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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14 • LMGI COMPASS | Spring 2022 FOCUS on London! LMGI President John Rakich and LMGI administrator Erika Howard hosted the Guild's booth at the 2021 FOCUS event, the meeting place for international production, held in London last December. After two years of convening virtually, attendees of the three-day gathering were finally able to meet, in-person, in the spacious glass-arched convention hall of the historic Business Design Center. Georgette Turner/ LMGI facilitated the strict COVID protocols through her company, Spotless H2O. "The LMGI was well represented with a booth close to all the action," says John. "Locals Mick Ratman/ LMGI, Paul Giordani/LMGI and Christian McWilliams/ LMGI helped man the booth and many of our UK members popped in and out. It was great to see so many of our business partners again, and the old and new film commissioners who also came by. We are all excited about all future Fam Tours and educational seminars that are now possible and being planned for our members." "It was so much fun," adds Erika. "The film commissions turned their booths into living rooms. Costa Rica served coffee and rum, so we were all happy to make our way over to them twice a day! Morocco set up a fantastic lounge with pillows on the floor—that was also a great meeting place! The location professionals that were able to attend met up with the people they hoped to do business with—there's nothing better than making that personal connection. I saw Angus Ledgerwood/ LMGI making the rounds and so many others from the UK. Irene Manrique/LMGI was there from Spain. Kent Matsuoka/LMGI, who flew in from LA, remarks that "With a noticeably diminished attendance by international film production partners at AFI & AFCI even prior to COVID, I felt it was important to make the effort to attend. Those of us in Hollywood are still curious about accurately portraying other regions and cultures in our films and have not forgotten the importance of cultivating those relationships when the call for those destinations arises." LMGI members also participated on several panels. Harriet Lawrence shared her expertise on "The Art of Location Management." Tony Hood talked about "Sustainability on Set" and John Rakich hosted "Internationalizing Location Management." FilmFixer's Yanina Barry, an LMGI business partner, hosted a discussion on practical considerations for remote filming. The Location Guide's Makers Magazine also produces the "Makers and Shakers Awards" which are held in conjunction with the international convention and recognize the creativity and diligence of the global production community. The New Zealand Film Commission was awarded the "Film Commission Initiative Award," and LMGI Award recipient Naomi Liston/LMGI received the "Outstanding Creative Use of a Location Award" for The Northman. Concludes John, "I want to give thanks to our partners at The Location Guide for putting on such a stellar event and for allowing us to come and be a part of reconnecting with all our members, friends and business associates from the other side of the pond. We're looking forward to doing it all again this December!" L-R: Mick Ratman/LMGI, Erica Howard and LMGI President John Rakich L-R: Khadija Alami/Moroccan Film Commission, Alice Norris, Christian McWilliams/LMGI