The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) is the largest organization of Location Managers and Location Scouts in the motion picture, television, commercial and print production industries. Their membership plays a vital role in the creativ
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LMGI COMPASS | Summer 2019 • 25 Bottom right: Location manager Times Up sketch leading Lady Parts. (Jenna Atherton Centre) Working on Ginger & Rosa 2012 she's always at the end of the phone. Together, we have set up a location management company, On the QT, which we use as a platform to train new location professionals and showcase the wonderful locations we have both in the UK and worldwide. On the QT just came out of nowhere really, its growth was totally organic. We found that between us, so many people were calling for advice on locations and for work. Taking a stab at setting up our company seemed to be a logical response. We try to keep it small so as not to distract from our day jobs, yet it has become a growing concern. We now have two full-time employees who we have trained to break down scripts, budget, location scout and present locations. I'm really proud of how well received this company has been. It's a nice solid bit in the midst of freelance uncertainty. My favourite job would have to be Harry Potter. I feel like I grew up on those sets—I was young when I started and some of the crew that I met on these movies will be my friends for life. Going back to every job at Leavesden Studios is a little bit like going home, your colleagues become your family and it's more than a job. Harry Potter was the best job for locations. Nothing was ruled out, no stone unturned. There are so many iconic locations but some of the most memorable were the windswept beaches in Pembrokeshire, Wales; closing the insanely trafficked Piccadilly Circus for three consecutive nights; Abbotsbury Swannery, a British sanctuary for 600 mute swans on the site of an 11th- century monastery; and of course, the fantastic landscape and castles of Scotland. These books were such a huge part of my childhood and to be a part of bringing them to life on the screen will always be special to me. I am also very grateful to have had the opportunity to work on Edge of Tomorrow. The Trafalgar Square sequence was incredibly complex. We had the Royal Air Force flying our action helicopter, a camera helicopter and a transport helicopter. Trying to find parking to accommodate three helicopters in London was almost as complex as the filming itself. Luckily, we had the support of the authorities and through much planning and preparation, the entire sequence ran smoothly. I never dreamt at the time that this movie would open up so many opportunities for me. Working so closely with the London authorities paved the way for me to work on many films in London which is incredibly fortunate, as it suited me perfectly not only for my career but by being able to stay close to home for my children. My children are my world, I started On the QT and my other company Spotless h20 (a location facilities and gully sucking location service company) to enable me to be more selective with work. I have a nanny who has been with me for two years and she's wonderful. My husband has a very steady city job which enables him to work from home two days a week and we make it work. I do try to work from home (when I can) one day a week and I'm extremely lucky to have had great support from the UPMs and line producers that enable me to do this. Last year, I took 22 weeks off. I started a movie on the second of January and finished at the end of May. Work isn't always easy with a young family. I recently had a bad experience on a feature where having a family was used against me—like I was somehow less adequate because of it. I subsequently left that picture and moved on to another—it just proves we still have a long way to go in the industry. Bill is now 2, and my little girl Violet is 5 years old. She knows I work in film but she thinks that I go to work with Wonder Woman— she hasn't yet realized she's not real and I don't want to take that away from her. Our production industry in the UK is booming. We are lucky to have so many incredible location folks here. I manage a Facebook group that gives us a platform to talk amongst ourselves, ask for advice, swap location intel or find crew for our next project. It seems like a natural progression for us to join the LMGI, focusing on our European region. The connectivity with fellow location managers around the world presents endless opportunities. I met quite a few international members when I was invited to join the LMGI Comic-Con panel in San Diego last summer. It's such an incredible organization and we want in!