Locations on Two

The creative role of a location manager during the early stages of production development one that involves a special and collaborative relationship with the production designer and director. During her decades as a film maker, Maida Morgan has become one of those trusted few invited to fulfill this role. She was first introduced to film making after a chance encounter with Steve McQueen as a child. She has since gone on to work with some of the top directors, designers, cinematographers and production teams in the business. As one of my early mentors in the industry, I am especially proud to have her join me on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

On previous episode we discussed the impact that locations can have on a production, but we have yet to talk about the impact that a production can have on the location. In an ironic twist, Senoia, GA, the primary site of filming for "The Walking Dead" was originally named "Location" by the settlers that started the town. Mike Riley has been the location manager on AMC's post apocalyptic pandemic series since day one and joins us on the back channel where the real work get's done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Kokayi Ampah has worked on everything from shows that defined the classic era of 70's television like Knight Rider & The A Team to all time favorite films like the Shawshank Redemption. As the first African-American location manager and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, you will see why he is respected as an industry trailblazer. We are also joined by Alison Taylor, the most prominent African American woman working as a location manager today. Alison is a twenty one year veteran of the film industry whose credits include Amistad, Training Day, Alias and The Underground Railroad. Our conversation during this two part episode covers everything from diversity in the industry to their personal journeys in the business. Welcome again to the back channel, where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Prior to its release, much was made of the fact that Michael Mann's 1995 LA crime drama "Heat" would be the first movie to feature De Niro and Pacino onscreen together in the same scene. Lori Balton would soon learn how critical the setting for this scene was to Mr. Mann and the creative team when every restaurant location that she brought in for consideration was rejected. We discuss how this played out and much much more when I am joined by the first location manager to ever be inducted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for this chat on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

Question: How do you cruise the streets of a major metropolitan city in a purple Lamborghini and the Batmobile without anyone noticing? Answer: Well... You probably can't. John Rakich talks about this and a career in the film industry that has immersed him in science fiction and the supernatural. Shadowhunters, The Expanse and Hemlock Grove are just a few of the topics that you might hear discussed when you join us on the back channel where the real work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"

People sometimes compare the intense experience of making a movie with waging a small war. If there is any truth to this sentiment, then my guest on this episode knows more about this than most. Emma Pill's most recent skirmish was the Academy Award winning 1917. Blade Runner 2049, Spectre, Captain America : The First Avenger , The Bourne Ultimatum and Munich were her training ground. Welcome to the back channel where the real work gets done on set, Locations on Two!

The acclaimed HBO series Westworld is described as a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past. There is certainly no better example of a reimagined future than that of a piano playing medical student who completely changes direction in order to discover a career in film production. This is the story that we will hear on this episode when we are joined by someone has truly lived without limits, Mandi Dillin. Welcome to the back channel where the real work gets done on set, Locations on Two!

There is sure to be an interesting story behind the career of anyone that starts out as a production assistant on a Bee Gees music special and and the sci-fi spoof Galaxina only to end up collaborating on studio features which have either won or were nominated for some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. LA Confidential, Vice, Hail Caesar, The Italian Job and Charlie Wilson's War are just a few of the films that have been lucky enough to have John Panzarella as a part of their team. Now it is our turn to be the lucky ones when John makes time to join us on the back channel where the work gets done on set, "Locations on Two!"