New studio in Rio Rancho means new pressures for Santa Fe.
The following preview is rated "E" for "Economic" by the Motion Picture Association of America (some material may not be suitable for children):
Sometime in the year 2008, one of the largest independent movie companies
on the planet, a bustling Albuquerque suburb and an expansive incentive package collided.
[Cue video montage of construction cranes, men in hard hats, a Rio Rancho city councilor shouting "You can't handle the truth!" and several slow-motion shots of Jessica Simpson in a white tank-top being sprayed with a garden hose for no apparent reason.]
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OK. So the June 14 decision by the Rio Rancho City Council, to approve an incentive package that clears the
way for Lions Gate Entertainment to build a studio in the city, probably isn't popcorn material. But it's nonetheless a summer blockbuster, politically speaking.
Supporters of the project-which still has a few logistical hurdles to clear before becoming a reality-say it is concrete evidence that the movie industry is in New Mexico to stay.
"I think it's the anchor that we've been needing," says Lisa Strout, director of the New Mexico Film Office. "It's going to dramatically change the landscape and expand the possibilities for us. It also shows that there is a lot of confidence in this being a long-term venture for New Mexico."
The projected Lions Gate studio is scheduled for completion within two years to the tune of $15 million and many politicians and industry insiders across the state are giving the project four stars.
Except in Santa Fe.
That's because the College of Santa Fe's Garson Studios has heretofore been an epicenter of movies shooting in the state as the only studio capable of handling large film productions.
Jonathan Wacks, chairman of the CSF Moving Image Arts program and director of Garson Studios, says that improving the film infrastructure in New Mexico can only help the regional movie industry. But increased competition from the Lions Gate studio and others could also force the industry to migrate south.
"It's very important that we're proactive rather than just sitting back and saying it's great that they're building a stage in Rio Rancho," Wacks says. "Otherwise, two years from now, Santa Fe may be left wondering where all the business went."
Wacks has talked informally with Santa Fe Mayor David Coss about the possibility of the city offering its own incentives to film companies while also exploring an expansion of the Garson facilities.
"I think now that [the Lions Gate project] is a reality we have to address how to keep production flowing in Santa Fe," Wacks says. "It makes no difference for the state, it makes no difference for the [film] unions, but it makes a huge difference for the Santa Fe economy."
Coss says there will have to be extensive analysis before any incentive programs or expansion projects are entertained, but adds that the impact of the industry on Santa Fe is worthy of attention from local government.
"I think that the film industry-and certainly its potential-is definitely significant to us," Coss says. "Both as a source for economic development and as part of the arts and cultural scene in Santa Fe, I think the film industry needs a lot of attention and deserves a lot of attention."
A slew of film and television productions have landed in the state since Gov. Bill Richardson first took office, due in large part to lucrative financial incentives that provide tax breaks and interest-free loans to movie companies [Cover story, April 5:
].
Lions Gate is not alone in its ambitions. Another project proposed by Culver Studios for Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque has already won preliminary approval. But Eric Witt, Richardson's director of Legislative Affairs and Media Arts and Entertainment Development, says Garson should have no trouble competing with the Hollywood transplants.
"I think there's certainly enough pie to go around," Witt says. "I think there's room for expansion without crowding out or taking business away from Garson Studios."
Witt points out there is far more demand for studio space than Garson can supply by itself. Moreover, the state will be able to exponentially increase its post-production capabilities if and when the Lions Gate and Culver Studios projects are completed.
"We don't really do any post-production on films in the state right now," Witt says. "The movies get shot here and then they're all posted in New York or LA. That's a huge cash flow that we should tap into and-with facilities like [Lions Gate and Culver Studios]-now we can."
And, he says, the studios will allow homegrown talent to handle more post-production duties like film editing, special effects and musical scores, which will help New Mexico grow its industry from the inside out.
"It's a sign that we're establishing a firm production base here," Witt says. "It's also a sign that companies who have come here for repeat business-like Lions Gate and Warner Brothers-understand how great it is to produce here in New Mexico."
Lions Gate is no stranger to the state. The company has been involved in several major productions in the state, including
Employee of the Month
,
Wildfire
and the recently announced television series
Motel Man
, set to begin shooting in July.
The state film industry took a hit earlier this year when production on
Used Guys
, a comedy starring Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller slated for filming this summer, was postponed. But, according to Strout, there are four silver linings to every
Used Guys
cloud in the New Mexico film industry these days.
"Within 24 hours we had four movies trying to take their place," Strout says. "We haven't missed a beat. It's super busy right now, the fall looks extremely busy and we already have people looking at filming here in the winter. So the next year looks very promising."
