I recently mentioned that I would be hanging out with a small camera crew and that I would be filmed working on my sons’ bedroom makeover. I also (with the help of my friend Erica) posted lots of behind the scenes photos on Instagram last week. Today I am sharing all of the details with you on my first-ever (terrifying) experience of being filmed and what exactly is going on. (Warning: This post contains a bazillion photos. I tried to arrange them into collages so they would be less overwhelming.)
So, last week I was filmed by HLN (CNN’s sister station) for a segment on a new Home Transformations series they are working on. I believe it will air during Morning Express with Robin Meade. (*Update: I’ve been told that it will now air during Evening Express.) I will have more info very soon – this series is brand new so they are still working out the kinks. My segments will be short (3-5 minutes each) and will air in a 3 part series over 3 weeks. As of right now, I believe it will air in March, but of course I will update you as soon as I have all of the information. They will show the entire process of transforming my boys’ room from a “baby room” for my 2 year-old, into a shared “big boy room” for my 2 & 4 year-old sons.
Here’s how it works: They will come to my house and film me 3 times over a 2 week period. (Last week was “Day 1,” and this Wednesday will be “Day 2” of filming. “Day 3” will be the final reveal of the room. So that means I have to execute an entire room makeover within 2 weeks! The “crew” consisted of a camera man and a producer (John), and they left a flip cam with me to film myself working on things when they’re not around. They made me feel at ease even though I was completely nervous!
I am so thankful to my sweet friend Erica for being my “assistant” for the day and taking photos for me from behind the scenes so the entire experience could be documented. I am also very grateful for my mother in-law who came to town to help with the boys. My husband even got roped into appearing on camera even though he wasn’t expecting to! He was working from home, so we had him help clear out the room and then he ended up sitting in on an interview with me. (Oh – and the “Wear Gloves” tip in the photo above – yeah, I didn’t take that advice and ended up with navy blue hands for 2 days!)
While this will be amazing exposure for the blog (which is why I wanted to do it), it is completely terrifying to think about being on national TV. The whole “being on camera” thing is definitely awkward, but I hope you all will pretend I did a good job even if it is a total disaster! Ha. The good news is that I’ve been keeping so busy that I didn’t really have much time to be nervous before they arrived to shoot.
Feel free to follow along on Instagram this Wednesday, Feb. 13, for more behind the scenes stuff as we work on Day 2 of filming.
On another note, the “Whole Lotta Family Love” Giveaway is still going on, so be sure to enter to win!
Will you tune in to watch me as I try not to make a fool of myself on HLN? Any questions about the experience and how awkward it is to pretend there’s not a camera in your face? Ha! I’ll do my best to answer!
Super exciting!! I am sure you did great!
Thanks so much! I hope I did ok. It’s all a blur! Haha.
Watch out Hollywood – here comes Erin!
Congrats!!
Kelly
LOL Kelly! I could never handle Hollywood. I was a ball of nerves with just a camera guy and a producer! Ha. But thank you!
OMG how exciting! Congrats! Can’t wait to see your segments and spread the word!
Thank you very much!
Wow, that’s wonderful, Erin- I am absolutely positive you did a great job! Let us know when it airs- can’t miss it!
Thank you so much Sheila! I will definitely keep you posted.
You are so famous my friend 🙂 You did an amazing job, and I couldn’t be prouder or more excited for you!!
LOL! You are too sweet. I’m so not famous. But thank you so much for all of your help and support!
The behind the scenes pictures are fabulous! I can’t wait to see the show when it airs. And…you don’t look nervous at all in the pictures!
Thank you Pam! I appreciate that.
How exciting! What a fun experience 🙂
Thank you Megan! It was fun and scary at the same time!
That is AMAZING! I’m so happy for you! And yay to Erica for being the super-assistant! I can’t wait to see the show when it airs.
Thanks so much for your support Karen! And yes, Erica was an awesome assistant!
How very awesome for you! I hope you will have the video on this blog as I don’t get that channel — 🙂
Thanks Vicki! I’m going to do my best to get a link or a copy of the segment to post.
Yay, Erin! How exciting! I can’t wait to see it!
Thanks so much Heidi!
That’s sooo super cool, Erin! Terrifying, but exciting too, I bet! I hope to be able to see it when it airs! ~Kerri, A Pop of Pretty
Thanks Kerri! Yes, “terrifying” is right!! I’m scared to watch it! Ha.
That’s very exciting! How did you get the opportunity?
Thank you! A friend of mine actually saw a post on Robin Meade’s facebook page about looking for people working on home projects in Atlanta. She forwarded it to me, and I emailed them a link to my blog. A producer called me to discuss my upcoming projects and what they were looking for, and 2 weeks later they were at my house! It happened very quickly.
Very exciting! I’ll have to DVR it since I teach during the day, but keep me posted on air times!
xo Heidi
Thanks Heidi! Will do!
How exciting!! I can’t wait to see the make over, what an opportunity! Love the pics.
Erin.x
To Beautify Designs.
Thank you Erin!
I am so excited for you! Erica is so sweet. I have been working on a room redo for my 9 year old, I can’t imagine having it filmed especially the part where the filled canister of paint fell off my spray gun and splashed all over the wall and carpet LOL!
Can’t wait to see the reveal!
Thanks Kelley! Yes, Erica is the best! And it was definitely strange having a camera around. A little nerve racking!
Hi, Erin
So happy for you. Congrats!!!!!
Thank you Vanessa!
Can’t wait to see the videos. I love the colors you chose. I can’t imagine a film crew following me around while I am creating. Did that hinder your creativity?
Thanks Lisa! It definitely made me nervous but didn’t necessarily hinder me since I had everything planned out before they arrived. It was strange though! And definitely added pressure.
That is WILD!!!! You’ve made it to the BIG TIME! I can’t wait to see you on TV! Be sure to post the day/time in big letters for us – I don’t want to miss it. I think you will look great on camera and it is going to be fun to watch you work live on my tv 🙂
Aww thanks Sally! I’ll definitely keep you updated. 🙂
Erin,
this so super exciting for you!! I wondered why you were filming and your feature sounds amazing! Can’t wait to hear all about it at our next blogger meetup. Can’t wait to see the room and your tv feature!
Thank you Christina! See you soon!
Congratulations! That’s a great opportunity!
I’m eager to see the segment on HLN!
Thank you Ari!
Congratulations, Erin! I’m so excited for you! They picked an awesome blogger to follow on a makeover! I know you’ve done a fantastic job!
Thank you so much Betsy! I appreciate that! Hope to see you soon.
Congrats! That is so stinking cool! 🙂
Thank you Katie!
How exciting! I can’t wait to see you on TV!
Thank you Stefanie! Just promise not to make fun of me if they edit it to show all of my mess-ups! (Ok, maybe you can make fun of me a little.)