this post was submitted on
1,502 points (56% like it)
6,796 up votes 5,294 down votes
top 200 commentsshow 500

[–]kearneycation 1165 points1166 points ago

Thanks for doing this! A few questions:

  1. I remember seeing one episode about a girl who would cut herself, a lot. There was a "scene" where it was just her and the cameraman, and she had broken a mirror and was cutting herself with it. I guess this was a regular occurrence, but I imagine it's gotta be pretty fucked up for the camera person. At what point do/would you have to intervene if the person is doing something unsafe like that?

  2. How awkward is it being there during fights? Or what about the actual intervention when the family is putting everything out there?

  3. What's the craziest thing you've had to film?

  4. What's the funniest?

  5. Were there any people who've had a lasting impression on you? Like someone who's life/issues still float around in your memory today.

  6. Have you ever felt unsafe? Is there off camera security nearby in case shit gets out of hand?

  7. Would you ever mingle or hang out with the subjects when the cameras weren't rolling?

Thanks for doing this, and sorry for so many questions.

[–]csbaron[S] 557 points558 points ago*

I will do my best to answer these.

  1. I was there, many things I have filmed have had a lasting effect on my life, positive and I am sure negative, some things take a bit of time to get over, but I would say that I believe that being compassionate and showing the outside world that these people are just as human as the rest of us, they just might need a little more help. This is what makes it such a rewarding job. I will always put down the camera and do something if there situation becomes imminently dangerous, for the subject or for the crew.

  2. Fights can be awkward, but most of the time I just hope that they don't escalate to the point where I have to put the camera down. The hardest one for me was when the subject was going after her mom and the mom started calling out for me to help her, that hurts.

  3. There are many different types of crazy. The one that pops in my mind is filming some "land boating" at a meth compound in the deep south. Snorting pills on the sidewalk through a tampon was a bit crazy, going waist deep in an alligator filled swamp to follow a crack addict also enters my mind.

  4. Funny, that is a hard one. There tends to be some gallows humor with the crew from time to time. A coping mechanism that you get dealing with things that are awful. Nothing comes to the top of my mind except the phrase "Cheese and crackers", someone might remember that.

  5. I will always remember Coley, we bonded and kept in touch for a while when he got clean.

  6. There are definitely moments that I have felt unsafe. When I first started working on the show I was more fearless than today I think, I have kids now and that changes your perspective a bit. We do have security occasionally if we know that there people or situations that we find ourselves in are going to be particularly dangerous. We just make them out to be production assistants, not to draw any attention to them.

  7. Yes, I have grown close to many subjects while working with them. They are human, some are great people that are a pleasure to hangout with addiction and all, and some are not. I have played Wii with drug dealers, and had a great time. I just hope they are able to find their way.

[–]plum13sec 279 points280 points ago

I have also played wii with drug dealers, I find that 360 is more fun.

[–]patriotaxe 193 points194 points ago

Funny, I've played wii with drug dealers too.... Oh that's right, I went to college and we had a wii.

[–]kx2w 297 points298 points ago

These deserve answers. If we don't get them someone should intervene...

[–]csbaron[S] 174 points175 points ago

I have had a nightmare where my family performed an intervention on my, which I had no need for. They would not tell me what they were intervening about, just that I needed to go to treatment for 90 days.

[–]DankoRamone 13 points14 points ago

My freinds and I have often considered holding an intervention for another friend, to him him get over his heroin addiction. He's never actually used heroin, but we think it'd be fun to screw with him convincingly.

[–]chewitt 292 points293 points ago

"If you don't agree to answer these questions today, our relationship will change in the following ways:"

[–]tottietime 285 points286 points ago

"I will no longer supply you with upvotes."

[–]falconear 148 points149 points ago

"You will be forced to pack up your AMA and move it off of Reddit. Although I love this AMA I cannot live in a house of lies and evasions."

[–]MasterDeBaitor 78 points79 points ago

You and Woody Harrelson will become best friends!

[–]csbaron[S] 262 points263 points ago

I am not going to pull a woody on this one.

[–]bobaf 137 points138 points ago

Things my gf wish I said for 500

[–]BudMoore1234 991 points992 points ago*

Chris What's up?!?! I'd first like to thank you for assisting in save my sisters life. We are from south Jersey and Angelina was on your show;documented in September of 2008. I'm almost positive (I couldn't find a picture to confirm) you were at my house with a few of your co-workes because I remember my Mom LOVED you. It must be a pleasure working with Candy Finnegan and touching so many peoples lives.

A few questions I always had:

1) You guys are crazy for following my sister in Camden. Have you ever almost shit your pants when you thought you were in trouble? I know if I was a dealer in Camden and saw your rented out white van taping me I'd def shoot your car up.

2) If one of the persons you are taping OD's and there is no other family member around do you call an ambulance? I know there are a lot of things you couldn't do which must of made you job pretty stressful.

Anyways Ang is doing wonderful and is still clean!! We just got back from her Wedding in Mexico last month and I have never seen her so happy in her life. I appreciate what your show has done every day. You have no idea how stressed I was that she would die anyday and I'd never get to see her again. Preparing yourself for a loved ones death is the worst feeling in the world. Thank you so much, I always wanted to thank you in person after everything was said and done but never got the chance...

[–]csbaron[S] 384 points385 points ago

I remember Angelina and your family very well. I am very thankful for the small part that I might of played in helping your sister get into recovery. Candy is awesome.

  1. I have to say that Camden is one of the most insane places I have ever been. We had security with us, but danger felt close. Someone need to help that town out.

  2. Yes, we definitely call. She did give us a scare.

Thank you for your kind words, and thanks again to you and your family for letting us come into your lives and share your story. I will always remember it and I am sure it touched many other lives.

[–]Phelms215 190 points191 points ago

I am from South New Jersey as well, can A&E do an intervention for the city?

[–]csbaron[S] 66 points67 points ago

You might be onto something.

[–]hemingwayszombycorps 15 points16 points ago

Vote for small world of the year

[–]moraigeanta 62 points63 points ago

I remember Angelina! Congratulations to your sister! Is your Mom doing okay as well?

[–]BudMoore1234 80 points81 points ago*

Yeah she's doing awesome, but misses all her friends she met in San Diego. It's great being able to look back on everything and just laugh about it all with her. It's weird when we talk about it and laugh cause it wasn't funny when it happened, but I guess that laughs help us bypass it all?

[–]manicpoohbear 47 points48 points ago

It's good to hear positive updates! Good luck with your sister!

[–]trexjess 286 points287 points ago

After all of these years on TV, how do you/the producers still convince the subjects that they are being filmed for a "documentary" instead of for an intervention?

[–]Zoro11031 177 points178 points ago

If I recall, there was one episode where the subject figured it out and didn't show up for the intervention.

[–]csbaron[S] 332 points333 points ago

Dillon was one, he found out who we were after the first day and he ran. We filmed his family and worked with him to track him down and do the intervention anyway.

[–]dude187 230 points231 points ago

You should have just tricked him and told him there was a grease fire at the bar.

[–]Mouth_Full_Of_Dry 106 points107 points ago

You'll probably wanna be armed for this intervention, too.

[–]mintmouse 100 points101 points ago

You guys are drinking wine out of those cans?

--You will notice the advantages almost immediately.

[–]SyncOne 41 points42 points ago

"Your alcoholism has affected me in the following ways YOU ARE ANNOOOOOOOYING!"

[–]dude187 30 points31 points ago

HOW COME WE NEVER PLAY NIGHTCRAWLERS ANYMORE?

[–]shittygrammer 9 points10 points ago

Don’t tell me how to mix my own inhalants. I know how to do inhalants!

[–]csbaron[S] 294 points295 points ago

Because we are filming a "documentary" about addiction, they just don't know it is Intervention. As the show has become more popular it has become more difficult.

[–]1niquity 181 points182 points ago

As a follow up to this, how often do people realize that they are on Intervention early on, refuse to continue the show and you are unable to make an episode out of it?

[–]csbaron[S] 321 points322 points ago

Hardly ever. The only time we really pull the plug is if we find out that they and the family know and are working together to just get free treatment. In those cases they don't need an intervention. They just need to go get treatment. I have been of 3 stories that we had to pull the plug on for that reason. And in each of the cases, we worked hard to provide them with treatment anyway.

[–]Zeld4 229 points230 points ago

Good guy A&E, gets the wool pulled over their eyes but still tries to get the person to treatment.

[–]abortis 1016 points1017 points ago*

[–]csbaron[S] 791 points792 points ago

I have to say that I am thankful that I was not on this story.

[–]AngryBobRoss 344 points345 points ago

Hypothetically, would you sit there and, you know, record it?

[–]csbaron[S] 664 points665 points ago

hypothetically, yes. but for not 10 hours and I would close my eyes and have to go to my "happy place"

[–]SpiderTaco 811 points812 points ago

Hopefully not the same happy place

[–]unclerummy 403 points404 points ago

Oh my God! What are you doing in my happy place?! FFfffffuuuuuuuuuuuu...

[–]FlyingLiquor 130 points131 points ago

It's OK uncle. Please, have some more rum and don't hit me again.

[–]johnq-pubic 129 points130 points ago

It would be the same "fappy place".

[–]Chr0me 169 points170 points ago

If that's a pro-drugs TV commercial, it's the best one I've seen yet.

[–]tunnelsnakesrule 17 points18 points ago

This was the only question really.

[–]cpmichae 16 points17 points ago

first laugh of the day. thank you.

[–]whiteyx 222 points223 points ago

Intervention is definitely one of my favorite programmings. My wife and I wonder:

Do you catch contact highs from the crack smoke? And how do you handle some of the stinks of combusted drugs?

Please, please please answer this.

[–]csbaron[S] 464 points465 points ago

I do believe that I got a contact high off of someone smoking heroin in a closed car. I was a little too relaxed.

[–]REDandBLUElights 441 points442 points ago

Intervention: Our own people edition

[–]OccasionallyWitty 164 points165 points ago

Hey, morphine, you're aaaaaaalright.

[–][deleted] 441 points442 points ago

Did you film the guy with the best cry ever?

[–]csbaron[S] 450 points451 points ago

No, but my buddy did.

[–]smokinjoints 298 points299 points ago

That lucky bastard.

[–]csbaron[S] 360 points361 points ago

I will tell him you think so.

[–]glassale 158 points159 points ago*

I just youtubed the "Cry" at work without sound and can only assume when the older gentlemen (father?) starts crying its a high pitched wail.

Mr Baron, how did you get started in the business? Professionally that is. Is it a gradual progression of small time to larger shows like your current job or do you have to know people?

Edit:enough people replied that I walked out of the office to grab my headphones. The slayer version is hilarious. the "wail" was just what i thought it was

[–]nuxenolith 203 points204 points ago

[–]free2game 141 points142 points ago

[–]galileofan 52 points53 points ago

Must not laugh...Must not laugh...

[–]AskingWhitechapel 44 points45 points ago

That was the funniest god damn thing I have seen in a while!

[–]Remnants 59 points60 points ago

Just imagine what Chewbacca would sound like if he cried and you will have an idea.

[–]HalfBeardPrince 73 points74 points ago

[–]Trip_McNeely 147 points148 points ago

At first I was like, 'oh that's not so bad, the kid is obviously emotional'. Then his father started crying...

[–]clarkster 81 points82 points ago

You can just feel his heart break at that exact moment. That pain filled cry sounds just like I did when I found out my dad killed himself.

[–]aviella 56 points57 points ago

May you never experience that kind of heartbreak again.

[–]HighInAK 13 points14 points ago

That's very profound. You've got me all choked up...

[–]Greygooseandice 75 points76 points ago

I just saw the clip for the first time. I thought it was incredibly sad.

[–]xm-s 39 points40 points ago

The Internet makes fun because its painful to watch, imo.

A genuine, heartfelt wail of pain is a hell of a thing to see and experience.

[–]Milieunairess 88 points89 points ago

Do you ever ask people to do it again? Or ask someone to push a sensitive question to prompt an emotional response?

[–]csbaron[S] 250 points251 points ago*

Many times in TV you ask someone to "do it again". Like can you walk around the corner again, can you tell me that again, I was not on a good shot. But many of those rules do not apply to Intervention. I can't asked someone to do drugs again because I did not have a good shot. It is the truest cinema verite documentary show that I have worked on. And I have worked on a few.

[–]Radejax 143 points144 points ago

"I can't ask someone to do drugs again" Can you imagine the response to that? Hey bro can you shoot up that heroin again we missed it?

[–]Citisol 9 points10 points ago

Aaron Neville!

[–]abortis 8 points9 points ago

link?

[–]Delaywaves 56 points57 points ago

[–]duke_perry 229 points230 points ago

did you film kristi? watching her fight her sister naked is ridiculous. how was filming that?

[–]csbaron[S] 597 points598 points ago

I did film her. The hardest part was finding a place to put the mic on her. She also spit chicken on me, which was awesome.

[–]Hostilian 231 points232 points ago

She also spit chicken on me, which was awesome.

I think this might be the best sentence I've read today.

[–][deleted] 48 points49 points ago

Were you the one whose phone she borrowed? I kind of don't want to know what happened to it.

[–]csbaron[S] 83 points84 points ago

Ha, that was my friends phone. She threw it and busted it. I let an other subject use my phone a few years again and I never saw it again, I am sure it was sold for drugs, lesson learned.

[–]viper6575 38 points39 points ago

Wow, I'm so jealous. My neighbors are so boring and usually just wave hi and go inside.

[–]AppleAtrocity 51 points52 points ago*

Thank you for asking my question for me. I have seen that episode several times now and it never fails to be more horrifying every single time.

So OP if you filmed that episode, how much more insanity was there that wasn't shown on TV?

Also have you ever filmed anything that was too crazy to put on the show? I'm guessing no after seeing Cristy's but still curious.

Just googled it and some people are saying she died, and others dispute that. If anyone knows for sure I am interested in finding out.

[–]illmatic707 17 points18 points ago

haha yea that was a good one. throwing noodles and shit

[–]ozone_one 17 points18 points ago

YES! This was crazy - naked cat fight! Can't imagine having to film that..

[–]kwade 74 points75 points ago

Do you ever get to find out what happened to the addicts years down the road? If so, how many relapse?

[–]csbaron[S] 113 points114 points ago

Yes the show does its best to keep in touch and check up on everyone. I believe the shows current recovery rate is around 70%.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]mr_jellyneck 86 points87 points ago

When they filmed her going to the store to buy some, she kept talking about how the cashiers, everyone knows what she's doing with the duster and how no one would stop her. It seemed like she wanted someone to stop her and that really was the tone for her whole episode- she just really wanted someone to give a damn.

[–]khemburlee 78 points79 points ago

This girl's story was so sad. :(

[–]1niquity 176 points177 points ago

As sad as it is, there is one part of that episode that makes me laugh for some reason.

When her sister tells her that she called the police her response is: "The Po-Po?!"

[–]vflytrap 35 points36 points ago

I myself released a guilty giggle at that scene

[–]chantistar 47 points48 points ago

She was walking on sunshine tho

[–]Longjohndickweed 37 points38 points ago

good thing she made a recovery and actually acts/looks decent now

[–]RandoAtReddit 141 points142 points ago

Walmart almost refused to sell that stuff to me because I asked if it came in any other flavors.

[–]Plancus 154 points155 points ago

this was far more saddening than i thought it would be.

[–]HeCardsReadsGood 15 points16 points ago

First, The Cry and now THIS? It's like Christmas!!

[–]lebowskisweater 55 points56 points ago

And THIS little gem is why I love sticking with a thread.

[–]firenlasers 391 points392 points ago

Only vaguely related: my boyfriend and I purchased whipped cream and chocolate sauce for an entirely different reason (read: sex) last week and the reaction from the cashier was priceless. To set the scene, it's 11 PM, I'm clearly pretty buzzed, and the cashier is a 60-year-old woman. She sees the whipped cream and chocolate sauce, looks as us, and totally straight-faced, says, "You forgot the ice cream."

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]France_is_bakin 29 points30 points ago

I don't understand. If you don't want to have sex on an empty stomach, why wouldn't you buy something a little more filling?

[–]Remnants 32 points33 points ago

I never understood how anyone could huff one of those things. I got some of the liquid crap inside on my hand once and it didn't all wash off, which I found out after I touched my mouth and got one of the nastiest tastes ever. It stayed in my mouth for hours too. I would think after even a small squirt of that crap in your mouth you would get that same taste.

[–]ramp_tram 35 points36 points ago

Yeah, they put a bitterant into things that can be easily huffed, but it doesn't stop the people who are really dedicated to their addiction.

[–]BlowsYouForFreeStuff 232 points233 points ago

What exactly is the legality of you guys recording people doing drugs or buying drugs (although you guys don't usually film the actual drug buying process, just a picture of a house and say, "They're buying drugs,")?

Do you ever feel unsafe while recording?

How many of the people on the show do you genuinely believe have a chance at recovery?

Oh, and if you have proof, that would awesome too.

[–]NoNeedForAName 303 points304 points ago

Lawyer here. There's nothing wrong with simply recording a drug transaction or drug use. There's generally no requirement that you report or attempt to stop illegal activity (exceptions may include child abuse and elder abuse).

As long as they're not actually a part of the drug transactions and usage, and aren't actually in possession of the drugs, then it's all good.

The videos could, however, probably be used to prosecute the people who are buying, selling, and using.

[–]Trip_McNeely 133 points134 points ago

If I give you an upvote, am I then protected under attorney-client privilege for any further incriminating statements I make?

[–]NoNeedForAName 136 points137 points ago

I know you're joking, but the answer is no. First, of course, an upvote doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. Secondly, even if it did, you're posting on a forum where millions of people could potentially read your comment. If the upvote created an attorney-client relationship and you sent me a PM instead of posting a comment, then yes, you'd be protected.

[–]hypo11 209 points210 points ago

I'm envisioning the scenario when Trip_McNeely is arrested, demands his lawyer during interrogation and the cops ask his name: "No Need For A Name!"

[–]dunchen22 10 points11 points ago

"Alright, Trip_McNeely, you get one PM and that's it!"

[–]csbaron[S] 193 points194 points ago

Going with a theme. I am a cameraman not a lawyer, so I am not sure what the legal workings are. I will say that we will always shoot a drug deal if it does not endanger the life of the subject or our lives. Usually that is not that case. The current recovery rate for the people on the show is high, around 70-75 percent I believe. Much higher than someone just entering recovery. And once again proof. http://imgur.com/nPg8n

[–]croquetica 58 points59 points ago

Do you guys keep a bodyguard (or a very big producer) around just in case?

[–]csbaron[S] 157 points158 points ago

Every once in a while we hire security, then we make them act like our production assistant. I remember shooting in Camden, NJ. I had a security guy with me that was an off duty cop. He told me he was on Americas most wanted. Apparently he was shot in the face a few years before, right were we where shooting and they never found the person who did it.

[–]OvidNaso 123 points124 points ago

"Thanks Mickey. I feel much safer now."

[–]boromon 157 points158 points ago

I would feel much safer with a security guard that I knew could survive taking bullets in the face.

[–]xevatceh 67 points68 points ago

There was an A&E camera crew in town over the last few weeks. Are you part of the team filming the upcoming "Gone To Pot" series? From the title of this show, I'm wondering if A&E plans to cast a negative viewpoint on the subject.

[–]csbaron[S] 66 points67 points ago

I was not there. A&E has many production companies that they work with. I will see what I can do to find out more.

[–]Jacqland 14 points15 points ago

That's interesting, because I remember most episodes ending with the person checking themselves out of rehab before their time's up and dissolving into the ether. Good to know it's actually helping and not just a gawking excercize wrapped in fake help!

[–]dangerspeedman 29 points30 points ago*

Something tells me we're probably going to see "BlowsYouForFreeStuff" on an episode soon.

[–]Helpful_Table_Maker 2002 points2003 points ago

Question Answer
What exactly is the legality of you guys recording people doing drugs or buying drugs? Going with a theme. I am a cameraman not a lawyer, so I am not sure what the legal workings are. I will say that we will always shoot a drug deal if it does not endanger the life of the subject or our lives. Usually that is not that case.
How many of the people on the show do you genuinely believe have a chance at recovery? The current recovery rate for the people on the show is high, around 70-75 percent I believe. Much higher than someone just entering recovery.
Do you guys keep a bodyguard (or a very big producer) around just in case? Every once in a while we hire security, then we make them act like our production assistant. I remember shooting in Camden, NJ. I had a security guy with me that was an off duty cop. He told me he was on Americas most wanted. Apparently he was shot in the face a few years before, right were we where shooting and they never found the person who did it.
After all of these years on TV, how do you/the producers still convince the subjects that they are being filmed for a "documentary" instead of for an intervention? Because we are filming a "documentary" about addiction, they just don't know it is Intervention. As the show has become more popular it has become more difficult.
How often do people realize that they are on Intervention early on, refuse to continue the show and you are unable to make an episode out of it? Hardly ever. The only time we really pull the plug is if we find out that they and the family know and are working together to just get free treatment. In those cases they don't need an intervention. They just need to go get treatment. I have been of 3 stories that we had to pull the plug on for that reason. And in each of the cases, we worked hard to provide them with treatment anyway.
Did you film the guy with the best cry ever? No, but my buddy did.
Do you ever ask people to do it again? Or ask someone to push a sensitive question to prompt an emotional response? Many times in TV you ask someone to "do it again". Like can you walk around the corner again, can you tell me that again, I was not on a good shot. But many of those rules do not apply to Intervention. I can't asked someone to do drugs again because I did not have a good shot. It is the truest cinema verite documentary show that I have worked on. And I have worked on a few.
What is the one thing that you can say that addicts seem to have in common? I think that all addicts have some unattended emotional pain in common. I am a cameraman not a therapist, but in my experience addiction is largely a result of using a substance or experience (gambling) to cover up emotional damage that you want to hid from. Genetics does not help the cause for many people either.
What is the worst act that you've seen? There are a couple things that stand out, Someone ODing in front of me, thankfully they made it. Another person trying to kill take their life in front of me, again thankfully they made it. I always remember the times that I have to put the camera down.
A lot of people I know who have seen the show say it is mostly staged, or the subject/family members are just actors paid to act crazy. Can you shed some light on people's skepticism of the show? I have worked on many other shows and I can say truthfully say that Intervention is the most honest show that I have been a part of. The subject nor the family receive money, other than an opportunity to get help. The craziness that you see is real, addiction is crazy. More often than not, there is we capture stuff to crazy for the TV audience.

[–]carbonnanotube 1007 points1008 points ago*

You sir are an artisan among Ikea employees.

[–]hogimusPrime 468 points469 points ago

You sir are a poet among analogy makers.

[–]tunesNmunchies 164 points165 points ago

You sir are a hogimus among primes

[–]hogimusPrime 192 points193 points ago

Yeah, I know. I've been trying to convince people for years.

[–][deleted] 135 points136 points ago

this is the first time I've seen your work, and I think the AMA guys should have your helpful tables that you make permanently at the top of the page, regardless of upvotes.

[–]yourdadsbff 118 points119 points ago

Thank you for doing this AMA!

Do you and the Hoarders cameramen ever sit around and exchange horror stories?

"You filmed her going to give a blow job for meth? Psh! I filmed eight dead cats in this one woman's kitchen, rotting beneath a pile of empty Hungry Man dinner containers, moldy ham sandwiches, and porcelain angel figurines she bought at a mall back in the early nineties."

[–]csbaron[S] 171 points172 points ago

We do. But, I have the luxury of shooting both shows.

[–]jwpizzo2 162 points163 points ago

You should do a Hoarders AMA, too!

[–]yourdadsbff 43 points44 points ago

I fully support this idea.

I'm especially curious if OP would know about (approximately) what percentage of Hoarders subjects actually stick to keeping their house (relatively) clean. So many episodes seem to end with the hoarder still pissed at the world and refusing to get therapy.

[–]Squeetard 161 points162 points ago

What is the one thing that you can say that addicts seem to have in common?

[–]csbaron[S] 300 points301 points ago

I think that all addicts have some unattended emotional pain in common. I am a cameraman not a therapist, but in my experience addiction is largely a result of using a substance or experience (gambling) to cover up emotional damage that you want to hid from. Genetics does not help the cause for many people either.

[–]nathanrael 428 points429 points ago

Dammit, Jim! I'm a cameraman, not a therapist!

[–]thelovepirate 258 points259 points ago

Set phasers to love me!

[–]fxpstclvrst 25 points26 points ago

It's so telling how almost every person has a parent who was on drugs, a death in the family, or a history of molestation. I wonder how much therapy at the right time would save addictive personality people from becoming addicts, or whether addiction is a ticking time bomb just in need of the catalyst of a terrible life event, and the only way out is through for everyone once they've hit that point.

[–]FornaxMagazine 46 points47 points ago

How different do they act when they're off-camera? Do the people being intervened react mostly positively or negatively to your presence? Has anyone ever attacked you because you've got a camera?

[–]burnzkid 196 points197 points ago

What is the worst act that you've seen? (Dudes blowing dudes for crack, infected heroin injection wounds, etc.)

[–]csbaron[S] 275 points276 points ago

There are a couple things that stand out, Someone ODing in front of me, thankfully they made it. Another person trying to kill take their life in front of me, again thankfully they made it. I always remember the times that I have to put the camera down.

[–]modus 151 points152 points ago

Why do you put the camera down? Because it's inappropriate to film or because you need to assist the victim?

[–]csbaron[S] 263 points264 points ago

To assist, called 911.

[–]meandyourmom 34 points35 points ago

As someone who has seen cameramen just stand there and watch while bad things have happened, Thank you.

I suppose its different when its just you and the Addict in a room, but still, I've always wondered this.

[–]Coldhardt 51 points52 points ago

I think, as someone who has some faith in humanity, it's the latter.

But I could be wrong.

[–]tariqi 11 points12 points ago

I'm gonna say (and hope) it's the latter.

[–]kodemage 16 points17 points ago

How many times has your filming been interrupted like this? Is it a regular occurrence?

[–]American_Greed 136 points137 points ago

A lot of people I know who have seen the show say it is mostly staged, or the subject/family members are just actors paid to act crazy. Can you shed some light on people's skepticism of the show?

[–]csbaron[S] 315 points316 points ago

I have worked on many other shows and I can say truthfully say that Intervention is the most honest show that I have been a part of. The subject nor the family receive money, other than an opportunity to get help. The craziness that you see is real, addiction is crazy. More often than not, there is we capture stuff to crazy for the TV audience.

[–]AVDisco 109 points110 points ago

Such as?

[–]csbaron[S] 335 points336 points ago

I went to a meth making compound deep in the south. I filmed two teakers as they went "land boating" They hooked up a jeep to a boat and gave each other rides. One would ride in the boat as the other would drive the jeep over the rocks and through the trees. The boat soon fell apart. We then went for a ride on a cow. I was always bummed that never made it to the TV.

[–]HookDragger 215 points216 points ago

Coming from the deep south... This is also known as "Wednesday afternoon".

[–]dontbevulgar 62 points63 points ago

WHY did that never make it to tv?

[–]Davezter 108 points109 points ago

I don't want to put words in the OPs mouth, but to me it would seem to contradict the purpose of the show, which is supposed to show the seriousness of drug abuse and provide addicts with a chance for help.

Addicts landboating behind a Jeep and riding cows seems like fun and doesn't really sell the idea that drugs are hurting someone when they are smiling from ear to ear and laughing their asses off while having a great time.

When these addicts get to an in-patient treatment facility, they will have similar rules to follow in group discussions that frown upon telling fun "war stories" like their landboating and cow riding experiences. The method used with treatment is to focus on the negative consequences they experienced, not the good times they had.

[–]ultravibe 139 points140 points ago

"We got high and ate all the cookies and candy and M&Ms! And then we laughed and laughed. And it was TERRIBLE!" - Tyrone Biggums

[–]JoanyLovesChachi 16 points17 points ago

seems like itd be good to show that part still... skeptics of the show and drug users that "have it in control and are just having a little fun" might be less prone to see the show as nothing but scare tactics. itd show the full spectrum of the drug and help us understand why someone would turn to harmful substances in the first place. the highs are as immense as the lows.

[–]foreseeablebananas 15 points16 points ago

The pacing of this response makes me think of an Old Spice commercial with its constant random happenings popping up.

[–]BoiledJeans 26 points27 points ago

The subject nor the family receive money

Hmm.. TIL. I figured there'd be some compensation (aside from the treatment). Maybe some kind of junkie trust fund (if you piss clean for x months you get $y) or something of the like.

[–]kendrahwithanh 50 points51 points ago

it seems like the rehab facilities they take them to are often out of state and probably a lot better than what the family would normally be able to afford. that is worth it for a family dealing with someone at that level of addiction - a better chance at staying clean

[–]ramp_tram 25 points26 points ago

A "real" intervention can cost a lot of money, plus the therapy/treatment for the addict. Getting all that for free to help someone you love? That's plenty of a "reward" for going on the show.

They have to want to get clean for themselves and for the people they love. Giving them a financial motive will get them clean until they get the check, and they'll go back to using, since they were never "clean."

[–]abenton 63 points64 points ago

So A&E pays for the treatment though, right?

[–]csbaron[S] 174 points175 points ago

The treatment centers scholarship the subject. In return they get featured on the show.

[–]dingleberry85 58 points59 points ago

I did a practicum at a treatment center that was featured. The week after the show aired there was a ~500% increase in referrals... So it seemed to be well worth the scholarship.

Also thanks for the AMA this has been one of my favorite ones ever.

[–]Univirsul 123 points124 points ago

I can at least tell you for certain that the interventionists are really interventionists. My grandma had Jeff Van Vondren (The older bald guy) come to my moms intervention so I know he is legit.

[–]csbaron[S] 160 points161 points ago

JVV (as we call him) also did an Intervention on a family member before he was on the show.

[–]ElMangosto 119 points120 points ago

And you know what he saw in that room? A group of people that love you a whole bunch. Sorry, couldn't resist my JVV impression. Can I call him JVV too?

[–]rynocruzr 60 points61 points ago

"...people that love you like crazy"

FTFY

[–]NeverClever80 23 points24 points ago

"They're going to say some things. You're going to say some things. And that's it, we're done."

[–]croquetica 28 points29 points ago

I remember a few years ago he had a relapse and he took a break for a while. Is he sober again?

[–]yourdadsbff 22 points23 points ago

Oh gosh, I can just imagine him chiding his kids for not doing their chores.

I see a bunch of dishes here in the sink that need to be washed like crazy. And such.

[–]cfenton23 31 points32 points ago

"... love you like crazy."

[–]silenta 59 points60 points ago

Jeff is the BEST.

[–]csbaron[S] 309 points310 points ago

Every year Jeff makes the best maple syrup for us. He called it. JVVs pancake Intervention. "You are going to love it like crazy"

[–]ShyneBox 63 points64 points ago

Sounds like he is trying to get you addicted to it, just he can have an intervention to get you off it it. He's a sick, twisted man.

[–]silenta 43 points44 points ago

He is BY FAR my favorite interventionist. I'm glad he's also a cool dude who makes syrup! It doesn't get much cooler than that. Thanks for the AmA. It has made my day.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]ANormalSpudBoy 64 points65 points ago

I hope to be a cinematographer when I graduate, what advice would you give to a college student who hopes to do what you do?

[–]csbaron[S] 79 points80 points ago

Find a camera and go shoot. Build a reel and share it. Find an opportunity to shoot things that people we see, at first you will work for free then someone will start paying you to do it.

[–]LegitAlmost 87 points88 points ago

Do you have any protocol as to when its okay to call the police/paramedics? Also, I've always wondered with the heroine addicts, do you guys just sit there filming their entire trip? Do you guys just baby sit them, waiting for them to come out of it?

[–]liberalwhackjob 95 points96 points ago

Yea I'd love to know if you would lose your job for calling authorities/emergency for some situations.

There was one episode where a guy in the hospital started drinking hand sanitizer. I would've called a nurse over right then... Shit'll fuck you up.

[–]csbaron[S] 149 points150 points ago

Yes, the nurse came over and they pulled all alcohol based products from his room. That was a close one.

[–]o0tana0o 33 points34 points ago

didnt he later die?

[–]spw1 314 points315 points ago

Everybody later dies.

[–]SentimentalGentleman 128 points129 points ago

SPOILER ALERT

[–]kryonik 32 points33 points ago

GREAT, NOW I'M SAD! THANKS FOR NOTHING!

[–]frugalfran 21 points22 points ago

I saw an episode in which the producer called paramedics for one woman who was trying to kill herself by having taken a bunch of sleeping pills. They do appear to intervene when the situation is life-threatening.

[–]csbaron[S] 24 points25 points ago

I was there. I tried to reach out and stop her once I realized what she was doing. We called the paramedics, then her family. The messed up thing is that since she was refusing to be assisted by the paramedics we had to wait until she passed out to rush her to the hospital. It was awful. She barely made it.

[–][deleted] 81 points82 points ago

Has anyone ever freaked out and threatened you for taping their lives basically falling apart?

[–]csbaron[S] 109 points110 points ago

I would not say they freak out for being taped. They signed up for being taped. But many freak outs happen, mostly because they can't get what they are looking for.

[–]xowasabi 25 points26 points ago

Please tell me you filmed at least of of these people Marcel & Sebastian, Christy, Linda or Allison.

If you were whatever happened to Linda?

And how crazy was Christy? and did she ever try to seduce any of the camera men for money or alcohol?

Did Marcel and Sebastian get the help or did the relasp?

And how is Allison doing?

[–]csbaron[S] 10 points11 points ago

I filmed Christy, Linda, Marcel and Sebastian, but I was not there for Allison. From what I hear Allison is doing great, I will have to look into the rest.

[–]NonWittyUsername 66 points67 points ago

-Have you ever felt your life in danger because someone in the show was so high on drugs? -What is the scariest thing to happen to you on the show? Thanks for the AMA, I love Intervention!

[–]csbaron[S] 128 points129 points ago

I have found myself more than a few situations that made me wonder what I was doing. I have never had a weapon pulled on me, I have been kicked and spit on, been in the middle of a huge bar fight and had group dealers through bottles at me. Luckily they just hit the rental car. When I first started working on the show I was more fearless, I have kids now and they change your perspective on things. My wife still claims I am a bit on an adrenaline addict.

[–]the88n 123 points124 points ago

do you need an adrenaline intervention?

[–]csbaron[S] 16 points17 points ago

Sometimes.

[–]noved 17 points18 points ago

Did you ever meet Travis Meeks? He is my cousin and was on the first season.

[–]HealthyandHappy 32 points33 points ago

Have any of the women offered sexual favors in exchange for drugs/money for drugs?

[–]stephj 19 points20 points ago

I'd ask the same about the men, too.

[–]pan0ramic 131 points132 points ago*

My brother is an alcoholic and it's really hurting my family. I had considered contacting the show, what sort of cases do the show look for? I don't want to lie on the "application", but it would be useful to know if he is a good candidate for the show.

Edit: I wonder if the down-votes are from my redditor brother trying to dissuade me, lol.

[–]csbaron[S] 38 points39 points ago

I am sorry to hear that. I would just suggest that you be honest and that you get your family on board.

[–]thecrushah 26 points27 points ago

What was the most difficult episode for you to film, either because it touched you emotionally or it was obvious the person was in real trouble.

[–]ozzman54 23 points24 points ago*

Is there some sort of deal with the Police to not arrest the people on the show? Just asking because a lot of illegal shit gets caught on camera.

[–]teotwawk1 45 points46 points ago

As a member of the addictions treatment community I feel this show is a double edged sword. It raises awareness about the pain and destruction addiction can cause for everyone involved, but it also takes advantage of people who are in a moment of weakness and makes what should be a personal issue very public. Do you think any of the participants.in the show have reason to regret exposing their weakness to the world?

[–]csbaron[S] 98 points99 points ago

I have heard this before and can understand where you are coming from, but isn't it true that it is our secrets that keep us sick? I think one of the reasons that the shows recovery rate is so high is because the subjects have a large group of people that root for them and help keep them accountable.