If you've ever taken one of "those" shots in the line of duty — the kind that legends are made of, but are all too real — the History Channel wants to tell your story.
The producers of "Top Shot" are looking for as many as 40 current and former military or law enforcement snipers, precision marksmen and other shooters who pulled the trigger when it counted most.
"We're open to any amazing stories. It doesn't have to be a long-range shot. But it does have to be an impressively executed shot in the line of duty," says Semi Aboud, vice president of Pilgrim Studios.
Pilgrim Studios is one of the biggest producers in unscripted television, with shows ranging from "Ghost Hunters" and "Dirty Jobs" to "Ultimate Fighter" and "Fast and Loud."
Aboud describes the studio's latest project as a mashup of its five-season shooting competition show "Top Shot" and documentaries such as "Sniper: Deadliest Mission."
"'Top Shot' was unique because no show had ever before put 16 people in a house together with live ammunition, and then had them compete until only one was left.
"For this show, we want to focus on the narrative on an amazingly executed shot, including a discussion on the logistics of the shot, from a handful of snipers in each episode," Aboud says.
Episodes could include dramatic reenactments of the shot. "And then at the end of each episode, those same snipers will have a chance to take part in some kind of sniper-related competition," he says.
"Snipers are incredibly dedicated. They are highly skilled and multifaceted. I think most of us could only dream of having the kind of focus and resolve that those guys do. And to have all that specific knowledge about reconnaissance and surveillance, stealth, marksmanship, ballistics — it's all fascinating to our audience, and it leads to some really amazing stories."
Aboud hopes the show, still unnamed, helps the public get a better understanding of just how difficult that work is.
"Obviously, there's a lot of interest in snipers right now that I think started with the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama and then, of course, more recently with 'American Sniper,' " he says. "The most important part is that it's all done in service to our country and our community. That's the angle we want to play up on our show."
To apply or find out more, go to pilgrimstudios.com/casting.
