Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1525547
L O C AT I O N M A N A G E R S G U I L D I N T E R N AT I O N A L I 1 1 t h A N N U A L L M G I A W A R D S 3 5 Bowling has served as an advisor to the Association of Film Commissioners International and as an executive consultant to The Location Guide, a global resource for the industry. "Bill has been an extraordinary supporter and ambassador over the years," says its founder, Murray Ashton. "He is always at hand to voluntarily help, suggest and creatively help steer our progress, as well as introducing us to countless industry players in the far-flung corners of the locations world." Bowling played a key role in unionizing Los Angeles location professionals as members of Teamsters Local 399 in the late 1970s. He was a founding member of the LMGA in 2003 and was an early proponent of the Guild's need to expand internationally. As a writer, educator and mentor, he's published industry guides, taught film at UCLA, spoken on industry panels and inspired countless location professionals to pursue innovation and excellence around the globe. "Bill's always been a big supporter of location managers and location management," says former Guild President Mike Fantasia. "One of the reasons Bill helped form the Guild was because of a lack of recognition for what we do. He always said we're part of the foundational creative team on the project, the first three or four people hired. Bill had a good way of cutting through BS and getting down to what the real problems were and what the real solutions were." His work on the 2015 Netflix series Sense8 encompassed locations in eight countries in the course of its first season. Past credits include collaborations with prominent directors like Terry Gilliam on The Fisher King, Mel Brooks on Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer on Cloud Atlas, Robert Redford on The Horse Whisperer, Michael Mann on The Insider and Paul Verhoeven on Starship Troopers, Hollow Man and Showgirls. Bowling created unique and innovative opportunities by parlaying an already stellar career as a location scout and manager into a uniquely self-styled profession in international production. With his passion for travel leading the way, Bill Bowling continues to innovate and expand the world of location professionals through outreach and mentorship. For his vast and indelible contributions to advancing the art of location scouting and management worldwide, and for his exceptional commitment to elevating the role of location professionals, the LMGI is proud to honor Bill Bowling with the 2024 LMGI Trailblazer Award.