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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50 • LMGI COMPASS | Summer 2020 "We are experts in architecture, geography, research and photography, as well as communication and people management," proclaims UK-based SLM Harriet Lawrence/LMGI. She adds, "We respond to departmental requests and set up all the complex aspects of the practical logistics of a shoot, enabling every other department to do their job. The better we do our job, the less anyone knows what we do. Much of what we do is inventive, invisible and surprising—sometimes even to us! It's an unusual skill combination. We learn something new on every film or drama becoming experts in obscure subjects or aspects of production." LMGI Board members John Rakich, Georgette Turner and I joined members Harriet Lawrence, Ben Ahmed and Markus Bensch as panelists at FOCUS (the Location Guide's successful expo for international production) in London. Our LMGI booth had a line of people wanting us to train location managers in burgeoning film regions, and teach film commissions and government agencies to efficiently manage resources working with productions. The interest in our SRO panels at film festivals and industry events such as Sundance and Comic-Con, evidenced by an increased awareness and hunger for those eager to learn our craft. Veteran LM Tim Hillman/LMGI points out, "Our profession is constantly evolving, becoming more complicated. It's going to be a whole new world when we come back from this pandemic. I guarantee a lot of sanitation on set will fall into the Location Department. Knowledge is power and, in some cases, job security. The only way to stay ahead is to stay educated. If you have a good grasp of the basics, dealing with the complicated is a much easier task." In addition to continuing education for members, training the next generation and encouraging diversity in our ranks is critical. We continue to analyze the need for comprehensive learning on several levels. Clearly, we all benefit from bringing up skill levels. Training and mentoring creates an effective next generation. Initially, it begins within the Location Department as illustrated by former LMGI President, LM Nancy Haecker, frequently working beyond film hubs where crews have scant practical knowledge. She feels responsible to provide her colleagues with rewarding careers. When she leaves a project, the keys and assistants she has trained are skilled and in demand for the next job. "When your crew is young and inexperienced," Haecker explains, "you have to teach fundamental job skills, as well a location acumen—work ethic and integrity." Character is as important as intelligence in true education. Instilling discipline, punctuality and respect are as critical for location professionals as communication skills, prioritizing logistics, street smarts, set protocol and balancing budgets. Haecker believes that the most important skill is a mindset of accountability. "Locations' work is intense, requires diverse skills, is both physically and mentally demanding," Haecker continues, "and is so crucial to the success of the show that what I do is clearly define the importance of their job. I get very specific on what a successful midday transportation move looks like. Once they know what the end goal looks like, then my instructions make sense and they can figure out how to get there. I communicate why our work is critical in relation to the bigger picture. Knowing the why can be more important than the how, allowing them to make decisions or adjustments when circumstances change. Once they accept responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the outcome, they make more thoughtful, motivated decisions, thinking critically." Veteran LM and LMGI Lifetime Achievement honoree Kokayi Ampah explains that his "desire to teach and mentor is fueled by my knowing any success I've had comes from the thoughtfulness, compassion and mentoring of others. As an African-American man," Ampah explains, "I know the extra challenges faced by people of color and women, so I focus even harder in reaching out to those groups. For the past 10 years, I have conducted a seminar on "Diversity in the Workplace" for the DGA Trainee program." Ampah feels it's not a choice but a privilege and responsibility to educate and mentor industry neophytes. "If there is something I