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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16 • LMGI COMPASS | Summer 2025 SCAD: Class Is in Session In April of this year, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) hosted a masterclass on location management, given by LMGI members Ryan Schaetzle and Mac Gordon. The class was well attended by SCAD students, who are majoring in either directing, producing or production design. SLMs Gordon and Schaetzle tailored the course to be useful for people who are NOT going to be location professionals, but who will need to understand the importance and contributions of location scouts and managers to production. The range of topics was wide and the questions showed the SCAD students have a good grasp of the industry. Budgets, scouting, scheduling, listening to the advice of LMs on "impractical" locations and much more was discussed. The day included a trip out to a practical location for an impromptu tech scout after the students were first given a specific scene to think about. This technique of allowing students to grasp all that location managers and their departments do, never fails to surprise the students. This is the fourth class given by Schaetzle and Gordon for SCAD at their impressive Savannah campus facility. High-end studios and even a small backlot give the students a taste of what to expect in the industry. Bringing in speakers with real-world production experience gives the students another step forward. Alexsis Balalong, film and TV career advisor at SCAD, credits Schaetzle and Gordon for engaging the students and making the class fun. This is just one of Schaetzle and Gordon efforts to expand LMGI policy on education. "The efforts to reach young people who are going to be in the industry is vital," according to Gordon. "They need to go in with their eyes open and understand the highest standards of not just our craft but all the crafts. The future of the industry is at stake." Schaetzle is determined to reach as many people as possible here in Georgia. He has reached out to universities, the Georgia Film Academy and tech schools regarding potential masterclasses. Schaetzle notes: "As the LMGI mission states, we must share what it is we do, and why our work is critical to a successful professional workforce." "Mac and Ryan didn't just teach our students about location management—they shared their passion and real-world experiences in a way that truly connected with all of us. Their genuine enthusiasm, thoughtful guidance, impactful anecdotes and applicable techniques left a lasting impression, inspiring our students to see the film and television industry in a whole new light, even encouraging many of our students to consider numerous opportunities and pathways into the industry!" –Alexsis Balaoing/Career Adviser - Film & Acting, Dramatic Writing Career and Alumni Success Savannah College of Art and Design L-R: Ryan Schaetzle/LMGI & Mac Gordon/LMGI Ryan Schaetzle/LMGI & Mac Gordon/LMGI with SCAD students