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 | Spring 2018 • 43 I was introduced to Cassandra while working on A Wrinkle in Time. I will never forget it. Our lead loca- tion scout, Lori Balton, LMGI, was returning from a scout with the cinematographer in Humboldt County. Balton reported, "Our 'simple, little' DP scout for A Wrinkle in Time wouldn't have happened without the capable assistance of Cassandra Hesseltine. These things have a way of growing, and it was helpful knowing she had our collective back, from finding perfect local stand-ins clothed in the proper ward- robe, to meeting us and dropping us off at the airport, to organizing our picnic lunch … she is wonderfully detail-oriented. In what can be a hard-edged, fast- paced business, she is a breath of fresh air. She truly cared about the success of our movie, and made us look good once again! The Humboldt Film Commis- sion is the embodiment of making on-location filming a win-win experience for all concerned." In her role as Film Commissioner, Cassandra always works on behalf of the production. I know this first- hand based on our incredibly smooth experience film- ing the amazing redwoods in Sequoia Park and the lush forest at Patrick's Point State Park for Wrinkle. Thanks to Cassandra's advance planning and lobbying on our behalf with city and state officials, she literally made the permit process a walk in the park! Hesseltine adds, "Setting aside that it is a great story and this version was making history with Ava DuVer- nay's vision, I loved working with Wrinkle for a few reasons—that they were inclusive from start to finish when it came to involving my office. Being a part of the process made it easier to help put out fires and problem solve. I also loved how the location depart- ment hired and mentored a handful of my locals. The work experience Alison and her team gave them was priceless. Overall, if I could describe my experience in one word, it would have to be ... respected." She attended Humboldt State University majoring in LEADING BY EXAMPLE Cassandra Hesseltine Sets a High Bar for Film Commissioners by Alison Taylor psychology with an emphasis in theater as therapy. After working with at-risk youth, helping them find their voice through theater, Hesseltine produced in- die movies and television shows. After 10 years of working on productions that were primarily away from her home and family, she was asked to be the interim Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner. Hesseltine took that opportunity to implement a detailed tracking system for the new film commissioner. The Board was so impressed that they offered her the position! "It was really a lovely surprise," Hesseltine says, "that is when I discovered how much I loved helping productions. Plus, I got to stay in the community and be with my family, so I had the best of both worlds." Seven years later, she is not only the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner, but also in her second term as President of Film Liaisons in California State- wide (FLICS)—a nonprofit organization comprised of 41 film commission/liaison members throughout the state of California—promotes filming and assists pro- ductions with locations, permits, resources and local knowledge. "I don't see a problem as a problem or an accom- plishment as an accomplishment; I see them as part of the job," says Hesseltine. "Each production has different needs. Some are basic, but often there are random needs and even after seven years as the Film Commissioner I think, 'Oh my gosh! Why don't I have that list or that resource ready for them?' I feel like I'm always ready to learn. I love putting out fires; I love solving problems." Cassandra Hesseltine thrives on helping productions be successful while helping her community enjoy the positive impact of filming. A "win-win" indeed! Cassandra Hesseltine, left, with Alison Taylor. Photo by David Berthiaume/LMGI