Staging Techniques and Movies in Staging Photos

by Julia Millay Walsh 1

I've noticed a trend in real estate staging that I'm on the fence about. Homeowners and realtors have taken a liking playing well-known movies while they photograph rooms with televisions in them. Ashton Kutcher, for example, chose a Marilyn Monroe film to play in the screening room of his bachelor pad, which is on the market for $2.6 million for charity. I've seen everything from Breakfast at Tiffany's to Scarface in these shots, and I get the feeling that the chosen film is intended to say something about the lifestyle of the person living there — and more importantly, any potential future homeowners.

What do you think about this staging technique? Do you think it's distracting, or do you think it adds something to the homes?