First Annual Location Managers Guild Awards Brings Laughs To Full House

BY: Marjorie Galas, Editor

You may not be familiar with the name David Doumeng, but next year you just may be at an award show this funny man is hosting.  The location manager who, with colleague Charlie Love, won the Outstanding Achievement by a Location professional for a Commercial at the Location Managers Guild inaugural awards presentation enthusiastically received the evening's first competitive award.

Doumeng shared a few stories about making his award winning Nike commercial, including a discussion with a restaurant owner that, after assuring the shoots set up wouldn't be disrupted, resulted in the owner stating "I'm not saying you are lying to me, but I am positive they are lying to you."  Doumeng's funny quips earned accolades from actor/director Billy Crystal, who was on hand to present the first Humanitarian Award to cinematographer Haskell Wexler.

"Why didn't that guy host the Oscars," laughed Crystal, a former Oscar host himself.

Upon receiving his award for dedication to promoting safe working conditions for all production personnel, Wexler empowered the audience.  His comments about fair working conditions received thunderous applause from the sold out room.

"We are the only workers fighting for the right to work a twelve hour day," said Wexler.  "Ask the producers and the studios, 'What are your priorities?  Are they towards the humans or are they just to feed the bottom line?'"

Upon receiving the Outstanding Film Commission Award for their contributions to the season finale of "Breaking Bad" and the film "Lone Survivor," the commission team quipped "Come to Albuquerque.  Not only do we have crystal meth, we look like Afghanistan."   While Alexander Payne, the recipient of the first Eva Monley Award, wasn't able to attend in person, he sent in a video clip commending the location managers and saluting them on their inaugural awards show.  Payne, famous for shooting on location, informed intendees the only scenes shot on soundstages in his films have been bedroom or bathroom scenes.  His latest film, "Nebraska," was shot entirely on location, an achievement his location manager, John Latenser V, was nominated for that evening.

"You are a precious branch," said Payne.

Winners for the Location Managers Guild Awards are:

Outstanding Achievement by a Location Professional - Feature Film

IIt Jones (Iron Man 3)

Outstanding Achievement by a Location Professional - TV Program

Robert Boake (Game of Thrones)

Outstanding Achievement by a Location Professional – Commercial

David Doumeng and Charlie Love (Nike)

Outstanding Film Commission

Alburquerque Film Commission

Outstanding Location Television Program

Game of Thrones

Outstanding Location Feature Film

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Trailblazer Award:  Sheri Davis

Lifetime Achievement Award:  Scott Dewees

Humanitarian Award:  Haskell Wexler

Eva Monley Award:  Alexander Payne

To learn more about the Location Managers Guild, please visit:

http://locationmanagers.org/