Mayor's Office film Newsletter

Joe Fontao, Location Manager

A little over ten years ago, all Joe Fontao wanted was to become a chef. Unfortunately, Fontao “didn’t really like the hours. So, I stumbled into this industry thanks to a suggestion from a friend.” Starting as a PA, Fontao worked his way up within MTV and covered awards shows and Spring Break for the network. Today, as a location manager for Viacom Networks and owner of his own location management company (Fontao Location Management), he certainly isn’t complaining about his career path.

“For me, the proudest moment I have as a location manager is at the end of the show when you’ve done three weeks on a site at twenty hours a day and the last truck closes its door,” says Fontao. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the biggest show or the smallest one, it’s difficult. Your guys are exhausted, but you still feel good, somehow.” Fontao knows the exhaustion well.

It was during this time as an MTV PA on Spring Break that he knew he wanted to become a location manager. “I watched a location manager pull in a ton of trailers on set,” Fontao pauses. “I thought, ‘It’s amazing how he just rolled a whole little city here in ten minutes. I want to do that.’” Now he rolls these little cities all over New York for a number of big events – from the VMAs (since 1999) to movie awards, to the Thanksgiving Day parade. He’s currently working on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors Awards and will be doing the location management for the next Superbowl in Miami.

Still, Fontao expresses that all events, not just the big ones, are logistical challenges. He has become adept at working with the City and with facilities across all five boroughs to deliver what his clients are looking for.

Fontao was born and continues to live in Staten Island. “You get a dedication in New York that you just don’t get in another city. Every agency involved in this business, every city worker – they all pitch in. People here are much more helpful than anywhere else.”

Fontao hopes to put this helpfulness to good use. His location management company is a recent development and he hopes to have a website put together soon. “I’ve developed a lot of good relationships with people around the city and I’m a New Yorker, born and raised. This is the best city to do this kind of stuff in.”

For more information about Fontao Location Management, call (718) 667-0245.