Every movie takes place at a specific time and location, and there is a whole department dedicated to this task called the location department. The location department is responsible for finding the places featured in movies, and the person who oversees it all is the location manager. However, with the upcoming rise of AI and CGI, the location department is not as necessary for certain CGI-heavy films, like Avatar and other CGI-based movies. Despite this, the location department continues to thrive to this day.
The location manager plays a crucial role in finding the right locations for scenes in the movie. For example, if the director needs an 80s retro diner, the location manager will search for one that fits the vision. The location manager, along with location runners, assistants, and scouts, must remain in the area where the film is set to be shot.
The location manager also assists the director with logistical tasks such as moving and organizing equipment, as well as assigning people to handle the equipment in specific locations. A location manager’s job encompasses many tasks throughout the production. On the website locationmanagers.org, Ilt Jones, one of the most famous location managers in the world, shared an anecdote: “So, I found locations, and on the first shoot day, I picked up the star and drove him to the set, arriving at crew call. In my complete ignorance, I hadn’t arranged little things like crew parking, truck parking, catering area, maps, signs, and, um, permits. We bumbled our way through the first morning until things settled down. But in the early afternoon, I received a visit from a less-than-thrilled permit office official. He took pity on my pathetic, hangdog expression and invited me to join him in his office after wrap so that I might learn what a responsible location manager is supposed to do.”
Location managers not only assist the director and production team with logistics, but they also interact with actors and help guide them around the set. The location department is one of the most essential parts of movie production. Without it, films would look incomplete; the placement of items might seem off, and important equipment could be missing. Therefore, the location manager and the location department are critical in making movies look realistic and helping the production get the necessary supplies.