SANTO DOMINGO.- In light of the boom in the Dominican Republic's film industry and the filming of movies in recent years, we spoke with film director Hans García, asking him five questions about the dynamics of the houses used for films and the role of real estate agents in acquiring them.
What type of houses are sought after in the Dominican Republic for filming movies?
That depends on the story; the film's script is what determines the type of house where it is filmed.
Are houses built specifically for filming movies?
Most are rented. In the film "La Rasante," we wanted a location that was like a country house with a dry riverbed; those themes don't appear in the film, so the little house was built for that purpose. But in most cases, they're built inside, in the studio. Building facades is more common.
When occupied houses are rented, what do they do with those people while filming is taking place?
We usually reach an agreement for them to move elsewhere. Filmmaking is one of the most regulated fields; to rent a house, we need the owners' consent, a copy of the property title, and statements from neighbors who can vouch for the occupants. This is because some owners don't want films shot on their property, and to avoid lawsuits, we take the necessary precautions.
Is the rental price for filming more expensive than the regular price?
Of course, they are much more expensive to rent than in normal situations.
Do they use real estate agents for property transactions?
There are landlords, whose job is to locate potential properties. They, in turn, rely on real estate agents, as brokers have property catalogs that facilitate the search. This assistance is invaluable because they possess the knowledge to advise us.
