Location Managers Guild of America

In October 2009, Patricio Parraguez of Chile’s trade commission, ProChile invited Peter Orth and Robin Citrin from the LMGA, along with Orange County Film Commissioner and AFCI board member Janice Arrington and Hollywood Reporter location columnist Borys Kit on a Fam Tour of Chile.

Patricio Parraguez, our host, guide, and leader.

A map of Chile transposed on the U.S. West Coast stretches in latitude from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to the Alaska Panhandle. This 2500 mile long narrow strip encompasses high desert, endless coastline, continental ice caps, high alpine peaks, lush forests and Mediterranean zones. A match for nearly any climate can be found somewhere in Chile. A dynamic economy, robust copper prices and aggressive trade-oriented policies have made Chile one of the more prosperous countries in Latin America.

Atacama's Valley of the Moon
the Road to San Pedro	San Pedro de Atacama

After our initial arrival in Santiago, a three-hour plane ride to the north took us to the spectacular Atacama Desert. This region features prominently in

the latest James Bond film. It is also frequently used for European and Latin American commercials. This otherworldly high desert basin, between the coastal range and the Andes, has very dramatic geology, and if you ask how often it rains, the standard reply is “Never”. We walked the 1000 year-old streets of San Pedro de Atacama, visited some desert viewpoints and watched as ant-like sandboarders descending the distant dunes of the Valle de la Muerte. We discussed the “cosmovisiòn” of the indigenous Atacameña people, who saw imagery in the night sky not in terms of constellations, but in terms of dark patches between the innumerable stars. In the port City of Antofagasta we met with the Mayor, and local filmmakers and producers.

Valparaìso

Our next stop was Valparaiso. On the central coast near Santiago. "Valpo" combines a ramshackle seaport aesthetic with the international architecture and population of a city that was an obligatory stop for ships before the Panama Canal opened in 1915. We walked the streets, rode one of the 15 antique funicular railways, met with the Intendente (regional governor) and admired the omnipresent view of the semicircular harbor. The town, much of it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a unique look, with steep narrow streets and colorful buildings that make for a compelling backdrop.

Viña del Mar

We also visited Valparaiso’s neighbor to the north, chic beach town Viña Del Mar. The vibe in “Viña” is like the French Riviera; resort apartments line the sandy beach while the center of town includes fancy boutiques and the historic gardens and palaces of a gilded age.

Back in Santiago, we participated in a seminar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that brought us together with local production and government people. Robin and I explained what we do, how we do it, and how Chile can fit in. We also talked about the LMGA, our history as an organization, our mission, and our current activities.

Santiago

Santiago is a dense and smoggy city flanked by huge mountains. The busy streets can convincingly look like a European city, or a Modern or Colonial environment.

Colchagua Valley

The Colchagua Valley was next. It is one of Chile’s premier wine-producing and agricultural areas, south of Santiago. Chile’s farms may be of particular interest for filming, as the abundant fruit, grapes and grains grow in the inverse seasons of the Southern Hemisphere.

Punta Arenas with a moored Antarctic Icebreaker	The remains of the Lord Lonsdale

Our final stop was Punta Arenas, the southernmost city on the continent. The port town's position on the Strait of Magellan made it a bustling port pre-Panama Canal, and it currently serves as the gateway to both Antarctica and Patagonia. We saw only a sliver of territory, but the dramatic landscapes of the region are beyond impressive, and they represent some of the most spectacular wilderness on earth, much of it easily accesible by sea.

Strait of Magellan

Across the Strait of Magellan lie Tierra Del Fuego, and Dawson Island, where Chile’s 2010 foreign language Oscar bid “Dawson: Isla 10” was shot and where the actual story of political detention under Pinochet took place. Chile’s domestic film industry has been picking up momentum, and is currently up to about 20 features per year. Notable for 2009 are Oscar contender Dawson: Isla 10, and The Maid.

We had an unforgettable trip. We were impressed by Chile's natural beauty, the pro-business culture, the modern infrastructure, the tang of the pisco sours, and above all the hearty welcome that we received.

Throughout Chile, the officials that we met with were ready to do everything in their power to facilitate production in their jurisdictions, and seemed to understand the economic and promotional potential of filming.

Thanks to Patricio for doing an excellent job shepherding us around, and thanks also to all of the other people who helped us discover their regions, and to the local authorities and production community who made us feel so very welcome.

Some local faces
Peter and Borys touring Santiago with local scouts	Our Atacama driver Eduardo specialized in these trick shots.
Lunch in Valpo	Peter, Janice, Robin, Strait of Magellan