Every scene needs a setting. John Travolta danced in Gruene Hall for the movie “Michael,” and Jennifer Lopez performed as Selena in the Alamodome.

Like real estate, movie-making is about location, location, location.

On Saturday, July 12, San Antonio College is hosting a workshop that aims to show what it takes to find and manage locations for movies.

It’s a networking opportunity for those interested in meeting industry professionals and getting their foot in the door.

“A director has a vision. They have a picture in their head, and it’s your job to find a place,” Debbie Fuller said. She attended the production assistants workshop in May 2007 and plans to attend this weekend’s course.

The workshops are held in conjunction with the Texas Film Commission and taught by Bob Huggins, director of the commission.

“There’s an added value over our normal courses because of this link with the Texas Film Commission,” said Steven Lewis, director of the SAC service, trade and industry section.

The workshop will consist of class time and some time spent outdoors and will cover everything from making contacts to on-set responsibilities.

Last year’s production assistants workshop was a prerequisite for attending the locations workshop unless registrants have at least one year of experience in the movie-making industry.

Upon completion, students will be added to the Texas Production Directory, where their names and information will be available for future opportunities that may come to San Antonio and the surrounding areas.

“I met several location managers, who are the ones who are on the set every day making sure that everything on the location is going right. I just became fascinated with the whole scouting deal,” Fuller said.

Aside from the prerequisites, the workshop is open to the general public.

“We had a few SAC students. We had people who are already doing something related to film and interested in it. We also had some recent high school grads,” Lewis said.

There’s still more than 10 seats open, he added, and online registration is available. It’s recommended students arrive early and, if possible, take a digital camera.

Jonathan Munson | 210SA contributor
 

THE RUNDOWN
WHAT: The Texas Film Commission Locations Workshop
WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 12.
WHERE: San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., in the Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building
HOW MUCH: $38
INFO: Online registration at accd.edu/sac/ce; (210) 733-2635