Let's discuss the logistics of shooting on location with Location Manager Alison Taylor and Transportation Coordinator Sandra Ninham-Gallardo. Together they discuss what their jobs entail and some of the challenges they may run into being women in their fields.
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Chatmosa Session - EP 305: What Are We Shooting and How Do We Get There?
In this episode of the Catch A Break Podcast, host Julie Harris Walker dives into the intricate and often unsung roles of location managers and transportation coordinators in the film industry. Joined by seasoned professionals Alison Taylor, known for her work on projects such as *Straight Out of Compton* and *A Wrinkle in Time*, and Sandra Nenum Gallardo, who has coordinated transportation for titles like *68 Whiskey* and *Made for Love*, the conversation unveils the essential synergy between their departments that ensures productions run smoothly.
### Key Takeaways and Insights:
1. Diverse Journeys to the Industry:
- Alison Taylor shared her journey from an aspiring event planner to a successful location manager, demonstrating how serendipitous encounters can lead to career-defining opportunities. She noted, “I was walking down the hall and I saw an office with people with photos on the wall... I said, ‘What do those people do?’”
- Sandra Nenum Gallardo recounted her path from El Salvador, highlighting her determination and pivotal connections — “I was looking to do something that I always dreamt about... I got into a show that was non-union and it flipped to union; that was my big break.”
2. Roles Defined:
- Alison elaborated on the duality of the location manager’s role, which encompasses both creative scouting and logistical management. From negotiating with location owners to ensuring all necessary permits are secured, she emphasized that each site is treated like a separate event: “It’s as though each location is a separate event and we plan an entire event for each location.”
- Sandra provided insight into the transportation coordinator’s responsibilities, from budgeting and hiring drivers to managing the fleet. She succinctly stated, “I oversee every aspect of transportation... Everything has to come back together.”
3. Collaboration Across Departments:
- The duo underscored their interdependency during shoots, reflecting on how clear communication is essential. “It is a super important relationship, the transportation department and the location department,” Alison remarked, reinforcing the idea that the two roles must work in concert to effectively manage the multitude of logistical challenges.
4. Navigating Challenges and Expectations:
- In navigating the vision of directors while managing realistic expectations, Sandra mentioned, “You cannot tell them no... but we have to be realistic. Show them options.” Alison echoed this sentiment with her experience of convincing a director that not all desired locations are feasible, using an example from *Project Greenlight* that showcased both the creative and logistical battles location managers face.
5. The Business Side of Filmmaking:
- Both guests shared their methods for managing budgets amidst constant changes and unexpected demands. From fluctuating crew requirements to neighbor negotiations, Sandra stated, “We have to manage every single penny because we are the keeper of that budget.” The importance of the tech scout was a central theme, as this meeting allows for the fine-tuning of requirements from all departments.
6. Advocating for Inclusion:
- Towards the end of the session, both Alison and Sandra spoke passionately about the need for increased diversity within their fields. Sandra highlighted her unique position as the only female Latino transport coordinator in her union, stating, “We can do the job... and I believe we can have more diversity on these jobs.” Alison reflected on the lack of representation for Black and Latina location managers, emphasizing the critical need for mentorship and opportunities: “People often forget that the location department starts on the creative side... we interface with every department.”
### Closing Thoughts:
Both Sandra and Alison left listeners with inspiring messages about perseverance and passion. Sandra summed it up beautifully: “It is like a puzzle... everything is just coming together. It’s a wonderful job.” Alison added, “If you’re thinking about the film business, the location department is actually a great entree because we interface with every department.”
Their dedicated insights into the complexities of film production offer a refreshing perspective on roles that often operate behind the camera yet play a pivotal part in storytelling.
Be sure to tune in to future episodes as the Catch A Break podcast continues to explore diverse career paths within the entertainment industry, shedding light on the collaborative effort that brings stories to life. For more episodes and updates, visit catchabrakepodcast.com.
In this episode of the Catch A Break Podcast, host Julie Harris Walker dives into the intricate and often unsung roles of location managers and transportation coordinators in the film industry. Joined by seasoned professionals Alison Taylor, known for her work on projects such as *Straight Out of Compton* and *A Wrinkle in Time*, and Sandra Nenum Gallardo, who has coordinated transportation for titles like *68 Whiskey* and *Made for Love*, the conversation unveils the essential synergy between their departments that ensures productions run smoothly.
### Key Takeaways and Insights:
1. Diverse Journeys to the Industry:
- Alison Taylor shared her journey from an aspiring event planner to a successful location manager, demonstrating how serendipitous encounters can lead to career-defining opportunities. She noted, “I was walking down the hall and I saw an office with people with photos on the wall... I said, ‘What do those people do?’”
- Sandra Nenum Gallardo recounted her path from El Salvador, highlighting her determination and pivotal connections — “I was looking to do something that I always dreamt about... I got into a show that was non-union and it flipped to union; that was my big break.”
2. Roles Defined:
- Alison elaborated on the duality of the location manager’s role, which encompasses both creative scouting and logistical management. From negotiating with location owners to ensuring all necessary permits are secured, she emphasized that each site is treated like a separate event: “It’s as though each location is a separate event and we plan an entire event for each location.”
- Sandra provided insight into the transportation coordinator’s responsibilities, from budgeting and hiring drivers to managing the fleet. She succinctly stated, “I oversee every aspect of transportation... Everything has to come back together.”
3. Collaboration Across Departments:
- The duo underscored their interdependency during shoots, reflecting on how clear communication is essential. “It is a super important relationship, the transportation department and the location department,” Alison remarked, reinforcing the idea that the two roles must work in concert to effectively manage the multitude of logistical challenges.
4. Navigating Challenges and Expectations:
- In navigating the vision of directors while managing realistic expectations, Sandra mentioned, “You cannot tell them no... but we have to be realistic. Show them options.” Alison echoed this sentiment with her experience of convincing a director that not all desired locations are feasible, using an example from *Project Greenlight* that showcased both the creative and logistical battles location managers face.
5. The Business Side of Filmmaking:
- Both guests shared their methods for managing budgets amidst constant changes and unexpected demands. From fluctuating crew requirements to neighbor negotiations, Sandra stated, “We have to manage every single penny because we are the keeper of that budget.” The importance of the tech scout was a central theme, as this meeting allows for the fine-tuning of requirements from all departments.
6. Advocating for Inclusion:
- Towards the end of the session, both Alison and Sandra spoke passionately about the need for increased diversity within their fields. Sandra highlighted her unique position as the only female Latino transport coordinator in her union, stating, “We can do the job... and I believe we can have more diversity on these jobs.” Alison reflected on the lack of representation for Black and Latina location managers, emphasizing the critical need for mentorship and opportunities: “People often forget that the location department starts on the creative side... we interface with every department.”
### Closing Thoughts:
Both Sandra and Alison left listeners with inspiring messages about perseverance and passion. Sandra summed it up beautifully: “It is like a puzzle... everything is just coming together. It’s a wonderful job.” Alison added, “If you’re thinking about the film business, the location department is actually a great entree because we interface with every department.”
Their dedicated insights into the complexities of film production offer a refreshing perspective on roles that often operate behind the camera yet play a pivotal part in storytelling.
Be sure to tune in to future episodes as the Catch A Break podcast continues to explore diverse career paths within the entertainment industry, shedding light on the collaborative effort that brings stories to life. For more episodes and updates, visit catchabrakepodcast.com.