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LMGI COMPASS
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Summer 2026
contemporary urban productions and projects requiring
extreme natural environments.
Many productions don't rely on a single city to tell a single
story. It's common for locations in Cali, Cartagena, Bogotá or
Medellín to coexist within the same project, blending together
as if they were part of a single narrative universe. This approach
allows for the construction of fictional cities, the representation
of different countries or the creation of dramatic contrasts
without leaving the national territory.
In recent years, the country has developed strong technical
teams, well-organized institutional systems and an increasingly
sophisticated understanding of the needs of international
productions
Stevie: WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN YOUR JOB?
DD:The challenges we face today in the Location Department
are largely a consequence of the industry's own growth.
Colombia has gone from being an emerging destination to an
industry hub. This positioning brings opportunities, but it also
demands structure, coordination and leadership.
Every shoot involves dialogue with authorities,
residents, businesses and different levels of
government. In cities like Bogotá, where there is
an organized and experienced film commission,
the processes have reached a remarkable
level of efficiency. However, when we work in
municipalities or areas less accustomed to
large-scale productions, the challenge changes:
We must build trust from the ground up, explain
methodologies, establish protocols, and ensure that the
interruption is understood as temporary and beneficial.
We location professionals become a strategic bridge between
the industry and the local community. We don't just manage
permits; we manage relationships. We don't just secure
locations; we ensure that those spaces can coexist with the
daily lives of those who inhabit them.
From a logistical standpoint, Colombia presents unique urban
characteristics that demand creativity and foresight. Many
areas feature historic layouts, narrow streets and infrastructure
not designed to accommodate large-scale technical
deployments. This necessitates redesigning workflows,
optimizing base camps, negotiating parking arrangements and
anticipating every movement with surgical precision.
Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES OR MOST MEMORABLE
FILMING EXPERIENCES?
DD: There are projects that define a career because of their
scale, and others that define it because they transform a
IN MY CITY: BOGOTÁ
Grand Hyatt Hotel