Location Managers Guild International

Summer 2018

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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16 • LMGI COMPASS | Summer 2018 G U I L D I N T E R N A T I O N A L TM LMGI "There's a MOW filming in Santa Cruz. They fired their location manager. Told the producer Russell Vreeland you would call." "Joe, very grateful, but what's a location manager?" An only child growing up in Los Gatos (Silicon Valley), I received my master's degree in public administration from San Jose State University (SJSU). The direction I chose following college and my subsequent involvement in locations was an extension of my behind-the-scenes skills that were prevalent early in life. For whatever reason, I see the big picture, identifying all the little details needed to provide cohesion resulting in the finished project. The organizational skills first exhibited at Louise Van Meter Elementary School in Los Gatos. Second-grade milk monitor! CAREER FOCUS Claudia Eastman Answers the Call From milk monitor to Catholic Sodality Vice President, from high school Rally Commissioner to college student body Vice President, from McGovern delegate to the Director of New Student Orientation at San Jose State University. My first career path was as a college administrator, overseeing the Student Activities Department: speakers, films, concerts, Greek events, etc. Spent time at Lower Columbia Community College, Washington; and Kearney State College, Nebraska. It was an interesting ride but something was missing. Essentially, I was bored. Thus in my late 30s, I withdrew my PERS money, left my secure position at SJSU and enrolled in TV and film production classes. I also volunteered at San Jose's PBS station KTEH and San Francisco's well- known KQED. Heady days. No income but great fun. I was enjoying myself, learning how to properly wrap cable, white balance a camera, dub tapes and mic talent—Mikhail Gorbachev was my favorite. I directed some pledge- drive spots and developed and produced a public- access show with local TV personalities. Still, had no clue what I was going to do with all these experiences. Then Joe called. I drove over Blood Alley, Hwy. 17, to the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz and walked into a small hotel room that served as the show's production office. Rest his soul but the moment I shook Mr. Vreeland's hand and he uttered, "We are a fun group, come play with us," I sensed my life was going to change. Trial by fire does not adequately describe what lay ahead. The TV movie was Stranger in the Family, starring Teri Garr and a 17-year-old Neil Patrick Harris. The first obstacle to address was cajoling director Donald Wrye. As he was being driven to set, he'd see a location and wanted to film it the next day. The second headache was filming in the aftermath of a major feature film that left a bad taste in the city council's collective mouth. Third, no film commission support. Lastly, no assistant. Recollections of this first location management experience included a nose- to-nose screaming match with All photos courtesy of Claudia Eastman/LMGI It began in 1989 with a phone call from the late Joe O'Kane, the first San Jose Film Commissioner. A mover and a shaker, he was key in luring production north from Los Angeles. KTEH, San Jose's PBS station

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