Location Managing: Pretty Much The Coolest Thing Ever, Besides Being A Pirate

Here’s the thing about blogs:
There is the obligatory pressure to sound interesting. All the cool kids are doing it. And yet, I am by no means a cool kid… so how did I gain access to this snazzy blog? Valid question.

My name is Darcy Forlenza and I secured my blog-worthiness by becoming Location Manager & Best Boy/Best Boy Grip for this fine production. My job is both as easy and as difficult as it sounds. The locating part is easy enough – it’s the securing of those locations that kills. For example, barging into a stranger’s dorm room while they’re eating a delicious sandwich and somehow convincing them to let me return multiple times with a group of 10 to 30 other people to measure, photo, and leer, set up cameras, lights, and props…is not always easy. So thanks to all of you who invited me in and/or currently resist the urge to run in fear when we pass on the street. To those of you who said no or were a big jerk, I will assume you were having an off-day.

So far I’ve gone through the script and determined all of the required locations. After brainstorming with Pat (director) and Chris (props) about the desired “look,” I scouted a bunch of dorms, meeting rooms, lobbies, and restaurants on and off BU campus, taking photos and talking to various head honchos for info on how to reserve the spaces. As a class, we visited the areas a couple of times, and now we’re in the finalization stage. I also have to think about where craft services (food) and wardrobe/makeup can set up, where the circuit breaker boxes are in all the buildings, elevator/loading dock access, parking for actors and crew vans, parking permits for shooting on a public sidewalk, the logistics of creating a closed set in active university common areas, and other fun stuff like that.

My job is pretty cool, because it involves talking to people (which I like) and convincing them to be generous with nothing in return but my hearty handshake, unending adoration and the chance to see their high school tennis trophy in the background of a scene on mtvU (a formidable challenge). And also, as a lighting and grip assistant, I get to light things (always good) and grip them as well (a favorite pastime).

Thank you for reading my blog. I won’t let it go to my head.