Location Managers Guild International

Summer 2019

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

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1151126

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 18 of 63

LMGI COMPASS | Summer 2019 • 19 Norway's landscapes are not only sublime, but also feasible film locations. "Production can have a big footprint on local communities. That's what I really love about this prize: It is awarded by thousands of travel and hospitality businesses across the country. As a film commissioner, it is reassuring to see that local businesses, servicing our industry from the periphery, celebrate the economic, social and cultural impact of incoming film productions. The award is a testament to Per-Henry's track record, and also, a testament to Norway's film friendliness." Borch describes the introduction of the Norwegian film incentive as a game changer for filming in Norway. Productions can apply for a refund of up to 25 percent of documented film expenses that have taken place in Norway. NOK 75 million is in the film incentive pot for 2019. Borch says Norway could attract larger productions if the incentive wasn't capped. Truenorth sees roughly 200 weekly projects from their agents in Los Angeles and London, with maybe 10 percent relevant to Norway. But major international productions follow incentives—a scene intended for Norway can be quickly rewritten and set in Iceland or Canada when producers discover the Norwegian incentive pot is empty. "The point is," says Borch, "Norway is poised for a bigger piece of the production pie." There he goes, selling Norway again! South Korean Fam Tour This June, I jumped at the opportunity to scout South Korea and learn about their film culture. Our hosts, Sumin Seo and Yoonjung Song, from the South Korean Film Commission, along with our by Evan Peller interpreter, Hyejus Oh, joined LMGI location managers Trish Gray, Caleb Hinshaw, Deborah Page, Markus Bensch and William Doyle. Our tour began early in Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, and home to the Gwangandaegyo Bridge where scenes from Black Panther were filmed. Our schedule was jam-packed—far too many locations to mention. Among them, Beomeosa, the oldest Buddhist Temple in Busan, built in 678, was truly a site to behold. We toured the Busan Container Port and Busan Cinema Center, the official venue of their International Film Festival (BIFF). We then traveled to the Jeonnam Region—scouting the Gwangyang Container Port, Yisunsin Bridge, Yeosu Expo and the Suncheonman National Garden, despite the monsoonal rains. Next up was the Chungnam Region, home to the National Institute of Ecology. We continued to Seoul, a 1½-hour ride on a modern bullet train where we scouted the North Seoul Tower, with a 360-degree view of South Korea's capital. Among the locations we scouted were the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Plaza. One of the highlights of the day was Gyeongbokgung Palace, where many young adults dress up in traditional costumes from the Joseon Dynasty making for great photo opportunities. Our final region was Incheon, a true cultural mix of old and new. There, we scouted the Port, with the the IUIN Electric Factory closed warehouses, Hwasoo Dong Old Town, G-Tower, and South Korea's ultra modern, Tomorrow City. After a short boat ride through Central Park, we headed off for our final dinner together, to conclude the one-week tour, full of incredible sites, food and camaraderie. The Korean Film Commission joined by the Busan, Jeonnam, Chungnam, Seoul and Incheon Film Commissions put together a wonderful and informative Fam Tour, with incredible hospitality and attention to detail. For more information on filming in South Korea, please contact the Korean Film Commission at cinemagirl5@ gmail.com or songfilm716@ gmail.com. L to R: LMGI members Evan Peller, Trish Gray, William Doyle, Caleb Hinshaw, Markus Bensch, Deborah Page. Photo courtesy of Evan Peller/ LMGI Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul. Photo: Evan Peller/LMGI

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Location Managers Guild International - Summer 2019