LMGI COMPASS
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Winter 2024
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49
THE BARBIE LOCATION DEPARTMENT
Robin Citrin/LMGI - SLM
Darrin Lipscomb - 2nd Unit Manager
Leslie Thorson/LMGI - KALM
Dorion Thomas/LMGI - KALM
Miranda Carnessale/LMGI - KALM
Sonia Villerias/LMGI - KALM
Robert Swartwood/LMGI - KALM
Julianne Eggold - KALM
Michael "Malibu" Bryant - KALM
David Kaufman - KALM
Juanita-Victoria Goode - ALM
Jonathan Diaz - ALM
goons. "If you're going to do a classic L.A. movie, get a car chase in
there," Greenwood laughs.
A CREATIVE ADVENTURE
As Barbie's production tale unfolds, one idea resonates: We don't
get cinematic moments like this without a team of people who
are fully creatively invested in every aspect of the story. Citrin's
artistry in facilitating the film's gritty, textured Los Angeles
landscapes offers a vital counterpoint to the airless plasticity of
Barbie's pop-Eden.
As fans reposted behind-the-scenes photos, threw themed
parties and replicated Barbie and Ken outfits for Halloween
costumes before the film's release, it became clear that fiction
was bleeding into real reality too: People were interacting with
the movie like it was a toy itself, seeing themselves reflected in its
characters' journeys, extrapolating its themes to their own events
and spaces and lives, and becoming invested not just in viewing
the finished product but in the craft, intent and mythology behind
building Barbie's cinematic world.
"I was really proud that we were able to pull off some crazy
stuff," Thorson says. "Robin had to do amazing things and in terms
of location managers, she just does not give up or take no for an
answer. I had a chance to see her style of working and I really
appreciated her. She's one of the best location managers I've ever
worked with."
"Barbie resonated with so many different demographics, I'm
thrilled to have been associated with it," Citrin concludes. "It's
one of the top movies that I've worked on and it's been a fabulous
experience. All the key people were great, I had a fantastic team.
Greta was very welcoming and you wanted to do what you could
for her. I've been fortunate to work with some talented, fabulous
directors and production designers who are really visionary. Over
so many years, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it's
incredibly rewarding."
