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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30 • LMGI COMPASS | Winter 2020 Streamlining The Process Of Finding The Perfect Film Loca�on FILM WITH US EXCLUSIVE STANDARD OIL BUILDING DTLA Historic Property With 9 Diverse Floors of Vacant Space MULTIPLE FLOORS OF OFFICE SPACE FORMER FASHION/DESIGN INSTITUTE & CLASSROOMS 12,000 SQUARE FOOT STUDIO MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ROOFTOP OTHER SPACES INCLUDE A HISTORIC MARBLE LOBBY, VINTAGE BRICK GARAGE, SPACIOUS FILM FRIENDLY BASEMENT PLUS 360 DEGREES VIEWS OF DTLA Aine and Clark Johnson Toronto's fi re chief and asked if he would consider us building a set around their training facility that looked like a house and their fi refi ghters could be used as the actual fi refi ghters. The Toronto Fire Department is one of the best when it comes to advising and our script writers consulted with the chief and our "burning house" opening scenes were amazing. The pilot got picked up and I spent another fi ve years on that and managing MOWs during hiatus. I spent the next number of years working on various productions and loved every moment. Getting up at 4 a.m. to be on set before the crew, working long hours, arranging every necessary detail for a successful shoot, having "rabbits in your hat" and always treating the location contact with respect, kindness and acknowledgement. A special "thank you"was always most welcome. Series could be tricky given you were prepping one episode, wrapping another and shooting, simultaneously. Eventually, series became a two location manager job, one manager doing the odds and the other doing the evens. Which lessened the load a little. When cellphones came in … oh! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. However, it now meant you were available 24/7. I had the Motorola cell—it was heavy and bulky but we thought we were the bees knees having one. The quarters in your pocket were no longer required. Then came fax machines … oh! this was magic to us all. Over the years, technology has advanced making scouting easier with the help of Google maps and Google Earth. It gives you a place to start before heading out with your camera. Things are more effi cient now given the advancement of cameras, communication and all for the betterment of getting the words and look to the screen. The businesses that started up, from security, to cleaning, to signage, to equipment supply companies that cater to location fi lming needs, are a plus. Location managing is challenging and what most people don't realize is how different scouting is from managing. As a manager in the earlier days, scouting was probably 20 percent of the job, arranging lunch cover, crew and unit parking, maps, fi rst aid, fi re departments, closest hospital, rain cover, etc., occupied the other 80 percent. You had to do it all and have good contacts at the ready for you. Today, still challenging, same requirements and more, but you have larger departments with more help so certain requirements can be delegated. The manager is now more of the organizer of all that is required. You are the diplomat, the engager, the front face of the production and all communication from outside the studio comes to the manager. Location agreements used to be one page, now you nearly require a legal degree to understand the 4-5 page location contract. Today, thank goodness there are many mandatory courses for those seeking to work in the fi eld. It's a long road but well worth the effort if you enjoy all kinds of weather, travel, people (no matter what their interest), photography, have a good eye, are creative and able to express your ideas to others. Long hours and dedication is a must.