NEW PRO MEMBERS
LM Lisa Scope (Australia), LM Jeff Crider (Chicago), LM Robert Mehrle (Czech Republic), LM Klaus Kemola (Finland), KALM Julieta Rey del Castillo (Georgia), LM Kayla Gueho (Georgia), LM Michael Slack (Georgia), Scout Slean Peavy (Georgia), LM Piernicola Pinnola (Italy), KALM Christian Fechser (California), LM Daniel Milner (California), KALM Emre Sonmez (California), KALM George Alvarezzo (California), Romeo Santiago (California), LM/scout Brandon Barter (California), ALM Lisa Knight (Montreal), LM Robert Kristoffersen (Nebraska), LM Evan Eastham (New Orleans), LM John Adkins (Pittsburgh, PA), LM Fran Martinez (Spain), ALM Laurance Wiese (Toronto), ALM Navjot Bains (Toronto), ALM John Hall (Vancouver), LM Trevor Metz (Vancouver), LM John Alexander (Vancouver)

NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
LM Daniel Bowman (Georgia), LM/scout Kristian Day (Iowa), LM David Goldthorpe (New Zealand), Unit Manager Zuhair Soudi (Toronto)

NEW APPRENTICE MEMBERS
ALM Lexi Sisk (California), ALM Roberts Jones (Los Angeles), ALM Laura Walker (Toronto)

DEDICATED BUSINESS PARTNERS
Film France, Kaiser Electric, Beloit Film Fest / Beloit Film Services

PANDA FILMS

Panda Films is a full-service, Istanbul-based production company that primarily produces television commercials. They also produce feature films, television shows, documentaries and develop content for online platforms. Panda Films began when four friends, with a combined sixty years of production experience on all levels, decided to open their own shop and become partners. Their motto falls in line with what they believe: ‘hands-on creative production with emphasis on CRAFT’.

“Our Panda Films team loves the “unexpectedness” of film production,” says Panda producer/partner, Chad Öztürk. “One day you could be sitting in the office, and next scouting unique locations, flying in a hot air balloon, meeting celebrities, or indulging in a popular restaurant in a new town. You never know what the day will bring.”

Panda operates in a family environment and their opportunities in film are limitless. COVID brought forth many changes, and at the beginning of the Pandemic, they faced the challenge of job cancellations, new health & safety protocols, and industry-wide shifts. Thanks to the Panda Films’ hands-on methodologies and great relationships, they pulled through. When the industry opened up at the end of June, the company restarted with extreme precautions and has remained negative of COVID cases. Since then, they’ve been able to film quite regularly and continue with keeping their focus on being an excellent performer in the international panorama.

“Since the opening of our company, we’ve always had an international perspective and remaining present and active on international platforms is very important for us,” says Öztürk. “Being a business partner with the LMGI, whom I feel is THE organization for location managers around the world, is a perfect match for our business.”

Until then the pandemic ends, the Panda Films crew cannot wait to get back to their tradition of breaking bread with large groups of friends and employees at their favorite restaurants over dinner. When the time is right, they’d love to extend an invite to spend some amazing quality time together and build upon their family-like atmosphere because Panda Films’ next second love after a good production is good food!

Contact: Chad Öztürk Cell +905334139714 Email here

Learn more about Panda Films here

GREYSTONE COURT CASTLE

Greystone Court is a luxurious 13,500 square ft stone castle residence in Yonkers, New York with twenty-eight rooms of authentic period grandeur replicated to reflect 16th through 18th century European style.  The home has sweeping views of the Hudson River and European castle-inspired details such as hand-carved wooden paneling and coffered ceilings. This stately home is full of architectural wonders such as a conservatory, a lushly upholstered “Turkish Room” library, a wine cellar, and formal dining room, decorated with hand-carved French Rococo panels and chandelier. It also has stained glass and lighting designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and John La Farge throughout the home.

In the late 1930’s, Greystone Court Castle was owned and occupied by the famed Ballet Russe choreographer Michel Fokine and his wife Vera Fokina, a major star ballerina. It was later used as headquarters for the Fokine Ballet. In more recent years, celebrities like Beyonce and Becky G have utilized the castle’s ballroom as a location for their music dance videos.  The current owner bought the castle in 2018 with a thriving film and photo shoot business, thanks to the previous owner, Kohle Yohannan, who spent years painstakingly re-constructing the home as an architectural expression of wealthy Americans’ admiration for the grand traditions of their European ancestry.

“Greystone Court Castle seeks to reach a sophisticated audience looking for a unique location that can create the perfect atmosphere for an amazing story. This is why we are proud LMGI business partners,” says Margaret Boyce, Business Manager. “We love meeting and working with creative people from all facets of the entertainment, advertising, music and film industries and are inspired by watching their vision come to life. We feel fortunate that Greystone Court Castle can assist in making their vision a reality.”

Greystone Court Castle is currently receiving business inquiries and looks forward to safely re-opening post pandemic.  Learn more about Greystone Court Castle here

Virtual FamTour FilmWarsaw – Poland

On Dec. 1, 2020, during a special edition of the Location Managers Guild International virtual series Coffee Tuesdays, LMGI enjoyed a Virtual Familiarization Tour (FamTour) of Poland with the aid of host, FilmWarsaw, the Warsaw Film Commission, the Polish Producers Alliance (KIPA), and Postnovation post-production.

Poland, a country in alliance with the European Union, offers a 30% cash rebate film incentive program. It also boasts a world-renowned pre-production, production, and post-production offerings and has experienced film crews onsite. Moderated by Jennifer “JJ” Levine/LMGI, Dodd Vickers/LMGI and Dana Pohl/Head of Projects at Polish Producers Alliance, we “Fell In Love with Warsaw” and explored a few regions represented by their seven film commissions.

LMGI members virtually trekked through Lomé: the City of Thousand Contrasts and Poland’s Łódź Region, a popular region for filmmaking. Poland’s vast locations range from historic castles, palaces, industrial factories, sacred spaces, modern contemporary buildings, greenland and unique alternative spaces. Whether it is their mountains, two-thousand lakes, their salt mines, landmarks like Białowieża, Europe’s Oldest Primeval Forest, the Palace of Culture and Science, or Riese’s seven underground structures located in the Owl Mountains and Książ Castle in Lower Silesia, LMGI member Todd Christensen can testify, “The assortment and variety of locations are extraordinary!”

To watch this virtual tour or to download the Post Production and Location Guides, click here

FOCUS: The Meeting Place for International Production

On December 16, 2020, the LMGI shared the virtual stage with global content makers, film commissions, production services and locations providers in film, TV, advertising, animation during the sixth edition of FOCUS, a highly anticipated, United Kingdom-based trade event and meeting place for international production. LMGI’s Executive Committee members Mike Fantasia, John Rakich, Ken Haber and LMGI member Markus Bensch presented the panel “Future-Proofing the Screen Industries” to discuss current Location Management conditions.  During the 3-day conference our Executive Committee members were also part of speed meet with location managers, scouts, and film commissions from across the globe.

On January 12, 2021, Coffee Tuesdays “Pitfalls, Pratfalls and Successes on Set” took a deep dive into film productions during the COVID Pandemic and what is and isn’t working.

An esteemed panel including location managers Georgette Turner /LMGI Board / Safety Director and Byll Williams /LMGI / Commercials – CA – UK; COVID health and safety representatives Mario Ramirez / Reel Heath – NY/GA/CA, Chris Beal / COVID Officer on Station 19 – CA, Karen Sudtell / Health Safety Coordinator – CA, Robert Skidmore /COVID Supervisor – CA and Dr. David Pham from Rapid COVID Labs – CA, joined by Fred Gabrielli /Gala Catering – CA engaged in an enlightening discussion.

Moderated by JJ Levine /LMGI Board member, topics included testing, production protocols, hiring COVID supervisors with medical training, planning the flow and execution of pre-production and production, educating cast and crew effectively, and issuing well-fitting PPE.One of the key findings was the data appears to suggest most of the cast and crew who have tested positive for COVID-19 were related to the behaviors of the individuals away from the workplace.  Chris Beal, COVID Officer, believes we need to “Make sure we are all looking out for each other and that we set each other up for success.”

Many on the panel concluded success lands best in a multi-step approach and although each production is unique from a budgetary standpoint, consistent testing and emphasis on protocols can keep a production environment safe. “Testing really tells us that we are doing things right, stated Robert ‘Skid’ Skidmore, COVID Supervisor. “Generally, if you are following the protocols … your tests will stay low.”

LMGI Members can login to view this entire discussion as well as a dashboard of all past Coffee Tuesdays events here

For other questions or to propose topics for future calls, please Contact the Coffee Tuesdays team here

IN FOCUS: Africa
A Conversation with Filmmaking Communities in Equatorial Africa

On January 20, 2021, the LMGI hosted “In Focus: Africa,” a Special ZOOM Event intent on raising awareness about production and filmmaking in Africa. The moderators were Miguel Tapia /LMGI, a CA-based Location Manager and Co-Chair of the LMGI DEI Committee, and Oliver Kester, a UK-based 1st. AD and Producer.

The discussion brought film industry panelists together from several emerging locations in Africa including Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Benin, Togo, and Senegal. This gathering of representatives from African countries created a rare opportunity to listen and discuss the growth and development of the film industry in their respective nations.

Watch the panel discussion, here

Black History Month Facts – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

During the month of February 2021, the LMGI: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee created a social media campaign to acknowledge Black History Month. Black History Month, an annual observance in February, originated in the United States and more recently observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, celebrates the influence and contributions of people of the African diaspora. DEI’s efforts encourage viewers to learn more about the trailblazers and innovators in film, television, and commercials that put their stamp on the entertainment industry. #LMGI #BlackHistoryMonth

To inquire about the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, click here.

LMGI Board Member & 1st Vice President, JJ Levine, is this issue’s #LMGIspotlight! She created the San Julian Street Fund out of the kindness of her heart after filming in downtown Los Angeles and observing the conditions of the people living on the street. Visit its donation page here.

As an LMGI Member and colleague, we encourage you to follow and actively engage with our Social Media accounts. Tag us on your posts, share stories and industry news, then encourage other to join us too! Follow us today!

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