Locations on Two

Location Managers and Scouts often discuss the excitement of being collaborators in the creative process but we sometimes pass over the many unique and surprising ways that we use in our quest to find the perfect location for a film or television project. In this episode, Locations Veteran Lauri Pitkus discusses several such examples including one incident in which Craig's List played a critical role while scouting for "Orange Is The New Black." Lauri is also known for her work on "The Undoing," "The Goldfinch," "The Post," and many more. Welcome to the backchannel where the real work gets done on set, "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!"

What is the perfect environment in which to train a fantastic Location Manager? Apparently, by working as a field producer and researcher for "Ripley's Believe it or Not." After her tenure researching stories for Ripley's, Veronique Vowell transitioned into locations by working on such feature films as "Tango & Cash." But, she truly found her rhythm working in episodic television. By meeting the challenges managing such diverse shows as "Grey's Anatomy" to "Little Fires Everywhere," Veronique has become know as one to the top Location pros in the industry. It is now time to jump on over to 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!"

There is no doubt that a location scout can impact the look and feel of a production, but how much can a location manager also shape the script? This is the second and final episode of a two part interview featuring Kokayi Ampah and Alison Taylor. Alison is the most prominent African American woman working as a location manager and we were just getting started with her story when we wrapped the last episode. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Kokayi was also the first recipient of the LMGI's "Location Manager of the Year" and generously shares the wisdom gained from decades of industry experience. Welcome to the back channel, where the real work gets 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!"