “The societal norms that typically set the parameters of acceptable behavior will eventually weaken. A new micro-society will develop.”
To test this micro-society, there will be organized “Interventions” that represent the challenges they would face if this were not a test. They will be asked to make difficult decisions, learn new skill sets, resolve conflicts and ultimately evolve. As in the real scenario, their performance will determine their fate.
Video episodes of their trials and tribulations will be uploaded to the website daily as well as regular video diaries from each of the twelve cast members.
The ultimate goal is to see exactly how a group of people would respond if the predictions about society’s end come true. It’s a group dynamic that has never been tried before, according to The Vault’s Executive Producer, John St. Anthony. “We’re in uncharted territory here. This is not ‘scripted reality’. This is real. No one knows what will happen in the Vault but we believe it’s a critical question to answer and we know the world will want to watch.
The Vault Cast
The cast was selected over a period of 22 weeks from more than 5,000 applicants submitted from all over the world. The final cast, which will be announced in a few weeks, will include 7 women and 6 men and will range in ages from 19 to 35.
Beginning in 2010 and concluding in 2011, the world will watch as these twelve people participate in the opportunity of a lifetime; to face their fears and show the world that we can survive as a race.
For more information on The Vault or to subscribe, please visit the website at www.thevault12.com. To sponsor the show or find out about advertising opportunities, please contact us
About the Vault
Situated 40 feet below ground, at an undisclosed location in the central United States, is an 8100 square foot bunker built during the height of the cold war. Able to withstand a 25 megaton blast, and outfitted with generators and even a decontamination shower, The Vault will soon be home to 12 cast members for a total of 365 days. The objective? To see first hand what life underground will be like for twelve strangers who just might happen to survive should the doomsday predictions come true.