FEATURED GUESTS

FILM MAKERS

LOCATION MANAGER

GREG HUEBNER

GREG HUEBNER: As one half of a twin-set born to Mentor and me in Paris, France, while Mentor was on location for the film, The Longest Day, Greg was no doubt born with 'Team Spirit' flowing though his blood stream. It evidently created a desire for being on multiple locations.

The twins were born after Mentor and I were almost ready to return to home. But I convinced Mentor, "We can do it" ~ and we decided to take a chance and see the world. For one year, Mentor and I and the three kids, lived on multiple locations of our own choosing. We bought a car in Holland when the kids were six weeks old and took off. We traveled all over Europe.

"Mentor and I and Mentor Jr. shared the front seat of the car, the 'twins', Jessica and Gregory, shared a jumbo baby car bed in the center, and we packed the back end of the car with a variety of essential paraphernalia. We also carried three huge and tightly packed trunks on the roof of the car. (Every night wherever we were Mentor unloaded the car, trunks and all, in case of car theft and other break-ins.) Every single inch of the interior and exterior space was used for the necessities of living, French SMA baby formula, baby bottles, diapers and painting supplies.

"There were no air pockets.

"We traveled throughout Europe from one spot to another. Mentor painted, Mentor Jr. collected insects and drew pictures. Whenever we visited spots of interest, churches and museums and castles, it was exactly like the landing on Omaha Beach in Mentor's movie. Mentor and I each carried a twin, taking our turns with 'heavier' or 'screaming', and Mentor Jr. helped by carrying the usual vinyl bag of baby supplies. We looked like gypsies. Our 'home base' was our car.

Greg on a Location Search

Gregory Huebner says: "I like the work. As far as I'm concerned the job of Location Manager and Location Facilitator, is one of the best jobs in the industry. It's the most diversified and you get to meet people from every area of life. There is no down time and you're never bored. Usually, the job requires an immediate creation of a small functioning city. Often from merely ground zero -- absolutely nothing -- you must jump to a thriving mini metropolis. The Location Manager creates that little city.

"For example, during the shooting of "Dante's Peak", in an old abandoned section of the Van Nuys Airport, which is called, "the biggest little airport in the world", the 'crew' consisted of around 1000 people. That means 1000 people had to come in and out, through guarded gates, work, go on breaks, and use a variety of supplies. Everything had to be brought in and then some of it bought out. Electricity, telephones, food, water and restrooms.

"As Manager you are involved with the movie locations from the production's initial stages and interface with each special department as they sign on, along with every single outside entity imaginable: There is almost daily communication between the Location Manager and all City Services; Fire Inspectors, Police and Private Security Guard Companies. And in the case of Dante's Peak, there was continuous contact with the ever present Airport Authorities (the landlords).

"Everyone had a different view, and no one really cared about the Volcano the film production company was attempting to build in their 'backyard'. A Location Manager's job demands social skill, organizational ability ~ diplomacy and psychology. Plenty of psychology. .

"Anything can happen to you and everything does. You get to meet everybody. Some are happy. Some are not happy. But there is a lot of 'spin off' and many situations come up that are fun -- despite the pressures.

"Dante's Peak had two sites that drew my attention. The action was spread out to the airport's other property, an empty field in Lancaster. It too required certain conveniences for the crew.

"Also, Universal Studios was also using Jim Cameron's Special Effects House at Digital Domain for "Dante's Peak" and their Film for their Theme Park Ride, "Terminator 2/3D ~ Battle Across Time". They sort of overlapped. There were multiple locations.

"One day, while I was working for Dante's Peak, and going back and forth between the Van Nuys Airport and the Digital Domain Special Effects House, the Universal Studios Production needed to get a fix on lighting and camera angles. It was for the Evil Cop in Terminator 2/3D. The Cop, played by Robert Patrick, was the one who Morphed into any shape and transformed into the element of hot Mercury, melting at the end. They asked me to stand in for him. Not for the morphing or the melting -- just for the light and angles. So that was a sort of a plus. It didn't have much to do with the other stuff.

"Another time I was watching them shoot a scene with a guy who was standing in for Arnold Swarzenegger. This actor was supposed to grab the 'Mini Hunter Killer', with his left hand. It was pushing midnight. Everyone was tired. Take after take after take after take ... failed.

"It wasn't working. The guy couldn't catch it.

"I asked, "Is Arnold left handed?"

"Obviously the stand-in actor wasn't.

"Someone answered me, "Yes". "Yes Arnold is left handed."

"I said, "I'm left handed."

"The sound of my words echoed across the stage. The Production Coordinator, David Sanger, said, "Just a minute", huddled with a group of the Universal executives for a few minutes, and the next thing I knew I was Arnold's 'Left Hand Man'.

"So in Universal's Terminator 2/3D, it's my left hand that's seen grabbing the Mini Hunter Killer. It can be seen at both the Universal Theme Parks. California and Florida. It's my claim to fame. .

"There are many funny stories to relate from each production. There is one event in particular that stands out for me. It's not exactly a location story. Well, maybe in a way it is.

"One day when I wasn't on "Dante's Peak" and was working on "Terminator 2/3D Battle Across Time", over at 'Digital Domain', I visited the Men's Room. I happened to be wearing my T2/3D Crew jacket.

"The Men's Room was empty. I took the last urinal at the far end of the row. Within seconds I heard the door swing open and foot steps walking toward me. I was soon aware
someone had decided to use the very next urinal. This is a violation of unspoken Public Men's Restroom procedure. If there are available urinals -- we don't crowd each other.

"I stood there and tensed a little as the second code of ethics was broken. The 'no talking code'. The guy next to me spoke. It's not a place to chat. No one does. This guy looks my way and proceeds to tell me that I'm wearing a nice jacket.

"Not knowing what to do at this point, I said, "Thanks."

"I flushed (the urinal), and began to walk away, when I saw that this assertive guy was the Producer, James Cameron. The Boss. (Digital Domain Special Effects House. Terminator 2/3D, Titanic, Ghosts of the Abyss.)

"As I headed toward the door, Jim Cameron called out to me and sent me off with a final shot of good will. He told me I should be very proud. As the jacket had only been given to a select few. It was special.

"I nodded and walked out. Now it would have been different. If that had happened today, I would have said, "Well, yes Jim, I am proud. Very proud."

"But now, I guess I should thank him. At least for the great memories." ~ GREG HUEBNER

GREG HUEBNER
Conact: GregHuebner@MentorHuebnerArt.com
Website: www.MentorHuebnerArt.com

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger & Greg Huebner