Kelly Harris on Locations, Logistics, and Powering Hollywood From the Ground Up

Guest: Kelly Harris Titles: Supervising Location Manager; Locations & Production Logistics Leader Episode Theme: Locations aren’t just “where you shoot”—they’re how production actually happens. Kelly breaks down the creative + logistical power of the locations department, from scouting to permits to managing entire neighborhoods. Why this matters right now: With tighter budgets, shorter seasons, and new formats like verticals, productions need smarter location strategy more than ever—and Black women need visibility in the roles that quietly run the industry. Kelly Harris is the kind of industry pro who makes the impossible look effortless because she’s doing the work nobody sees. From getting her start in Cincinnati on Rage in Harlem to building a career in Los Angeles, Kelly shows how relationships, preparation, and leadership make locations the backbone of production. This is a masterclass in how the location department touches every department. Relationships as Currency: The Call That Changed Her Career (00:04:29) A day in the life of a location manager: scouting, strategy, and service (00:09:41) Let’s Talk Tech: “Area of Use” and why it’s everything (00:16:37) Let’s Talk Finance: FilmLA, permits, union wages, and location budgets (00:19:34) Verticals + the future: why this format could be a win for locations (00:33:58) A crystal-clear breakdown of what locations actually does (00:09:41) Real talk about FilmLA fees and what they do and don’t control (00:20:13) Practical career money: union wage ballparks + negotiation mindset (00:23:59) Future-proofing: how vertical storytelling changes production strategy (00:33:58) The leadership gem: protect your health, reputation, time, and finances (00:42:18) Kelly Harris is a Supervising Location Manager whose career spans film and television across major studios and networks. Known for her strategic scouting, production diplomacy, and deep logistical expertise, she’s helped productions secure and manage complex locations from neighborhoods and private properties to major institutions while supporting every department on set. Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch the full episode on YouTube @TruJuLoMedia. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a creative who needs to hear it. Follow @SistaBrunchPodcast for clips, community, and resources. Support the show and help keep these conversations accessible at Patreon.com/SistaBrunch  or GiveButter.com/SistaBrunch. Keywords: Kelly Harris, Sista Brunch Podcast, location manager, supervising location manager, Teamsters Local 399, FilmLA permits, area of use, filming in Los Angeles, production logistics, locations department, vertical series, Black women in entertainment, Hollywood crew careers, production budgets, scouting locations