Jere Newton Finalist in 2021 California On Location Awards for Location Professional – Independent Film

Jere Newton, a Monterey Bay area film location scout from Aptos, was a top-three finalist at the California On Location Awards (COLA) virtual film industry awards event broadcast on Nov. 14, 2021.

The Monterey County Film Commission nominated her for her work as local location scout for the independent movie “Malcolm and Marie” which was filmed Carmel Valley’s Caterpillar House during the height of the pandemic. (The film was directed by Sam Levinson and starred John David Washington and Zendaya).

Newton, who has been a location scout and manager for more than 20 years, was hired as local location manager for “Malcolm and Marie” during a time of uncertainty with strict COVID filming safety protocols. She quarantined five weeks with crew and cast at a nearby hotel which was closed to the public, and only left the property during those weeks to go to the house set.

The awards event was created by the Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS), an organization of 42 film commissions in California, including the Monterey County Film Commission. The event honors and celebrates the accomplishments of location scouts and managers and other professionals working to attract, retain and facilitate production across the state while providing exceptional service to the film industry and local locations.

The Monterey County Film Commission was a Silver Presenting Sponsor of this year’s event which was broadcast on the California On Location Awards website and COLA 2021 YouTube Channel. Monterey County film locations were highlighted on the broadcast with a promotional video and recorded praise of Monterey County film sites by Newton.

The Monterey County Film Commission’s mission is to inspire and facilitate film and media production throughout Monterey County, creating positive impact. It is funded in part by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.