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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10 • LMGI COMPASS | Spring 2023 Cherokee Film Summit On March 16, more than 200 participants from across Metro Atlanta gathered at the Fourth Annual Cherokee Film Summit, where they met to expand their network and to deepen connections to Georgia's film industry. LMGI members played a key role at the event. "We developed the Cherokee Film Summit to demonstrate the comprehensive impact of the film industry while providing practical instruction on how our community can play a supporting role," says Molly Mercer, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development Film Project Manager. "Since our inaugural event in 2019, LMGI members have generously shared expertise both through feature panels and breakout sessions, as well as through one-on-one conversations—even hiring attendees who felt inspired to enter this industry. "We are proud to highlight the tremendous work that happens through our relationships with professionals within this organization that so highly regards community relationships and education. The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is a proud business member of LMGI." Presentations at this year's summit covered such topics as distribution platforms, hosting a film crew, investment in film, screenwriting, as well as acting and talent management. Located just northwest of downtown Atlanta, more than 55 production teams selected Cherokee County as a location in 2022, including Creed III. "I have worked in numerous states L-R: Molly Mercer, Slean Peavy/LMGI, Kevin Dowling/LMGI, Andrea Keener/LMGI, Dan Gorman/LMGI, Jimmie Bullis/LMGI, Dodd Vickers/LMGI and municipalities," shares Creed III key ALM Jimmie Bullis/LMGI. "Cherokee County is undeniably one of the most welcoming and helpful places to film." "This year, we were proud to highlight the collaboration between the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and the location team of Creed III," adds Mercer. Additionally, summit-goers were able to connect with location manager Dodd Vickers/ LMGI and the creator of the Georgia Film Office's Camera-Ready Program, Craig Dominey, in a breakout entitled "Hosting Film Teams Like a Pro." Says Dodd, "Having the support of the community when you bring a production company to the area is incredibly important. If you communicate effectively and help to address concerns in advance, you are far more likely to cultivate community support and to make the production more successful." Craig Dominey, senior film location specialist and manager of Camera-Ready Georgia for the Georgia Film Office, says of the event: "The Georgia Film Office is very happy to support events such as this one, along with other camera-ready communities and education partners. We want to make sure we are responsive and continuing to capitalize on the benefits that film can bring to both small and large communities across Georgia." The ongoing theme of the summit is "Reel Opportunities." Events like this one are sure to make Cherokee County and Georgia as a whole, an attractive option for future productions. "An experienced location scout knows the excitement of finding an unexpected gem in an area that they thought they already knew. This discovery is oen made with the help of someone from the local film office. Georgia's Cherokee County Film Office is really dialed into the community and knows where all the location treasures are!" –Dodd Vickers/LMGI One of the many presentations at this year's summit. Photos courtesy of Dodd Vickers/LMGI