How to get your home in the movies

NEW YORK - Movie production is a five-billion dollar a year industry in New York City. More shooting is being done here and the crews want things to look real New York, so they're using more real homes and business.

Karen Lashinsky's home is more than 5000 square feet in the West Village. It's a star! 632 on Hudson, as she calls it, was the home for a season of MTV's The Real World and the backdrop for a Mick Jagger photo shoot.

It's the ah-ha aspect that makes a home like Karen's so attractive to tv, film and print crews. With New York City giving more incentives to production companies to shoot here, there are more opportunities for residents to cash in.

So how do you know if your home is a star home?

"You need good light," said Wendy Gordon, who owns AKA locations.

Gordon matches production companies with locations. She only lists the best residential or business spaces on her website -- the ones that are the envy of all the neighbors.

A homeowner can make anywhere between 500 and 10-thousand dollars a day.

But, before you rent out your space, beware! Once a crew moves in, you're out until their work is done.

"It's not for the faint of heart," Gordon said.

"It was strange to move out and not be able to go into the house," Lashinsky said.

So if you have a winner home, you need to list it with a reputable site.

Other tips:

Publicize your location to scouts and services.

If your property is chosen, gather information about the production company, the type of production and proof of insurance.

Know the logistics of the shoot such as how many people are in the cast and crew.

Have clear deal points, such as payment schedule and restrictions on the use of your property.

When the production is complete, inspect your property with someone from the company. Make sure the production company restores your property to its original look and disposes of all trash.

On The Net: akalocations.com
nycfilmlocations.sothebyshomes.com (Laura Wagner 212 431 2444)
elliman.com (Adrienne Cleere 212-891-7246)
Debbie Regan Locations (516 626 1928)
onthemarklocations.com

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STORY BY: Eyewitness News reporter Lauren Glassberg

WEB PRODUCED BY: Bob Monek