Is it a coincidence that at a time when agencies are being forced to examine what could be an existential threat to their business model, there has been a return to some traditional craft techniques such as animation, guerrilla advertising and stop-motion?
Supervising location manager Christian McWiliams, started working in locations in 1991, spanning a number of major film and television projects. Scouting in the UK and abroad, with speciality working in Malta and Morocco, McWilliams possesses a keen eye for detail and strong industry connections. Recently bringing his expertise to the set of Gladiator 2 The Location Guide has been given a little insight into the magic behind his recent venture.
Producer Becky Brake approached the photo pod of a restored Ilyushin iL-14P at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport and innocently inquired “what does that mean?” Sepi, our colleague from Lufthansa said, “Please Do not Touch!” Brake defensively replied, “I wasn’t going to touch it! I just wanted to know what it says…” Thus our first German lesson “Please do not touch.”
The Red Rock landscapes of Moab and Monument Valley have long held a special place in my heart, a sentiment rooted in summers spent at my family’s cabin in Sedona. It was this love of desert terrain that drew me to Moab during a week off in October, armed with my camera gear, drone, and a sleeping pad in the back of my Jeep. My goal was to explore the diverse geologic features of the region, uncovering how they offer filmmakers avenues to craft their stories out of the existing landscape.
No sooner had we touched down at Keflavik Airport, had we found ourselves ready for another takeoff - this time aboard an all-terrain 4x4 with so much vertical lift it required a running start to ascend. Our mission? A scouting assignment out of this world - five action packed days documenting the Land of Fire and Ice. Iceland is a mystical, mythical destination, one which had spent decades captivating our imaginations onscreen, and one which would leave an indelible mark on our hearts (and multiple memory cards) in the days to come.
Taiwan’s film industry is absolutely booming. If you’ve never considered it as a filming location, then it’s time to think again. From its stunning natural landscapes to its thriving metropolises, Taiwan offers filmmakers a treasure trove of cinematic opportunities.
After pulling our bags across the hot tarmac to the Windhoek Air Terminal, we meet Ma Fiina, a woman with a generous smile and IMMIGRATION emblazoned across her back on a neon yellow vest. She whisks us through security and passport checkpoints, removing her vest to reveal a uniform polo shirt that promises CUSTOMER SERVICE…I asked how many layers of super hero costuming was she wearing to get us to our final destination. Ma is an address of respect, and Fiina Elago commands it and is, among other things, a valued member of the Namibia Film Commission Board, representing the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
The Baltic States initial foray into the world of FamTours was off the charts. Borne from years of speaking with my Lithuanian colleague Jonas Spokas, it all came to fruition at 2022 Focus. I was talking with Jonas and Jurate Pazikaite, the Vilnius Film Commissioner, about how I had just seen the Lithuanian submission for the Academy’s Best Foreign Film selections. As an International Film juror, I enjoy the locations and original storylines of foreign films. They asked if I might be available for a summer trip.