Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 25, 2022. Posted in General Interest

AFCI and LMGI join forces for new Location Management course  

A new online training course has been created through a collaboration between the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI). The programme – titled: Location Management 101 – is developed for Film Offices and Film Commissions as well as interested laypeople, offering a basic primer for understanding what location managers do in a general sense. Available to access through the AFCI University’s website, the course covers a range of vital topics, such as: location research, planning, scouting, budgeting, permitting, photography, laws and regulations, transportation, security and equipment.

“AFCI recognises the value of providing a well-rounded understanding of the location manager’s role – not only for its film commission members but for anyone who works on-set or is interested in pursuing a career in production,” says Eve Honthaner, the AFCI’s president. “To develop this course, we turned to the best professionals in the industry – the members of the Location Managers Guild International.”

“We are thrilled to partner with AFCI to create this new resource for understanding the vital role location managers play as creative collaborators in the production process,” elaborates LMGI president John Rakich. “The course provides a unique opportunity to learn about location management from some of the foremost experts in the field.”

The innovative curriculum for Location Management 101 was created in partnership with longstanding LMGI members, whose credits span iconic projects such as: Mission Impossible, The Irishmen, American Crime Story, Tomorrowland and Men in Black. The course leverages their vast experience to incorporate samples of real-world location management tools, including contracts, maps and checklists. The programme will also detail explains how to work effectively with the various entities involved in on-location production, from film commissions and property owners to residents and businesses. Teaching is set to explore explores how location managers play a role in broader industry issues, examining workforce diversity and inclusion, COVID-19 compliance, on-set safety and sustainability.

Enrolment for the Location Management 101 course is open to everyone, costing USD150 for AFCI members and USB300 for non-members. The course is self-directed and may be completed on each student’s own schedule. The AFCI University offers a collection of similar self-directed courses and online masterclasses, covering Film Commission Fundamentals and Economic Development as well as Management, Marketing and Gender Identify and Sexual Orientation Sensitivity Training.

Logos: AFCI and LMGI

Featured photo: Nemesia Production on Unsplash