Location Managers Guild of America

In October, seven location scouts toured the Sarasota, Florida area as part of the first FAM Tour for Hollywood Location   Professionals hosted by the Sarasota Film Office and the Economic Development Corporation.  Attending were LMGA   members Kathy McCurdy (Transformers, Star Trek), Ilt Jones (Transformers, Hancock), JJ Hook (Mission Impossible III, Harry   Potter,), Nancy Haecker (Into the Wild, House), Liz Matthews (Iron Man, Galaxy Quest), Michelle Latham (Star Trek, National   Treasure), Doug Dresser (Kill Bill, The Kite Runner).

Highlights included a swamp tour (alligators were a bonus), fanciful Moorish castles, crystalline sandy white beaches, mineral springs, and fantastic waterways.  What we didn't know, and were thrilled to discover, is an enclave of mid-century modern homes. Modes of transportation were as varied as the Floridian locales: bus, boat, air, and even Segways!

We all left with the distinct sense that shooting in
Sarasota County would be a very positive experience logistically, and that the area has a wealth of visually interesting locations.