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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LMGI COMPASS | Spring 2018 • 13 by Mick Ratman, LMGI, a delightful and industrious fellow who seems to know everyone and has been instrumental in helping us out over the years. He did an amazing job setting up the booth. When I arrived, Graeme Mackenzie, LMGI (Broadchurch) was there working the booth with Mick. We were joined by Emma Pill, LMGI (Blade Runner 2049), who was featured in the Fall 2017 edition of the LMGI Compass). The LMGI booth was popular, full of lively conversation. Time flew and unfortunately, I missed a speaking session by Harriet Lawrence, LMGI, a UK location manager who created a course on beginning in locations, a subject near and dear to my heart. Harriet stopped by the booth to say hello and explained that with so many new people coming in and so much work, she saw the need and decided to do something about it. The program is very popular and well attended. FOCUS also featured a fully functional English pub on the show floor, courtesy of Dresd, an organization dedicated to recycling set waste. Kitted out with traditional pub fixtures, The Dresd Inn hosted a Bringing the World Into FOCUS: The Location Guide's Expo This past December, I had the great fortune of mixing business with pleasure, and Christmas lights with LMGI obligations. While visiting my hometown of London, I had the opportunity to volunteer for the LMGI Booth at FOCUS 2017—the meeting place for international production. FOCUS brings together professionals from all sectors of the audiovisual industry. It is the brainchild of The Location Guide, a London- based online hub for filming on location. The Location Guide produces global events and is an unparalleled production resource. Working in tandem with the LMGI, our longstanding partnership is mutually beneficial. This was the third FOCUS; the LMGI has had a growing presence each year. The venue was at the British Design Centre, just a short walk from the Angel tube station. It's so easy to get around in London! The centre is a delightful space, well suited to this kind of event. The global production boom and seemingly endless need for content were the big talking points. With exhibitors from over 60 countries, the excitement in the air was palpable. Obviously, there was also a strong UK presence, including an abundance of LMGI location professionals. Our booth was spearheaded number of events, including an afternoon reception that the Guild co-hosted with The Production Guild. This was a lot of fun and yet an other opportunity to mix and mingle close-up and personal. I cannot say enough about this experience, I want to go back this year and volunteer again, now that I know what it's all about. To my UK colleagues, please forgive me if I didn't mention you by name, I just want to say I enjoyed meeting you all, and thank you for being part of the LMGI. Your support is key to our success. On another note, I would like to know more about how your hierarchy works. Perhaps a future Compass article? Until next time … Cheers! From left: Emma Pill, Graeme Mackenzie and Carole Segal. Photo by Clara Lee by Carole Segal Carole Segal and David O'Reilly. Photo by Mick Ratman/LMGI Mick Ratman, far right, with attendees. Photo courtesy of FOCUS Staff