New Mexico’s favorite son, Neil Patrick Harris is a man who’s typically hard at work, so it’s no surprise to find him on a unique new film project. This time out the Albuquerque native is taking a turn in a comedy western right here in his homeland!
The “How I Met Your Mother” star recently tweeted an inspiring revelation about Santa Fe, where he’s currently filming with the all star cast of Seth MacFarlane’s “A Million Ways to Die in the West”.
Also saying:
This #NM flick is destined to become a comedy classic, scheduled for release on Memorial Day Weekend 2014!
The film also stars Amanda Seyfried, Charlize Theron, Giovanni Ribisi, Liam Neeson, Sarah Silverman, and Seth MacFarlane himself!
As the world anxiously awaits the final eight episodes of the “best show on television”, Breaking Bad fans are equally curious for the verdict on what comes next for cast & crew.
Even before we learn the fate of Walter White & Co. Br Ba devotees look forward to the most likely spin-off in which the best, slimiest, lawless lawyer around, Saul Goodman will once again ease all with, “Better Call Saul”.
Best news for New Mexico is that if a deal is indeed inked for the series, the most likely place for the Saul Goodman led series to take place would be original series home, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Home to the AMC series, Albuquerque Studios (The Avengers, The Lone Ranger) is well seasoned and at the ready for the return of all things Saul.
Last fall NBC shot the gritty drama pilot “After Hours” across the interstate, as a prospect for last season’s television schedule. After not making the first cut, then being volleyed back and forth from the pick-up list to the tentative list, an off-cycle short order has been placed for at least four episodes of the show.
With a little tweek to the working title, from “After Hours” to “The Late Shift” production is scheduled to get back underway at I-25 Studios (Transcendence, Lone Survivor) later this summer!
And as we’ve previously reported, up north some very special goings-on are going on around the return of the A&E hit series, Longmire and the highly anticipated Seth MacFarlane adaptation of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey for Fox television.
A certain New Mexico film which has been described as possibly being “cursed” should really be categorized as, “blessed”. Movies can sustain a delayed start, a hard stop, losses and adds and come back like gangbusters!
More important is to take a step back and take a pause when 9 months or so warrant gestation. With all the delays and change-ups on this New Mexico film, it’s unclear exactly how a “blessed event” may affect the film.
#NMFilm alum, Penny Cruz worked on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean with now fellow NMFilm vet, Johnny Depp well into her pregnancy.
Local casting director Elizabeth Gabel is looking for a jug player, washboard player and a wash tub bass player. Email egabel@msn.com with a photo and a phone number.
Robert Baxter is now casting for the second season of Longmire filming in Northern New Mexico.
A few very pretty 30 to 40 year old women, country girl types for the Red Pony saloon, which reoccurs weekly and requires use of the same people weekly (Cheers like). If you are interested Send a recent picture and phone number to robertbaxtercasting@gmail.com
Baxter is also currently seeking Police Officers or Police officer types. If this is you and can spend all day on set April 5th please send a pic and contact number to robertbaxtercasting@gmail.com.
On Location Casting is currently filling roles for the feature film, Things People Do. Shooting will take place 4/3/13 – 5/4/13 in the Albuquerque area. Male, female, all ethnicities, all ages background talent are encouraged to apply for the following types:
Detectives (with own suits), Coffee Shop Patrons, Bowling Alley Patrons (make sure you have bowling listed as a special skill in your OLC profile), Gang types, Bartenders (with experience), Uniform Police (prefer previous military or law enforcement experience), Little League Players and more! Visit the OLC Facebook page here for full details.
HOW TO SIGN UP: (*If you are already in the OLC database, DO NOT create new profile -just make sure your current profile is up to date!
Submissions to our website ASAP at: www.onlocationcasting.net. Enter on Talent, Click Register and Talent Application. Complete application and upload 1-2 photos. It is FREE to register so you should NOT pay for the suggested ‘active’ account upgrades that will be offered twice a month. There is NO charge and you can be booked for work with the basic ‘not-active’ profile. DO NOT PAY FOR AN ‘active’ ACCOUNT!!!
-Recent photos of yourself should be taken within the past (6) months. Please submit one head/face shot and one full body shot if possible.
-**PHOTOS should be of clear good quality, facing forward to camera, NO sunglasses, NO hats, NO silly gestures or faces, and should include ONLY those being submitted for the project.
If you have additional questions about this project or On Location Casting – please feel free to email us at: onlocationcastingNM@yahoo.com with subject line “Things People Do”
UPDATE 4/11/13: From EG Casting: Looking for a sister and brother, 9-12, African American for The Homesman with Tommy Lee Jones. Please email a photo to egabel@msn.com with ages and a phone number.
EG Casting – Looking for male stand-ins WITH EXPERIENCE, for Homesman, 5’8″-6 feet, Caucasian. Email egabel@msn.com with photo AND phone number.
Joe Edna Boldin – Looking for CHINESE (only CHINESE) actors (male & female) between the ages of 20 & 50 to play scientists in a major feature film shooting in NM. Actors MUST be NM locals and must be CHINESE. If (and only IF) you fit the above description, please email sidesfromjoedna@yahoo.com with CHINESE in the subject line. Please do NOT send messages to facebook with your information, email only.
EG Casting – Looking for newborn babies. please email me at egabel@msn.com.
***UPDATE*** We are unable to divulge whether tribal, public or private property, locations or facilities are in talks to host this project, but multiple local area sources have confirmed to us the film’s likelihood of shooting in New Mexico.
In a far out blind item, we were recently hinting at rumblings that the biggest of biggies by way of global superstars, was possibly en route BACK to New Mexico!
Now that reports are rolling into the blogosphere that Johnny Depp’s next feature film is in fact on the rails, rapidly headed toward meeting production dates for a Spring 2014 release date, we ~can tell you – DEPP IS HEADED BACK TO NEW MEXICO!
Transcendence (which I will now learn how to spell) is set to co-star NMFilmer Paul Bettany, who starred in the 2009 New Mexico film Legion. Dark Knight cinematographer Wally Pfister will make his directorial debut with the film, which Collider reports to be about “a scientist whose brain gets uploaded into a supercomputer with the aim of creating the world’s first machine that can think for itself”.
Female leads currently being bandied about include NMFilm star Emily Blunt (Sunshine Cleaning), Rooney Mara, and Rebecca Hall.
EXCLUSIVE: …Tommy Lee Jones has lined up his next directing vehicle, as he’s set to write and direct THE HOMESMAN, a period pic he’ll also produce and topline. Story follows a pioneer woman and a claim-jumping rascal of a man (Jones) who usher three insane women on an odyssey from Nebraska to Iowa. Jones made his directorial debut with the 1995 TNT telepic THE GOOD OLD BOYS, which starred Jones and his fellow Oscar winners Sissy Spacek and Frances McDormand, as well as an up-and-coming thesp named Matt Damon.
Whispers in the wind say that this Tommy Lee Jones helmed project is tentatively scheduled to shoot in New Mexico for three months starting this March!
Complimenting Jones’s writing, producing and directing it is exclusively being reported that acclaimed cinematographer/writer/director, Rodrigo Prieto (Argo, Brokeback Mountain, Babel, 21 Grams) has signed on as Director of Production.
AND if The Wrap’s exclusive report holds true, none other than Oscar winners, Meryl Streep and Hilary Swank will co-star!
Fingers crossed! We loves us some Tommy Lee Jones ACTION!
Like taxes, completed annual reports from YOUR state government agencies are currently due out to the public. Of utmost interest to this bloggette are where the numbers shake out for New Mexico Film.
If you too want to know what the official reports say regarding the state film industry, click here for the full 2012 “Performance Measures Report & Program Highlights” from the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD), parent department of the New Mexico State Film Office.
For ease of reference, here are all the points made in the annual review regarding the film industry:
The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) has completed a successful year working to assist productions with the financial aspects of their projects and guiding them through incentives, such as the Film Production 25 percent Tax Rebate and the Film Investment Loan Program. NMFO worked diligently in FY12 to help connect productions with industry-related organizations, businesses and communities throughout New Mexico. Another measure of success came from the noteworthy development of several new initiatives. What follows are NMFO highlights from FY12:
Production
In the fall of 2011, the New Mexico Film Office Director met with 18 studios and production entities in Los Angeles to review New Mexico’s film incentives. As a result, NMFO saw an increase in inquiries from production entities.
In support of additional marketing, the New Mexico Film Office assisted the City of Santa Fe in representing New Mexico at the Sundance and South by SouthWest Film Festivals, by providing information and photographs on New Mexico film locations and other state industry resources. NMFO also attended the Locations Tradeshow in Los Angeles in June, and was successful in marketing New Mexico to Los Angeles producers, generating the submission of over nine scripts to NMFO for location assistance.
* Because the New Mexico 9000 Program was in flux, the goal of 15 was not
reached in FY12.
Workforce Development
The Film Crew Advancement Program (FCAP), available through the Job Training Incentive Program, serves as an incentive for participating companies to provide more job opportunities for New Mexicans in primarily technical film positions.
• In FY12, eleven companies and twenty-three New Mexicans
participated
The Pre-Employment Workshop Training Program, also available through the Job Training Incentive Program, serves as means to increase qualified manpower for this industry.
• In FY12, eight workshops were conducted and one-hundred
and twenty-two New Mexicans attended
Digital and Emerging Media
A newly developed Pre-Employment Training Program for Emerging Media was approved by the JTIP board. This program will assist New Mexican students in post-production related film programs (available through higher education institutions in New Mexico) to gain experience with emerging media companies while incentivizing these companies to relocate or expand in New Mexico.
NMFO established a contract to research digital and emerging media and the potential benefits to the New Mexico economy. “Emerging media” is having a profound influence on the world’s healthcare delivery system and research laboratories, such as Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratories. In addition, experts predict that the billion dollar industry of digital media game development will be the fastest growing form of media in the next decade. Currently 55 percent of all colleges and universities in the U.S. have instituted mobile applications software as a way to interact with their students.
Local Outreach
Town Halls were coordinated in F12 that provided regional forums, free and open to the public, to discuss industry-related inquiries.
They were held in Gallup, Farmington, Las Cruces, Raton, Roswell and Ruidoso. A casting session was added to Raton’s Town Hall to assist New Mexicans in contacting local casting directors. Town Halls will commence again in FY13 in conjunction with regional liaison meetings.
The New Mexico Film Office continues to support and grow the Statewide Film Liaison Network. Communities and tribes designate individuals to assist and prepare their area for a variety of industry activities. Formal letters that were sent to chambers, local governments and tribal entities helped to continue to increase the number of state film liaisons in rural areas of New Mexico. The annual meeting of liaisons takes place in July of each year. The First Annual Education Summit will be held in September of 2012. New Mexico colleges and universities offering programs in film, digital media or emerging media technologies will have the opportunity to come together to network and share their stories at this Summit.
A newly developed Pre-Employment Training Program for Emerging Media was approved by the JTIP board. This program will assist New Mexican students in post-production related film programs (available through higher education institutions in New Mexico) to gain experience with emerging media companies while incentivizing these companies to relocate or expand in New Mexico. NMFO established a contract to research digital and emerging media and the potential benefits to the New Mexico economy. “Emerging media” is having a profound influence on the world’s healthcare delivery system and research laboratories, such as Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratories. In addition, experts predict that the billion dollar industry of digital media game development will be the fastest growing form of media in the next decade. Currently 55 percent of all colleges and universities in the U.S. have instituted mobile applications software as a way to interact with their students.
Film Tourism
To increase awareness of the success of the film industry in New Mexico, the New Mexico Film Office developed thematic categories and plans for interactive maps of statewide filming locations to be made available for public download. Ultimately, this initiative will provide an economic tracking tool to promote and support film tourism. NMFO has requested collaboration with the Department of Tourism to determine regional touring itineraries. Studio assistance has already been confirmed to market this initiative. A prototype map was completed and plans to further develop this initiative have been scheduled for FY13.
-END-
Additional NMFO numbers and information can be found in these select pages of the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s 2012 Q4, Quarterly Report.
THIS Q4 report includes NMEDD finalized numbers and measures, including the recently publicized $224.6M being reported as direct spending from the industry into the state economy (pg. 18) New Mexico Film performance measures such as; Number of media industry worker days, Economic impact of media industry productions in New Mexico (in millions), Number of films^ media projects principally photographed in New Mexico, Number of major film productions made in New Mexico greater than $1M.
POINT via Ann Lerner, City of Albuquerque Film Liaison:
The film industry is alive and well in Albuquerque.
We’ve seen a variety of film activity in the area this year. “In Plain Sight” finished Season 5, filming out at I-25 Studios and on location around town. “Breaking Bad” shot eight episodes of Season 5, and will be back in December for eight more episodes. “The Last Stand,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, filmed in Downtown Albuquerque in January. (Watch the trailer to see an impressive stunt across the intersection of Fifth and Marquette.)
And, oh yes, the largest movie being made in the world this year, “The Lone Ranger,” chose Albuquerque Studios as its home for offices and sets and built two western towns out by the Rio Puerco, filming here for months.
“2 Guns” just wrapped, “Lone Survivor” starts filming in October for nine weeks. Two other films will be shooting this fall as well.
Numerous independent filmmakers are making low-budget projects – from features, to shorts, to webisodes.
So why do people like to film in Albuquerque? Besides the 310 days of sunshine, no natural disasters, close proximity to Los Angeles, an easy-to-use film tax incentive and a strong film crew base, we have a world-class infrastructure of stages, equipment companies, suppliers and businesses relating to the movie industry.
And Albuquerque can double for many different location looks – we can be Cincinnati (“Wild Hogs”); Munich (“Beer Fest”); Mexico border crossing (“2 Guns”); Los Angeles (“Crash TV”); New York (“The Resident”).
But I think a large part of the reason people like to film in Albuquerque is because of the open reception filmmakers receive from neighborhoods and businesses and the administration.
We offer one-stop film-permitting. We recognize that filming dates may change due to weather or illness or some other factor and are flexible.
Our filming guidelines require production companies to limit the number of large vehicles in a neighborhood and provide notification of filming dates and times. We have a program asking productions to give $100 to the neighborhood association for each day of filming. To date, over $60,000 has been raised.
We respect the production companies and welcome them for bringing in new money and providing well-paying and creative jobs for our citizens.
Production companies respect our highly skilled labor force and willingness to allow filming in the area.
Our reputation is strong. The Film Office is busy reading scripts and leading location scouts for potential future work. We’re issuing permits. Our phones are ringing.
Thank you for keeping Albuquerque film friendly!
COUNTERPOINT via Jon Hendry, President New Mexico Federation of Labor:
Our film liaisons are a hidden treasure.
The hard work of such great people as Ann Lerner in ABQ, Jan Wafful in Alamogordo, and Lisa Van Allen in Santa Fe, along with a dozen others around the state who back up the New Mexico Film Office and do great work in their communities, is a huge part of our industry success. I believe that Ann’s excellent editorial in today’s Journal speaks highly of her office, her pride in the community, and the effect that we in film have had on so many ancillary businesses. Bravo!
However, I respectfully disagree on the state of the NM film business. When 50/1 wraps, there will be slim pickings for NM crews through Breaking Bad‘s final eight episodes. While Lone Survivor is trying hard to employ as many locals as they can, for technical reasons they have to bring in more crew than we would like in fields where we are not strong. Hopefully, that is something we can all address in the future. One film can’t carry more than 1000 qualified technicians plus actors, stunt people, drivers, PA’s, and the host of others who have come to rely on this business. Rumors of an eminent super-hero movie only help a little, since we know that the vast majority of key or best boy positions will not go to locals. While they may fill hotel rooms, rent cars, and buy lumber, these kinds of movies don’t always help the working crew. We can’t expect micro budget pictures to pay comparable rates or the benefits we need; that’s ok, bring them on, we appreciate them, but it’s not the road to full employment.
As well as things are going, the warning lights are also flashing, and I believe we’re reaching that critical area where we need to deal with these situations in the upcoming legislative session. After two years we know what works and what doesn’t. My suggestions follow. On most I think you’ll find general industry consensus and on others some dissension, but I think we’ll find some suggestions that the legislature can agree with and that will allow the taxpayers to feel they are getting a good return on their investment.
1) We need to return to the original legislative intent of $50 million. In order to do that we need a cost of living increase as we’re the only “capped incentive”. That is going to seem extremely moderate now but we need the protection for the hyper inflation that may occur and could basically wipe us out of the business. By doing so we ensure that in real dollars the $50 million stays constant.
2) TV series employ more New Mexicans in all facets of the business than anything else, and we need to give them the certainty they will get their money when they make a commitment to us which could be up to five years. I’m open to suggestions on how we do this but I think the way is to exempt them from the cap.
3) We need to make some technical changes in the language of that rather rushed bill that allows a rollover of unused credits that we can accumulate as we already have a substantial balance from the last few years and a payout of $50 million. There is no reason for it to be staggered if we have the money. Sitting on it doesn’t help anyone, especially the state budget process.
4) We need to set up a system that, when Tax & Rev has approved a rebate, picture companies can monetize this. I believe the private banking system can look at doing this. I also believe some of us in NM might contribute to a fund that would not only give a return but help us get more pictures and, most importantly, ABQ, Bernalillo County, SF city & counties, Alamogordo, and Otero County could look to their bonding capacity to help this occur. It would be very useful if we could put this money in to the project while they are still here shooting and spending money and not two years down the road when they are long gone. Alaska is looking at a cash flow model, private funds can move much quicker than governmental entities, but Tax & Rev would have to come up with a certification program.
5) Perhaps most controversially, I think we need to do much, much more to ensure that the companies generating the rebates for the production entities are NM based and the money stays in the state. It’s almost a game to figure out how to make out of state people and equipment and other purchases rebateable. We shouldn’t be asking Tax & Rev to play “whack a mole”. When we solve one issue another pops up and that’s not good. We thought the bricks and mortar requirement solved this but in some cases it made it worse. I want to be able to say with hand on my heart that we rebate no one from out of state and we keep the money here where it was generated and where it’s needed. Any perception that this is welfare for Hollywood isn’t good. This should be a legislative priority.
I’m open to other suggestions. What I can’t work with is a situation where on the top end we’re being squeezed by the amount of money we can put out and on the bottom end we are squeezed because these companies are employing fewer New Mexicans and spending more money with large chains who don’t pay taxes here or out of state companies are working through facilitators instate that help them get an undeserved rebate. If anyone else feels we’re doing sensationally well I am happy, after ensuring confidentiality, to share payroll figures with you – it’s not great.
We are looking for an in-state Director and production team for a commercial production to shoot in New Mexico in January of 2013. The shoot will be 2-4 days. MOS. We are looking for a Director who has national, award-winning experience shooting outdoor/adventure sports and activities. In addition, this Director must be highly skilled in pulling authentic moments of humanity from all cast members. We would like the production team to be a tight group that has worked together, can maximize production value with a small footprint, move quickly, and get a lot of coverage using multiple cameras. Extensive experience shooting with an RC helicopter is mandatory, as well as other ways to increase production value with a limited number of team members. Please respond by EOD Monday, September 24. Send resume’s and questions to Martín Leger at martin.leger@state.nm.us.
UPDATE 7/21/12: via Manny Baca – Follow-up story about how the Premiere of Bless Me Ultima was fully booked up before anyone in New Mexico even knew about it, thus excluding New Mexico Cast members from the premiere. Tune in to KOAT 7 at 10PM tonight..
Is there a wager somewhere within the sitting administration, or a race between gov. agencies on how fast New Mexico dollars can be sent out of state?
Unfortunately, as we’ve already told you here, here, and here…Indigenous services from Film Production to Web Design and all those creative links inbetween continue to receive the proverbial SMACK DOWN from government agencies sending New Mexico Monies anywhere but here!
This time, your tax dollars are being outsourced to the far Northeast all the way to the land of the Cunucks, for the production of state anti-smoking ads. Fed-up filmmakers say:
“They’re at it Again…Much to our exasperation the State is again spending money on out of state production companies.
I don’t get it, wasn’t a front page story in the ABQ Journal enough to get them to spend our money locally? There is an anti-smoking commercial for the Depart of Health being shot this weekend with a minimal crew because they “can’t afford” to hire people on their budget. Really? They can afford to use a NY/Canadian production company. There is no reason why this money is not being spent locally.
We’re perfectly capable of doing our own spots. What’s it going to take before the Martinez administration stops shipping our money out of state?
-BA480″
Sen. William Burt of Alamogordo, who’s been a strong and consistent supporter of and advocate for motion picture and television production in New Mexico, is now running unopposed in the June primary.
In other film industry news, there will be a fundraising event on Tuesday, May 1st, for Representative Bob Wooley at the Chama River Brewing Company in ABQ from 5-7pm.
Because of redistricting Rep. Wooley (who supports the Film/TV business in N.M.) is running against Rep. Dennis Kintigh, who for many years has tried to kill the state’s film incentive program. There is no Democrat candidate, so the winner of the primary election will be the representative for district 66.
On the long and winding road of missteps, wherein New Mexico industries and the very fiber of our cultural make-up as New Mexicans had first been underutilized then flatly insulted, a path to amends is taking shape.
This week New Mexico Film workers business agent, Jon Hendry had a successful meeting with the Governor’s cabinet members in regards to their handling and handing out of the state’s multi-million dollar ad campaign, which has recently grabbed some unflattering national and international attention due to the Tourism Department’s casting gaffe.
Tops in priority to many are bridging the gap between the high dollar, high visibility contract utilizing local trades, businesses and people, for this all important media package set to launch beginning next month with the goal of showcasing New Mexico to the world.
As forwarded to OHI from the office of IATSE 480 Business Agent, Jon Hendry to locals in film; the status of New Mexico Film, New Mexico Tourism, and New Mexicans going forward together stands as follows:
I just met with Cabinet Secretary of Tourism Monique Jacobsen, the Director of Tourism Development, and the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff on the outsourcing of crew on the recent tourism commercial.
I feel we had a frank and open discussion of our positions. I believe the Department and the Governor’s office now know that this is something that should not have occurred. I also believe that they are willing to make every effort to prevent this from occurring in the future.
We discussed three things which I think will be positive steps forward.
1. We will work together to ensure that as many New Mexicans as possible work on these projects in the future.
2. We will work to form an advisory group of people from around the state to assist in achieving that goal.
3. We will jointly create a promotion to showcase New Mexicans’ own stories.
I strongly believe this meeting was a positive first step. Everyone in attendance took this matter seriously. I’m making a commitment to the NM production community that I will do everything that I can to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The Governor’s office and the Tourism Department will work with us all to make sure as well.
Having said that, the recent commercial is in the can; continuing to gripe and complain about it, while therapeutic, does not help. We’re all New Mexicans here regardless of what side of the fence we sit on, where we originally came from, or what we look like. Our goal should be to promote jobs through sustainable and respectful tourism. I know a number of you told me earlier you’re willing to work with me on this and I will hold you to it.
Thursday March 8 at 7:00 p.m. – ESPANOLA Northern New Mexico College
921 N. Paseo de Oñate
Española, NM 87532 (505) 747-2100
Thursday March 22 at 7:00 p.m.- SANTA FE
The Screen
1600 St. Michael’s Drive
Santa Fe, NM – (505) 473-6494
All screenings are free to the public and followed by audience/filmmaker Q&A.
DVDs expected to go on sale late this Spring. Follow the film on Facebook here.
Premiered February 1st 2012 in Santa Fe, NM to a packed house of industry insiders and advocates, MADE IN NEW MEXICO is “an inside look at the film and media-making industry in New Mexico – from its history to its future – and how progressive tax incentives fueled a boom in production stirring up political controversy over the industry’s true value to the state in difficult financial times.”
STATEWIDE SCREENING SCHEDULE TO DATE
UPDATE 2/17/12: TWO MORE dates just added…
Alamogordo – THURS FEB 23 7p Aviator 10
3651 Mesa Village Drive, Alamogordo, NM 88310
(575) 437-9301
LIVE from NM Film & Media Day 2012 here at the Roundhouse where SB0168 goes to the floor today at 2 p.m.
If you feel passionately about what New Mexico Film lends to our great state, please visit YOUR Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee here, and contact your committee members to ask them to support SB0168, to REPEAL FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT CAP.
Predictably sour on film, Governor Susana Martinez tells lawmakers at this year’s legislative session that it would be “a waste of time,” to pass a bill along to her proposing lifting the $50M cap on New Mexico Film Incentives, which she worked to impose during the last session.
Martinez says, “I want predictability for the film industry and they have received predictability and I think they really appreciate the fact that there is predictability. It allows us to formulate a budget and balance the budget.”
In the last year alone this now “predictable” stance has led untold numbers of productions, including the likes of Iron Man III – starring Robert Downey Jr., Oblivion – starring Tom Cruise, Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and television series The Lying Game to quit New Mexico for more “receptive” states.
While Alasaka and Colorado shoot to redouble their efforts in bolstering their existing incentive programs, states like North Carolina, New Orleans and Texas nab big budget films, local jobs and the media attention that follows them away from New Mexico.
Perhaps bringing to fruition what was forewarned back in November 2011, when representatives of the Governor’s cabinet appeared at an industry event, tasked with proclaiming the Governor’s support for New Mexico Film. At the NMedia State of Film event the Governor’s Cheif of Staff Keith Garnder stated in his address to the crowed that the Governor, “vows to wield a veto pen” on any proposed changes to the current Film Program.
Representative Al Park (D) of Albuquerque disagrees with Martinez’ decision.
“We don’t have a cap on a single incentive in any other industry. We plant incentives all across the board for things all across New Mexico…this is an industry that we know right now is generating a billion dollars in economic activity,”
- Rep. Al Park to KOB-TV
While New Mexico sends millions of dollars out of state to improve create our image around the world, and this ongoing targeting of the Film Industry is racking up losses in jobs and notoriety for the state, neighboring states stand at the ready to take over.
Right next door Texas is wrangling for the top spot in video game production by extending credits akin to their film tax incentives. After handily procuring the production away from New Mexico, North Carolina rides away with thousands of paid extras casting, crew jobs and the influx of income that the blockbuster Iron Man III will bring to their state.
Given the current administration’s stance on film, and the losses that follow, being the resonating image New Mexico puts forth as a still high profile option for production, industry activists and advocates are set to convene at the Roundhouse to lobby state legislators on February 1st for New Mexico Film & Media Day 2012.
UPDATE 1/30/12: Official Announcement from the New Mexico State Film Office here.
Tonto has had all the webiverse abuzz about New Mexico what with the rumors, the photo evidence and finally the “official” announcement that The Lone Ranger has will ride into New Mexico.
But The Lone Ranger is not the only show town…Just as we’ve been diligently following and reporting on the progress of that major motion picture for months now, so too have we kept our nosey to the grindstone to bring you the very good news that the A&E series, which shot its pilot right here in NM last spring, WILL return to shoot its regular season network pickup.
The hour-long original scripted drama Longmire, based on the best selling mystery novel series by Craig Johnson, is scheduled to shoot in New Mexico beginning this spring. ¡Gracias a Dios!
A network press release puts the production in Santa Fe, NM come March.
