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January 14, 2010

Chatsworth native to appear on HGTV Saturday

Jamie Jones

You may recognize John McClain from his days hosting infomercials on Charter Media.

McClain, a Chatsworth native and 1993 graduate of Murray County High School, will return to television on Saturday on the HGTV program “First Time Design.” The program, which airs at 2:30 p.m., shows McClain spending four days and $7,500 to completely make over a master bedroom for a family in Los Angeles.

McClain works with acclaimed interior designer Vern Yip, but producers made it clear that McClain had the final say on all things design. Yip, the host of several HGTV programs, serves as a “mentor.”

“After everything was over, I was like, ‘Oh, wow! I just had the main judge from ‘Design Star’ helping me,” the 34-year-old McClain said. “I had him ironing curtains, I had him hanging things up on the wall. If you’re going to be in the room, you’ve gotta work. The funny thing is, he said he’s totally used to it. He was very down to earth and very helpful.”

McClain found information about the show audition online. According to the posting, producers were looking for untrained, amateur interior designers for a new program. McClain submitted an eight-minute video. A few days later, show representatives asked for photos and more information. Soon after, they asked if he could be in Los Angeles in two weeks for filming. McClain now lives in Orlando, Fla., and owns a Resort Maps advertising franchise. His flexible work schedule afforded him the chance to jet to L.A. and spend four days on set. Thirteen people will appear in separate 30-minute episodes.

The days of filming were “enjoyable — in the beginning,” he said. Even for a person used to being in front of the bright lights, McClain said the constant presence of the cameras began to wear on him.

“There was a camera in my face every single moment of the day,” McClain said. “When I came out of the restroom there would be a camera waiting on me. It was non-stop filming. Basically, I had to talk the entire time. I’m being filmed and being asked, ‘What are you thinking? What are you feeling? What’s on your mind? What do you plan on doing?’ When I walked into a store, I had to narrate that I’m going to a home improvement store to get paint or I’m going to get furniture. On top of all the daily filming, I had a diary cam in my room so every time before I went to bed and every morning as well I had to talk to the camera.”

Despite such rigors, McClain said the show was a hugely positive experience. He said his “passion and hobby” is interior design. He hopes his appearance on HGTV will propel him into a career in the field — and possibly his own show. There is some drama built into the HGTV show. While McClain wants to incorporate Moroccan-inspired colors into the family’s home, the family members are hesitant to stray from their neutral color scheme.

“There are a lot of ups and downs in my episode,” McClain said. “I watched their DVD, and they watched my DVD, and I tried to figure out what they like, what their styles are. They were all over the board with the different designs that they wanted. I had to try to hone in on what I thought they wanted. When I got there, I did my presentation and they’re not that into it.”

Without giving too much away, McClain says it all worked out in the end.

Much of McClain’s family still lives in north Georgia and they will be tuned to HGTV Saturday afternoon. He plans to have a viewing party in Orlando and friends throughout the country will be watching.

Along with several other people who might recognize him from his days in Dalton.

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