Location Managers Guild of America

LOCATION GUILD TAKES THE STAGE AT CINE GEAR EXPO

Westwood, CA -- A distinguished panel of Location Professionals representing the Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA) took center stage Saturday, June 23, at the 2006Cine Gear Expo.  Cine Gear brings together a focused audience of industry professionals and exhibitors, who unveil new and groundbreaking equipment and services to the film community.  Cine Gear’s Premiere Seminars and Master Class Seminar Series are hosted by leaders in their respective fields. The LMGA’s Premiere Seminar was moderated by LMGA Board Chairman Orin Kennedy and featured a cross-section of veteran film, television and commercial scouts and managers, including Mike Fantasia, Veronique Vowell, Jim McCabe, Beth Tate, George Larson, Pamella D'Pella and Dave Berthiaume.  Photos from the Guild’s recent project, LAST LOOKS: The Ambassador Hotel played on multiple screens as the panelists tackled the questions of how to begin and sustain “A Career in Locations.”  A range of topics were discussed: how to enter the job market from an educational standpoint, how to secure on-the-job training and apprenticeships, the differences between the titles of location scout and location manager in terms of job descriptions and responsibilities, and each panelist offered a personal perspective on pros and cons within the profession.  While the Guild is accustomed to moderating and participating individually on panels, this was the Guild’s first all-member educational seminar.  Cine Gear’s Rob Fraser raved about the “great discussion,” while Orin Kennedy commented that he felt “proud to be amongst such articulate and knowledgeable peers.”  There was a brief Q & A following the panel but the time went by so quickly that some audience questions went unanswered.  No one complained for long, though, for such is the mark of a good discussion, to leave it wanting more.  

–Kayla Thames-Berge