The Life of a "DT" Crew Member

An Article by Amanda Rosenblatt 

You know the saying "the hardest working person in show business"? Aside from the fact that you can't distinguish one single person who works the hardest, it would be safe to say that the crew of the Syfy series "Destination Truth" are without a doubt among an elite few of the hardest working people in reality television. 

When speaking to several cast members of the past two years for this show, particularly from the three in this article, there is a general consensus for being employed with this particular production. It's 24/7, it's difficult, it doesn't provide for the best smelling surroundings, and you rarely can digest food for months, but it's the best experience any of the cast members have ever had in their entire lives.

"I don't think it really sunk in that I was part of this team until I boarded the first of those 30 flights we took," Ali Zubik, researcher for Season 4, stated while sitting in a Louisiana hotel room during her production work for "Swamp People" of The History Channel. "I was obviously very excited to be working on such a successful show and embarking on such an adventure."

Aside from the constant and often excessive traveling that this filming entails, there are other issues that the crew deal with on a day to day basis. They ultimately find ways to cope with their surroundings, though.

"There is a lot of sleeping that happens in places that aren't beds," Zubik continues. "Trying to catch a long-overdue snooze on a Moroccan airport floor, bouncing around [in] an African safari jeep, crammed into a Japanese bullet train, in the back of a Siberian flatbed…but you make it work."

The cast members also find that seeking humor out of their real life situations is essential, Zubik proves. "I found that a sleep mask, iPod, and sticking my frozen feet under Mike [Morrell]'s armpits all help do the trick though."

"We've been in some of the most austere places and we've been to some of the most modern places," Shawn Goodwin, the medic for Season 4, said while part of a BlogTalkRadio interview. "It's a surprise every time." 

A large part of taking place in this program is tackling the dangers that come into their paths. An unfortunate outcome of danger, sometimes, is an injury or an illness, so a set medic is an essential part of the team.

"We're in this third world country and the emergency room is a dirt floor with a straw hut," Goodwin added. "My backpack and my skill set are usually what the best choice is."


"Travel, research, monster hunting - Who could turn that down? " Sharra Romany, tech manager of Season 3, says. She currently resides in Egypt, and during the interview, she is sitting on her big porch relishing the breeze coming off of the Red Sea. 

"At the time [before 'DT'] I was a camera operator on a VH1 Reality show in Los Angeles, and we were just two weeks into a five week run," Romany reflects. "But when DT came a-knockin', I gave notice and left to join the crew."

Of all the past or current crew members of "Destination Truth", Romany seems to have gained the most from her experiences. After all, she walked away from it with  husband and a newborn baby. 

"Being a part of DT was an experience I'll never forget," the former tech manager states. "Not just because of the amazing journey…but because it is where I met my husband, Ramy Romany."

"I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to see the world, and do the job I love, just before falling in love and starting a family," Romany continues. "You really could not have asked for a better scenario."

The most potent question for fans of the show is that regarding the paranormal. Have their points of view changed on this subject since being part of "DT"?

"The world is a big place and i guess anything is possible," Goodwin says. While the medic's eyes are more open than they were before, he certainly has no concrete judgement. 

"The paranormal is a serious business - I've always felt that way," Zubik states. "There is something to it that cannot be denied and working on this show really confirmed what I had always thought."

So, if given the chance, would crew members be part of the show all over again? While production schedules are harsh and unpredictable, making returns to the show can often be easier said than done, but certain folks can't help but be drawn back to the journey. 

Gabe Copeland has been a longstanding member of "DT" since before Season 3, considering that the show shoots/airs in half seasons complete with 3 month long or more treks. Erin Ryder, who was part of Seasons 2.5 and 3.5, is currently reclaiming her role as researcher on Season 4.5 which is filming now. 

Medic Rex williams of Seasons 3 and 3.5 will be part of Season 4.5, as well as Jael de Pardo, part of Season 3, will have made a cameo for Season 3.5 and will be back for two more cameos on Season 4.5. Pardo also stars in another Syfy reality series about the paranormal, entitled "Fact or Faked". 

"Destination Truth" on Syfy will air it's Season 4 mid-season finale on Thursday, October 28th at 9/8c. Episodes should return in March 2011, but an air date is yet to be announced and this is merely an estimate based on past airing schedules. "Fact or Faked," Pardo's show, will air Season 2 on October 28th following "DT" at 10/9 c on Syfy.