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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24 • LMGI COMPASS | Spring 2023 After two days taking dozens of meetings and a quick tour of Valladolid, location professionals were treated to Fam Tours (familiarization tours) of Spain, each assigned to selected regions. The hosts spared no expense in showing off Spain's historical architectural treasures and dramatic landscapes to a group eager to broaden their knowledge of unique and welcoming film locations. Michael Wesley/LMGI: My tour was to the region of Castilla La Mancha. I was joined by location professionals from Canada, Mexico, Italy, Australia and England. It was a whirlwind trip as the local film commission wanted to expose us to as much of the region and nearby towns as they could. Castles, churches, convents, a lake reservoir and an "Enchanted City" of unusual rock formations were a delight. Real-world modern urban locations of Cuenca and Guadalajara, paired nicely with the ancient old town of Cuenca, as did the quiet and beautiful small towns of Almagro and Uclés. Nancy Wong/LMGI: Our hosts set up an early- morning visit to the Royal Monastery of Santes Creus, outside of Barcelona, prior to opening hours. You drive onto the grounds through an enormous wooden arched doorway that opens up to a large plaza. The monastery's stone pathways lead you down long hallways, with one room opening into another with rib vaulted ceilings, gothic carvings and cloister gardens. This "Old Europe" location is wonderfully preserved and offers many filmable spaces to tell a story. My favorite city in the Catalon Region is Girona which is set at the confluence of four rivers. It is known for its well- preserved old city which is built on a hill. The expansive views and brightly painted buildings make every photo picturesque. Girona has many hotels, restaurants and its own airport. Its proximity to Barcelona is a plus. Aurelia Thomas/LMGI: It was a wonderful surprise to find that in the old part of Barcelona that there are a series of unmodernized streets with beautiful alleys with a gothic footbridge, water fountains, stunning courtyards and beautiful carvings. You could easily shoot a period film in this area. FAM TOUR There was a serenity to the Delta D'Ebre. A flat landscape of big open skies, a vast flat expanse of glassy water, flamingos and row upon row of rice paddy fields. I could imagine a dream sequence being filmed in this area. This was topped off by a divine lunch with three different paellas! "I learned about a wide variety of locations that were not on my radar before but will be strongly considered going forward," reflected LM Hutchins. Adds Wesley, "We visited just a fraction of the country in our limited four-day tour. I have dozens of images and useful information on beautiful and viable locations to bring a production to film in Spain. I wish the Spain Film Commission and Feria de Valladolid much success Benjamin Stern/LMGI, La Palma – Canary Islands