Location location location

[darkemeralds]

Oh, this is so cool and weird!

On advice from my body, I called in sick today; therefore, I was home when the location scout from Gone, a film by Heitor Dhalia, knocked at my door.

My house, apparently, is just the sort of place they're looking for as the residence of the movie's main character--old, cute, modest, and small, with a big yard and a scary basement.

If the director likes it and they decide to use it, they'd shoot both interiors and exteriors here. The "Key Assistant Location Manager" (according to her business card) took photos inside and out, described the movie's plot in detail, said she was originally from here, and named the other Portland neighborhoods they'd searched so far in vain.

There would be payment involved, and insurance, and relocation (for me). And my little house would be in the movies! Wouldn't that be cool?

Comments

[karen_jk]

That does sound very, very cool. The same thing happened to some friends of ours here in Ottawa, though their house is big and grand. and big.

Relocating will be a drag, but all your renos and your project empty must leave you feeling so proud of your house! :)

[darkemeralds]

No clue whether it will actually happen, of course. What the scout liked--and she was really trying to be diplomatic about it--was its old, crappy character.

We'll see. It's fun to think about. And hey, if they want to put me up in a hotel or condo for several weeks and pay me, I can deal.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

EXCELLENT!!!

Money is VERY necessary, because the nicest film crew can damage things. Also, VERY GOOD insurance.

[darkemeralds]

The location scout mentioned "insured for a million dollars" which sounded rather glib to me, but indicated that perhaps the film has some funding.

I'm kind of excited at the possibility.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Depending on assessment of likely risk, you can insure for a million bucks for a few dollars.

[darkemeralds]

That seems about right.

I've been pondering all morning what filming in my house might consist of, and how the place would be likely to look afterwards. I'm all for it! It could really only result in eventual improvement.

[kis]

Time for your sis to make up the spare bed again! Eee! It will be so exciting if it happens.

We had a note come through our door a few years back looking for interiors for a BBC drama but our house really isn't up to exposure to millions!

[darkemeralds]

Oh hell no! They're putting me up at a nice business apartment if this happens.

My house isn't up to exposure to millions either--not as my house! But as the setting of a drama of two struggling sisters, one of whom has gone missing and is presumed murdered, it's perfect. Nice and tatty.

Besides...money.

[kis]

Eee! I shall be so excited if it happens. And will tell everyone about my brush with celebrity.

[darkemeralds]

LOL! "I slept there!"

[cat63]

Oh cool! Your house maybe gets to be a film star :-)

[darkemeralds]

I know, right? That'd really be kind of neat.

[(Anonymous)]

Very cool! And then I'd have to see that movie just because it was your house!

[ruric]

Your house might be a STAR! \o/

[darkemeralds]

Hee! It will start demanding things. Wallpaper! New hardwood floors! Oh noooo!

[nwhepcat]

You should talk to lostakasha -- her mom's house was used for a Mel Gibson movie (just before the worst became known). She might have some good advice. Damn, she may have a new screen name...

I chatted with the owners of a bookstore in NYC that was used for a TV pilot, and they complained about dings and chips and such, so be aware that all that equipment being schlepped around may cause some damage.

Cool, though! Keep us posted!

[darkemeralds]

I thought about all the potential damage--I know filming is a heavy-duty thing, no matter how delicate the visual result--and if they should come back with an offer, I'd want to specify some basic level of "return it as you found it".

If they do pick my house (a remote chance, really), I'll consult your friend, too. Thanks for the perspective

[ranunculus]

I really agree with this post.

1. Get EVERYTHING in writing.
2. They WILL damage things. Make sure you know how to collect for those damages, because once they leave the premises it will get much harder.
3. However much the location scout "loves" your house the director will have other ideas, which may include repainting. Be sure to clearly state that the film company will repaint your house (room, exterior or whatever) if they make any changes.
4. They are welcome to "remodel" your house with your specific OK on each and every detail.

Otherwise it is a very cool project!!!

[darkemeralds]

Thank you for this comprehensive list. It will be very helpful if this thing should come to fruition--which I kind of doubt, but I'm glad to have some concrete advice in case it does.

Much obliged. I wouldn't have thought of them.

[bluemeridian]

Talk about a surprised visit! :)

[darkemeralds]

It really was. If I had been at work, and had come home to find the letter taped to my front door, I'd probably have just thrown it away. The chances of anything actually coming of this are probably not huge, but it certainly added an interesting dimension to my day.

[donutsweeper]

That is pretty neat. Keep us posted!

[darkemeralds]

Oh, you know I will. If anything comes of it, I'm sure I'll have a "My House The Movie Star" tag.

[layne67]

That's beyond awesome! Any idea who's going to be in that movie besides Amanda Seyfried?

[darkemeralds]

Not a clue. It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds, huh?

[bientot]

I'm a compulsive credit-reader, for no discernible reason - rarely learn anything from it, but once, as the credits were scrolling, I saw a name I recognized from (college I went to the first time) as Art Director - he'd been an art teacher when I knew him, so that kind of made sense - but several years later I ran into him again and asked, and he said it was just because they'd used his apartment as a setting. So you may get a flashy credit as well - neat-o jets!!

[darkemeralds]

That's a wonderful story!

I quite like the idea of having my name in the obscure credit roll at the end of an obscure indie film. Hee!

[(Anonymous)]

That is awesome! and maybe you could mention this little story you wrote and how it would make an incredible and groundbreaking movie! You know just in case they know any screenwriters. Sans_gene.

[darkemeralds]

I have to tell you that very thought crossed my mind! In fact, when the location scout mentioned a Brazilian director, for a short moment I hoped that he might turn out to be the one who made Do Começo au Fim, because that director might be interested, you know?

But alas, no. Still, great minds think alike!