August 2020 Newsletter
Message from LMGI President Mike Fantasia
2020 VISION: WE SEE IT FIRST / LMGI AWARDS GO DIGITAL
Spike Lee
Save the date: Saturday, October 24, 2020, 2pm PST for the first ever digitally streamed LMGI Awards. Our international nominees are stellar: https://locationmanagers.org/7th-annual-awards-nominees/
Trailblazer Spike Lee joins LMGI Honorees Gary Sinise (Humanitarian), Director Christopher McQuarrie (the Eva Monley Award), and veteran Location Manager Veronique Vowell (Lifetime Achievement). Isaiah Mustafa hosts a line up of celebrity presenters.
We are excited about the possibilities this new Covid-safe format presents. We anticipate a much larger audience than ever before, offering a more significant platform for recognition of our craft. For the first time this year, we are planning a number of celebratory events leading up to the awards presentation, including a Join the Nominees Zoom Brunch and a Nominee Q & A.
Streaming our 2020 LMGI Awards brings us into a brave new world. We need your help getting sponsors on board. In addition to top sponsor advertising in the show, the pre-show allows for still-photo ads or even virtual mini fam tours. Additional promotional options include this year’s commemorative program, mailed to all LMGI members, nominees and sponsors. A digital version will be sent to everyone who registers to see the show, and hosted on the LMGI website.
Register for viewing reminders here:
Please share the various sponsorship options with your vendors and film commission colleagues: https://ingledoddmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/LMGI-Awards-Sponsorship-MK-2020.pdf
Don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions, or ideas for celebrity presenters or potential sponsors. We are socially distanced but reachable at: Awards@LocationManagers.org.
LMGI Awards Press:
Variety
Yahoo!Entertainment
Deadline
Daily Nomad
TOWN HALL + DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE
On June 30th, 2020, the LMGI hosted A Virtual Town Hall Discussion on the Complexity of Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Film Industry. The event brought together Location Managers, Producers and DEI champions to engage in conversation around discrimination in the workplace.
The event was moderated by LMGI Board Member and Location Manager Alison Taylor. Special guest, Clinical Psychologist and Professor at Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Cheryl A. Grills, presented an oral history of systemic racism and its role in workplace discrimination. The discussion highlights many of the issues facing people of color navigating the workplace.
The Town Hall affirmed the LMGI’s commitment to promoting equal access and fair treatment within our community. For this reason, the LMGI has established the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, co-chaired by members Veronique Vowell and Miguel Tapia. This Committee is dedicated to embracing change as it pursues a workplace where all of our members feel welcome and accepted.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. We need not wait to see what others do.”
We encourage all of our members to view the digital Town Hall recording, available for public viewing on the LMGI’s YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/ICC7ZwZSuCg
Join the DEI Committee by emailing: Diversityedu@LocationManagers.org. Everyone is welcome.
DEI Town Hall Press:
COFFEE TUESDAYS
Coffee Tuesdays started as a spontaneous way to connect and share our concerns during COVID and has quickly evolved into a robust brew of “coffee klatch meets edutainment.”
LMGI members and Business Partners from all over the world are getting to know each other, hanging out and talking about everything from staying sane while staying safer at home, to behind-the-scenes looks at hit shows and location feats, to 360° cameras and tips and tricks on scouting from the ground and in the air.
Past Zoom calls featured Scouts and Managers from shows such as The Mandalorian, Chernobyl, Perry Mason, Narcos, Westworld and Top Gun: Maverick, and can be viewed by logging in to your newly formatted member profile at locationmanagers.org.
Upcoming calls will cover such topics as Lightroom and other photography workflow tools, sustainability during COVID, iPhone apps, international scouting, Mentor Days and much more.
We welcome Location Pros and Business Members in every country to take advantage of this great networking platform! Join either call – or both calls – every Tuesday via Zoom at 10 a.m. EDT (9am CDT, 7am PDT, 3pm GMT + 1) and 10am PDT (1pm EDT, 12pm CDT, 6pm GMT +1).
Look for your Coffee Tuesdays invitations and reminders each week in your email inbox and on LMGI’s social media pages. We also invite you to volunteer or suggest a topic for Coffee Tuesdays at Coffeetuesdays@locationmanagers.org.
LOCATIONS ON TWO WITH DODD VICKERS
When filming on location, we rely on walkie talkie communication. As we know, the crew predominantly lives on channel one. The nitty gritty lowdown goes to channel two for all the details.
LMGI Location Manager and scout Dodd Vickers hosts the Locations on Two podcast, featuring lively conversation and stories from LMGI members behind the scenes of some of our favorite movies and television shows.
Previous podcasts have featured LMGI President Mike Fantasia, former LMGI Presidents Nancy Haecker and Lori Balton, and other LMGI members including John Panzarella, John Rakich, Emma Pill, James Lin, Ilt Jones, Doug Dresser, Leann Emmert, Mandi Dillin, Tom Howard, Alison A. Taylor and Kokayi Ampah.
Join Dodd and his guests on the back channel where the real work gets done: “Locations on Two.” Tune in at locationsontwo.com, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
BUSINESS PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:
THE LOCATION PORTAL
The Location Portal sets the standard in connecting premier properties to the film industry, providing a full-service approach for their property and production clients – from marketing to initial location search to scouting to contract negotiation to production oversight and close out.
Chris Catalfamo and Heather Ross met in 1997 when she was managing a Downtown Los Angeles high rise. Chris was working for another location services company and Heather was his client. Ready to make a change from working in the corporate world, Heather started The Location Portal in 2007 with a few dozen commercial office buildings in her modest portfolio. She and Chris met for breakfast a while later to catch up and ended up partnering. They now have over 300 properties in their library are expanding to other cities such as Albuquerque and New York.
Chris Calfamo and Heather Ross
Heather studied film in college and loves the energy of the industry. Chris loves being his own boss and meeting the challenges each day brings. They both appreciate the others’ strengths and believe the secret to their success is that very appreciation.
Heather’s passions include running, playing cello and chairing the Los Angeles Hope for Firefighters charity event each year. Chris is a photographer at heart and also loves camping and cooking in the outdoors.
Chris and Heather joined the LMGA in 2010. Heather spent several years as a Board member and has continued volunteering with the organization, focusing on marketing. Chris and Heather are proud to see how far the Guild has come in the past decade and look forward to seeing what the future holds.
COMIC-CON 2020:
LOCATION SCOUTS PANEL
More than a thousand participants attended the 8th annual LMGI Hollywood Location Scouts Comic-Con panel, held virtually on Friday, July 24, 2020. LMGI’s John Rakich moderated the discussion with LMGI members Jen Farris, Jeff Hunter, James Lin, Emma Pill and Asha Sharma, highlighting popular TV shows and features, and the logistical and creative aspects and emotions surrounding the scouting process.
Watch the Comic-Con Hollywood Location Scouts panel discussion on the LMGI YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/2DHPaCyI_gs.
While you’re at it, explore our other videos!
Asha Sharma (Guardians of the Galaxy, Ready Player One).
Bottom row: Jeff Hunter (Star Trek: Picard, The Last Ship) and Emma Pill (Blade Runner 2049, 1917).
Not Shown: James Lin (Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Endgame)
Comic-Con Press: Comic’s Beat
ATLANTA FILM MONITORS PROGRAM
The Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, which issues all filming permits within the Atlanta city limits, recently approached the LMGI to collaborate and create a training course for film monitors. With the steady increase of filming in Atlanta, the permit office realized the need for a liaison to be on set in some of the more sensitive and frequently filmed neighborhoods and business districts around town.
The hoped-for outcome of this course will be a well-trained team of film permit monitors to help increase trust, communication and efficiency of process between the community, the production companies and the permit office. The idea is similar to the monitor program run by Film LA in California. This will be the first program of its kind in the Southeast.
Within the newly formed LMGI Education Committee, the Atlanta Subcommittee, chaired by Andrea Keener was created to work on projects specific to Georgia and Atlanta. The Subcommittee and the staff of the AMOFE meets every week on Zoom, strategizing the best recruitment tools and curriculum to train a new workforce for the Atlanta film community.
Cardellia Hunter and LeShaun Cook from AMOFE have worked with members of the Subcommittee for many years on projects for the big and small screens, developing the relationships that are making this collaboration work well. With the goal of recruiting new members into the workforce, educating them, and having the best people possible working for the city, productions, neighbors and business owners, this endeavor will continue to elevate the role and value of production in the City of Atlanta.
AUGUSTA AND COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA FAM TOUR
The Augusta and Columbia County, Georgia Fam Tour made it in just under the wire the weekend before the world began the pandemic shutdown in March.
The two-day event showcased the region’s diverse film friendly locations, including a university campus, minor league baseball stadium, historic airplane hangar, courthouse, a decommissioned jail, closed-circuit roadway/track, a luxury golf community, country roads and scenic rivers.
LMGI Location Manager Russ Gladden, working with Jennifer Bowen, Robbie Bennett and their teams at Film Augusta and Film Columbia County were responsible for making it happen. Russ met with local businesses and each county’s Board of Commissioners to get sponsorship. Having never been on a Fam Tour, Russ took every precaution to make the Augusta tour a success. He attended the 2019 Bibb County/Macon Georgia Fam Tour and got some tips from Film Commissioner, Aaron Buzza. He also spoke with LMGI Board member Jen Farris about her successful fam tour of Fulton County, Georgia the previous year.
Russ said the film offices were great to work with and they’d like to host another fam tour in the near future, possibly reaching out to international scouts.
Augusta and Columbia Co. Fam Tour Press:
WRDW
WJBF
CSRA News
The Augusta Chronicle
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS: Exploring Sony Cameras With The LMGI
In development for Fourth Quarter 2020: Los Angeles LMGI members will get hands-on experience with Sony cameras and lenses at an in-person, live event designed by the LMGI. Exclusively for LMGI members, Sony will provide expert support personnel who will work with us as we learn to use these lightweight and mirrorless cameras. Date TBD. Watch your emails and follow the LMGI on social media for more information.
Volunteer opportunities:
Video Shooters and Editors, Sony camera users wanted. Email Volunteers@LocationManagers.org.
What kind of camera do you use?
Please let us know in this survey:
LMGI PARTNERS WITH NEW PUBLIC RELATIONS MARKETING FIRM
The LMGI has partnered with Weissman/Markovitz Communications to provide public relations and marketing services to build and enhance our brand in the global film industry and the communities where we work. They have worked with IngleDodd Media and the LMGI for five years on the LMGI Awards, and have hit the ground running. WMC will be supporting our newsletters, social media, marketing and editorial relations with leading industry outlets.
We’re confident this will be a successful collaboration, based on the company’s track record with the Art Directors Guild for over 15 years, the International Cinematographers Guild for eight years, and the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild for six. In addition, the firm has a well established practice in film and television awards campaigns, having advised such clients as Paramount, Neon, Amazon, FX, HULU and many others. This past Oscar season, they were part of the awards team for Parasite.
The firm also advises film festivals including the Asian World Film Festival and the Burbank International Film Festival, which could provide additional synergy for LMGI involvement.
COMPASS MAGAZINE UPDATE
Our Summer issue recently arrived in your mailbox with an in depth look at The Secret Garden and 13 Reasons Why, as well as our foray into education. A PDF is available as needed to supplement grant/sponsorship requests.
We are toiling away on the Fall issue and are very excited to announce digital copies of Compass will be going out to an extensive media list and all film commissions. Help us spread the word! If you know any potential sponsors who should be on this list, please let us know.
This new digital distribution maximizes our message. The enhanced platform widely increases the benefits of membership, since the Compass credo is to spotlight members only. Your stories and accomplishments will now travel farther.
COVID UPDATE: COVID-19 TELEHEALTH BENEFITS
We’re in this together. Around the world, many of us have been directly affected by COVID-19, as well as the domino effects caused by its impact on our normalcy, our home lives and our production experience.
The LMGI wants to make sure you are aware of various programs for financial assistance, as well as news and information that can aid you in maintaining your mental health and physical well-being. For example, many health insurers are offering confidential therapy sessions via Telehealth at no cost through September 30, 2020.
Visit “We’re In This Together: Production And Covid 19” on the LMGI website for more resources.
We also encourage you to share other resources so we can keep our health updates current. Email admin@LocationManagers.org
WELCOME NEW LMGI MEMBERS!
Hello and welcome! Thank you for becoming a part of an expanding network of diverse colleagues. We invite you to update your own profile on the LMGI website by clicking here.
Browse the site to see all we offer and choose how to get involved. Consider joining a Committee or volunteering. Get to know your fellow LMGI Location Professionals around the world on our Coffee Tuesdays Zoom calls.
We look forward to working and playing with you!
New LMGI Members: Dan Eason, Ian Easterbrook, Keith Lewis, Kellie Morrison, Tadyoshi Chae, David Pieper, Ellen Catsikeas, Erick Majano, Jake Cassel, Justin Barnes, Mario Wittmann, Matthew Mehl, Mike Bergemann, Patrick O’Hala, Paul Hamill, Stuart Berberich, Imre Legman, Caleb Duffy, Leila Nurse, Matt DeLoach, Fernanda Reuel Velez, Karen Tusa, Aaron Hurvitz, Andrew Galbraith, Arthur Gonzales, Hal Mattes, Guiseppe Nardi, Jenni Ivers, Nicola de Terlizi, Lyall Gardiner, Christopher Mattox, Colin Cash, Guy Bishop, Jack Holloway, Marshall Delaney, Andrew Henstock, Joe Mennella, James Player, John Hixson, Liliana Kondracki, Marion De Vries, Mitchell Jarrett, Patrick Horvath, Paul Franklin, Peter Costelli, Renee Brock, Rob Gregory, Robert Wagstaff, Jeff Morris, Tonya Hartz
New LMGI Business Partners: Accor Hotel Group, Belize Film Commission, BioOne, Blue Moon Cleaning and Restoration, Central City Stages 1, Clean Start, Decon7, Film Set Locations
Not a member yet? Want to refer a colleague?
Click here to see all the benefits membership brings, or click here to join the LMGI today.
GET INVOLVED WITH THE LMGI
The LMGI is a product of your design. Your participation, energy and ideas enable us to broaden our reach and influence as a creative, dynamic force in the entertainment industry. As an LMGI volunteer, you can work shoulder to shoulder with some of the top Location Professionals in the world to shape a healthy future for our craft and for those who will follow in your footsteps. Become a part of the bigger picture. Get involved today.
- Join an LMGI Committee. There are plenty of ways to apply your unique skills and we welcome your participation and expertise on any of our Committees, including: Coffee Tuesdays, Comic-Con, Education, Marketing and PR / Communications, Membership, Region/International, Website or the newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Join a Committee by emailing them here: https://locationmanagers.org/lmgi-committees/
- Propose your own ideas for special projects and events that would promote and support your local locations community. Email us at: volunteers@LocationManagers.org
- Write for the LMGI website or pitch your story ideas to the LMGI Compass magazine. Email Website@LocationManagers.org or Compass@LocationManagers.org.
- Share your work, your play, your city, your passion. Send your events, stories and videos to the LMGI Newsletter. Email Newsletter@LocationManagers.org.
- Share your art. Submit your favorite scouting photos, quirky/fun or fabulous, for the LMGI Newsletter or Compass magazine, or your photography collections for the LMGI website Member Galleries. Email Photos@LocationManagers.org.
- Join Coffee Tuesdays on Zoom, and once we can start meeting up in person again, come out and attend LMGI events and parties.
- Follow us on social media. Join our Facebook private members group. Like and follow us on our public Facebook profile, and hashtag us on Instagram.
- Run for a seat on the LMGI Board and become a part of the Executive Committee that guides the guild.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We encourage you to follow and actively engage with our Social Media accounts. Tell us your stories, share and comment on our events and activities, and encourage your colleagues – Location Professionals, Businesses and Industry Members – to join us at the LMGI.
LMGI NEWSLETTER TEAM
Editor:
Kristin Dewey
Co-Editors:
Jen Farris
Lexington Graham
Erika Howard
JJ Levine
Edward Mazurek
Do you have photos or stories of interest to LMGI members
and other industry professionals?
Click here to reach our LMGI Newsletter Team.
