Rifan Muazin
The art of filmmaking is often defined by the performances of its actors or the vision of its directors, but behind every iconic scene lies the silent, foundational work of location management. On Saturday night, the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) gathered to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who transform raw landscapes into the immersive backdrops of our favorite stories. The annual LMGI Awards, a prestigious evening dedicated to recognizing the logistical artistry and creative scouting required to bring motion pictures and television series to life, once again highlighted how the geography of a production is as much a character as any protagonist.
This year’s ceremony celebrated the vast reach of modern production, spanning from the stark, arid dunes of California to the bustling, neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Among the night’s biggest victors were Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, films that took top honors for their complex and expansive location work.
A Global Odyssey: The Feature Film Winners
The competition for feature films was particularly fierce this year, reflecting a growing industry trend toward authentic, wide-ranging location shooting that eschews soundstages in favor of the real world.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another secured the award for Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Feature Film. The production was a logistical marathon, utilizing a diverse array of settings that captured the varied American experience. From the rugged coastal beauty of Humboldt County to the urban landscapes of Sacramento, Stockton, Eureka, and Arcata, the film also ventured into the diverse geography of San Diego and the cross-border sensibilities of El Paso, Texas. The sheer scale of this shoot, managed by Michael Glaser, Michael Wesley, and Rich Heichel, underscored the film’s grounded, visceral tone.
Equally ambitious was Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, which walked away with the award for Outstanding Locations in a Period Feature Film. Tasked with recreating specific historical atmospheres, the team—led by Matthew Kania and Ross Brodar—navigated the dense, layered geography of New York City, the greater metropolitan area, and the scenic Hudson Valley. However, the production’s scope extended far beyond the East Coast, requiring a sophisticated international effort to capture the distinct aesthetic of Tokyo. The ability to harmonize such disparate locations into a cohesive period vision earned the production high praise from the guild’s voting members.
Small Screen, Large Scale: Television’s Masterclasses
The television categories highlighted how modern streaming giants are pushing the boundaries of episodic production. The winners reflected a commitment to scale and atmosphere that rivals the biggest Hollywood blockbusters.
Pluribus, the Apple TV+ series, took home the award for Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Television Series. Its sprawling production journeyed through Albuquerque, New Mexico, across the rugged terrains of Montana and Nevada, and finally into the diverse environments of Spain. The logistical choreography required to manage such a global footprint is a testament to the skill of location managers Christian Diaz de Bedoya, John O’Connor, Priscila Calero, Jorge Noguerales, Yanira De Armas, and Will Brewster.
In the category of Outstanding Locations in a Period Television Series, Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout proved that even post-apocalyptic landscapes require meticulous planning. By transforming the Dumont Dunes, the Mojave Desert, Antelope Valley, and Santa Clarita into a crumbling, retro-futuristic wasteland, the production team—Mandi Dillin and David Park—captured the gritty, high-stakes aesthetic that defines the series.
Rounding out the television honors, Netflix’s Black Rabbit earned the award for Outstanding Locations in a TV Anthology, Movie, or Limited Series. By capturing the unique texture of New York City, with specific emphasis on the architectural variety of Brooklyn and Manhattan, Paul Eskenazi and Joel McGlumphy successfully grounded their narrative in the visceral reality of one of the world’s most filmed cities.
Honoring the Architects of Storytelling: Special Awards
Beyond the individual productions, the LMGI Awards serve as a platform to honor the pioneers who have shaped the craft of location management. This year, the ceremony featured two major acknowledgments that resonated deeply with the audience.
The Eva Monley Award, given for dedication to storytelling through location throughout a career, was presented to four-time Emmy-winning director and writer Vince Gilligan. Known for his meticulous attention to detail in series like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Gilligan has long been a champion of using location as a narrative device. His recent work on Pluribus further cemented his reputation as a filmmaker who understands that where a story takes place is as vital as what the characters say.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mike Fantasia, a veteran whose resume reads like a history of modern cinematic milestones. From the high-octane aerial maneuvers of Top Gun: Maverick to the haunting, historical landscapes of Killers of the Flower Moon and the vibrant cityscapes of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Fantasia’s career has set the gold standard for the profession. His ability to facilitate impossible shots in complex environments has made him one of the most respected figures in the industry.
The Human Element: Perspectives from the LMGI
The atmosphere at the ceremony was one of profound appreciation. For the location professionals in attendance, the awards are more than just trophies; they are a validation of the grueling, often invisible work that happens long before the cameras start rolling.
Nancy Haecker, the LMGI Awards Chair, captured the sentiment of the evening during her closing remarks. “Celebrating our LMGI winners was a truly remarkable experience,” Haecker said. “The ceremony was a powerful celebration of achievement, filled with inspiring moments and well-deserved recognition, beautifully capped by the genius of Vince Gilligan. Each of this year’s winners is incredibly deserving, and it was a distinct privilege to honor their talent, dedication, and outstanding contributions to our industry.”
The inclusion of the Outstanding Film Commission/Office category also highlighted the symbiotic relationship between film productions and the local communities that host them. The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission, specifically for its support of One Battle After Another, serves as a prime example of how local government support can facilitate artistic excellence while simultaneously boosting regional visibility and economic impact.
Implications for the Future of Location Scouting
The 2024 LMGI Awards arrive at a pivotal time for the film industry. As virtual production and LED volumes (like The Volume used in The Mandalorian) become more prevalent, there is an ongoing debate about the future of on-location shooting. However, the success of this year’s winners proves that there is no substitute for the authentic texture of the real world.
The complexity of the locations featured—from the vast, unforgiving desert of the Mojave to the intricate urban sprawl of Tokyo—demonstrates that while technology is evolving, the demand for "grounded" storytelling is only increasing. The logistical hurdles faced by these teams—obtaining permits in multiple countries, navigating local environmental regulations, and coordinating massive crews across disparate time zones—are becoming more difficult, not less.
Furthermore, the economic impact of these productions cannot be overstated. When a production like Pluribus or One Battle After Another chooses to film on location, it brings substantial revenue to local hotels, restaurants, and labor markets. The work of the LMGI members is, therefore, a dual-purpose endeavor: they are facilitating art, but they are also serving as the primary liaisons between the global film industry and local communities.
Conclusion: The Unseen Foundation
As the dust settles on another successful awards ceremony, the message remains clear: filmmaking is a collaborative, geography-defying endeavor. The winners of the 2024 LMGI Awards have proven that the "location" is not merely a background, but a dynamic, living participant in the narrative. Whether it is the subtle shift in light over a desert dune or the specific architectural history of a Brooklyn street corner, these elements are what allow audiences to suspend their disbelief and enter the worlds created by directors like Anderson, Safdie, and Gilligan.
The LMGI continues to provide a vital service in elevating the profile of location managers, ensuring that their essential role in the production pipeline is recognized. As we look toward the next year of cinema and television, one thing is certain: the scouts, managers, and film commissions will be back on the ground, searching for the next perfect place to tell the next great story.
2024 LMGI Award Winners
- Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Feature Film: One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures) – Michael Glaser, Michael Wesley, Rich Heichel
- Outstanding Locations in a Period Feature Film: Marty Supreme (A24) – Matthew Kania, Ross Brodar
- Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Television Series: Pluribus (Apple TV+) – Christian Diaz de Bedoya, John O’Connor, Priscila Calero, Jorge Noguerales, Yanira De Armas, Will Brewster
- Outstanding Locations in a Period Television Series: Fallout (Amazon Prime Video) – Mandi Dillin, David Park
- Outstanding Locations in a TV Anthology, Movie or Limited Series: Black Rabbit (Netflix) – Paul Eskenazi, Joel McGlumphy
- Outstanding Film Commission/Office: Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission: One Battle After Another – Cassandra Hesseltine
- Outstanding Locations in a Commercial: TOYOTA TRUCKS: They Don’t Read Reviews – Alexandra Gibson, Christina Conway
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