The Hunt: Seeking Montclair Homes For TV Commercial Shoots

What do KFC, AT&T, and Arm & Hammer all have in common? In the last few weeks, they've all shot commercials using Montclair homes as backdrops. So how can you make money off your own home?

Naomi Rand is a Montclair resident who is also co-owner of The Scout Source—along with Montclair resident Asa Miraglia—which is a hands-on service that matches production companies with homes that meet their specifications.

According to Rand, The Scout Source has been growing a base of locations since 1997. And the business is constantly adding to its stock. From Victorian to mid-century modern, Craftsman cottages to new construction, Pottery Barn to minimal modern, she said she is always on the lookout for the perfect house.

Montclair Patch spoke with Rand, who moved from Brooklyn to Montclair some 16 years ago, to find out more about the business, how it works, and how Montclair homeowners can get involved.

Q) Do you just handle houses that are in Montclair?

A) We work in the tri-state area. We have houses in Westchester, New York City, Connecticut, all over. But production companies have to pay travel time fees to crew members if they shoot out of the zone. (To see what communities are located within the zone besides Montclair, go here.)

Q) How would a homeowner get involved in this if they believed their house was right for a commercial shoot?

A) If somebody wants to do this, they can go to our website and then send photos of their house. If it looks promising, I might come by and tell them if they might get their house used.

Q) What are production companies looking for?

A) We can always use houses that look like they are out of a Pottery Barn catalogue ... very simple lines ... kitchens that are blown out. If you have an older house it might get used, but if you have a house that is prety modern, you have a much better chance. That being said, the house could be ancient but how it's decorated is what is critical. Ironically, the companies often take out much of what's inside the house anyway. But when they come to look at it, they want to see modern and clean. But we have also gotten calls this year for houses with an old retro look and for ranch-style houses from the 1950s and 1960s. The main thing is a large kitchen because they need a lot of room to film.

Q) What are the cons to doing this?

A) You have to be willing to have 60 people in their house. They are supposed to return things the way they were but, still ... if you feel precious about your house, this is not the thing for you.

Q) And the pros?

A) It pays several thousand dollars a day. Shoots can be two days or three days. Or even just one day. You get paid half the fee for the prep day before the shoot starts. This definitely offers people the opportunity to make money and it's tax-free income. In Montclair, you can have six shoot days a year. Yes, there is a limit. There used to be no rules. But then that changed. Years ago, Montclair was the place to go because there were just so many different kinds of houses here. But other people were up in arms. In order to placate the neighbors up in arms, there was an ordinance passed and so now you can't do more than six days at one location.

Q) What's the most popular time of year for this?

A) Usually we get the most calls in the spring, summer, and fall. It's surprising to get calls in January or February, although this year we've been getting a lot of calls.

Q) What kinds of productions have you handled recently?

A) We've had inquiries for TV shows and movies but commercials are our bread and butter. We did a shoot on Lorraine for a KFC commercial last December. Then there was one the same week on Highland for an Arm & Hammer commercial. We also did one around the same time for an AT&T commercial.

Q) Do you enjoy what you do?

A) I am also a writer and I taught for 22 years. This seemed like something different and a good way to support myself.