Location Professionals who qualify are now eligible for either active or associate membership in the Television Academy’s newly formed Location Managers Subgroup within the Producers Peer Group.
Additionally, the Producers Peer Group has redefined eligibility requirements to align with the industry’s more contemporary production titles and credits. Executives in charge of production, segment producers, field producers and transmedia producers are now eligible for active voting membership.
“Location managers play an integral role in the production, the look, logistics and on-set oversight of producing a television show; and they are a welcome addition to the Producers Peer Group,” said Producers Governor Tony Carey.
Governor Keith Raskin added, “These creative and collaborative professionals are indispensable to our business and will bring valuable insight to the Academy.”
Television Academy leadership, including the Producers Peer Group Governors and Membership Committee chair Sharon Lieblein, worked closely with the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) and its president, John Rakich, and first VP, JJ Levine, on parameters for the Location Managers Subgroup to ensure the requirements represent the industry and its career professionals. Rick Markovitz, president, and Cheri Warner, VP, of Weissman/Markovitz Communications, who represent LMGI, were also instrumental in creating and shaping the new subgroup. LMGI members who laid the early groundwork include chair emeritus Orin Kennedy, LMGI founder Beth Tate, Kokayi Ampah, Diane Friedman and Stevie Nelson.
“Opening the door to membership in the Television Academy has been a goal of the LMGI,” said Levine. “Since its inception, the LMGI has been working to bring recognition to the creative contributions and the role of location professionals–members and non-members alike–in filmmaking for the large and small screens.”
Rakich affirmed, “This is a milestone moment, not just for the LMGI, but for all location professionals to be recognized as creative contributors within the Television Academy, especially now with the wealth of incredible content being made. Today we celebrate the synergistic and collaborative relationships that Location Professionals have with Producers to create exceptional storytelling on an international scale.”
