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I live in a very 1950's style suburb where they do a lot of commercial and movie shoots. It's not that our homes are so fancy (I live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath starter) but they are very retro and easily scream, "Main Street USA." Throw up some plastic trees, some generated snow, and you've got yourself a Hollywood Hallmark Christmas.

I don't mind having to navigate through film crews every month.

I could care less if Ty Pennington is cracking jokes on my neighbor's porch in between takes for his Sear's commercials. (Hey, I even got my mom's home a gig for a Sear's commercial through that. Long crazy story but it was right after my dad died and the money came in handy. God bless cool location managers and my big mouth.)

What I doooo get irritated at, though, is how every single month location scouts come to my house and take photos.

Then they come back with the director a week later and run through our back yard. And then? Nothing.

Why?

1. Our neighbor's house is kind of run down and they don't want it in the shot.

2. The neighbor's sister's house 3 doors down is an absolute stunner. It's the case of darling mutt vs. showdog poodle - I can't blame them for using the shiny new one.

It is what it is, but like a lottery ticket, I'm convinced that every time I scratch I'm going to be a millionaire. I suppose these things are what makes life interesting - the hope, not the actual product.

But perhaps most important to remember in the "Why is my home being rejected" formula?

3. That's the biz, baby!

Happy weekend.
 


Comments

His Girl Amber link
08/21/2009 22:07

I find the whole location scouting thing fascinating! nobody scouts boring inland empire tract homes from the 80's... so i'll have to live vicariously through you!

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gretchen link
08/22/2009 20:08

I, too, shall live vicariously through your "also ran" status. ;) Still, what a trip to have folks in your neighborhood like that. Darling pic of Pip.

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JCK link
08/23/2009 21:13

First of all, GIRL, you've been blogging up a storm over here lately. Good for you!

And your Good Housekeeping column...my GOD, Scwhing Set Sex - probably the best title EVAH.

I hope you are well. You're certainly having sex. And, I know ...nothing to do with Hollywood and your house in the shot. That's JCK!

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Kim link
08/24/2009 08:57

I have a hard time with rejection in any form, so my thin-skinned self so could not handle that! Especially when it comes to my house.

Hey, I've been reading your GH column now and then , but am a total lurker because I don't want to sign-up to comment.

Thanks for sharing yourself so generously.

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Monnik link
08/24/2009 09:07

I think it's so cool that you have people checking out your neighborhood.

We had a movie being shot up the street from me. Seriously! In Tinytown, Iowa that has a population of around 400 people!! (The movie was called "The Experiment" with Adrian Brody and Forrest Whitaker.) Cool, no? :)

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Stacey
08/24/2009 10:54

I could only imagine what kind of commercials they could shoot at MY house, what with the acres of weeds, the occasional cow or BUFFALO wandering into the garden and the chickens, always the chickens.

Think past the house... your CUTE KIDS should be in some commercials! Or you could talk 'em into doing some sort of reality-show-kitchen-makeover for those cabinets and countertops that irk you. Get the gorgeous kitchen AND the paycheck in one gig!

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Meowmie link
08/26/2009 03:49

I suspect our home will only be considered by a location scout if someone decides to make another suburban movie like "My Year Without Sex".

Actually, I liked that movie. Totally Melbourne suburbia.

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