Member in Focus:
David McKee

We recently spoke with PGGB Member David McKee, an experienced Supervising Location Manager, who began his career as a Runner almost 20 years ago. He has since worked on high-profile productions including How to Train Your Dragon, Game of Thrones and High-Rise.

Most recently, David worked on Netflix's How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, a comedy-thriller series from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, revolving around three friends investigating the mysterious death of a former schoolmate. David shared with us what it was like working on the show, which was mainly filmed in Northern Ireland.

Hello David, you recently worked on How to Get to Heaven from Belfast as Supervising Location Manager - congratulations on the release! What was it like to be involved in Lisa McGee’s first show after Derry Girls?

It was a fantastic experience. It was ambitious in scope and needed all departments to be at their best. It is incredibly satisfying to see it all come together on screen. 

Do you think this show will do for Belfast what Derry Girls did for its hometown?

Definitely, and not only Belfast. We had over 100 locations spread over 100 shoot days. Filming took us all over Northern Ireland and also Donegal, Dublin and Malta. It will be a fantastic showcase of what we have here.

What was it like working behind the scenes with the production team?

I was fortunate to have a great team around me. Not only in my department. The number of locations and sets resulted in a fast-paced schedule. It was a privilege to work alongside so many talented people at the top of their game from all the departments.

Can you share any highlights or interesting stories from filming? 

For the first location of the shoot, we shot for two weeks in a hotel while it was open to the public. Not uncommon but a first for me was ownership of the hotel changing hands during filming. During prep, we knew there was potential for the location to be sold, so we had to have both owners on board with everything we were doing. Both sets of owners were great though, and somehow it all worked out.

Were there any specific challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

We had a big exterior set at one of the key locations of the series that was high up beside a mountain. Access was already tricky and then a storm came through days before filming. Some of the access was ruined, and part of the set was damaged. That’s when you need cool heads. Everyone came together to get it ready in time, but it was a tricky few days.

What is it like filming in Belfast?

Belfast is great. I have been filming there for many years. We have a great relationship with local communities, businesses and the authorities who are always very supportive.

Could you tell us a bit more about the role of a Supervising Location Manager and what you do on a daily or weekly basis?

The Supervising Location Manager role is reserved for larger film/TV productions where you have a bigger team. I oversee finding, securing and managing all filming locations. This starts working with the director and production designer on the creative vision for the production and ends with getting the cast and crew in and out of a location as efficiently as possible and returning the location to the owners as if we were never there. I have a budget and manage contracts, permits, logistics and the team.

During filming, I would start the day on set, making sure everything is running smoothly, and then the rest of the day would be spent looking ahead to what locations are next. A lot of the time on HTGTHFB, we had several locations either being prepped for filming or being put back, as well as finding new locations. Delegating effectively with a strong team is crucial to managing multiple locations.

What skills or qualities do you think are essential for succeeding in this role?

You have to be able to communicate effectively and build rapport and trust. You need to have a good eye and be able to take a great photograph of a location. One of the biggest is staying calm under pressure. On any production, there are always things that happen that are outside of your control. From the weather turning bad to a cast member getting sick. Schedules can change at any moment. You need to be able to think quickly on your feet to fix a problem and make the required change a smooth process. Not always easy or possible, but it is very satisfying when you can pull it off.

Could you share how you started off in the industry?

18 years ago, I got some work experience in television in London, which led to me working on the Big Brother TV show for a couple of years as a Runner. On returning to Northern Ireland, I was introduced to a top local Location Manager, Andrew Wilson, who was looking for a new trainee. It was just as the industry was expanding in Northern Ireland, with some high-profile productions. I kept my head down and managed to get work on a variety of productions, including Game of Thrones, and it took off from there.

New Film Releases

How to Make a Killing

Blueprint Pictures, StudioCanal

PGGB Members:

Emma Mager – Head of Production (Blueprint Pictures)

Amaka Ugwunkwo – Unit Production Manager (Additional Photography)

PGGB Partners and Affiliates:

SetKeeper, Media Insurance Brokers, Panavision, Panalux

One Last Deal

Hail Mary Pictures, Lumiere Ventures, Northern Ireland Screen & more

PGGB Members:

Joan Lambe – Production Accountant

New Television Releases

How to get to Heaven from Belfast

Hat Trick Productions

PGGB Members:

Martin Ainscough – Production Accountant 

Claire Thompson – Production Manager (London Unit)

Amy Moore – Production Manager

David McKee – Supervising Location Manager 

Alison Eaves – Series Co-producer

PGGB Partners and Affiliates:

Team Engine, Sargent Disc, Media Insurance Brokers, Entertainment Partners, TPH Global, Sara Putt Associates, Chapters, Loop Talent, BCD Media & Entertainment, CineArk

A Woman of Substance 

Channel 4

PGGB Members:

Kate Larking – Line Producer 

PGGB Partners and Affiliates:

Loop Talent, Entertainment Partners, SetKeeper, Team Engine, TPH Global, FTVE Group, North East Screen, Media Insurance Brokers

Outlander S8

Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Co., Left Bank Pictures & more

PGGB Members:

David Packham – Line Producer 

Sam Fell – Production Manager 

Olivia Gifford – Production Manager

Hazel Borthwick-McShannon – Production Manager (prep)

Jacqueline McBride – Production Accountant (prep)

PGGB Partners and Affiliates:

Supply 2 Location, Entertainment Partners, Sargent Disc, Panavision, Panalux