The next Film Florida Friday is Friday August 20, 2021 at 9:30am EST featuring three of Florida’s best film and television Location Managers/Scouts: Leah Sokolowsky, Maria K. Chavez, and Stacey McGillis-Evans, three of Florida’s best film and television Location Managers/Scouts.
In film and television production a location scout is responsible for finding places to film. A location scout searches for venues (interior and exterior) as the setting for scenes in a script. The location manager oversees the entire locations department. Listen to experts in the field as they talk about how they got into this part of production, what’s involved in their job, and how their job drives the overall look and feel of a project.
Location Managers/Scouting
Friday August 20, 2021
9:30am EST
Film Florida Fridays are free interactive chats about current topics, initiatives and relationship-building in Florida’s film, television, commercial, photography and digital media industry. These conversations will take place one Friday each month at 9:30am EST, where industry professionals and up-and-comers are encouraged to gather with a cup of coffee, ask questions and speak directory with industry leaders. Participants are highly encouraged to come with questions and be prepared to engage authentically with special guest panelists.
Leah Sokolowsky- Location Manager and Scout
Having worked as a Location Manager and Scout for nearly three decades, Leah Sokolowsky has helped shape some of the most iconic visual images of South Florida that exist in film and television. Some recent projects Leah has been involved in include HBO Max’s new television series Rap Sh*t, ballers, American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, The Irishman, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Leah currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Board of Film Florida, representing Teamsters Local 769, and has previously served as the organization’s President and Legislative Chair. She is also an active member of the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI).
Stacey McGillis- Location Manager and Scout
Born in Alberta, Canada, Stacey grew up in Central Florida and attended Tulane University, where she earned her degree in Psychology. Invited into the film and television industry by a close family friend, over the past 14 years, she has built an amazing track record, establishing herself as one of Florida’s most accomplished location managers. A member of Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) as well as Teamsters Local 385. Stacey has earned vast credits on feature films, and on episodic series including Disney’s “Tomorrowland” and the Disney+ series, “The Right Stuff.” Notably, she has also location managed Super Bowl commercials for Budweiser and The Daytona 500, and more high-profile spots for Ram Trucks, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss, to name but a few. In 2018, Stacey was nominated for LMGI’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Film for her work on the multi-award-winning “The Florida Project.”
Maria K. Chavez- Location Manager and Scout
Unbeknownst to me, an exciting journey in the Film/Entertainment Industry began after I graduated from Florida International University with a BFA in Theater and a BA in French circa 1983, since my plan was to continue in the Theater, my first love. While I was acting, directing, producing or directing theatrical productions with the “Hot Property” Theater Company, I began working on Print, Commercials, TV & Films productions as an extra, actor, production assistant and eventually a production manager in commercials & print to supplement my income and at the same time enjoyed the creative and fascinating environment of Film, TV, Commercials & Print. In 1985, I was catapulted into location scouting on the TV now Iconic TV Series “Miami Vice” when I began working as PA for the Visual Consultant of “Miami Vice,” Gusmano Cesaretti, a renown photographer, Michael Mann’s eyes and ears. By Season 2 of Miami Vice, I was a full-fledged location scout and subsequently became the Location Manager for the following three seasons of “Miami Vice.” I am pleased to be in this distinctive iconic gang as a “Five-year Miami Vice Survivor.”
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