Locations on Two

There are times when a location scout needs to find more than just a house, a building or a road for filming. Once in awhile, we are asked to find an entire town that is willing to jump on board and join the show. Such was the case when Geoff Smither was tasked to find "Schitt's Creek." Geoff has also been asked to collaborate on "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio," "The Handmaid’s Tale," "Y: The Last Man" and "Locke & Key."

Explore the journey from fine art photographer to location manager on the first episode of the new season of "Locations on Two" when we chat with UK based Harriet Lawrence.  Not only do we discuss her career in the industry, we also learn about her efforts to train "Ninja Cinderellas." Welcome back to Locations on Two! (This is a freshly encoded version of the previously published interview with Harriet to correct audio anomalies)

Explore the journey from fine art photographer to location manager on the first episode of the new season of "Locations on Two" when we chat with UK based Harriet Lawrence.  Not only do we discuss her career in the industry, we also learn about her efforts to train "Ninja Cinderellas." Welcome back to Locations on Two!

"It is pretty special when you walk out onto the surface of the Moon and see the Lunar Module and the American flag but realize that you are really in the suburbs." Kyle Hinshaw has controlled interstate highways for "Baby Driver," found NASA and the surface of the moon in Georgia for "First Man" and collaborated with industry icons to create the dark atmosphere for "Prisoners." Welcome to the backchannel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

"During Star Trek, One physicist said to the other physicist 'We have a problem.' The other physicist thought about it for a second and proceeded to give instructions which might as well have been in another language, because they were speaking the language of physics." Among many other topics, Becky Brake discusses the many languages that a Location Manager can utilize in their role as the ambassador of the production company when she joins us on the backchannel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

"Hey, there is some blood on the sidewalk in front of the club. Do you know what happened?"  Todd Christensen is an award-winning location manager and producer whose credits include "Sicario," "Sicario: Day of the Soldado," "Only The Brave" and "Ballad Of Buster Scruggs." Find out if this is a question that he asked while working on a production or in his previous life as a property manager of a Sicilian social club when you join us here on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two."

I was honored to be asked to continue the discussion of film making as it relates to locations with legendary Academy Award winning cinematographer Roger Deakins on his podcast :  "Team Deakins"" again looks into the complexities of locations in the scheme of production. We talk with Dodd Vickers who shares with us how to find locations, things that have to be considered for locations and working with the budget. He also talks about how he needs to get into the director’s head, how the location department are the ambassadors of the film and the importance of getting to know the location neighborhood and the people living there. We also touch on reusing locations, remembering logistics when looking for locations and the difference in locations for film and TV. And much more!!"  

"On that Terrence Malick film, he wouldn't allow chairs. The actors had no chairs and no trailers." Through experience gained in his early days as a production assistant and location scout and on to later roles as a location manager and now as a production executive for Studio Babelsberg, it is fair to say that Markus Bensch knows his way around the industry. Now a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Markus has both won and been nominated for top awards due his contributions to the creative development of such projects as "Bridge of Spies", "A Hidden Life" and the much anticipated Malick film "The Last Planet." Welcome to the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

"What do you mean we lost the Navy? Go get it back!" Easy enough, right? This is just one of the scenarios that has marked the career of Location turned Producer Molly Allen. With more than three decades of production experience, Molly has been challenged creatively and logistically in ways that few people can imagine, all in the name of quality entertainment. Welcome to the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

The creative role of a location manager during the early stages of production development one that involves a special and collaborative relationship with the production designer and director.  During her decades as a film maker,  Maida Morgan has become one of those trusted few invited to fulfill this role. She was first introduced to film making after a chance encounter with Steve McQueen as a child. She has since gone on to work with some of the top directors, designers, cinematographers and production teams in the business.  As one of my early mentors in the industry, I am especially proud to have her join me on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

On previous episode we discussed the impact that locations can have on a production, but we have yet to talk about the impact that a production can have on the location.  In an ironic twist,  Senoia, GA, the primary site of filming for "The Walking Dead" was originally named "Location" by the settlers that started the town.  Mike Riley has been the location manager on AMC's post apocalyptic pandemic series since day one and joins us on the back channel where the real work get's done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Kokayi Ampah has worked on everything from shows that defined the classic era of 70's television like Knight Rider & The A Team to all time favorite films like the Shawshank Redemption.  As the first African-American location manager and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, you will see why he is respected as an industry trailblazer.  We are also joined by Alison Taylor, the most prominent African American woman working as a location manager today. Alison is a twenty one year veteran of the film industry whose credits include Amistad, Training Day, Alias and The Underground Railroad. Our conversation during this two part episode covers everything from diversity in the industry to their personal journeys in the business. Welcome again to the back channel, where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Prior to its release, much was made of the fact that Michael Mann's 1995 LA crime drama "Heat" would be the first movie to feature De Niro and Pacino onscreen together in the same scene. Lori Balton would soon learn how critical the setting for this scene was to Mr. Mann and the creative team when every restaurant location that she brought in for consideration was rejected. We discuss how this played out and much much more when I am joined by the first location manager to ever be inducted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for this chat on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Question: How do you cruise the streets of a major metropolitan city in a purple Lamborghini and the Batmobile without anyone noticing? Answer: Well... You probably can't. John Rakich talks about this and a career in the film industry that has immersed him in science fiction and the supernatural. Shadowhunters, The Expanse and Hemlock Grove are just a few of the topics that you might hear discussed when you join us on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

People sometimes compare the intense experience of making a movie with waging a small war. If there is any truth to this sentiment, then my guest on this episode knows more about this than most. Emma Pill's most recent skirmish was the Academy Award winning 1917. Blade Runner 2049, Spectre, Captain America : The First Avenger , The Bourne Ultimatum and Munich were her training ground. Welcome to the back channel where the real work gets done on set, Locations on Two!

The acclaimed HBO series Westworld is described as a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past. There is certainly no better example of a reimagined future than that of a piano playing medical student who completely changes direction in order to discover a career in film production. This is the story that we will hear on this episode when we are joined by someone has truly lived without limits, Mandi Dillin. Welcome to the back channel where the real work gets done on set, Locations on Two!

There is sure to be an interesting story behind the career of anyone that starts out as a production assistant on a Bee Gees music special and and the sci-fi spoof Galaxina only to end up collaborating on studio features which have either won or were nominated for some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. LA Confidential, Vice, Hail Caesar, The Italian Job and Charlie Wilson's War are just a few of the films that have been lucky enough to have John Panzarella as a part of their team. Now it is our turn to be the lucky ones when John makes time to join us on the back channel where the work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Why would anyone rent track drying equipment from the Texas Motor Speedway when you are filming fighter jets flying high over the deserts of Nevada for "Top Gun : Maverick" ?  Award winning location manager Mike Fantasia will explain when we discuss his career. Join us on the back channel where the work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!" Mike Fantasia on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0266887/ More info on Dodd Vickers: www.doddvickers.com  

Swimming rivers with reference photos tucked into your waistband protected in a waterproof bag and traveling the backroads of America with Sean Penn may sound novel to you, but it is all part of a good day's work for award winning location manager Nancy Haecker.  Welcome to the back channel where the work gets done, "Locations on Two!"

Whether scouting the world for major monster films like the upcoming "Godzilla vs Kong" or working in local urban environments for "Terminator 3," Leann Emmert illustrates the critical role played by the locations department in all aspects of a production. Join us again on the back channel where the work gets done, "Locations on Two!"

Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, Gretta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan are among the list of directors with whom Doug Dresser has collaborated. Join me for a chat with another outstanding locations pro! Welcome again to the back channel where the work gets done, "Locations on Two!" More about Doug Dresser More about Dodd Vickers Location Managers Guild International Locations on Two

London based location manager Tom Howard joins me on this episode and discusses his career in film and television.  Tom has collaborated on such productions as "Howard's End," "Taboo," "The Night Manager," and the soon to be released "The Secret Garden."  Welcome to the back channel where the work gets done, "Locations on Two!" More about Tom Howard More about Dodd Vickers Location Managers Guild International Locations on Two

My guest for this chat is James Lin, the VP of Physical Production for Universal Studios. Also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, James has a 27 year career as a location manager whose credits include such productions as Twilight, Avengers, Captain America and Wonder Woman 1984. Welcome to the back channel where the work gets done, "Locations on Two!" More about James Lin More about Dodd Vickers Location Managers Guild International Locations on Two

Ilt Jones is a veteran location manager in the film and television industry and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. You may not know his name, but you will know him from his work on such projects as Black Panther, Kong: Skull Island, Suicide Squad, The X Files, Iron Man 3, Dark Knight Rises and many more! Welcome to the back channel where the work gets done, "Locations on Two!" More about Ilt Jones More about Dodd Vickers Location Managers Guild International Locations on Two