An exhibit of fine art photography featuring the work of professional Location Scouts and Managers will open at the Terrell Moore Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles on April 16, 2011. The show, which will run through April 30th and kick-off with reception on the evening of Friday, April 15, is also a part of the widely celebrated Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA).
Focusing on the amorphous and ever-evolving identity of downtown Los Angeles, the exhibit is the result of an exclusive, juried fine art photography competition open only to members of The Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA).
“Not many people see L.A. the way we do, through our lenses, scouting for locations to meet the needs of myriad projects,” said Lori Balton, President of the LMGA and a co-chair of the event. “Taken by pros on their down time, these personal, intimate shots creatively recast downtown’s usual suspects.” Ken Haber, co-chair of the competition and exhibit adds, “Most of us love photography but utilize it only in our role as Location Scouts and Managers. So often an amazing photograph presents itself as we are out there in the field but it doesn’t necessarily fit into the scope of the work at hand. This show allows our members to blend those two worlds and to show off their skills and creativity as photographers and artists.”
In keeping with the show’s Downtown theme, all photographs were taken within the geographical boundaries of Chinatown to the North, L.A. River to the East, 10 Freeway to the South, and the 110 Freeway to the West.
The exhibited work includes that of Finalists Doug Dresser, Ken Hunter, Mark Indig, Barbara Miller and Osceola Refetoff and the recipients of Honorable Mentions: Lori Balton, Claudia Eastman, Russ Fega, Jody Hummer, Jesse Rivard, Beth Tate, Tano Tropia and Stephen Weissberger.
“Downtown: Incomplete L.A.” was juried by renowned fine art photographers Douglas McCulloh, Aline Smithson and Lee Varis. McCulloh’s work has been shown internationally in more than 150 exhibitions and his books include: “Dream Street”, “On the Beach” and “The Edge of Air”. Varis is the author of numerous photography books including “Mastering Exposure and the Zone System for Digital Photographers” and “Skin : The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing and Retouching Faces and Bodies.” Aline Smithson is a photography instructor who has been exhibited and published widely across the U.S. While commenting on the high quality of the submissions, Smithson, who also writes and edits the blog, “Lenscratch”, spoke for all the judges, stating, “It was great to see all the terrific interpretations of downtown LA, and see what individual image makers were drawn to. The quality of the work speaks highly of this group–they were able to see the nuances and the gestures of our city, and it looks like a place we might want to live in!”
The “Downtown: Incomplete L.A.” exhibit was made possible through the generous support and contribution of several sponsors, including the Hollywood Teamsters Local 399, P3 – Production Update Magazine, The Edison, Harry Lumer aka Joe’s Parking, Los Angeles Center Studios, Cast Locations, Real to Reel Locations, Reel Security, Anjac/Orpheum, FilmL.A., Unreel Locations, Meyler and Company, Film This!, Kodevco, Warner Brothers Entertainment, Bear Creek, Plan It Locations, Pacific Production Services, Malibu Locations/LA Division, Media Locations, Skyline Locations, Toni Maier/On Location and Gilmore Associates. For biographies of the individual finalists and more information about this event, please contact the media liaisons of the LMGA, J.J. Levine or Kayla Thames-Berge.
The Terrell Moore Gallery is located at 1221 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. A preview of the show can also be seen at the Location Managers Guild of America web site www.locationmanagers.org.
About the Location Managers Guild of America
The Location Managers Guild of America, founded in 2003, is a 501 (c) 6, non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of the role and interests of Location professionals and their relations with the general public, communities and industry partners. Location Managers and Scouts are vital members of the design team for film, television, commercials, music videos and print advertising whose primary job is to find the settings that best represent the visual concept of the Producer, Director and Production Designer. In addition to their creative input, the Location Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of filming locations, including contract negotiations, scheduling and permit acquisition. They are the key liaisons between the public and the shooting crew. For more information on the LMGA, please visit www.locationmanagers.org.
