10
•
LMGI COMPASS
|
Spring 2022
LMGI supports BAFTA campaign:
location professionals push for
UK Academy Award in 2023
The LMGI has joined forces with Lauren York, Managing
Director of UK Locations to support her campaign to
introduce a British Academy Award (BAFTA) for UK location
managers. Says York, "The reason why UK Locations wanted
to step up and make this necessary change is because
we have firsthand experience working in drama location
departments and understand not only are location managers
fundamental to the success of a film or TV drama, but
their role is widely known to be one of the industry's most
demanding, too."
LMGI members from around the world have added their
signatures to her petition which BAFTA has agreed to
consider as part of the awards department's annual review in
July. York has been invited speak at the review.
York's petition outlines the following points:
1. The UK's location managers have set the scene for some
of the world's most iconic films and TV shows. They are the
people who interpret and then bring to life the director's
vision—by finding, securing, scheduling and overseeing the
use of myriad locations.
Without them, many films
and TV dramas simply
wouldn't happen. There is
a growing scarcity of UK
location professionals.
2. If the UK film industry is
to attract new recruits, bring
back lost talent and retain
those who remain, we need
to raise awareness and
appreciation of this highly
demanding role—and we
believe a dedicated BAFTA is
the only way to do this.
3. BAFTA itself says its
mission is "to bring the very
best work in film, games
and television to public
attention, and support the
growth of creative talent in
the UK and internationally.
We do this by identifying
and celebrating excellence,
discovering, inspiring,
and nurturing new talent,
and enabling learning and
creative collaboration."
4. We know new categories
can be added—in fact,
it's been happening ever
since the second British
Academy Awards in 1950,
when three extra categories
were added to the original
Lauren York; Photo courtesy of UK Locations
We're open and ready for you!
ASCFilmO ce@gmail.com
All Saints Church, Pasadena
allsaintsfi lming.com
two, and it's set to happen
again in 2022, with a recent
announcement confirming
that "Line Producers/
Production Managers/
Heads of Production are
now eligible candidates for
consideration."
"There is a skills crisis across
the industry," emphasizes
York, "and location managers
are in particularly short
supply—just as the UK
is entering a new golden
age of film and TV drama.
We believe if the UK is to
maintain its position as a
world leader in the realm
of film and TV, we need to
address the issue — and this
has to begin with awareness
of the role."
For updates on the campaign
please visit https://www.
uklocations.co.uk/2022/02/
bafta-coming-you/
and https://www.ipetitions.
com/petition/bafta-award-
for-location-managers
To be added to campaign
updates, please email a
request to: lauren.york@
uklocations.co.uk
