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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the end of one session, a student asked Kim if she could produce her short script she wrote for the workshops. The pair made full use of their diverse skill sets to bolster the range and applicability of the seminars. In addition to her feature work, Kim has more than 700 commercial credits to her name, working with brands such as Amazon, Nike and Facebook, while Andrea has primarily worked on long-form series and features with heavy hitters like Shonda Rhimes, Jerry Bruckheimer and Ava DuVernay. "We were able to really bring both of those perspectives together and give them a very wide overview of current practices and protocols," says Kim. The participants learned about the differences between the print/commercial realm and the episodic/feature world in terms of resources and responsibilities, and how to maximize production value with any-size budget. "[Their experience] gave the attendees a different perspective on how things are done on a commercial versus a feature film," explains Fantasia. "This was one more example of LMGI members using their varied experiences and knowledge to educate and inform." As Andrea and Kim progressed through the workshops, the program's flexibility allowed them to hone their presentations and adapt the material as they went. "It was fluid, it wasn't a regiment. We were able to spend more managers, allowing us to jump quickly and effectively into our workshops. It went off without a hitch," says Kim. From the moment they arrived, Andrea and Kim were enchanted by the transportive storytelling power of Jordan's unforgettable environments. "I filmed in the desert in California, but it's a lot different. An hour and a half from Palmdale to downtown L.A. is nothing compared to what you're going to have in Wadi Rum. Essentially, we went to Mars," says Andrea. "Our first day in Amman, we scouted the market and I had to remind myself I'm actually here doing a job, and not behave as a tourist," says Keener. "We'd see an alley or a staircase and think about all the scenes that could be filmed there, with all that texture and color. It was a lot of fun and I think it renewed my love of the job because you got to share it with people who were interested." The first day of the seminar introduced the basics of location management: the department's primary roles within the crew, documenting, planning and negotiating fees, terms and conditions. On the second day, the class broke down a 20-page script Dillinger Davis wrote on the fly, then hit the streets to scout and photograph looks and locations. Day three saw the attendees presenting their photos and learning the logistics of bringing a large production to town, including budgeting, community relations and the location-specific mechanics behind production. In Jordan for example, filmmakers may face environmental challenges like dust storms, heat or flooding from seasonal rains, along with technical challenges like transporting military vehicles by rail. The RFC also boasts unique amenities, such as an extensive library of military items and equipment for filming, and in 2019, the city of Aqaba created an underwater military museum dive site with sunken battle relics, including tanks and a helicopter. They formed a fast bond with RFC liaison and experienced local LM Hassan Al-Amire, whose knowledge of the region and international production experience grounded the course in terms of practical application. "He was able to speak in our language of location managers and we were able to laugh quite a bit about each other's stories in the trenches," says Dillinger Davis. "There's so much more that connects us—no matter where you are in the world, as a location manager, you share similar challenges. You're truly part of a large extended family." Kim and Andrea also forged connections with the seminar participants as they shared their knowledge and relayed the intangibles of the job. Their enthusiasm was matched with questions, ideas and collaborative perspectives from the blossoming directors, producers and creatives. "In every class, they were like sponges who really wanted to absorb what we had to say," says Andrea. At L-R: Andrea Keener/LMGI & Kim Dillinger Davis/LMGI Salt, Workshop