On August 23rd, the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) held its 12th annual awards gala at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica to celebrate the crucial yet often overlooked work of location managers in film and television. Actor and filmmaker Kevin Costner received the prestigious Eva Monley Award, recognizing his deep commitment to storytelling through the use of locations, especially those in the American West. This event highlights the importance of the location managers’ craft while honoring prominent figures who depend on their expertise.
Role and Challenges of Location Managers in Film and TV
Location managers handle a wide range of responsibilities that remain largely unknown to the general public. Their duties include scouting appropriate sites, securing permits, negotiating with property owners, and managing on-site issues such as parking and noise disruptions during filming. Crucially, they also ensure that locations are returned to their original state after production ends. The LMGI Awards aim to bring recognition to these efforts and the professionals behind them, whose work significantly influences the success of a project.
A Tribute to Industry Veteran Ilt Jones’s Career
The gala also honored Ilt Jones with the LMGI’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Although not a household name like Costner, Jones has earned an esteemed reputation through his 30-year career as a location manager. Originally from Wales, Jones has worked worldwide on major blockbusters, including The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Kong: Skull Island, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain Marvel, and the Transformers franchise.
Jones’s entry into the profession was unexpected. After moving to Los Angeles to run a messenger service, he was introduced to location scouting through a call from a friend at London Weekend Television who needed his photography skills to identify locations in L.A. that could stand in for global cities like Beirut, Geneva, and Tokyo. This led to his first role as a location manager on a 1993 episode of Crime Story directed by Paul Greengrass.
Recounting the Early Days of Learning on the Job
When offered the role, Jones recalls his initial inexperience with humor but quickly adapted. He stated,
“I said, ‘It may have escaped your attention, but I’ve never done it before,’”
and added,
“The first couple of days were a bit chaotic because I didn’t know what I didn’t know about — little minor details like maps, parking, catering spaces, crew parking and so on. But I soon picked it up and most of what I learned about location managing, which stood me in good stead for 30 years.”
Jones retired from the profession in 2023 after a distinguished career.
LMGI Awards Highlight Diverse Achievements in Filmmaking Locations
Hosted by actor and producer Rachael Harris, known for roles in Goosebumps and The Hangover, this year’s ceremony celebrated excellence in various categories. These included television and film location achievements for both contemporary and period pieces, as well as recognition for television anthologies, TV movies, limited series, commercials, and film commissions. The Humanitarian Award was presented to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, underscoring the event’s commitment to community and social contributions.
LMGI President Emphasizes the Importance of Self-Recognition
John Rakich, LMGI president, highlighted the need for the location management community to celebrate itself amidst a lack of outside recognition. Speaking from rural Morocco while on a shoot, he remarked,
“If you want recognition, you wait a long time for someone else to give it to you, so you might as well try to give it yourself,”
underscoring the passion and dedication of those in the profession.
Significance and Future of Location Management in Film and Television
The LMGI Awards not only honor individual achievements but also bring vital attention to the role of location managers within the entertainment industry, emphasizing their essential contributions to storytelling. As filmmaking continues to evolve, the demand for skilled location management remains critical to creating authentic and captivating productions. Honoring industry veterans like Ilt Jones and key figures such as Kevin Costner helps to raise awareness and appreciation for this specialized discipline, likely inspiring new talent and greater recognition ahead.
