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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"We crisscrossed the island, moving from one extraordinary location to the next, all the while keeping up a constant stream of conversation about how this little village and curvy mountain road would be great for a Bond-style car chase, or that historic castle would be perfect for a period television series," said LM Jennifer Lyne. Guided by Palma Pictures Head of Locations/SLM Eduardo Rodrigalvarez/LMGI and location assistant Jaime Cibrian, Fam Tour attendees visited more than 30 locations, including Port de Soller Coast and the stunning cove of Sa Calobra and Torrent de Pareis, by boat. "It was fascinating to see the coast and the geology of the cliffs from the water, and swimming in the Balearic Sea was one of the highlights of the trip," noted Doug Dresser. This was Dresser's first trip to Mallorca, as it was for most of the scouts and managers, and he was impressed by the island's robust infrastructure to support film and television projects. The group also scouted a number of exceptional private residences and estates, such as the limestone manse of Son Vich de Superma, with its vineyards and romantic gardens, as well as the villas of La Fortaleza and Sa Torre Cega. La Fortaleza, perched above the Bay of Pollensa, boasts a rich history—it was built in the 1600s as a fort to defend against pirates, converted into a residence in the 1920s, used by the air force during the Spanish Civil War, and restored to a private residence in the late 1930s. It was a principal location for the BBC's popular series The Night Manager and considered one of Spain's most expensive homes, akin to a small village with its many structures. A special treat awaited the team here— midafternoon cinnamon rolls acclaimed by the group as the best on the planet. Sa Torre Cega, which also boasts military origins, is widely known for its strikingly landscaped gardens. The property features two swimming pools, an impressive array of sculptures and an interior marked by whimsical trompe l'oeil murals. Smaller but equally notable was the cozy and secluded beachfront cottage in Cala Agulla, featured in the 2014 Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond miniseries detailing the military career of James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Each location visit provided a unique experience, from encountering wild goats and throngs of bicyclists on the scenic winding mountain highways leading to the Formentor Lighthouse, to walking through small, historic villages like Fornalutx (often referred to as the 'prettiest village in Spain'), Santanyi and Valldemossa, home to famous writers and artists such as the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges. Mallorca encompasses 1,405 square miles (640 square kilometers), so water was never far away, whether at Gorg Blau or Cuber Lake, or the sailboat- and yacht- filled basins of Port Soller, Portocolom and Alcudia, or the beaches of Torrent de Pareis, Playa de Muro or S'Arenal Son Serra de Marina. The Port of Soller enthralled everyone with its picturesque, sophisticated waterfront walkway and beachfront restaurants. William Doyle called it "beautiful and compact," and admired the "quaintness of the street car that drove along the waterfront." Doyle was also impressed with the classic Spanish- Mediterranean architecture, the plaza and the great layout of the town of Santanyi. JJ Levine/LMGI, Mallorca