Dan McCarthy
Journal Staff

In an age where any half-wit in a muscle shirt can get a TV show,  it’s refreshing to know that there’s a new program which could replace “gym, tan, and laundry” with “location, location, location” as the three most important words in reality television.

“Making Moves” is a web show that follows the lives of the three entrepreneurs who operate “the first student-run real estate agency,” as declared by CNBC.  Created by BU Graduate Alex Hodara in 2008, the Hodara Real Estate Group has reeled in over $5 million in real estate sales.  He and his pals Vincent Vomero, a fellow BU graduate, and Julian Jung, a sophomore at Northeastern University, are in charge of the company as well as multiple other businesses.

When first starting the company, Hodara received a great deal of criticism from friends and family. Then, once his business began gaining steam, he was publicly smashed on FOX Business, who claimed his company was bound for failure.  However, Hodara was never one to back down from a challenge, and in two short years has become the embodiment of the American dream.

One day on a whim, Hodara walked into the office with a high-definition camera and began taping the day’s transgressions.  At the end of the day, he and Julian watched the footage and realized that they had something special.  It was at that point when the idea for a reality show came to be.

“The show is a great marketing tool,” said Jon Hyatt, the show’s producer.  “We’re reaching more people than we ever could without it.”

In addition toproducing the show, Jon Hyatt is also the show’s editor and director, and his his duties branch well beyond those titles.  Since joining Hodara’s company in the summer of 2009 he’s been a one-man crew, dealing with the entirety of camera and editing work for the real estate gurus since the show’s pilot.  According to Hyatt, it certainly hasn’t been easy, but it’s been a vastly enlightening experience for all of those involved.

“I would typically be in the editing room until 3 or 4 in the morning working on the footage,” said Hyatt.  “But although I was on my own, I had the support of the crew from start to finish.”

Just like the company itself, the show had its share of critcs- and Hodara is out to silence them again.  With the help of a celebrity cameo by New England rap sensation Sam Adams, the series premiere was a rousing success, and quickly drew in thousands of fans that awaited each episode with bated breath.

“It was huge to have Sam on board,” said Hyatt.  “More people are going to watch a real estate reality show if stars like Sam Adams are on board, so you can most definitely expect more guest stars this season.”

With the 5-episode first season completed, the crew has set their sights on a successful second season.  One major addition to the show is Move Makers– a program where fans of the program submit their ideas for making moves in their community and life, and possibly receive help from the guys to get on the fast track to success.

In the Season Two premiere, the gang helped a young entrepreneur in California with his clothing line by bringing in experts from the field to provide insight and advice on growing his business.  And to put the icing on the cake, YouTube sensation Brett “Broski” Tietjen from the viral video “My New Haircut,” agreed to appear in an advertisement for the company.  All in all, it was a very heartwarming episode, and an example of what fans of the show can expect in future seasons.

With only six episodes to date, there is still plenty of time to hop onto the “Making Moves” bandwagon.  All of the episodes are available for viewing on www.watchmakingmoves.com, along with character bios and information on how you could become a “move maker” yourself.

“As a show that films in Boston, it would be great to see Suffolk students getting involved with the program,” said Hyatt.  “We would love to see how Suffolk is making moves.”