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 | Winter 2021 • 21 Stevie: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING IN LOCATIONS? HOW DID YOU START & WHAT DO YOU PRIMARILY WORK ON? STUART BERBERICH: I was originally born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and my family moved to Wildwood, MO, a suburb outside of St. Louis when I was in third grade. As a kid, I was a huge Steven Spielberg fan and was inspired by his movies and the scope of those productions. Having read his biography at a young age, I always dreamed of working in the industry. After graduating from Kentucky's Murray State University, I landed a job working in marketing for Hyatt Hotels in Chicago. I was involved with a new commercial ad campaign and liaised with the ad agency and production crew. While on the set, I was mesmerized by the fast-pace energy and action. I struck up a conversation with the location manager and was intrigued by the role of scouting and photography. At the time, I was an amateur photographer so that skill set fi t in perfectly with my experience and advertising major background. I have always had a love affair with fi lm and felt drawn to the industry but never really knew where to start. After some serious thought, I decided to jump in. My family encouraged me to go for it and follow my dreams. I landed my fi rst paid gig working on an Adidas commercial where we fi lmed at a Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game. Shortly after, I landed a job on the location team with SLM Ilt Jones/LMGI and LM JJ Hook for Michael Bay's Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Ilt and JJ were incredible to work with and learn from. They inspired me to move to Los Angeles, where they brought me onto The Dark Knight Rises. After a stint in LA, I came back to my hometown and city that I love—Chicago. I took on jobs both locally and out of state. Key fi lms and television shows include Jupiter Ascending, Shameless, Sirens, Captive State, Sense8, Vice Principals, Utopia, Lovecraft Country. It's been more than 11 years now in the industry, and I haven't looked back! Stevie: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE PRIMARY DRAW FOR FILMING IN & AROUND CHICAGO & ITS SURROUNDING AREAS IN GENERAL? WHAT KIND OF "LOOKS" ARE THERE? WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITES & WHY? SB: Chicago has some of the most remarkable architecture in the country. The city provides numerous "period" looks from modern to pre-war. The neighborhoods just off the downtown corridor are so special. Wicker Park, Pilsen, Hyde Park, Bronzeville and the Gold Coast all offer different feels and textures that range from haunting and elegant to striking and gritty. When you leave the city, you'll fi nd mansions, tree-lined neighborhoods with mansions sitting on Lake Michigan on the North Shore, and manufacturing areas on the border of Indiana to the south. When you head west of downtown, you'll hit beautiful old neighborhoods like Oak Park, where Frank Lloyd Wright left his mark. If you keep heading west past newer suburbia for another 30 miles, you'll be surrounded by endless farmland and quaint old towns. One of my favorite locations is McCormick Place Convention Center. I've pitched it as an interior/exterior hospital, airport terminal and bus station, to name a few. The staff is amazing to work with and understands our needs. Another great location resource is the Chicago Transit Authority for the famous "EL" trains—"EL"— being short for ELEVATED. If you have a story to tell that takes place in Chicago, fi lming on an "EL" train is a must! You can rent a two-car or a four-car train and they have a dedicated staff that works with production to make the process seamless and safe. Shows like Shameless, The Chi, Chicago Fire and Station Eleven have all fi lmed on "EL" trains. Another huge draw to Chicago is our talented local crew. The experience level and skill that exists is as good as anywhere in the world. The Chicago and Illinois All photos by Stuart Berberich/LMGI, except as noted. Photo courtesy of Stuart Berberich/LMGI Stevie Nelson talks about working in the "Windy City" with member Stuart Berberich. Stevie Nelson talks about working in the "Windy City" with member Stuart Berberich.