Global Production Network (GPN), which connects producers and production houses with a network of top-level production services companies internationally, is marking its 15-year anniversary. And while there have been varied changes in the worldwide production scene over that span, GPN founder/president Harry Tracosas said that certain constants have remained which have served his clients well, in turn contributing to his company's longevity.

For one, GPN thoroughly vets each of the production services companies and people in its network. "That's the basis of what we do, making sure that our clients will get what they need on both a production level and a human level," said Tracosas. "We provide them with a safety net, keeping them out of harm's way while getting them what they need to successfully deliver their production."

To ensure that success, GPN does much up-front research, providing its clients with such info as comparative country production costs, the availability of ethnically diverse talent, country infrastructure and logistics, talent buy-out costs and comparisons, and the ability of a single country to afford projects the looks available in multiple nations.

In recent months, GPN clients have produced projects in assorted countries including work for Aleve, Hyundai and Fage Yogurt in Chile, adidas and Samsung in China, Apple and Hyundai in  Croatia, Panadol in Denmark, Mercedes-Benz and Nokia in Dubai, Coke and Opel in Estonia, L'Oreal in Ireland, Apple in Kenya, Centrify in Poland, Marriott in Singapore, Budweiser in Spain and Thailand, and Sony in Uruguay.

Tracosas noted that some countries are gaining momentum as there's been a recent call for more remote places than he's had in the past. Asia, he shared, is gaining in popularity, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Mayanmar, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. GPN clients in the U.S., Germany and France have as of late opted to produce in these and other Asian locales.

And while South Africa, Spain and the Czech Republic continue to attract business, other lesser known sites are being discovered. Tracosas cited Estonia as an example--with clients in the U.K., France and Germany jumping over there for diverse looks as well as cost savings in budget-challenged times.

Motion Picture Academy Adds 5 LMGI Members
Five Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) members have just joined The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) class of 2018. Robin Citrin, Mike Fantasia, Ilt Jones, James Lin and Emma Pill—having distinguished themselves by their creative contributions to theatrical motion pictures—have joined the highly collaborative Designers Branch of the Academy. They are welcomed in good company by fellow LMGI and established Academy members, Lori Balton, Kokayi Ampah and Elston Howard.

“This is a powerful acknowledgment of the talent, creativity and the vital role location professionals bring to the design team. With this announcement, the number of LMGI members accepted into the Academy grows to eight,” said newly appointed LMGI president Mike Fantasia.

Citrin’s credits include The Aviator and Rain Man; Fantasia has worked on Munich and Memoirs of a Geisha; Jones on Black Panther and The Dark Knight Rises; Lin on Captain America: Winter Soldier, and Wonder Woman; and Pill on Spectre and Blade Runner 2049.

Founded in 2003 as a non-profit corporation, LMGI is an organization of experienced career professionals in the motion picture, TV, commercial, and print production industries. LMGI members are dedicated to the establishment of professional standards of personal conduct and business ethics. The Guild supports the formation of strong links with business members, governmental agencies and local communities.  The Guild promotes awareness of the goals and achievements of members to the general public and within the industry.