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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26 • LMGI COMPASS | Winter 2024 IN MY CITY: ACCRA and elevate the Ghana film industry's presence on the global stage. Also, building a positive relationship based on trust with local communities is essential for successful location management in Ghana. Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES OR MOST MEMORABLE FILMING EXPERIENCES? YA: Filming with director Cary Fukunaga on Beast of No Nation was truly one of the best experiences I ever had. From the moment we started working together, it was evident that his vision and attention to detail were unmatched. Cary's passion for storytelling was infectious, and it translated into every aspect of the production. He had a clear vision for each scene and knew exactly what he wanted in terms of locations. This made my job as a location scout incredibly fulfilling, as I was able to bring his vision to life. It was truly a collaborative process, as he valued my input and trusted my expertise. Stevie: ARE LOCATION DEPARTMENTS COMMON IN THE GHANIAN FILM INDUSTRY OR IS IT A RELATIVELY NEW CAREER FIELD? IS THERE ANY FORMALIZED TRAINING FOR LOCATION PROFESSIONALS IN GHANA? YA: I am the first professional location manager to ever come from Ghana. It is a new field. There is no formalized training currently available, but I am training some young graduates to take up a career in location scouting and management. Stevie: DOES ACCRA OR GHANA OFFER ANY INCENTIVES TO HOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS? YA: Ghana does not offer any incentives yet. However, we are lobbying the government to get a tax rebate in place. Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE? YA: My hard tools are iPhone, DJI Inspire 2 Drone and GoPro. My soft tools are the online production management tool Yamdu, and MapAPic for iPhone which organizes all your shoot locations, with geotags, pictures, tags and notes and Lightroom. Stevie: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE JOB? YA: First and foremost, the thrill of discovering unique locations is unparalleled. Every day is a new adventure as I explore different neighborhoods, cities and even countries in search of the perfect setting for a film. The excitement of stumbling upon a hidden gem that perfectly matches the director's vision is truly exhilarating. This job allows me to combine my passion for filmmaking with my love for travel and exploration. I have the incredible opportunity to visit places I might never have discovered otherwise, immersing myself in diverse cultures and landscapes. This not only enriches my personal experiences but also adds authenticity and depth to the films I work on. Another aspect that I adore about this job is the collaboration with professionals in the film industry. I get to work closely with directors, producers, set designers and other creative minds. Together, we brainstorm and problem-solve to ensure that the Bojo Beach chosen locations not only look stunning but also serve the story and characters in the best possible way. The satisfaction of witnessing a film come to life in the exact locations I scouted is immensely gratifying. It gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that I played a crucial