Scott Leaf REALTOR® - Maple Ridge, Pitt Lake, Coquitlam & Port Coquitlam Real Estate: They Made a Movie in our House!

I always wondered what it would be like to have my home prominently featured in a movie production, one of those things I used to think about while driving around the area and seeing all of the television and motion picture productions that have taken place in our bustling little entertainment hotspot of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.  Vancouver is where such shows as X-Files, Juno, X-Men, Battlestar Galactica, The Day the Earth Stood Still, etc., etc., 10,000 times over...have been filmed.

One day this last August a couple of fellows showed up at our door, where we live in the Albion Real Estate neighbourhood of Maple Ridge, introducing themselves as location scouts for Insight Productions and asked if we would be interested in having our home included in their list of possible locations for a upcoming production or other future productions. They referenced how much their company would pay per day, a very enticing amount.  A little skeptical at first to have strangers photograph our home we asked lots of questions, I even called a friend of mine who is a a director in the business to inquire as to the legitimacy of these fellows.  All checked out.

They came and took their pictures and I thought we might just end up on some list that gets looked at from time to time with 5000 other homes but much to our surprise we recieved a call later that day asking if they could bring the Director & Producer through our home.  Shocked at the rapid rate of events we agreed and they loved it.  The Location Scout then approached us with thir decision.

Yes we want to use your home for a week of shooting, we will put you up at any hotel in Vancouver you like.  A contract was presented with a fabulous dollar figure attached, all the necessary insurance and commitments to treat the home with great care and to repair any damage to our satisfaction immediately.  On the phone I go again, calling my Director friend again asking if this was an acceptable offer, he assured me it was slightly higher then industry standard and that they appeared to have covered all the bases that should be covered.  We signed the paper, hearts in our throats but we signed it!

A few days later we were told that they would like to arrange the Director's Study, this is where the Director spends time at the location and actually plans his scenes.  He spent two days here and I got to know him quite well.  Allen Harmon, veteran Director with Really Real Films, probably best known for his work with the Police Academy movies, was the Director.  This was a great opportunity to ask lots of questions and get a feel for how this was going to 'go down'.

This entire experience didnt get real for us until the next event, the Crew Tour.  The Crew Tour is where all the department heads show up at the location, in this case a bus load of people and invade the home for a few minutes.  This involves the Producers, Props & Lighting, Assistant Directors, Location Manager and my favourite The Guy with the job of protecting our house!

We were told that the production was a TV Movie called 'Trust' and that the star was going to be former Melrose Place actress Jamie Lunar.

We were told that in order to protect our house the entire square footage would be in bubble wrap and cardboard except the actual area being filmed at the moment.  That this fellow would make sure everything was put back exactly where it belonged, he would even make sure that not one cigarette butt would be left anywhere outside and arrange the repair (if necessary) and cleaning of the house upon completion of filming.  Quite an overwhelming experience to have thrust upon you but interesting none the less.

Well arrangments were made, unfortuantely due to business committments & kid's school we couldn't go downtown to a luxury hotel, we had to settle for the local Ramada.  We later discovered that Jamie Lunar was a couple of doors down the hall from us and we ran into her just about every morning on our way out.

The first morning of shooting at our home I took the kids to school then with great anticipation I headed to see what our house looked like.

The first thing you notice is exactly what you expect, lots of cars and trailers.  The Production had made arrangements with many neighbours to rent driveways and fields for parking and storage.  I inched closer to our house.

Our driveway was a bustling hive of activity, the first scenes were to be inside the house but they were also readying a scene that was to be filmed in the driveway itself.

The next step was to SEE INSIDE THE HOUSE!  Man was I scared!

As I was told there was bubble wrap on top of cardboard and drop clothes over all the furniture!  All the crew were wearing protective booties over their shoes.  Protecting my house was truly job one!

So far not one second of filming had taken place, the next step was the commencement of filiming, thats when it gets really busy. 

This first scene shot was in my daughters bedroom which had been converted to an office so that the female lead could look out the window at the driveway, our house is large but they managed to fill it with people. I was assured early on that I could spend as much time at the home during the shoot as I wanted, so I thought I would trully enjoy the experience and take them up on it.  My experience was so enjoyable and interesting, I could not have imagined how well I would be treated.  I was actually treated as well as the cast members were, literally had the red carpet rolled out for me every time I showed up.

 This picture is of the male lead Nels Lennarson and I.  He has starred in the move Final Destination 3 and has appeared in the TV episodal The Guard among others projects.  Nels was a great guy, whenever he saw me he made a point of coming over and talking to me and or my kids when I had them with me.  One funny moment occured when I showed up with the kids to watch a scene in our living room, it was the first time Nels saw me with the kids and he dashed over to meet them.  He was incredibly nice to them and asked them lots of questions about themselves.  The girls were quite smitten with him.  The Director then called for places for the scene, Nels walked over to where Jamie Lunar had been sitting on the couch working herself up into tears and when the Director called action Nels started yelling at her as loud as he could!  My little 7 year old jumped up shocked and worried, I had to explain to her it was just acting!

Everyone was so nice to us and accommodating, I cant recommend enough to accept this offer if it is afforded to you.  Insight Productions  are a class outfit and have amazing staff.  They care about their reputation and look after you and your neighbours.

I was actually a little sad when it was all over, but then just a few days ago I found out they will be back in Albion filming at a neighbours house another production, featuring Shannon Dougherty!  I have already reconnected with several of the crew and I look forward to another experience real soon!

Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates

Keller Williams Elite Realty

www.whatismyhomesvalue.ca

www.scottleaf.com