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DreamHouse filming

In September 2008 I received an email from a TV r esearcher - Karolien Vandersmissen – for a Belgian Television program called Dreamhouse which is broadcast on Belgian National Television, Europe (SBS -> Vijf TV).

Similar to the British travel series "A Place in the Sun" the host of the show Els Tibau, takes a Belgian couple on a trip to find their dream house in a foreign country.  They are in their second series of seven 45 minute episodes and have covered countries all over the world including Spain, France, Corsica, Italy, Canada and South-Africa.

Each episode tries to incorporate local nature and culture and promote the country visited, as an interesting destination for tourists. They work closely with the regional tourism departments and other local authorities gaining information about the area for the program.For their seventh episode they were coming to Spain with a Belgian couple called Marc and Wanda who wanted to buy a cave in this region.  The couple travel to Spain and this region several times a year and had decided to buy a house here.  On one of their visits they visited some cave houses and fell completely in love with the concept of living in a cave.

For their seventh episode they were coming to Spain with a Belgian couple called Marc and Wanda who wanted to buy a cave in this region.  The couple travel to Spain and this region several times a year and had decided to buy a house here.  On one of their visits they visited some cave houses and fell completely in love with the concept of living in a cave.

Karolien was approaching Estate Agents in the area, looking for caves with the following criteria:

After looking at our website www.farmhousesspain.com Karolien picked out a number of caves to see, finally deciding on three, two in Huéscar and one in Las Cucharetas, Cortes de Baza.  We arranged to meet in what turned out to be her last meeting with an Estate agent and she had already seen over 15 caves in the area.  I hoped that she would pick one of mine but as she had seen so many I was uncertain how any of the properties I had would compare.

We met in Huéscar and the first cave we saw was H120 which was a reformed cave house on the edge of Huéscar, with views of both the town and the countryside, it had a cosy living room with wood burner 2 good sized bedrooms in the main cave, lovely kitchen with dining area and then stairs to another living room and study area or possibly a 3rd bedroom, from this room is a roof terrace, a bonus was a self contained guest accommodation and a large garage, it was well within budget at 119,500€.  We had a bit of fun getting in as the lock on the bottom door of the stable door had jammed, so we required a step ladder and a chair to enter!  Not the best start but Karolien liked the cave and needed reassurance that it they wanted to film the cave could the lock be fixed!  Of course, I replied, with confidence!

The next cave we viewed was H94, another reformed cave, again with views of both the village and the countryside, Karolien liked this cave too, but as it was unfurnished, it didn’t lend itself to filming which was a pity because it is a really nice cave with a lovely landscaped garden, again within budget at 129,900€.

Finally we made the half hour trip to Las Cucharetas, chatting as we went, discussing many things, like how the credit crunch was affecting us all.  She told me a bit more about the program and also about many of the places she had visited.  Her English was excellent and she said in Belgium all the TV programs are shown in whatever language they are filmed in with Belgian Subtitles and everyone learns English from the TV!  I was very impressed with her confidence and also the fact that these first research trips she undertakes on her own, on this particular trip she was here for about 10 days, not only finding caves but locating places of interest, so that when she went back to Belgium her editor and crew would have a clear idea of which property and areas they would visit and film.  She asked me for any areas of interested, I suggested the gorge walk in Castril, a pretty location with lots to see and also suggested the hot springs at Zujar – great but her presenter, having been filmed previously in a swimming costume had made it clear she wouldn’t do it again!

In Las Cucharetas we were viewing CB04, I really like this cave house as it has lots of charm with well lit alcoves and really well proportioned rooms.  It has 4 bedrooms, a great kitchen, separate dining room and living room with wood burner plus two bathrooms.  To the front is a large garden with plenty of space for a pool – on the wish list of Marc and Wanda.  And exceptionally well priced at 114,400€.  I had high hopes for this cave and I was right!  Karolien thought it would appeal to her editor. 

On our way back to Huéscar, Karolien asked if I would like to be the Estate Agent they used to interview – basically Els the presenter, would interview me asking questions about cave houses in general.  I must admit having a filmmaker for a husband, being filmed was never something I had wanted to do with him, but this was publicity and would be excellent promotion for Farmhouses.  I said yes, thinking, immediately about my lack of make-up, and don’t you put on at least 5 kilos when you are on the TV?  Also sometimes when I am put on the spot my mind goes blank and I can’t think of anything to say.  For those who know me this might appear strange, as normally I don’t shut up!

Karolien was heading back on the Tuesday and by Thursday she had phoned to say can they film CB04 and did I still want to be interviewed.  They wanted to meet the next Monday at 8.00 o’clock (in the morning) and head to the cave, it would take around 4 hrs, then interview me the next day in the afternoon, this would take a couple of hours.  I must admit I was a bit surprised at the speed it was all happening.  Kevin the owner of CB04 was warned that we would be turning up at 9.00 o’clock.  We headed to the cave in a convoy of 4 cars, including the crew – director, camera man, sound engineer, producer, presenter and make up artist plus Karolien (they all spoke English) and the couple.  We had to stop about 300 metres away from the cave so that the crew could go ahead to set up – it had to be a complete surprise for Marc and Wanda – they knew nothing about the cave so it was important their surprise and delight (or disappointment!) was captured on film.

When we arrived at the cave, we were greeted by 4 very friendly dogs, one of them took a real shine to the glamorous presenter Els – and in true doggy style wouldn’t leave her alone!  They do say:  Never work with animals!  I think Karolien had forgotten about the dogs when she picked this cave – I did panic for a minute as it would prove difficult filming with 4 dogs creating havoc!  Thankfully Kevin decided it may be a good idea to take the dogs for a very long walk!

It was at this point that all the glamour I was expecting from a film crew went out the window.  Basically it is hours of sitting around or moving out of shots while they film, then re-film then re-film some more, from every conceivable angle.  I thought Els, the presenter would be more involved but she was only filmed at the very end, what a cushy job for her make-up artist, about 10 minutes of work the whole morning!  I was also amused to catch Karolien kissing the sound engineer.  I did ask: Was kissing the crew part of the job?  Turned out they had met on a previous episode!  By 1 o’clock they were pretty much finished – 4 hours of filming for a six minute section of the program.

My thoughts went to the next day, what would I wear? I had a limited supply of makeup and knowing my luck I would probably have a bad hair day!  I turned up after work after applying what little make-up I had – the shoot was happening at a cave B&B in Huéscar called Cuevas Barrio Las Santas – www.casa-cuevas.com, owned by a very welcoming Belgium couple.  I arrived to everyone sitting down to lunch.  I was made very welcome, but feeling rather nervous, didn’t manage to eat much. 

An area was set up to film, the make-up artist, titivated Els (no such luck for me), even cleaned her boots – I wished she done mine as I was feeling pretty scruffy next to the immaculate presenter.  Then filming began.  I had been told the 5 or 6 questions I would be asked in advance so I had done some preparation.  I started of well but soon lost my train of thought, going blank for a second.  Don’t worry I was told, and filming commenced.  Sometimes it just flowed but at times, nerves got the better of me.  The beauty of filming though is that any bad bits are just edited out and as long as the information they wanted from my answers was covered that was enough.  At one point the shot was from a distance and all we had to do was look like we were talking.  Els told me a bit about herself, she was a lovely lady who it seems is quite famous in Belgium having been in TV for many years – initially starting as the link between programs.  She seemed very genuine and it was interesting to find out more about her.

Filming went on for a couple of hours – stopping and starting, not always by my mistakes, but 5 o’clock in the afternoon in Huéscar is not exactly quiet – we had to contend with barking dogs, noisy trailers and chain saws.  What had started as quite a warm and pleasant afternoon soon turn chilly but unfortunately continuity would not allow me to put on a jacket and I ended up shivering and cold – what happened to the glamour!  All this for about 3 minutes of film!

I have been told by Karolien that the episode is near completion and will be aired next year.

The website of the production company is www.sultansushi.be (also available in English) and gives an overview of all the projects that have been done over the past 5 years.

The programme website is www.vijftv.be/programma_droomhuisonderdezon.asp (not in English, however).