The people who make it possible for filmmakers to lens under tough circumstances and in daunting situations were honored at the 12th annual COLA or California On Location Awards. Kudos were handed out at a ceremony in downtown Los Angeles on October 15.The awards are bestowed under the auspices of Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS).Two awards went to location managers for Mission Impossible III, which was largely filmed in Southern California, including the recreation of a Shanghai street in downtown LA. Production Company/Location Team of the Year for Features was awarded to Paramount Pictures Location Department, and the team led by Becky Brake and Jonathan “J.J.’” Hook got the kudo for Assistant Location Manager of the Year for Features.TV’s Cold Case also got two awards. Production Company/Location Team of the Year went to Warner Bros. and the team led by Veronique Vowell.Liz Matthews got the award for Location Professional of the Year for Features for the filming of Next, which won’t be released until 2007. Shooting required shutdowns of several roads, causing the diversion of tens of thousands of drivers. “She was the calm before the storm, during the storm and after the storm,” said the presenter.Other winners: Location Professional of the Year—CommercialsJof Hanwright – “Suzuki”Location Professional of the Year—Still PhotographyJeff Morris – “Chanel”Production Company/Location Team of the Year—[email protected] “Grapenuts Trail Mix Cereal”Peter Kwong—Location ManagerProduction Company/Location Team of the Year—Still PhotographyStrong Productions, “PacSun”Alex Hamilton—Location ScoutGiovanni Janice—Location ManagerAssistant Location Manager of the Year—TelevisionTom Neil—CSI NYCity Employee of the YearJoan Sewald—Los Angeles World AirportsCounty Employee of the YearTim Vanderlip—Los Angeles County Fire DepartmentState Employee of the YearDoug Sweeney—California Highway PatrolFederal Employee of the YearJoan Patrovsky—BLM
Written by Jack Egan
