Arts & Culture

Hollywood, New Mexico? Filmmakers Flock to the Southwest and Reap the Rewards

Cash for your car

Coen Brothers, No Country for Old Men, New Mexico

Hollywood isn’t the only place for filmmakers anymore. Many filmmakers and production companies have sought out national and international locatioins to make the bottom line more cost-effective. With lucrative incentives, varied landscapes, fabulous architecture, diverse culture and constant sunshine, New Mexico has become the next great place to make movies.

Irresistible Incentives
Not only does this Southwestern state offer a great place to film visually, but they also provide experienced crews, state of the art production facilities, including full-service rental and camera houses at the Albuquerque Studios and a 25% tax rebate on all direct production expenditures, including labor, hotels, car rentals and meals. There is no minimum or maximum on spending and the more filmmakers spend, the more they get back.

New Mexico’s Visual Impact
As a four season state with diverse terrain, New Mexico can transform into a multitude of locations. From snowcapped mountains to dry, barren desserts to modern cities to ancient Indian ruins, all it takes is a little imagination and a little camera work and New Mexico can reflect any city at any time of the year.

The Impact on the State
Boosting New Mexico’s economy, Governor Bill Richardson has brought in close to $1.5 billion since he took office in 2003 with these aggressive incentives. In that time, he has seen over 90 movies and TV projects shot in the area, including the Academy Award winning "No Country For Old Men," "Transformers," "In the Valley of Elah," "3:10 to Yuma," "Wild Hogs" and "The Longest Yard." Upcoming projects include the action thriller, "Legion" and what is expected to be the largest picture shot in the state, "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins," starring Christian Bale3:10 to Yuma.

Scheduled to begin filming later this year in Albuquerque, Sante Fe and other New Mexico locations, "Terminator Salvation" director McG chose the state for it’s American Gothic  feel, which is conducive to a post-apocalyptic atmosphere.

Local Businesses Reap the Rewards
With more film crews coming to the area and staying for months, local businesses are seeing a positive impact as well. As the state is filled with world-class cuisine, hotels, spas, galleries, museums, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, skiing, hiking and shopping, these local businesses and attractions are also reaping the rewards. Not only do the crews take advantage of the local color during their off time, but businesses that supply the production crews with needed services such as food, car rentals and hotels are seeing a boost in their sales.

Albuquerque Studios 

Moving Hollywood to New Mexico
Taking advantage of all the work being done in New Mexico, Sony Pictures Imageworks has begun construction on a 100,000 square-foot digital animation production facility at Albuquerque Studios at Mesa del Sol. Once the project is completed, it is expected that 300 Sony employees will move to New Mexico from L.A. to work full-time. The entertainment company also welcomed the University of New Mexico as a new member in their Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence program in an effort to nurture young talent.

Looking to the Future
With all this production activity happening in New Mexico, a training ground for film students is essentially being created. As these aspiring filmmakers receive hands on experience in their own state, they are more likely to stay there to make their own films, thereby furthering New Mexico’s role as the Southwestern version of Hollywood.

Sony Pictures Imageworks animation production facility

What’s Not to Like?
Great weather, various landscapes, rich history and fantastic incentives, it’s no wonder filmmakers are coming to New Mexico in droves to film their latest projects.

www.abqstudios.com

About the author

Staff Writer