Ink Master contestants often finish their tattoos within the allotted time frame, leaving little to no drama in the final moments of the competition. However, this contradicts the complaints from the artists, as they are given the autonomy to take breaks at their leisure. The jury's decisions on Ink Master are heavily influenced and edited by the production team, which undermines their supposed impact on the competition.
Like all reality TV, some things about Ink Master are scripted. But how much of the show is fake and what is true? While the show was previously canceled, its popularity led to being renewed for Ink Master season 15. The show takes the art of tattooing to a new level of pressure and artistic difficulty, though some Ink Master winners deserve it more than others.
While Ink Master seems like there is no way it can be fake, with the permanence of the tattoos being very real, former contestants and human canvases have come forward saying that the show is not as authentic as showrunners want fans to believe. Much of the drama is fabricated and benefits from creative editing.
Reality Release Date January 17, 2012 Cast Dave Navarro Network Paramount Streaming Service(s) Paramount+ , Prime Video
Even though the artists complain about their human canvases needing a break because they are in pain or have been sitting for too long, it doesn't affect the outcome of the Ink Master competition.
In the earlier seasons of Ink Master, the human canvases were selected by production to decide their top and bottom tattoos. However, Matchem argued that this decision was flawed, as their choices were heavily influenced and edited to reflect storylines and rivalries. They revealed that they chose an entirely different tattoo for the bottom as well, which never made it to air, and that the show's production likely manipulated the outcome to make it seem like they picked a different design.
The Artists Are Nice on Ink Master: Potential subjects must meticulously fill out a comprehensive form that encompasses every element that could pose a challenge during the tattoo process on the show. From the length of the canvas to the desired location and style, producers utilize this form to add complexity and intrigue to the tattoo creation process, allowing them to showcase their artistic vision and creativity.
While gameplay made some of Ink Master winners and contestants appear arrogant and difficult to work with, in an interview with Penn Live season three, contestant Frank McManus revealed that he had a positive perspective on the show and that he found the contestants to be intelligent and capable individuals.
Former contestant Heather Sinn has expressed her critical perspective on the reality show and openly admitted to the manipulative tactics employed by production. In an interview with LA Weekly, she revealed that producers forced contestants to create drama to ensure they could sleep.
"The casting form for Ink Master reveals a significant secret about the show's production process, with the selection of certain parts of the application process being predetermined for both the cameras and viewers watching at home. On this form, applicants are asked about their willingness to discuss specific topics and their personalities, allowing the producers to tailor questions to create compelling television content that resonates with both audiences."
In a Q&A video, former season six contestant Tyler Nolan pointed out that while the episodes seem to happen one day after another, it takes four days to film an episode. This means contestants are away from their shops for around four months, which means no income from their clients, and they are relying on winning the show to make up for the lost income and exposure that will ensure they have a waitlist of clients that will keep them set for the rest of their careers.
Judging Is Scripted On Ink Master highlighted the importance of fashion choices in defining contestants' identities and influencing their online visibility. Nolan specifically pointed out the unconventional overalls worn by Chris Blinston, which was not part of the artist's intended design. This observation serves as an example of how each artist's attire contributes to their recognizability and adds to the show's cultural impact.
Nolan recognized the show's judging process and expressed concerns about the omission of actual critiques. Instead of focusing on the tattoos that didn't require criticism, the producers encouraged the judges to focus on the overall impact and artistic value of the artwork. This approach resulted in some artists feeling their hard work and sacrifices were not fully appreciated and recognized, leading to a sense of frustration and competition.