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 • 53 tioned there had previously been a touring Macbeth costume exhibit that was a great success. During an Outlander shoot in Falkland, actor Richard Rankin was spotted wearing a pom-pom beanie as part of his charac- ter's wardrobe. Inspired knitters in town immediately recre- ated the hat to sell to tourists. Many local merchants provide Outlander-inspired products to set-jetters, including leather journals, glassware, and items with Celtic motifs and emblems. Other businesses mentioned are the Knight's Vault which provides props and weaponry, including sword replicas and Hamilton & Young Jewelers where Outlander-inspired wedding bands and amber and Celtic jewelry are popular sellers. Nixon says that HES has "developed some of our own retail products that have an Outlander theme, but we also stock Scottish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and family businesses who have also experienced success through development of Outlander product ... for example, a graphic book of sketches of the main Outlander fi lming locations." The products sell well at not only Outlander locations, but at other sites not included in the fi lming of the series. They also have exclusive rights to vari- ous Outlander products. Steele feels that "Outlander's multiple story lines provide more ideas for products and services; they encourage businesses to ask fans/customers for ideas." Rathband mentions that lead actor and National Trust ambas- sador Sam Heughan "goes above and beyond" promoting his heritage. He supports Youth Theatre Arts, Cahonas Scotland, which educates the public in testicular cancer, and his alma mater, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he recently hosted patron Prince Charles. He also recorded an audio tour for HES Doune Castle and when the Preston Mill featured in the fi rst season of Outlander started a fundraiser for repairs, the money was soon raised when Heughan appealed to fans on social media. Enterprising Heughan is creating his own "Scot- tage industry" representing local clothing company Barbour with his own designs while aging whisky in barrels for his own Great Glen Company where he will sell other Scottish products. His global lifestyle charity program, My Peak Challenge, has brought visitors from all over the world to Glasgow and Edin- burgh for two major member events where many stayed longer than the planned weekend touring Scotland. Rathband hopes that Scottish native actor Richard Rankin will do an ambassa- dor campaign for the National Trust as well. Some have accused "set-jetting" as contributing to over-tour- ism. Nixon admits that increases in tourism can present chal- lenges, as well as opportunity. However, she points out, HES has made signifi cant investments to the infrastructure at Doune Castle recently, which benefi ts all visitors, not just Outlander- tourists. In 2017, they invested 73K enhancing the on-site shop and have "also introduced timed slots ... to manage visitor fl ow and experience." Sometimes the tours cross paths with produc- tion fi lming. Yet Chalmers feels that "overall, there is a positive economic impact, and they are building an industry raising the profi le and awareness (of Scotland) as a fi lm-friendly location." Rathband adds that the NTS is "visitor- and fi lm-friendly, as long as visitors are respectful of the production, and the integ- rity of the locations is maintained inside and out." It'a a win-win experience for everyone. As stated by Rosie Ellison, Film Commissioner, Film Edinburgh: "For us as the local fi lm commission, the legacy impact of fi lm tourism is really important. Where fi lming itself has some eco- nomic impact, it's nothing compared to the economic impact of 'tourism associated with fi lms & television, which helps us explain why it's good to be 'fi lm-friendly.' So we strive to raise awareness among the local community and tourism/hospitality businesses of the fi lms and TV shows that feature Edinburgh and encourage them to develop products of interest to fi lm- interested tourists." No matter what you call it—fi lm tourism, set-jetting or a loca- tion vacation—location scouts and managers choosing these destinations to defi ne a narrative also contribute to the local economy. This is so not only in the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent during production, but even more so with the re- sidual economic opportunities that local fi lm and tourism of- fi ces are developing, making it a win-win for all involved. Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures Television Inc.