Having worked as a Location Professional for over 18 years, Phill Kane is currently working on the ninth season of the popular CBS Series 'Criminal Minds'.  He was kind enough to take a moment out of his busy schedule for an interview.

TLP: How did you get into location management?

PK:  Funny story. I I got into locations more or less by accident. I was working at a horrible job selling car stereos and in the midst of complaining about it, a client asked "what do you want to do?"  I answered, "I want to work in production." Here's the kicker - I didn't even know what production was!  Since moving to Los Angeles, I had met a lot of people who said they worked in production and they seemed cool.  So this woman happened to be a production manager for commercials and offered me a job as a production assistant. I quit my day job and within a few weeks got hired as a PA on a movie with Location Manager Kristi Frankenheimer who later hired me as a locations assistant. Eighteen years later and here I am, celebrating my seventh year at Criminal Minds.  So like I said it was not a plan, more like a series of lucky coincidences.  

TLP:  What do you love most about being a location manager?

PK:  It's three-fold. First, I enjoy being part of the creative process of molding how a show will look.  I think of location scouting as providing the easel for the Director, Production Designer and Director of Photography on which they can create their art. Second, I love that we bring an army into an area or neighborhood and the next day, it's like we were never there.  Third and most important, I have fun at my job. Working with Jeffrey Spellman and the producers and locations team at Criminal Minds has been the highlight of my career. 

TLP: What do you do when you're not working?

PK:  I'm pretty active. I enjoy running and mountain biking, and I also do Zombie-themed 5K mud runs a few times a year.  My wife and I love live music and attend up to 20 concerts in a year. And of course I like going to the movies.  We are lucky living in Hollywood - there are so many great theaters to choose from. 

In July 2014, FilmL.A. released second quarter on-location filming statistics for Greater Los Angeles noting an increase in regional on-location Television production of 33.7 percent over the prior year. California's film incentives contributed significantly to local production yields. Click here to read more.

Featured Production: Esurance Milton Photography Fanatic Selfie Commercial

Thanks to Smuggler Films,  Omninet, Albie Salsich, Helen Choi and the staff at Pacific Pointe for an excellent film shoot. Check it out:    

Esurance Milton Photography Fanatic Selfie Commercial

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