‘Big Little Lies’ in Malibu MALIBU LOCATIONS sets the scene.

BY ROBYN FLANS the kitchen island. Coincidentally, the location property used PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD CASSELL for Madeline’s house is home to the company’s original founder, Diana Klein. Osberg said Klein designed the home with location n the very first scene inside the home of “Big Little Lies,” filming in mind. the character Madeline, played by Reese Witherspoon, “She has a Cape Cod in Malibu and there aren’t a lot of those and her family are seated around the large island in the types of homes here,” Osberg noted. “Therefore, she does tons of Iopen kitchen/family room. From an array of windows, filming at her house.” the ocean can be seen from the home cast as the Monterey Back when she began the company around 25 years ago, she coastline for the HBO mini series—but the home is actually rented her home out to the show “Models Inc.” for a couple of years situated directly on Malibu’s shore. and then “Diagnosis Murder” for its entire five-year run. Today, “Good kitchens work all the time,” Scott Osberg said, owner Klein said filming in her home is common at least once a month. of MALIBU LOCATIONS, which brokered the location deal between the homeowner and Blue Blues Productions, LLC, or the “Big Little Lies” shoot, both the interior of Klein’s funded by HBO. Fhome and Laura Dern’s character’s home (also in Malibu) For Osberg, “location, location, location” is all about were painted white; therefore, in order to create a difference telling the story. He’s provided location spots for TV shows between the two homes, the production company requested such as “Rosewood,” “The Catch,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Ray Klein’s interior wall color be changed. Donovan,” “Parenthood” and “Goliath,” in addition to a long list “I told them, ‘If you do a good job painting and I like the of commercials and print ads. color, I won’t make you paint it back,’” Klein said. In the HBO series, this house immediately establishes They painted the kitchen/family room taupe and Klein Madeline’s affluence. The location provides her with mood likes it so much she kept it. The purple they painted the and fuel for her character as she, time and again, stands on the downstairs bedroom, however, had to be re-painted back to the balcony and watches the waves, or as the family gathers around original white.

78 | MALIBU TIMES MAGAZINE | #MALIBUTIMESMAG LOVING MALIBU Favorite Spot? My favorite spot in Malibu is Point Dume. My house is on the Point. I love going down to Little Dume to surf or hang out with my neighbors on the beach. I love watching whales, dolphins and other ocean wildlife.

Favorite Memory? I have so many favorite memories of Malibu. They mostly involve large events and holidays that we host at our house with family and friends.

ALIBU LOCATIONS was started back before the internet hospitals because “every television show has a hospital scene Mwhere everything was done via picture books dragged back at one point or another,” he noted. and forth to studios. He found himself expanding his location business when It’s much easier today, Osberg, who bought the company he and his wife first moved to Malibu. After considering around two years ago from its second owners, Rob Dohan the idea of flipping houses, Osberg said he lifted up the and Marshall Coben, explained. Now, he transmits slide show phone to call Rob, a previous owner, and at the urging of his presentations via the computer. wife, asked Rob if he could buy the location company. “Rob He fields about 100 requests each month from production said yes.” companies and will offer location choices after determining He asserts that it takes a certain personality to be in the specific needs. There may be specific requests like an infinity location business. pool overlooking the ocean that views the sunset. Or specific “When you think about it—it’s two of the most competitive, stunt requirements, “that somebody can jump off the roof into cutthroat businesses in Los Angeles—real estate and the the pool or a pool to drive a car into.” movies—and we’re right in the middle of it.” “And sometimes they’ll change the script to fit the location But Osberg, who also manages the Property Owners because they like the location,” Osberg said. Association for the Malibu Riviera II beach access, said he There are about 4,000 homes in MALIBU LOCATIONS likes the fast pace. “For TV, they will get a script on Thursday database with Osberg consistently scouting for others. And, and start scouting to shoot in 10 days. That location manager although he competes with other companies to help production needs to get his list together and get going on showing options companies find the perfect location, he books about 20 deals in and securing the locations,” he said. a good month. Changes in the business have been both good and bad. The business of renting out a home for a location shoot The clients have increased with such cable outlets as HBO, can be profitable. The homeowner can be paid the range of Netflix and Amazon, although some of the budgets have $3,000 to $25,000 per day. Klein received well into six figures decreased. for the six weeks they were at her home Osberg estimated. One thing he isn’t worried about is that there is nothing “Some of our property owner clients earn six figures artificial or computer generated that can replace the real from location film revenues per year. Many of our property beauty of his special locations. owner clients take advantage of the tax code allowing up to “You need that physical location,” Osberg said. “You can’t 14 tax-free film days per year,” Osberg said. create Malibu on a sound stage.” n

sberg isn’t new to the business. With a real estate license, Scott Osberg | MALIBU LOCATIONS | Metro Locations Ohe’s owned Metro Locations since 1990, which only casts 310.753.2843 | malibulocations.com SUMMER 2017 | 79