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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6 • LMGI COMPASS | Fall 2021 L E T T E R FROM THE PRESIDENT D M, "We fi ght for the creative." That is a sentiment that has stayed with me since I heard it voiced at our recent "Locations Behind the Emmys" virtual panel. We've all gotten that feeling deep in our gut when we know we have presented the right location for a story. How many times have we had an early "perfect" candidate rejected only to have the creatives circle back to it, fi nally seeing what we did all along? We "fi ght" by refocusing their attention after many lesser options have been considered. After all, the art of persuasion is very much a part of what we do as location professionals. It's that same determination to fi ght for the creative that is the foundation of the LMGI's mission statement: to promote awareness of our place in the entertainment industry as indispensable creative collaborators in the challenging and exhilarating process of making visually compelling movies, television and commercials. And our colleagues in the industry are taking notice. Our members have been admitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and the IMDb has created a distinct category for our department. We receive invitations to speak at fi lm festivals around the world, including our annual participation at Comic-Con International and at national and international industry events. Our input is solicited by publications and the press seeking our unique perspective on industry issues. But we are not stopping there … not at all. We rolled out a Virtual FamTour program and created Coff ee Tuesdays to help bring our issues out for open discussion. We are actively working on gaining acceptance into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The LMGI has recently partnered with the AFCI to create an education program for fi lm commissions and fi lm offi ces. We had our fi rst regional event since the pandemic began and sent members overseas to teach our craft and spread our message. So "Save the Date!" October 23 is the day of our signature event—the 8th Annual LMGI Awards Show—which will once again be a "COVID-19 safe" virtual show. Please join us to salute the talent, creativity and passion we all bring to the incredible work we do. Last year's show and chat during the ceremony brought us all together and lifted us out of the isolation of lockdown. This year will be a celebration of work that went on despite the pandemic, and you won't want to miss it! This is where you as the membership can also get involved by doing simple things, like requesting to have your LMGI affi liation added to your credits and included on your deal memo. Update your IMDb profi le and keep it current, follow our social media platforms and volunteer to participate on one of our committees. The LMGI is here for all of us. I promise that the eff ort you put in will be overwhelmingly rewarded by the friendships you make and the goals you help achieve. "Fight for the creative," fi ght for the LMGI! Stay safe out there, John Rakich President Editors STEVIE NELSON KEN HABER PAUL MESSANA Guest Editor DIANE FRIEDMAN LMGI Officers JOHN RAKICH, President JJ LEVINE, 1st Vice President ALISON A. TAYLOR, 2nd Vice President KEN HABER, Treasurer JEN FARRIS, Secretary LMGI Board of Directors JIMMY AYOUB KEN BROOKER DAN CONNOLLY MAC GORDON ERIC KLEIN ANGUS LEDGERWOOD ROBIN MACDONALD EDWARD MAZUREK RYAN SCHAETZLE SCOTT TRIMBLE LMGI Chairman Emeritus ORIN KENNEDY Administrative Manager ERIKA HOWARD The LMGI Compass is published quarterly by the Location Managers Guild International. LocationManagers.org Comments, editorial and photo submissions can be sent to: Compass@LocationManagers.org Publisher INGLEDODD MEDIA Advertising INGLEDODD MEDIA 310.207.4410 LMGI@IngleDodd.com www.IngleDoddMedia.com Official Magazine of Location Professionals Promoting Excellence on Location Worldwide C MPA SS