Ed Vaizey, the UK’s Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, is in Los Angeles to strengthen ties between the UK and US filming industries. Vaizey is travelling with Adrian Wootton, head of the British Film Commission, and will meet with industry figures in LA.
Nancy Haecker is Location Manager on hit TV show House MD. This year she won a gong for Location Manager of the Year in episodic TV at the 2011 California On-Location Awards, organised by Film Liaisons in California, Statewide, and Film LA. TLG caught up with her to discuss her trade.
Ten so-called ‘movie ranches’ in San Clarita, Los Angeles County, will be the first to benefit from a new zoning designation to promote filming in Los Angeles’ Studio Zone. The ranches have areas specifically intended to be used as filming locations and the intention is to boost local business.
[slideshow id=191]Blended scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal has sent four male friends into the desert for new short Here’s to Big Bear. The film - one of two made for the brand - shows the friends in a bar recalling the adventure of getting off a train in a desert after a party and meeting eccentric lorry driver Big Bear.
It’s more good news for Australia with the announcement that supernatural feature I, Frankenstein will film on location in Melbourne, Victoria. The project is a co-production between Los Angeles-based Lakeshore Entertainment and Hopscotch Features of Sydney.
Cramped and expensive, real aircraft don’t lend themselves as convenient filming locations. Richard Chan runs Aero Mock-Ups, a bi-coastal US company that provides realistic and fully-functional aircraft interiors for use in features, TV shows and commercials.
It’s been another busy week for the commercials industry in South Africa, Australia and Spain. Meanwhile, several film commissions are looking for ways to boost their international profiles. In addition we’ve had fascinating insight from West Virginia-based Location Manager Tom Trigo, as well as Rex Baldwin.
Australia wants more US co-productions coming its way and Ausfilm is having a week of events in Los Angeles to stoke up business. There are screenings, development lunches, and renewed focus on Australia’s filming incentive schemes that include a 40% Producer Offset.