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 | Winter 2022 L E T T E R FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members, I am on my return flight from London after attending this year's FOCUS International Production Show and am taking a moment to reflect on how this past year—my first as LMGI President— has been full of so many challenges and accomplishments. One phrase keeps resonating in my mind: "Location managers get it done." We emerged from the initial turmoil of the pandemic into a global surge in production, often leading the way to facilitate the protocols that made the return to work safe for everyone. We are reaping the rewards of a 17-year active campaign to gain membership into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Producers Peer Group understands how our creative eye and logistical skill contribute to the success of any production and have invited us to take a place alongside our professional colleagues in the industry. Being recognized by the Television Academy has been a major goal of the Guild since its founding. What a joy to see the seeds that were planted by members who have come before me finally bearing fruit! We carried on with our LMGI Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, sponsoring a well-received Zoom panel on culture and production in Africa, and continued our partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute. While we waited for international travel to return, we presented a Virtual Fam Tour showcasing the incredible locations from the Royal Film Commission of Jordan. Once travel restrictions were lifted, members participated in Fam Tours to Greece and Spain, thrilled for the opportunity to mingle with fellow location managers, film commissioners and production service companies. In addition to experiencing incredible locations, these tours included participation in seminars and panels where our members shared the Guild's vision with government officials, production professionals, and students. There are more Fam Tours being planned for 2022. Film commissions around the world are reaching out to our members to come visit, participate in panels, and share the wisdom gleaned from our unique perspective. Indicate your interest in going on a Fam Tour in your LMGI profile and you, too, may be selected to come aboard! We pulled off our second virtual awards show! We not only had a record-breaking number of submissions from around the world, but we also had the most engagement by our members who voted in record numbers. The viewership was amazing, proving our Eighth Annual Awards Show a smashing success! The LMGI Compass magazine continues to publish incredible photos and stories from and about our global membership. We hosted panels at Comic-Con International and participated in online presentation with groups such as the European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN.) And now, sitting back in my seat as I hurtle over the Atlantic, I am thinking about these last two days spent attending FOCUS. How great it is to reconnect with our international members and business partners. How satisfying to make the new contacts that enriches both the LMGI and reinforces what a global community we have become. We are a community built by volunteer members, who are reaching goals set years ago and setting new ones into the future. Make 2022 the year you get involved. Volunteer to work on the Compass, join the Awards Committee, speak on a Zoom panel, encourage your co-workers to join the Guild. The networking opportunities are abundant; the friendships forged are priceless. I hope you all take some time during this holiday season to rest, to visit family and friends, to reconnect with the world. We often forget how important it is to re-charge after the pressures of our jobs. Thank you all for your support. I wish all the best to you and yours. 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 rsr