LMGI COMPASS
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Spring 2023
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39
Desert Blooms
From the otherworldly sands of Wadi Rum, the lithic art
of Petra, the pastel Mediterranean beaches of the Dead
Sea, and the palm-lined shores of Aqaba to the high-rise
cityscapes in the capital of Amman, the spectacular
landscapes of Jordan have captivated and inspired
filmmakers for more than 60 years.
LMGI Sends Top Talent to Jordan
for a New Location Management
Workshop
by Rachel Llewellyn
Centuries-old desert castles, bustling towns and natural wonders like hot
springs, expansive dunes, coral reefs, nature reserves and rugged mountains
all lie within an area the size of Indiana.
Its gorgeous, sere backdrops appear in blockbusters like Transformers,
The Martian, Indiana Jones, Dune, The Mummy and Star Wars, along with
international films from South Korea, India and Europe and Jordan's own
Oscar-nominated desert saga Theeb.
But Jordan is more than the sum of its Instagram-perfect scenery: The
kingdom is also a diversified filmmaking powerhouse supported by a tightly
integrated infrastructure offering streamlined support services, strategic
accessibility, creative resources and financial incentives.
Building on their longstanding friendship, the LMGI partnered with The
Royal Film Commission Jordan (RFC) to develop an innovative pilot program:
a workshop series aimed at training location management professionals and
inspiring local artists to flourish within their own rich cinematic ecosystem.
LMGI Education Committee Chair and former President Mike Fantasia
says the need for formalized training has grown exponentially in recent
years. "There's such an explosion in production worldwide because of all
the streamers and all the networks. People get into the business, and they
move quickly up the ladder. With the crazy timeframes that we all seem to
be under, there isn't a lot of time to teach. So, the Guild has been working
with film commissions and government agencies to try to increase the level
of education."
