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LMGI COMPASS
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Winter 2021
MIKE FANTASIA
LMGI PRESIDENT
"In addition to scouring the internet for worthy projects to
bring to each other's attention, our goal was to have every-
one in the various committees view every submission that
might come in!"
"This would require a huge amount of effort to research
and view," adds Commercial Subcommittee Chair Angus
Ledgerwood. "We wanted to see that there was consideration
for spots that were not just from our home countries or just
our personal contact lists."
Volunteers came forward as TV and movie-watchers, dates
were suggested for a fall event, timelines sketched out. The
PR and Marketing Committees put out the word, lists of
potential presenters and honorees were drawn, a fabulous
venue was scouted and negotiations were underway.
Then, in mid-March, the world came to a sudden halt. We
had been working toward a glamorous social event when the
reality of the pandemic began to sink in. "We had to rethink
everything,'' recalls Balton. "Could people fl y into L.A. to
attend? Would we have to leave empty seats between people?
Could we have a bar and food at the after-party? How could
we celebrate while keeping everyone safe?''
As executive producer, Balton teamed with Jill Carrigan of
IngleDodd Media (IDM), event producer/director Erick Weiss
and writer Shelly Goldstein to create an awards show in
this new reality. Weiss' company, Honeysweet Creative, has
worked its magic on the LMGI Awards for the past fi ve years,
helping plan the event and create the supporting visuals.
"I was in New York when the lockdown hit," recalls Weiss.
"Right away, I started to reimagine the events my team was
working on, including the one for the LMGI. I fl ew back to L.A.
on an almost empty plane—it was really strange."
Balton and Weiss fi rst thought they might keep the venue
and tape a live show with presenters and recipients spaced
in the theater. But COVID-19 protocols were not yet in place
and the venues were concerned about safety precautions and
issues of liability. "We realized we could not afford insurance
for a venue in the times of a pandemic, let alone run the
risk of the virus worsening and the show being canceled at
the last minute. Canceling the event was never an option!"
stresses Balton.
Photo by Courtney Mancini
HOST
ISAIAH MUSTAFA AND
AWARDS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER LORI BALTON/LMGI
