In February 2017, I was lucky enough to be able to participate in filming for the show House Hunters international, a U.S. format that shows American citizens' search for their second home around the world.
The show ( with over 95,000,000 viewers ) has also caught on on Italian TVs, where older seasons can be seen on channels such as Real time or other entertainment channels.
In this article I tell you how I became involved in this extraordinary adventure.
Fall 2016, through a company that assists foreign clients who want to buy houses in Italy, my colleague closes a sale with an American couple. Rick and Ron. Italian-American the former, Colombian the latter, they are a Boston couple with a desire to have a base in Italy for their travels in the old country.
My role in this story is marginal, my colleague could not go to the deed, and the notary needed a third party who understood Italian and English to act as a witness in the purchase and sale.
On this occasion I come into contact with this American couple, whom I accompany home after the act.
And there, it triggers the problem:
The house they had bought was fully furnished and their plans were to sleep in it the very night.... Except that, the seller, had taken away the mattress before doing the deed. (Also, there was no couch in the house).
Given the situation and their lack of means and contacts on Verona, I decide to scour all the mattress stores in Verona looking for someone to deliver a double mattress by the evening ( which is very complicated, I later found out ) .
This courtesy of mine was enough to bring me into the sympathies of the two who, for the rest of their stay, contacted me several times to go out for dinner or drinks.
Once back home, Rick and Ron, through a friend they had inside the Leopard production company, managed to get signed on to film an episode of the House Hunters International program.
Other issue:
In order to shoot the program, the production needed signed releases from the property owners... of course they thought of me to solve the bureaucratic issue and to find locations.
Again, this seems easier said than done...you explain to the owners that they must sign a document (in English) in which they release the production company from any liability and damages, as well as convince them ( ?!? ) to allow the crew to film on their property.
With no small amount of effort, I manage to find all the necessary documentation to be able to start the project.
CIACK YOU TURN!
The week of filming arrived, and fortunately, the crew found most favorable weather. Cold but as sunny as we had ever seen in February.
My part (marginal in the show) is that of the real estate agent who will show the 3 solutions, among which is the one the protagonists have already purchased.
I'm telling you guys: if you think actors in movies don't work and don't struggle, YOU ARE VERY WRONG!
Recording 19 minutes of the program took the work of 7 people for 2 weeks!
- Endlessly repeated dialogues
- Scenes redone 186 times
- Racing not to miss the correct ambient light
- Cold, noisy, frugal meals, scheduling takes every 30 minutes.
In short, lots of stuff!
Despite our inexperience, we had an excellent director, young Samantha Stubin , who managed us with masterful professionalism.
Although with moo many mistakes and many cuts, shooting this show was a great experience, very educational and international!
The episode was broadcast in America on September 28...who knows if it will also arrive in Italy!
When they say that an act of free kindness can lead to something positive for the doer as well, remember this article 🙂
While waiting to receive the DVD with the recording, let me show you some stolen shots from the filming:
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