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
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1359265
10 • LMGI COMPASS | Spring 2021 summer. He asked me what we were doing to connect with other communities of color," says Tapia. "The idea for the panel evolved from there. Oliver had experience working in Benin and Senegal, and in my mind, the whole of Africa was an untapped market and so the perfect place to start. "We spent six months organizing this Zoom, including dozens of conversations with potential panelists. Oliver was the passport to finding those who eventually participated. Filmmakers from all parts of the Sub-Saharan region of Africa, including Gambia, Lagos, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal Togo, Benin and Kenya shared stories and showed amazing pictures of their countries." "We've got to look at the whole of Africa," adds Kester, who moderated the panel along with Tapia. "This is the right time and the right place to really tackle Africa in the best possible way. What exists, what's good, and what's available." IN THE NEWS On January 30, the LMGI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee hosted "IN FOCUS: Africa: A Conversation with Filmmaking Communities in Equatorial Africa," a special Zoom event designed to raise awareness of cultural diversity and production opportunities in Africa. The idea for the panel discussion evolved from a conversation between UK- based producer and 1st AD Oliver Kester and Committee Co-chair and CA-based LM Miguel Tapia/LMGI. "Oliver contacted me after learning about the LMGI from the Town Hall on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion we hosted last For many years, European, Korean and Chinese filmmakers have worked in areas of Africa that are perhaps not well known to Hollywood. "We wanted to engage with our fellow location pros in those African countries and help shift some misconceptions that we might have. Is it safe? Is there production support? Is it accessible?" says Committee member LM Becky Brake/ LMGI. "Hopefully, LMGI members in the U.S. will now be more comfortable presenting these countries as viable options for filming, having met with some of the key players on Zoom! Every country is so nuanced, with its own customs and ways of doing things. It was great to start the conversation." "It was always my goal to build a bridge to a community doing the same work we do, yet receiving less recognition," says Tapia. "How incredible is it to share knowledge and learn that we are not so different—even though we are thousands of miles away. Many people participated in the Zoom and got to learn about and see things that they might not have known about before. It was very successful! I hope that we continue to engage in these new relationships and develop a closer bond with our African brothers and sisters. It was an honor to do this on behalf of the LMGI and I'm grateful for the opportunity to use our platform to put one more brick on that bridge we are building." Please use this link to view the panel discussion: https://vimeo. com/509924443 IN FOCUS: Africa LMGI Around the World On December 16, 2020, the LMGI once again participated in the UK-based 6th Annual FOCUS Trade Event, sharing the virtual stage with global content makers, film commissions, production services and location providers in film, TV, advertising, and animation from around the world. LMGI's Executive Committee members Mike Fantasia, John Rakich and Ken Haber, along with LMGI member Markus Bensch, hosted a speed meet with location managers, scouts, and production managers. They also led a panel entitled "Future-Proofing the Screen Industries" to discuss current location management conditions in a COVID-19 world. Members of the LMGI were also invited to take part in Croatia's annual Zagreb Film Office PROFilm Days Conference. Last year's virtual event highlighted key issues within the audiovisual industry. LMGI members Ilt Jones and Markus Bensch joined LMGI's Executive Committee members Mike Fantasia and John Rakich to host a panel on scouting, prepping and filming during COVID-19. They offered guidance on how to continue filming safely by sharing how their current shows were adapting to comply with new production protocols.