Casting director and creator of the Casting Collective, Logan Clark has been working in the unscripted TV space for over a decade. He has served as a co-executive producer on shows like I Can See Your Voice and worked on shows like The Masked Singer and We are Family with Jamie and Corinne Foxx. His credits also include major franchises such as American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and the groundbreaking ballroom competition Legendary. He continues to bring more queerness to the unscripted space with the Kristen Stewart-produced LGBTQ ghost hunting show Living for the Dead on Hulu.
Created by the folks behind Queer Eye, Living for the Dead features Alex Le May, Juju Bae, Ken Boggle, Logan Taylor, and Roz Hernandez. Narrated by Stewart, the series follows these five fabulous ghost hunters as they travel cross country helping the living by healing the dead.
GLAAD spoke to Clark about Living for the Dead and queer representation in the unscripted TV space.
Kristen Stewart’s Living for the Dead is a very specific kind of ghost hunting show. What went into assembling the cast?
Finding the cast for Living for the Dead was an incredible process. First, we heard from 2,000+ paranormal experts from around the world. We then whittled that down to approximately over 150 applicants. From there, we spoke with those paranormal experts and got to know who they are, what makes them tick, and most importantly, understand their skills and gifts. The real magic happened when we brought the top 30 to Los Angeles for an in person chemistry test. From there, 30 went to 15, 15 went to 10, and 10 went to five. Those five are not only incredible individuals but they are an amazing ensemble. It really is about finding folks that are not only credible in the space, but also are going to be great for television. Our five really check all the boxes.
For people who haven’t seen the series yet, what can people expect from a queer ghost hunting show?
What people can expect from Living for the Dead is not only something spooky and entertaining, but something that also has a ton of heart. Our paranormal experts are going out across the country in their amazing Scooby Doo-like RV and meeting with the living to understand the dead. This is about finding a resolution for both sides of it, and the stories are incredible.
What have been some memorable reactions to the series since debuting in October?
Audience reactions have been through the roof! This is unlike any show that’s out there. Not only is it an entirely queer cast, but it is super diverse and the locations and stories from across the country are compelling. They are unique, and it’s so much fun to watch our cast do their thing.
You have worked on shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars, two shows that have a certain legacy in television. You also worked on the groundbreaking Legendary. How has it been navigating the landscape of queer representation in the unscripted reality space since you first started?
Navigating the queer landscape has been a really interesting and rewarding process. As a gay man, I never really found my sense of belonging in the LGBTQIA+ community. It wasn’t until I was offered the job on Legendary, that I found my purpose; which was: the honor of finding and showcasing the talent from the underground ballroom scene. These are some of the most incredible and talented humans on this planet. The fact that I was one part of this journey for them was a dream come true. Representation on all fronts is so important to me and all of us here at The Casting Collective. It’s just such a dream come true to not only work and thrive within this space, but to provide opportunities for all walks of life!
What is your ultimate dream reality competition series?
Oh, this is a loaded question… Well, I do have a music background and so any type of music competition series is something that I love. We are in conversation with many production companies and networks on some really exciting new projects for 2024. We can’t wait to find more talent and stars from across the country and around the world and land them an opportunity on one of our new shows soon!