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/1197207
LMGI COMPASS | Winter 2020 • 15 Gov. Kemp's New Entertainment Commission In November, Georgia's governor swore in 18 appointees, including Cardellia Hunter from the Atlanta Mayor's Offi ce of Film & Entertainment, our friendly source for production space John Raulet, and former LA-based producer and Paramount executive VP Stratton Leopold. Board member Mac Gordon is "optimistic that the governor, who carries the negative stigma of the heartbeat bill, has shown that he does care about the fi lm industry in Georgia with these new Board appointments. I'm also hoping as a representative of the LMGI, we can eventually have a voice at the table of this new commission. Many location professionals working in Georgia are concerned that the state government is not fully aware of issues on the street level." This new commission may signal a positive sign to keep tax incentives and hopefully fi ght for the industry on a state level. Gordon immediately congratulated John Raulet, acknowledging that he would he be the voice of the guy on the street. As an LMGI Board member, Gordon is looking forward to sharing his observations with the new commission. He wasn't disappointed by the lack of a location manager onboard; but rather, feels that the appointment of people who know us is a good start. Fulton County Fam Tour Fulton Films partnered with the LMGI to provide a diverse group of fi lm industry pros entree to the county's portfolio of fi lming sites. Forty guests, including the Georgia Film Offi ce and elected offi cials gathered at Atlanta's Fulton County Government Center skyview patio. Following an introduction by Fulton County District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann, registrants received information about state tax incentives and community relations. Led by Fulton County Film Division Manager Shaunya Chavis Rucker and Branding & Partnership liaison Lalohni Campbell, scouts boarded the MTI chartered bus. Scouted locations included decommissioned Bellwood Jail, Charlie Brown Field Airport, the Central Library and the West Fulton Mental Health Facility that are fi lm-friendly, but off-limits to the general public. With the help of the County's Department of Real Estate and Asset Management (DREAM), the Public Library System, Public Works and the Sheriff's Offi ce, the Fam Tour provided a glimpse of Fulton County's vast location inventory. Location managers were able to scout the facilities while learning about the architecture, history and unique fi lming policies for each site, including Art Deco, Beaux-Arts, Brutalist, Contemporary, as well as the simplicity of untouched acres of green space. Our partnership strengthens Fulton County's relationship with the creative industries. Fulton Films manages the county's fi lm permitting process and assists local fi lmmakers with productions of all sizes. The offi ce wants to stimulate its pipeline of fi lm requests, leveraging county-owned sites to generate revenue "while taxpayers sleep." "As location professionals, our goal is to locate spaces that aid in telling the best stories. It was a pleasure to visit Fulton County sites that were previously unavailable," said LMGI event organizer Jen Farris. "I've worked with a variety of government agencies and the Fulton County Film Offi ce has always been responsive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Their fi lm-friendliness continues to help me effi ciently execute my job. The Fam Tour was fantastic!" LMGI/Pinewood Event—Another Success Story! On a gray day at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta this past October, the LMGI co-hosted a gathering of location professionals for workshops, tours of the studio and socializing. Approximately 80 location professionals came together and met with Mike Fantasia, L-R: Terria Smith, Fulton Films/FGTV; Darryl Peek, FGTV; Ryan Schaetzle/LMGI; Lalohni Campbell, Fulton Films' Brand & Partnership liaison; Jen Farris/LMGI; Matt Chamberlin/LMGI Board Member; Shaunya Chavis, Fulton County Director of Cable & Film; Liz Hausmann, Fulton County Commissioner District 1; Councilmember Helen Willis, City of South Fulton, District 3; Tyree Spencer, Fulton Films/FGTV; The Honorable Vince R. Williams, Mayor of Union City; Dan Gorman/LMGI; Cardellia Hunter, Director, City of Atlanta Offi ce of the Mayor Film and Entertainment. Photo: Tyree Spencer, Fulton Films Georgia: Part of the Bigger Picture LMGI panel at Pinewood Studios