Jack van Beynen.
The show’s set up for sneaky winners, but that’s not how Josefien plays, finds
Josefien Maasdam wants Survivor NZ viewers to think she’s ‘‘a good chick’’. That means playing the game fairly when she’s marooned with 17 others in Thailand.
One problem: those who play fair don’t tend to win.
Maasdam, a 23-year-old Wellingtonian, says she’s aware of that, but hopes the New Zealand game might be a little different.
‘‘Look at Avi who won last year. He won almost completely on the social game,’’ she says.
‘‘So I think even though Survivor is known to be a ruthless, sneaky strategic kind of game, New Zealanders are different and Survivor NZ is different in that sense.’’
‘‘I wouldn’t underestimate the ability of someone who is an easygoing, considerate person to go far.’’
She points out that when the game gets down to the final three, how contestants are esteemed by their eliminated peers determines the winner.
Maasdam is perhaps acutely aware of how she comes across on television because of her occupation: she works in post production for television ads.
That means she’s aware she’s in Thailand for the viewers’ entertainment.
‘‘Unless I have a meltdown or win the game it’s not very good TV. The cameraman won’t hug me if I need to have a cry, I understand that,’’ she says.
And a few tears are not outside the realms of possibility. Maasdam says she’s a big believer in ‘‘completing the stress cycle’’.
She cries when she’s sad, angry or really stressed – emotions Survivor is set up to manipulate her into feeling.
‘‘I’m well aware that’s how I
‘‘Unless I have a meltdown or win the game it’s not very good TV.’’
deal with things and, given the nature of this show, it’s probably going to happen a few times. Which is fine,’’ she says.
Perhaps playing the game with a straight bat is the best way to avoid emotionally complicated situations.
‘‘Maybe being sneaky and making the crazy moves is the way to go, but this is how I want to play it. I want to be able to watch this game and have other people watch me in this game and be like, ‘She’s a good chick’ ... That’s really important to me.’’ ❚ Survivor NZ begins screening on TVNZ2 at 7pm on Sunday, April 22.