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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58 • LMGI COMPASS | Summer 2020 diverse workforce through high-quality training. We've achieved this informally, from mentoring in the AMPAS Gold program, to events like "Last Looks: The Ambassador Hotel" which paired at-risk students with location pro mentors and the dynamic challenge to bring a storyboard to life through location scouting. Our "Coffee Tuesdays" Zoom calls and webinars have allowed us to share information with topics of interest to our members, ranging from clean sets in the age of COVID, to photography software and library management tools, to 360° cameras. The task ahead is to draw from and build on what members have been doing in various regions, organizing and enriching these efforts into a codifi ed program that is effective, adaptable and accessible. The LMGI agenda will be shareable by location professionals at all levels around the world. With COVID-19, most of our initial efforts will be online. That may still be the best approach to some topics, but there is no substitute for the community that comes from in-person gatherings of location professionals. The multi-faceted plan has three basic components: live regional events, including panels and demonstrations; live instructor webinars for both beginning and experienced professionals; and online courses that will be available 24/7 to members. Additionally, we will feature online instruction for fi lm commissions and government agencies. With cloud-based instruction, geography and luck are no longer obstacles to an education; any of these can include a testing component to provide certifi cation for course completion. Education Co-chair Levine elaborates, "Event-driven education is critical, with formats ranging from equipment demos to panel discussions. The upcoming Los Angeles event, "Car Work—From Simple to Extreme," is geared toward the location pro who hasn't had a lot of experience drilling into the details of driving shots, chases, near misses and crashes—all of which can be daunting your fi rst time out. We will break down one or more high-action chase sequences, covering everything from the use of police and traffi c control to equipment (car mounts, hostess trays, shot makers, etc.). We will also cover communicating planned activities with all involved from permit authorities to on-set personnel, including 1st ADs, camera, lighting, grip, visual and special effects. This event will be taped, but we will also take it on the road, so to speak, reproducing and altering it as applicable in various regional hubs. "Online modules we are developing" Levine continues, "include Scouting 101 (how to break down source material, tips on angles, lenses and getting the most out of your camera), File Pulls and Library Management and Presentation Methods, a Primer for Presenting Images to Production Designers and Directors." More advanced courses might include topics like Extreme Condi- tions—Scouting and Shooting in Rough Terrain. We will connect, elevate, educate and advocate for location professionals by tapping the expertise and enthusiasm of our members, often by partnering with private and public sector entities to increase the impact of our programming. For example, the upcoming, "Scouting Light with Sony," will spotlight the lightweight, mirrorless Sony cameras, Sony software and other Sony equipment and take place at a Sony Production Center in one of their four North American hubs. Join us in our pursuit to encourage and educate, to provide a supportive network, guidance and a constructive framework for training at all levels. We welcome your input. Contact us at education@LocationManagers.org. We seek knowledgeable, approachable mentors and instructors who share our passion to pay it forward and teach a man to fi sh. DGC Ontario Budgeting Concepts 101 taught by Kevin Lafferty. Photo courtesy of John Rakich/LMGI.