D.C.'s World Is About to Start Getting Real
"The Real World" begins filming in Washington this week, which means the new cast of twenty-somethings will soon be invading our streets and nightspots with their drama and camera crews. For plenty of people hoping to make a token appearance on the show, this means a shot at 15 seconds of fame. But not everyone -- say, the next generation of politicos -- is going to want the spectacle that comes with this particular show. If you're captured drinking and partying in the background of a shoot, you know that footage could show up again someday when you least want it.
Any place MTV is filming will have to post a sign outside, so you'll always know before you enter a club what to expect. But I wanted to know: would there be any place that would outright ban cameras from coming in? I checked with some people who run bars and clubs near the "Real World" house to find out how they'll be handling the MTV blitz.
Currently in the Keep-Out Camp (At Least When the Bar Is Open)
Black Cat
"It's not really our thing, so no," says owner Dante Ferrando. "We're not really an MTV-style club. We don't even let people take pictures of people they don't know inside the club. I'm not crazy about a lot of release forms, and it doesn't fit with what we do. It could be good PR and draw people to certain types of places. But whenever film crews come in, it's a pain. People come here to hang out and have a drink or see a concert, not be bothered by film crews."
Wonderland Ballroom
Owner Matt McGovern was on the fence when I called him. "Honestly, I watch almost no TV at all," he admitted. "I don't know if I'd let them film here." So he put my question to a vote of the patrons present, shouting "Should we let 'The Real World' film in here?" Audible groans and murmurs of dissent could be heard on my end. "I guess the answer's no," he said. "We almost run the bar like a democracy, and certain things have to be put to a vote." He paused for a minute. "If they want to come when we're closed, like a film shoot, then I wouldn't object. It's probably all staged anyway."
The D.C. Bar Scene Will Be Televised
Cobalt
"We're in no way going to promote invading anyone's privacy, especially in this scene," says general manager Mark Rutstein. When there are photographers in the predominantly gay bar, whether they're working for Cobalt or shooting for the Scene page of Metro Weekly, they are required to approach everyone and get permission before taking a snapshot. Rutstein, who has experience working on reality series like "Get It Sold," doesn't think his customers would stay away if MTV posted notices at the door. "Maybe 10 percent wouldn't want" to come in if there were cameras, he speculates.
Cafe Saint-Ex and Bar Pilar
Owner Mike Benson says he understands there are people who won't want to be filmed, "but there are people who are, 'Oh, look, a camera. Let's go see what it is." Saint-Ex is already packed on weekends, with lines out the door, and if MTV showed up, they'd be welcomed in as long as there was room, he says. It's not just the cast members who come in, Benson points out -- it's the lighting and the camera crews and the handlers who try to keep the public from interfering with the production. "That's the concern -- people feeling like they're being hassled at the bar." At the same time, he adds, "for posterity, it would be cool to TiVo an episode and say, 'Hey, look, that's our bar!'"
Russia House
The "Real World" house sits at 20th and S streets NW, so this is one of the closest places to get a drink. The richly appointed four-level bar and restaurant is known for having the largest selection of vodkas in the city and for attracting regulars like Washington Capitals stars Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Sergei Fedorov. Owner Aaron McGovern said that he'd "absolutely" welcome the cast to come in.
Gazuza and Chi-Cha
If the cast decided to swing by these popular lounges, "of course" they'd be welcome, says Jessica Gibson, communications director for the bars' parent company, Latin Concepts. Does she think that customers would mind the commotion? "I think that 100 people would tweet that 'The Real World' is shooting at Chi-Cha and 500 people would show up in five minutes." Fair enough.
Town
Management at the city's largest and best gay dance club "used to be really concerned about filming and privacy," says owner Ed Bailey, "but now everyone who walks through the door has a camera in their pocket." He thinks his crowds will see both sides: there are "people who would be turned off by it, but it's a situation that I think a lot of people would like to be a part of," he says.
Shadow Room
"I'd definitely allow it," says Swaptak Das, who owns this upscale Foggy Bottom lounge where you can order drinks from your iPhone. "In my industry, it's all about vanity." People want to be on TV, he explains, and besides, "I think my business could be helped" by the exposure.
[SIZE="2"]Source [url=http://is.gd/18rHC]Going Out Gurus - D.C.'s World Is About to Start Getting Real[/url][/SIZE]
[quote=XOKittieXO;87142]I wonder what day they move in? Didn't the Brooklyn cast also move in late June last year?[/quote]
If memory serves me correctly, it was mid August.
[quote=Bacchus;87183]If memory serves me correctly, it was mid August.[/quote]
I think it was closer to the end of August! Cause the video that is posted on here shows 08/25 and someone said it was the 2nd day of filming.
[B]Real World DC "Cast Sightings"[/B]
Well, some DC folks have jumped the shark and reporting has gotten another blow. What I'm referring to is the most current update on The Washingtonian's [url=http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/people/capitalcomment/12629.html]Real World DC Watch: The Map - Capital Comment Blog (washingtonian.com)[/url]
where this was written (and the Tracking Map has a blip corresponding to the address below:
[I]UPDATE: We hear that cast members were invited to a small, private reception at Current (1215 Connecticut Ave., NW) on Saturday, June 20.[/I]
Now, since this is today's photo from the side door of the House (note table saw), it's obvious that what we already know is still true: [B]no cast yet, not for another several days at least[/B]...
[url=http://vevmo.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=2604][img]http://vevmo.com/imagehosting/20984a3fd06be8246.jpg[/img][/url]
[I]Source pic [url]http://antirealworlddc.blogspot.com/[/url][/I]
I knew there was hype associated with the Real World coming to DC... What I didn't anticipate is that GOOGLE would get behind it and Tweet to its nearly 1-million followers on Twitter.
[COLOR="Red"]@RealWorldDCNEWZ: (Incoming Tweets) [/COLOR][B][I]@google: Check out @washingtonian Real World D.C. cast sightings with Google Maps [url=http://bit.ly/XMiKZ]Real World DC Watch: The Map - Capital Comment Blog (washingtonian.com)[/url] #rwwatch[/I][/B]
I won't go in circles with this...but that map page says filming started on the 20th. They look quite stupid at this point.
Although, I suspect reporting these days is all from the gut rather than from the facts.
I think this season is gettig so much buzz, just because the location is on DC. It's obvious, this season will be different from what The RW has been the last couple of seasons. It will most likely involve real world issues (Immigration,War,Civil rights,etc). A lot of people may tune in, just to see what the current American Youth stand on political topics.
[QUOTE=producer88;87281]I think this season is gettig so much buzz, just because the location is on DC. It's obvious, this season will be different from what The RW has been the last couple of seasons. It will most likely involve real world issues (Immigration,War,Civil rights,etc). A lot of people may tune in, just to see what the current American Youth stand on political topics.[/QUOTE]
I agree, though I'm really looking forward to the show next year. I'm hoping it will be a lot like Brooklyn's season.
[QUOTE=Paoluccio;87277]Did the Real World ever have to deal with this much exposure in the past? I know Austin had a good amount , but I don't think anything like this.[/QUOTE]
If I am remembering correctly Seattle did have a lot of controversy about having The Real World there, as well.
I haven't posted since I first found out D.C. was the location of the next filming, but all I can say is WOW! Coverage for this season has been crazy here.
I think its great they chose Dupont Circle as the area of residence instead of picking somewhere like Georgetown, Dupont Circle is a very diverse area and nightlife there is really great. Its also where my mom works! hehehe. Right off of Conn. Ave though her building is closer to the Florida Ave side.
V1 I read in another thread is resident of D.C. as well? Very cool. :-)
I'm almost tempted to just go by the place today on my way uptown, but I will hold off on the fangirl compulsion for now.
[quote=ScarB;88748]I haven't posted since I first found out D.C. was the location of the next filming, but all I can say is WOW! Coverage for this season has been crazy here.
I think its great they chose Dupont Circle as the area of residence instead of picking somewhere like Georgetown, Dupont Circle is a very diverse area and nightlife there is really great. Its also where my mom works! hehehe. Right off of Conn. Ave though her building is closer to the Florida Ave side.
V1 I read in another thread is resident of D.C. as well? Very cool. :-)
I'm almost tempted to just go by the place today on my way uptown, but I will hold off on the fangirl compulsion for now.[/quote]
Do some digging around for us as well. He-he-he.
[quote=Zachary;88758]Do some digging around for us as well. He-he-he.[/quote]
Hehehe. Sure! Though I doubt I will be able to go as in depth as you guys. ;)
I may breeze by there with a friend today for a photo op.
[quote=salt&vinegar;88729]If I am remembering correctly Seattle did have a lot of controversy about having The Real World there, as well.[/quote] I guess thats why it took MTV so long to bring Real World to DC.
Blanky, after this season, we have until I believe 25 or 26. And Challenges until 21. But like I said, supposedly they expect it to continue indefinitely.
Hallelujah! They're FINALLY doing a Real World in (my home... er place..) DC!!! Praise Jesus, and Allah, and the Lord, and Buddha, and the non-existent atheist Gods, and all of those other holy people! As you can tell I'm Uber excited. And the place where their filming it is a place I go to ALL the time. And it's literally always full of people. So I've no clue if I'll ever see them but hopefully I will.. :)
I don't know if this is true or not but apparently this girl has information in her site about where the roomies will be working.
[url=http://loveelizabethany.blogspot.com/search/label/finding%20the%20real%20world%20cast]love, elizabethany: finding the real world cast[/url]
If that is really their job then I am impressed. I think its great that they picked that as their group assignment. I'm curious to hear what the "individual projects" are.
[quote=Zachary;88731]Season 1, Seattle, Philadelphia and Austin and DC all had to deal with exposure and discontent.[/quote]
Dont forget Chicago. The city's residents were protesting the RW being there outside of the house. If you go back and look at the 9/11 episode you will see paint on the front door from angry residents who would shoot paint guns at the front door for being so angry that the show was being filmed there. I think that is pretty lame if all you have to do with your life be pissed that the RW is filming in the city where you reside.
Since we are on this subject does anyone know why the show has never filmed in Canada? Are there restrictions against the RW filming there or what? I just dont understand why the show hasn't filmed a season there yet. The country is absolutely beautiful, I just got back from Vancouver earlier this week and that place would be ideal for The Real World, as would Toronto. Both are very metropolitan, hip, and happening cities. I dont see why they dont look into filming a season in either one of those cities. Even Montreal would be lovely. All three of those cities would be better fits than seasons like New Orleans, Austin, Philly, or NY for the 3rd time and LA for the 2nd time.
[B]Today at the Real World DC House[/B]
So today was an interesting day for me. I was asked to do an interview for a FOX show on the Facebook Group and on the RealWorldDCnewz twitter feed as well as "how I know" so much.... So I went to get a haircut and ended up, involuntarily, with a shaved head, got to the RW house and tried to upload pictures, but instead my phone kept uploading pictures of me at a White House Press Conference.... Then I spilled my lunch on my shirt prior to the interview... and finally, the interview ended up not happening because the reporter and crew couldn't get to the RW House by the time I had to leave (since I'll be in NYC for a few days). We've rescheduled it for next week. Stay tuned for that!
Anyhow, all that to say: today there was a ton of activity. A genie was brought in to help with touch up painting as well as to assists some crew folks with various tasks. Out front, a rack of studio lights sat (presumably to be installed indoors). A new patio set with umbrella is set up next to the silver high-end propane grill. This patio is on street level, on the side of the building (the other patio is basement level and contains the hot tub and door to the game room - obstructed by the awning.
Here's a photo (the only one that I can get down on my computer since my memory card clearly gets a "fail".
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So, all of DC will be at the RW House tomorrow and Sunday. The DC scene is buzzing into a frenzy about the rumored move-in of the cast this weekend.
While I doubt it will happen, if it does, I'll post info on my Twitter feed (since I won't be logging in while in NYC).
In the meantime, we're working on a partnership with a local radio station and a talented blogger...we'll see what comes of that regular "RW" segment.
That's all I've got. (I must admit, if the RWers do move in this weekend, I'll be a bit disappointed that "murphy's law" would dictate that THIS is the weekend I'm out of town.
Hi - never posted here before but have been reading since hearing the real world is being filmed about 3 blocks from my house.
Went to the russia house (one block from house) tonight about midnight for some martinis. had to pass the house on the way there and there was definite noise inside and the lights glowed through the windows like a movie set. Sounded like a solid party. Either its the pre-move in party or the cast has moved in. No sign they had moved in though other than the noise (and the big crane outside ready to film...).
Dan
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