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 | Fall 2019 • 49 It was a little homegrown Canadian com- edy about a wealthy family down on their luck moving back to the town with the funny name that became an Emmy-nomi- nated sleeper hit. It transformed the sleepy little town of Goodwood, Ontario, Canada into an international tourist attraction. The picturesque bedroom community north of Toronto, with a population of 663, is also known as Schitt's Creek. It has attracted busloads of tourists from all over the world hoping to see the sets and stars during the fi lming of its sixth and fi nal season in 2019. "We are constantly asked by fans if Schitt's Creek is a real place they can visit, and it is beyond exciting to fi nally be able to say 'Yes!'" wrote Pop TV president Brad Schwartz in a statement about the fi nal season. Earlier in June of 2019, dozens of die-hards visited Good- wood as part of SchittCon, an event tied to a 14,000-member "Schitt's Creek Fans Shoot the Schitt" Facebook group. Indeed, this show and its fans has put Goodwood on the map—literally. The key spot for fans, affectionately referred to as "Schitt- heads," is where several Schitt's landmarks sit opposite each other at one main intersection: auto shop Bob's Garage, gen- eral store Rose Apothecary and the diner Cafe Tropical. Annina's Bakeshop, which sits at the same intersection as these three landmarks, was the set's caterer from Seasons 1-5 and sees the cast drop in occasionally. Owner Marco Cas- sano said business spiked recently as fans fl ooded the area to see the set one last time, and as the show's presence on Netfl ix made it an international phenomenon. He adds, "It was good for atmosphere, publicity, getting our name out there... So it was good all the way around for the economy." Then there's Schitt's Creek Town Hall down the street and various other Goodwood locations used for fi lming. Goodwood resident Sue Skovhoj admitted she was initially skeptical about the moniker of Schitt's Creek for the affl uent area, which comprises a mix of new gated neighborhoods, century homes from the 1800s, and farms. That fear quickly dissipated as the cast and crew proved themselves to be polite, helpful and community-oriented. Much of that good- will stemming from the hard work of Geoffrey Smither/LMGI. Location manager for all six seasons, Smither submitted just under thirty towns for consideration before production settled on Goodwood. Once chosen he spent quite a bit of time warming up the Goodwood town council and local residents not just to the fi lming but to the name of the show. Smither happily recalls that the entire council bursting out laughing when it was stated for the offi cial record. Dave Barton, mayor of Goodwood's township of Uxbridge, has said in recent interviews that the show has been a been a real economic boost to the town, a statement echoed by Eileen Kennedy the Economic Development Offi cer for the Regional Municipality of Durham, "There's a real sense of pride and we're very sad to see it go." Luckily, even though the series has fi nished the show is still gaining in popularity and more fans from around the globe are making the pilgrimage. It looks like the fi ne folks of Good- wood will be in the spotlight for some time. Up Schi 's Creek by John Rakich Photos courtesy of John Rakich/LMGI