Who We Are
WHO WE ARE
Location Managers and Scouts are vital members of the design team for film, television, commercials, music videos and print advertising.
Our primary job is to find the settings that best represent the visual concept of the Producer, Director and Production Designer.
This is done through research, scouting and photography. The creative dimension of the location professionals’ work assumes an advanced level of visual and aesthetic sophistication. A blend of intuition and knowledge, especially regarding architectural design, helps us to determine which settings best advance and enhance story and character development.
In addition to our creative input, the Location Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of locations, including (but is certainly not limited to):
- Meet with those neighbors and merchants directly affected by prep, shoot, or wrap activities
- Negotiate the location fees, and contracts
- Coordinate legal issues with company attorneys
- Request filming permits, listing filming activities in detail
- Call in notification of special effects and extended hours. Notify neighbors and gather signatures as required
- Schedule police, fire safety officers and security personnel
- Coordinate with company safety department and supervise environmental clearance and studies in an expedited manner
- Design and implement traffic plans and street closures
- Work closely with Transportation Dept. to ensure that parking arrangements meet both production and neighborhood needs
- Prepare directional signage and maps
- Act as liaison between the public and the shooting crew
THE LMGA
The Location Managers Guild of America, founded in 2003, is a 501 (c) 6, non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion and interests of our members and our relations with the general public, communities and industry partners.
The LMGA is not a labor union. We do not represent Location Managers/Scouts in wage or working condition negotiations, leaving this responsibility to our unions, including Teamsters, Local 399 in Los Angeles and DGA in New York.
LMGA Board Members:
President: Dave Berthiaume
1st Vice President: Lori Balton
2nd Vice President: Stevie Nelson
Secretary: Kim Crabb
Treasurer: Carole Segal
Marylin Bitner - Bill Bowling - Robin Citrin - Karen Gilbert - Kent Matsuoka - Richard McMillan - Peter Orth - Kayla Thames-Berge - Veronique Vowell - Kristan Wagner
photos from top to bottom; Thom Anable, Alasdair Boyd, Peter Gluck, Stevie Nelson
thanks to Bill Bowling and Orin Kennedy for their contributions of the Location Manager Responsibilities