A Year in Review
The autumn leaves were turning at the close of a productive summer, during which we built and executed the inaugural “Local 399 Drone Workshop and Picnic” - a networking event for Los Angeles-based union location professionals, designed to enhance their skill set using drone technology. Although we had known each other in passing throughout our respective industry careers, we remained in one another’s outer orbits. Over the next year, however, our paths would converge, leading us on a journey of shared experiences that cinematic dreams are made of.
At a time when SAG and WGA labor disputes had ground Hollywood productions to a standstill, we looked to a luminary for guidance: Lori Balton, the first location professional accepted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) and soon to be our 'COlabs Fairy Godmother.' Inspired by Lori’s recent LA Times interview inviting curious scouts to contact her directly, we did just that. What began as a brief brunch turned into a three-hour conversation, covering everything from the highs and lows of Lori’s illustrious career to advice on charting our own paths with intention. We soaked up her wisdom like sponges, feeling immense gratitude for everything she shared. But Lori didn’t just offer her mentorship that day; she had another surprise. She wanted to show us how far our scouting abilities could take us. For this, we would need our passports. Through an introduction to Carolina Yepes, we earned a coveted invitation to the third installment of the Shooting Locations Marketplace in Valladolid, Spain, followed by five action-packed days scouting the cinematic treasures of Madrid.
In Spain, we discovered that Shooting Locations Marketplace wasn’t just a FAM tour but an immersive education among the best in our field. In Valladolid, we participated in a networking summit with a unique format—personalized, one-on-one meetings between presenters (Film Commissions and Production Services) and attendees (a curated blend of Location Managers, Producers, and Studio Executives). The beauty of this event was the opportunity to network with global industry professionals as well as our U.S. based peers. This eye-opening experience encouraged us to broaden our vocational horizons and elevate our scouting abilities. We returned to LA buoyed by exciting new connections, unforgettable cultural experiences, and photographs we’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Next on our agenda was FOCUS—a two-day international film production expo in London, UK. Attending FOCUS for the first time was exhilarating, a feast of opportunity that was equal parts invigorating and overwhelming. The winter London air remained brisk outside, but inside, the venue radiated energy as attendees eagerly connected to lift up their brands. Zippy was invited to speak on the LMGI panel ‘Everything You Wanted to Know About Locations, But Were Afraid to Ask,’ and we were able to interact with representatives from regions such as Western Australia, Croatia, Iceland, Norway, and Arizona.
No sooner had we returned to the States than we were treated to a three-day FAM tour of southern Arizona, hosted by Film Tucson. The Film Commissioners, Peter Catalanotte and Monica Guzman, charmed us with a personalized tour that showcased their dedication to supporting production needs. Back in LA, we attended a panel discussion for Film France, hosted by Variety, which further shaped our ideas of how networking events can enhance visibility within the industry.
By summer, after assisting Film Tucson in hosting a mixer in Los Angeles, a weekend FAM tour of Shasta County, and some consulting calls with various Film Commissioners, we were approached by Indochina Productions—thanks to Lori Balton’s connection—to conduct a feasibility study for an expo promoting Vietnam as a filming destination. When the idea was greenlit, Indochina hired us to organize and produce the event.
In August, just when we thought our lives couldn’t be fuller, we were whisked away on an 11-day, action-packed private FAM tour of Norway and Iceland, executed and sponsored by Elli Cassata of Pegasus in Iceland and Joachim Lyng of Film in Norway. The tour allowed us to hone our photography skills, scout breathtaking landscapes with drones, and immerse ourselves in the otherworldliness of Iceland and Norway’s stunning geological features.
Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s happening when you’re in the thick of it, but returning from Iceland and Norway gave us the momentum needed to solidify our vision. We had discovered our niche through an exploration of what we already love doing. We are creative individuals who thrive on discovery, building bridges of connection, and elevating those around us. As a team, we work exceptionally well together, consistently bringing out the best in one another. Together, we sustain each other’s creativity and bring over 35 years of collective industry experience to the table when we COlab with you.
Building a business around what we love is something that fills us with joy because it feels so right. It’s crystal clear. We can genuinely speak to each other’s talents without boasting, and we push each other to become our best selves. We want to share that energy with everyone who enters our orbit—it’s unique and spectacular.
The leaves are changing in Colorado again as we stand on the precipice of hosting DESTINATION VIETNAM, launching our website, and continuing to expand our network. Come December, we’ll be returning to FOCUS, this time to host a panel discussion on the topic that started it all: “Scouting Above the Rest - Location Management and Scouting using Drone Technology.” We hope to see you there!
