KUNM Call In Show 07/20 8a: At a time when New Mexico's economy is struggling, at least one sector is booming: The film and television industry. The state has become a center of production thanks to generous tax incentives, a big crew base, and large studios and sound stages.
Ongoing television series like "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul," and "Longmire" have shot in New Mexico, in addition to a slew of films, including "The Avengers," "Logan" and "Independence Day Resurgence." In fiscal year 2016, more than 30 large projects filmed here, spent $387 million dollar and employed hundreds of New Mexicans. That’s according to the state film office. This year Moviemaker Magazine named Santa Fe and Albuquerque among the top 10 cities to live and make films. The Hollywood Reporter recently dubbed the state one of the 8 shooting hotspots in the U.S. and Canada because of our tax incentives.
How did we become such a player in the film and TV industry? How do schools help build our labor force for film and television production? How can you get involved in the industry and what are the challenges to working in film and TV? Do you think we should be supporting this industry with tax incentives?
We want to hear from you. Email callinshow@kunm.org or call in live during the show.
Guests:
- Jim "Grub" Graebner, Director, Film Technician Program, Central New Mexico Community College
- Hannah Macpherson, Director, "T@agged" a web series
- Matthew Martinez, Board Member, Silver Bullet Productions
- Angelique Midthunder, Owner, Midthunder Casting
- Tom Schuch, President, New Mexico President, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists(SAG-AFTRA)
- Eric Witt, Executive Director, Santa Fe Film Office
Resources
- New Mexico’s Film Tax Incentives Program - New Mexico Film Office
- So You Want To Be In Movies? Workshop On August 5- Silver Bullet Productions
- Best Places To Live And Work As A Moviemaker In 2017 - Moviemaker Magazine
- New Mexico’s Film Tax Incentives Program - New Mexico Film Office
- How Game of Thrones-Inspired Tourism Became Travel Trend - National Post
- NM May Get Its Own Film, TV Hall of Fame - Santa Fe New Mexican
- On-set Mentorships Encourage Girls To Explore Filmmaking Careers - Santa Fe New Mexican
- In Budget-Troubled NM, Weighing The Value Of Tax Incentives - Santa Fe New Mexican