We Were on House Hunters International!
In case you missed the news, Colin and I (and Ellie!) were on House Hunters International! Our episode aired on HGTV in the US in early May. No word on when it will be airing in Canada or abroad, but hopefully soon.
“LET’S DO THIS!”
New episode tonight! House Hunters International is in #Prague #CzechRepublic at 10:30pmEST only on @HGTV.
–#Selfie #pets #petsofinstagram #dogs #doglovers #beer #architecture #architecturelovers #familytime #hometogether #househuntersinternational #hgtv pic.twitter.com/CJ93PZB6BF— Leopard USA (@LeopardUSA) May 5, 2020
How did we get on House Hunters International?
House Hunters International has long been one of my favourite shows. I remember watching nightly with my roommate at the time, Sophie, and booing when the person picked the wrong place or complained about small fridges in Europe. It was always so fun to see another corner of the world and to imagine what it would be like to not just travel there, but actually live there.
When we started thinking about where in Europe we wanted to live, one of my research methods was watching old episodes of House Hunters International. I figured it would be a fun way for us to see what regular apartments and daily life looks like. We even watched some Prague ones before deciding to move to Prague!
For years, I would joke that my dream would be to appear on House Hunters International. So I guess the joke is on me and dreams do come true!
But how did we actually get on the show, besides by sheer will due to my immense fandom?
A casting agent for the show posted in an online group for expats in Prague. I connected with her there, and that led to a series of video calls, questionnaires and lots and lots of paperwork.
For the most part, the application process was really fun! The questions were interesting to answer and we loved telling our story of what brought us to Prague and what we were looking for in an apartment. The only downside was the paperwork. It took quite a lot of back and forth to get everyone on board who needed to be, to the point where Colin and I tried to throw in the towel a few times!
But luckily, after many weeks, we were finally approved to have our story presented to the decision makers. A little while after that, we heard back that they loved us (naturally) and we had filming dates!
From there, we connected with our crew, figured out our wardrobe and got our schedule for filming.
What actually happens during House Hunters International?
Well, I can’t tell you all of the secrets, but I can share a few! We filmed House Hunters International for five days. During that time, we filmed not just the apartment tours but also lots of fun activities around Prague. We would meet each day around 8:00AM and usually wrap around 5:00PM with some days running longer and others ending early.
Colin and I have never been on TV before so we had a lot to learn. In the beginning, we were accidentally looking directly into the camera, talking too fast and fiddling with our mics. But by the end of the week, I’d like to think we were pros!
The show isn’t scripted but a lot of things are planned such as locations and story beats. We would generally do a couple of takes, either because the director wanted us to hit a different beat or just so the camera could get another angle.
For example, in an apartment tour we’d do it once with a small camera and then a few times with a big camera focused on each one of us (Colin, myself, our realtor, and sometimes even Ellie got a cam!). This actually made it harder because you had to remember your lines and your blocking that you had done naturally the first time so that it looked and sounded the same no matter where the camera was focused.
Behind the scenes of House Hunters International
In addition to the house tours, we also shot little interviews where the director would ask us questions. These were my favourite! We only had to shoot them once (unless we messed up!) and it was fun to chat more about what we were doing and give our takes on the apartments. Colin and I also did some sit down interviews together talking more about what brought us to Prague and what we were doing there. Those felt like we were on Oprah!
For the scenes around Prague, we went on an old car tour of the city, visited a brewery and did a beer tasting, strolled through many parks and squares, rode the trams, and got to visit a pet supply store with Ellie!
Here’s a little behind the scenes on those:
- We did the old car tour for probably close to two hours. We kept driving the exact same loop. They needed to film the tour guide talking to us, Colin and I reacting and taking in the view, and drone shots of the car driving around town. Ellie loved it and was cuddled in the blankets the entire time (check her out above!).
- The brewery tour was actually really fun and the brewmaster there was awesome! Luckily, we only had to do a couple takes of the scene where we cheers (Na zdraví!) and drink beer or else I might have ended up on the floor.
- While we’re only on the tram briefly in the episode, we filmed on a few trams for quite a while and it was hectic! The trams in Prague get packed so we were squishing ourselves on. They also swerve quite a bit, so our poor cameraman was having to hold on for dear life. And then I started to get motion sick, which made it even less fun.
- The pet supply store was a fun scene for us as that’s where we went to get Ellie’s tags and treats when we first moved to Prague. We had no idea the scene would involve Ellie putting on jackets and we totally improvised the part about her trying out a bed. Lucky for Ellie, our director loved those shots and decided Ellie should go home with a new coat and new bed! Funny enough, the bed Ellie picked out – she honestly did hop right in it as soon as I put it down – was called the Prague Bed.
One scene that didn’t make the cut was us on the Charles Bridge. Our episode opens with us checking out the view next to the Charles Bridge. After we filmed that, our director had us walk down the bridge and then got the idea that we should pose for a caricature portrait. And so we did! Colin, Ellie and I sat there as an artist drew our portrait and the crew filmed us.
That would have been hilarious enough, but because we had a camera crew on the Charles Bridge, people thought we were famous! All of the tourists (and there were many!) stopped to stare at us, check out our portrait, and some were even taking photos or videos of us. It was so weird to be sitting there, trying to hold still for a portrait, while a bunch of tourists gawk at you. I got a tiny taste of celebrity life and it is not for me. The tourists must have been so disappointed when they got home and realized that we’re not important celebrities at all.
The caricature scene didn’t make the episode but the actual caricature drawing did in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. In the final reveal when they’re showing off our updated living room, in the far right corner on our bookshelf is the prized portrait!
One of the best parts of filming was the awesome crew we got to hang out with. It was really fun getting to know them, learning more about their side of the show and going out for lunch with them each day. Colin and I have no experience in TV so it was super fascinating to watch everyone work. The crew was really nice to us and they especially loved Ellie. The director even brought her treats on our last day!
Watching our episode
After we wrapped, they told us our episode wouldn’t be airing until May/June. We hadn’t heard anything by late April and were musing that timelines may have been delayed due to the coronavirus. But the next morning, we got an email that the episode would be airing May 5th on HGTV!
Unfortunately, we don’t get the US version of HGTV in Canada (and still no word on an airdate for Canadian HGTV) but we did get a copy of the episode from production to watch.
Colin got off work at midnight and thought we should watch it the next morning. But I was too anxious to wait. I wanted to watch it right away and get it over with! So around 1:00am, we climbed into bed and nervously pressed play.
At first, I was embarrassed. Immediately, my eyes went to every little flaw. Why did I wear that shirt? Does my hair always look like that? Could my double chin be anymore prominent? Why did I say that? But I forced myself to get out of that vein of thinking. Just like when we did our family photos in Prague, I made myself look past those insecurities and focus on the joy and the memories.
And you know what? I actually enjoyed the episode! Colin and I laughed a ton at little inside jokes and funny lines (like the side eye I give Colin at the brewery because that was likely take #3 and I was DONE with beer by that point). We even had to rewind a few times to catch a hilarious Ellie moment or to spot someone in the background. It was so interesting to see what made the final cut and what story was being told. We had filmed so much in five days; it was impressive to see how they cut it all down to one cohesive narrative.
I thought I’d watch the episode with clenched teeth, peering out from behind my hands. But instead, I watched with a smile on my face the entire time. It made me so happy to see our beautiful city and to relive the memories of living there. I loved seeing our apartment again, especially after we had to leave it in such a rush. And I squealed every time the camera zoomed in on Ellie, looking as adorable as ever.
Being on House Hunters International was insanely far outside of our comfort zone. I remember when we had to send in a video for our application, Colin and I both hesitated because we didn’t want to be on video. But wasn’t that the whole point?
I am so glad we pushed through our nerves, made our schedules work and persevered through paperwork to make this happen. It was an incredible opportunity. We had such a blast filming it and enjoying Prague in a way we never would have without HHI.
I love that we’ll always have this half hour video memory of our year abroad and that for the rest of our lives, we’ll always have to be wary that our faces could show up on the endless House Hunters International reruns!
Would you ever want to be on House Hunters International? And if you have seen our episode, let me know what you think!
Share our experience on House Hunters International – Pin it!
Wow it sounds like an amazing opportunity! Well done for going for it xx
Thanks so much!
I LOVE this show! That’s so amazing you were on it! I hope it airs in Canada soon!!
Thank you! I hope it does too!
Looove this! My big question is if you guys had already found your apartment *before* filming…but I imagine that’s a production secret 🤫 haha
Thanks, Melanie! Haha I’m not sure I can answer that one 🙂
Oh how much fun!! That is so exciting! I will have to be on the lookout for that episode as I am in the US!
Thanks so much! It aired on May 5th in the US and I think someone said it was available On Demand. But not sure when it will air again.
I watched your HHI episode and loved every minute of it! Loved the memories it brought back on my visit in Sept with you guys and Margie, all the familiar sites and so interesting to see the different apartments…and loved the one you guys chose! We also commented on what natural stars you guys seemed to be, including Ellie, so funny to read how you didn’t get it right by staring into the camera and speaking too fast and adjusting your mics, because you certainly appeared like pros so you guys were super fast learners! I’m very happy you were persistent in landing the deal and that you will always have this momento of Prague and to say you were on HHI, so cool! Loved it!!! 💕
Aw thanks so much, Moo 🙂
That is one of my very fav shows always dreamed of living in another country esp netherlands….do u get paid to be on that show and what happens about the paper work in order to live in another country ….
Thank you! It’s one of my favourite shows too. Yes, there is an appearance fee that we got paid but I don’t think I can talk about the details. The show doesn’t help you get whatever paperwork or visas you need to move somewhere else; you need to already have that sorted out on your own.
This is the visa my partner and I went to the Czech Republic on: https://teaspoonofadventure.com/czech-youth-mobility-visa/. All of our other expat stories about moving and living abroad are under “expat” in the categories at the top, if you’re interested!
Oh my goodness this was so much fun to watch. I was worried because you both wanted different styles in apartments but loved how it worked out in the end. You guys are pros with the camera and I’m just waiting for you to get your own tv show about traveling international. You have such a love for travel and are so knowledgeable. I love, too, how you both would mention Canada in your conversations and little Ellie was adorable and quite the actress. Go Riana!!! You are a star 🌟
Thanks so much for tuning in! Really appreciate your kind words 🙂
This is incredible! Congratulations! What an amazing thing to be on a show that you love so much yourself! Love that your pooch got her own camera sometimes haha! If I can find your episode anywhere, I’d love to watch it! xxx
Thanks so much, Jenny! It was a ton of fun. Let me know if you ever do stumble upon the episode!
That’s so cool! Not seen it before but will look and see if I can watch the episodes online 🙂 xx
Thanks, Sarah! I think it might be online 🙂
COOL! I watch house hunters and can’t wait to see your episode. Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Sue!
Oh my goodness, congratulations! What an amazing opportunity and kudos for persevering with it and not throwing in the towel. It sounds like a fantastic experience, a once in a lifetime chance, I’m so pleased it worked out! Lisa x
Thanks so much! We had a blast!
Wow what a great opportunity. I loved reading this post, especially about all the little bits from behind the scenes that you don’t normally think about.
Thanks so much, Kelly!
This is unbelievably exciting! I love how honest you are about your hesitance and even how you felt watching the episode once it came out, but it is amazing that you took the opportunity; I know it is difficult to step outside your comfort zone and sometimes once is enough, but some kind of growth usually comes out of it.
I love the caricature story and the smiles on both of your faces! I also love that you have said what you can about what it feels like to be on set; I have always wondered what goes on behind the camera. Carry your passion with you and you will come out happy. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. Touching, as always! Thanks for taking the time and being so encouraging!
Haha I wondered about the beer tasting! The Charles bridge portrait story is the best part, lol!
Thanks, Em 🙂 It gets even more hilarious when you see the portrait and realize it looks nothing like me!
What a fun experience for you guys! Sound like you had a blast filming it, and got to experience a bit more of Prague. I love home buying shows like this…we have “A place in the sun” here in the UK which sounds quite similar. It’s so interesting to see how the shows are made; you wouldn’t realise that one viewing as several takes and merged into one!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Hope we can get this show here in the UK!
Thanks! I’ll have to check out A Place in the Sun – sounds like it would be right up my alley!
That’s great! Thanks for sharing. It sure was a unique and interesting experience 🙂 We were on as well a few years ago. Have a great week and stay safe!
Thanks, Tina! That’s so awesome that you were on too. Where was your house hunt?
Watched it- Loved it. I love HHI. as soon as I found out you were in an episode I searched it out. you two were fantastic, as well, your dog.. I almost cried when they showed the family pictures.. OH, be still my heart. I have to give props to Colin for being so brave and adventurous. His discomfort only showed in the colour of his face. Great job and well done.
Thanks so much, Karen! Very sweet of you and I will pass on your props to Colin. Haha I think the colour of his face might also have been due to either the cold winds outside of warmth wearing lots of layers indoors!
What a great experience for you 3. Who knew they amount of work that goes into it. It all seems so natural. Btw my wife loves the show. It’s her favourite.
I can relate to your stress. I was once on Irish tv judging cocktails. Awful experience. I refused to watch it. 😅
Thanks so much, John! Aha glad I wasn’t alone in my fear to watch our episode. I hope you watch yours one day – it sounds like fun!
I found you when I watched the House Hunters International episode you were on and found you were a travel blogger. I love travel…I’m actually Slovak, (from Canada) and my dream is to go to Prague and then go over to Slovakia to meet my dad’s family there I have never met. I work in Ukraine every 3 months with orphans (when Covid isn’t around!) So I looked you up to read your blog. It was a great episode…too bad you had to leave in such a hurry. I look forward to more blog posts!
Thanks so much for watching and finding the blog! I really appreciate it. I hope you’re able to travel through Prague and meet your family in Slovakia one day soon. Thanks again for reading!
This sounds like so much fun, and what a great opportunity as a fan!! I’ve never seen this show but we have similar ones in the UK and I’ve always wondered how the casting process works as people move around all the time. Ellie looks adorable in her bed, I’m glad the director loved her and made her part of the show too x
Sophie
Thanks so much! So glad Ellie was the star 🙂
Sounds like a brilliant experience Riana! I’m so pleased you and colin got over your video nerves. What a great introduction to the city and a cool insight into the world of tV.
Maybe one day you can return for an update on the next place you choose to live!
Thanks so much! And it would be so fun to do a follow up!
I always loved that show! You don’t really think of all that goes into every episode but it sounds like you had a lot of fun while filming. Great post 🙂
Anda
Thanks so much, Anda!
My mom and I love watching this show together and I found your blog after seeing your episode a few days ago! What a fun and unique memory to commemorate your time in Prague.
Thanks so much for finding my blog and watching the show!
What an amazing experience! Way to step out of your comfort zone! I’ll have to look for your episode!
Thanks so much!
I’ve heard of this! I’ll have to watch your episode if i can get it online! xx
Thanks so much, Mollie!
My husband and I watch House Hunters, House Hunters International, etc fairly often, and we happened to catch your episode (we are in the US). After that, I was able to find your blog! It was really interesting reading about how you got on the show and how it was filmed. Thanks for sharing all of that!
Thanks so much for watching the episode and finding my blog!
I totally love this show. I feel like I get to travel around the world and can imagine myself living in different parts of the world. Thanks for taking us behind the scenes. 🙂
Thanks so much! Yes, that’s exactly how I feel about the show too. So fun to see different corners of the world!
So fun! Would love to watch your episode. HHI is one of my favorite shows to binge watch, until I hopefully move abroad again myself one day!
Thanks! It’s one of my favourite shows too 🙂 I hope you have the chance to be on one day!
Watching now and had to look up your blog!! Such a great episode and so glad I found your blog. Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful city 🙂
Thanks so much for watching and finding my blog!
I’ve been watching reruns while I reruns while I recover from surgery. You’re episode was so cute and I loved your dog 🙂 I hope you’re still having a great time in Prague!
Aw thank you so much!
OMG that is soooooo cool! I always get a kick out of watching the show and I love seeing what the homes look like! I’ll keep an eye out for your episode – it’s bound to make it to Canada eventually!
Thanks so much! We had such a blast 🙂
Now that you mention it, it totally makes sense that they make you do multiple takes of everything. I’m not sure that I could ever hit the same amount of enthusiasm each time. And I definitely couldn’t drink that much beer 🙂
Haha we struggled with the multiple takes at the beginning but had it down by the end! I think if they had a bigger camera crew, you wouldn’t have to do as many takes. But since it’s a small team with just one camera, you have to do it a few times to get all of the different angles.
So fun!!! Has your episode aired in Canada yet? Our family’s episode airs next week in the US, and hoping it won’t be too long for the Canadian version.
Hey Jenn, I don’t think so! We had been following along on cable for a while but we don’t have cable anymore, so I’m not sure if it’s aired on Canadian HGTV. So exciting about your episode coming out! I’ll hope to catch it!
Ok, thanks for getting back to me!’ Fingers crossed our family and friends will be able to see it soon. 🙂
Fingers crossed!
Hi! I was approached to do HHI and I would love to move forward but I don’t have my permanent visa yet (only temporary which doesn’t allow me to work). I’m trying to find out if this matters due to the “compensation” you receive for shooting the episode. Did you have to do any paperwork with the immigration office or anything to do with your visa?
Hi Chantal, super exciting that you might get to be on HHI! We did have temporary residence visas in the Czech Republic that did allow us to work while there but I don’t recall there being any verification on the HHI side and we didn’t have to do any additional paperwork with Prague in order to receive this payment. But I don’t want to give any tax/visa advice, as I’m not an expert and I don’t know your particular situation. You might want to look into having the payment made out to someone else who can legally work? Not sure if that’s a workaround. Good luck and hope you get to do it!
Just watched your episode and now we want to go to Prague! What was the name of the brewery you went to? Looks amazing!
Thanks for checking out the episode, Ben! So awesome that Prague is now on your bucket list. My husband just looked it up and the brewery is called U Fleků. It’s one of the oldest breweries in Prague and a really fun atmosphere. Though I will say, I don’t think everyone is able to go and check out the brewing tanks – that might have been a House Hunters perk!
Just watched your House Hunters International episode on HGTV Canada . You guys were so warm. I would have gone with the duplex but you make a great choice with #3 especially as it was in the best neighbourhood.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the episode!