Variety Publishes Special Section on the New Mexico Film Industry
Issue highlights latest initiatives and developments that keep New Mexico a national leader in film and television production.
Contact: Pahl Shipley (505) 476-5613SANTA FE-Variety, one of the entertainment industry’s top online and print publications, tomorrow will publish a special section focusing specifically on new developments in New Mexico’s growing film industry.
“New Mexico continues to set the standard in terms of value, artistic possibility and professionalism in the industry,” said Eric Witt, Deputy Chief of Staff for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and the Governor’s point person for the film industry. “As always, our goal is to provide the greatest economic returns to the state while constantly opening new opportunities for New Mexicans and New Mexico businesses to participate in the industry at all levels: creative, technical, support and beyond.” The publication covers a number of topics, including “Sundance in New Mexico”, the state’s new collaboration with actor-producer-environmental activist Robert Redford; the state’s film production loan program, the only one of its kind in the country; and the growing number of film-related businesses that are locating in New Mexico, specifically the new cable operation Reelz Channel. “As the success of our film initiatives grows, so does the competition, so we are continually working to raise the bar to stay in front,” said Lisa Strout, Director of the New Mexico Film Office. “This kind of exposure is important and helps us build on our momentum.” The Variety special section on New Mexico also includes a piece that highlights some of the recent major productions that have been done in the state. The article looks at the New Mexico resources, such as crew, facilities, and vendors that were used during specific productions. Since 2003, 125 major film or television productions have taken place in New Mexico. Those productions have generated an estimated $2.1 billion in economic impact in the state. The Variety special section will be in print tomorrow, and can also be viewed at www.Variety.com. Follow up: According to Variety.com, the Paramount Pictures’ sequel “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, which was shot in part in New Mexico (Tularosa, Mescalero, White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base) earned an estimated $60.6 million on its opening day. That would make it the best opening day ever for a Wednesday release at the domestic box office.
