Film backlot expected to boost Las Cruces economy LAS CRUCES >> In one small step for the national film industry and one giant leap for Las Cruces, Hollywood may come to town following the recent approval of funds to build a backlot or outdoor film set in Doña Ana County. "(Film's) a gypsy business and (filmmakers) will go where there's a suitable look for their movie and the best bang for their buck," said Mark Vasconcellos, a Las Cruces filmmaker, actor and college instructor. After the state Legislature appropriated $555,000 for the backlot, Doña Ana County will now have a serious chance at attracting movies that often choose northern New Mexico for its resources and locations, officials said. Construction of the backlot will begin in the fall in phases at Corralitos Ranch, west of Las Cruces near the airport, said David Salcido, artistic director of the White Sands International Film Festival. Corralitos Ranch has been used before as an outdoor movie set, particularly for some of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Economic boost "It means a lot of things," Salcido said of the backlot project. "It will stimulate interest in filmmaking here, which we already have independently, and allow local businesses to compete for the work that's coming in." Vasconcellos said that everyone from students graduating through local accredited film programs the Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University and the Creative Media Technology at Doña Ana Community College to mom and pop shops will benefit from money brought to the area by the film industry. Page 1 of 5
"There is no business in the world that disseminates money throughout a local community like the film industry," he said. In 2013, more than $600 million was circulated throughout the state by the film industry, with the vast majority going to the northern part of the state, said state Rep. Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces, who spearheaded the initiative to secure funds for the Doña Ana County backlot. He also serves as co-chair of the Regional Film Development Advisory Committee. "Since it's a billion-dollar industry, we want to entice some of that business down here. The film backlot is a good start," Vasconcellos said. Another good start, Salcido said, is to take advantage of the newfound interest in film by the city, county and state. This interest, he said, will help current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, who can now open businesses that relate specifically to film, like sound-stage storage or a rental house for cameras and film equipment. "Before the backlot came along, it was hit or miss; 'Why would we want something like that?' Now they know. It's opened a lot of doors for local businesses and businesses that haven't been thought of yet," he said. Working together To bolster Salcido's claim that the state is beginning to take film in this region seriously, 11 of 12 southern New Mexico legislators supported the measure for the construction of the backlot. "I have to compliment my fellow elected officials. They've been nearly unanimous in showing strong support for this initiative and recruiting film to support southern New Mexico," Steinborn said. "People, including people I've talked to in the Page 2 of 5
community, appreciate all our beautiful region has to offer. It feels like a natural fit and a way to create much-needed jobs. People have been all for it, which has been great to see." Salcido said that the film set is opening the door for both big productions and the well-established local independent filmmakers. "In the grander scheme of things, local filmmakers will be part of the growing infrastructure," he said. "More things will come our way to put these people to work collaborating with businesses on new projects." In April 2013, Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law an incentives package that includes a refundable film production tax credit for industry members who use the state for film, according to the New Mexico Film Office. Where we've been While the local film community is abuzz with the new possibilities, most great films include a character's reflection on the past. "A long ways as far as I'm concerned," said Salcido of the growth of the local film industry, noting that just a few years ago, students graduating from the two local film schools had no way to network. Philip Lewis, senior professor at NMSU's Creative Media Institute, agreed. The local industry has grown by leaps and bounds, he said, with the help of organizations like Film Las Cruces, which brings together local filmmakers to share resources and ideas, and the Mesilla Valley Film Society, a nonprofit presenting foreign films in the area, among other organizations. CMI and CMT graduates are beginning to stick around to invest in the community, with about a dozen of them opening a variety of film-related companies in the area. Page 3 of 5
"They are doing different things in the area that, four years ago, they didn't. That's a big deal," Lewis said. Vasconcellos, though, said he thinks the local industry has been "pretty stagnant," with big-name films coming to the area for short amounts of time before moving on to bigger, more movie-ready communities. Where we're going The film community has a plan they think will help capture those big-budget productions, as well as support local independent filmmakers. For Vasconcellos, the solution is threefold: having a good film liaison, having the backlot in place and eventually building a studio. The city film liaison, a position that has been vacant but could be filled soon, will market the region on the global stage, ensuring that the city invests in more resources and materials to bring recognition to the area. The film liaison will be under the economic development department of the city. "Another key component will be to align all of the internal government politics the city and county working with all other jurisdictions, national parks and monuments to enable film to seamlessly accomplish what they want to with minimal bureaucracy," Steinborn said. Keeping local talent local will also help in moving forward, Lewis said. "Everybody benefits when a student from Las Cruces gets a job in Las Cruces," he said. "If the backlot is successful, and we prove ourselves as a good film-friendly community, someone will come in and make a studio and employ 100 more people. My goal is to have everyone benefit from having film in Las Cruces." Page 4 of 5
Matlin Smith may be reached at 575-541-5468. Reporter Steve Ramirez contributed to this report. A closer look Large-production films and television series made (at least partially) in Doña Ana County, 2003-2013 2013: "Enemy Way," "Big Sky" 2012: "50 to 1," "The Odd Way Home," "Without Borders" 2011: "The Lying Game," "Breaking Bad" (Season 4), "In Plain Sight" (Season 4) 2010: "Due Date," "Scoundrels" (Season 1) 2008: "The Burning Plain," "Love Ranch" 2007: "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" 2005: "Death Valley" 2004: "Dreamland" 2003: "A Thief of Time" - New Mexico Film Office Page 5 of 5