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
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535985
58 • LMGI COMPASS | Winter 2025 he got there, he found an open U-Haul and a few tables where displaced residents were gathered, while the public was randomly dropping off donations in a parking lot. JPL: Everyone was trying their best to do what they could. Once I saw what was happening with minimal leadership and coordination, I knew this group needed support and help with logistical management, to say the least. I called my union to ask, "Is there an action team in place? Do we have a program happening to help folks in need?" I asked for their Teamster blessing to help this grassroots cause and to speak on behalf of the Location Managers Union. They said, "Do what you can and let us know how to support it." We immediately found a short-term location for this group through Monty's Steakhouse owner, Mike Levine. I was wearing production and union ID tags as we pitched our cause to Mike, and he said, "You guys are Teamsters? Tell me what you need!" Mike gave us his parking lot. In less than 24 hours, we had a major base camp up and running. We serviced the first responders and the displaced Topanga and Pacific Palisades residents. Once we got onto the Watch Duty App, word spread quickly! We had production trailers, road-closure signage, generators, lights, VIP bathrooms and shower trailers, handwashing stations, air scrubbers, Starlink Wi-Fi, storage containers, clothing, pop-ups and heaters. With the World Central Kitchen coordinating efforts with Southern California restaurants, we estimated 800 meals were dished out every day. We served 55 members of the volunteer community fire brigade with daily deliveries and trips into danger zones to resupply and support. Longtime LMGI business partner Tom Ybarra of Reel Waste Management was the Rock of Gibraltar during this process. Everyone was amazing. Not a single vendor asked, "What's the budget?" The answer was always, "Let us help you provide for the community. Just tell us what you need." J.P. LORELLO/LMGI – ALM (DAISY JONES AND THE SIX, THE AFTERPARTY, THE L WORD: GENERATION Q) JN: After three days of not knowing how to help and wanting to contribute, J.P. was driving in Woodland Hills when he heard on the radio that there was an ad-hoc relief effort underway in the parking lot behind a local Starbucks. When JANET HAROLD/LMGI – KALM (BOSCH, SHUT EYE, NIGHTCRAWLER) JN: Several location professionals got involved with the volunteer process that took over servicing organized charities around the city in response to the wildfire. KALM Janet Harold/LMGI helped with the Red Cross and also the impromptu IATSE/CDG Fire Relief Swap Meet. After giving fire victims first pick of clothing donated, the Costume Designers Guild opened the curated shopping experience to general union members and the public. JH: For me, it was an all-hands-on-deck moment. I felt like I had to do something, even if it was just handing out water. Everything else took a back seat. It was reported that between January 8 and January 10: 9,000 people joined the Red Cross. When residents were first allowed back into Pacific Palisades, Jill Naumann and I were assigned to the re-entry point. We worked hand in hand with first responders, and the California National Guard. We were the representatives of the Red Cross on the street, offering hazmat suits, PPE and comforts to residents who were still in shock. Sheriffs were also on patrol against vandals who, among other things, were scouring the ruins for historic tiles used to build the vintage fireplaces. What we witnessed was like nothing I had seen before. Since then, I have been taking many training courses, such as shelter organization, data entry and general emergency-based logistics, so wherever and whenever I can help in the future, I'll be ready. L-R: Topanga Reach Co-Founders Candice Belton, Ashley DeLuis, JP Lorello/LMGI L-R back row: Jill Naumann/LMGI Janet Harold/LMGI