Location Managers Make Academy Cut
Location professionals Markus Bensch (A Hidden Life, V for Vendetta), Todd Christensen (Sicario, Moneyball), Robert Foulkes (Ford v Ferrari, La La Land), Harriett Lawrence (Overlord, Suffragette), Janice Polley (Tenet, Heat, Man on Fire) and Michele St. Arnaud (Arrival, X-Men: Days of Future Past) have been accepted into the highly collaborative Designers Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, class of 2020.
“This is a powerful acknowledgment of the talent and creativity location professionals bring to the design team,” said Mike Fantasia, president of the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI). “This recognition of our craft by the Academy validates our contribution to filmmaking. It energizes our members and mirrors the mission of the LMGI.”
As the first Location Professional accepted into the Academy, former LMGI president and current board member Lori Balton is “over the moon” to be in such good company. She related. “In many films locations are artistically integral to the storyline and set tone, reveal character, and enhance the narrative, in addition to providing a backdrop for action.”
Balton added that it’s gratifying for location professionals “to be recognized as an essential member of the creative team.”
Another form of recognition is also forthcoming for location pros as the 7th annual LMGI Awards are slated to go digital, streaming to a worldwide audience. The 2020 Awards, which celebrates the theme “We See It First,” takes place on Saturday, October 24 at 2 pm PST. Balton said of the shift to online, “While the pandemic dictates our break with tradition, we are eager to enter this brave new world. This new format opens a new arena of possibilities for the global entertainment community to experience the awards.”
Film Biz Scores High Marks In New Mexico
New Mexico residents have a very favorable opinion of the film and motion picture industry according to the 2020 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS). Among the 17 industries surveyed, the film and motion picture industry is the third most favorable in the state, tied with New Mexico community colleges. The scientific survey among New Mexico residents was conducted in late January 2020.
Small business (79%) and the farm/ranch industry (77%) are the most favorable industries in New Mexico.
“Breaking Bad, No Country for Old Men and The Avengers are all productions that feature New Mexico in their credits and is one reason why the industry has such a favorable opinion among New Mexicans,” said Tom Garrity, president and CEO of The Garrity Group Public Relations. “According to NMFilm.com the industry has generated in excess of $1.4 billion into the New Mexico economy since 2015. In addition to economic impact, it provides a sense of pride when we see the state’s unique landscape featured on the big screen.”
“It is not a mythical industry that happens somewhere else, it actually happens here on our streets, in our homes and employing our own local businesses in our state,” said Amber Dodson, who earlier this year became director of the New Mexico Film Office.
Dodson noted that residents and business owners who have worked with the film industry realize its value to the economy. With that appreciation comes a cooperative attitude at a grass-roots level in New Mexico. “So many jobs are produced by the industry,” related Dodson. “Take for example, a feature film filmed here last year, Netflix’s Army of the Dead. They did most of the photography and production in Albuquerque and employed 501 New Mexico crew members; these are high paying jobs, lifelong careers as well as 2,000 background actors. This is a film-friendly state because so many residents are employed or benefit from it.”
