Moviemaking Spurs Local Economy With $130 Million Spent
Published Jul 07, 2009
Russell Crowe starred in 3:10 to Yuma, which was filmed in Central New Mexico and nominated for two 2008 Academy Awards.
George Clooney made a movie here, as did Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington and Charlize Theron. So have Kevin Costner, Jessica Alba and Jackie Chan.
The film industry is alive and well in Greater Albuquerque, even in these difficult economic times. Motion picture production companies spent $130 million making films in the region in 2008, compared with $11 million in 2004.
“Back in 2002, New Mexico decided to offer incentives to filmmakers who would make their movies in this state, and the industry has exploded ever since,” says Ann Lender, liaison with the Albuquerque Film Office, a division of the city’s Office of Economic Development. “There were 400 people in the filmmaking union throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico in 2002, and now there are 3,000.”
Perhaps the most important incentive that the state offers to filmmakers is a 25 percent rebate on any purchased goods and services that carry New Mexico taxes. “For example, if a production company buys $100 worth of lumber for a stage set and then ultimately turns in the receipt, the state of New Mexico will write a check back for $25,” Lender says. “Some states offer higher incentives – Michigan offers a 42 percent rebate while New York is at 35 percent – so New Mexico obviously offers many more attractions than just money.”
Those attractions include 310 days of sunshine and low humidity, and 60-degree weather even in January and February. In addition, Albuquerque is only 90 minutes by air from Los Angeles and Hollywood.
“This city is also 300 years old and offers filming locations such as Victorian homes, an arid desert and a mountain on the east end of town that is more than 10,000 feet in elevation,” Lender says.
“Filmmakers have access to a small-town look, urban look – basically any look.”
Electrician Is All Set
By 2007, the film industry in Albuquerque had become so successful that Albuquerque Studios constructed six studios at the Mesa Del Sol development at a cost of $80 million.
As a result, top movies that have been shot there include No Country for Old Men, Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins and Transformers, along with hit TV series such as “Breaking Bad” and “In Plain Sight.”
“The governments of Albuquerque and New Mexico have done their homework and do everything correctly,” says Nick Smerigan, chief operating officer of Albuquerque Studios. “They are genuine in wanting this clean and high-paying industry to be here, and they always make Hollywood clients who visit us feel at home.”
In fact, the Albuquerque Film Office affirms that many Central New Mexico residents are enjoying lucrative careers, thanks to the establishment of the local film industry.
“I know a movie-set electrician who made $90,000 last year,” Lender says, “and even though he sometimes has to work 12-14 hours a day and some nights, he loves it.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Courtesy of LionsGate
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