I am surprised that a major production such as "The Colony" would only offer $1000.00 per week. Not that I would ever apply for any show, however the pay rate would have to be well north of $1000.00 per week to cover my job salary to even make it worth my time.
The Colony (and most other shows) are developed by relatively small production companies and then they sell the show to Discovery. $10,000 was the top end fee. I believe some only got $6000 for the 10 weeks. I wanted to be on the show but my boss told me my real job wouldn't be there when I returned.
Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had done it...
-Blast