Filmed in New Mexico: The Spirit, 3:10 From Yuma, etc...

[danlo]

Two films, one that opens today and one next week were filmed, primarily, in New Mexico!!! New Mexico is going Hollywood and indie crazy people are filming everywhere here. I watched them film The Lost Room (Kevin Pollack) for the Sci-Fi channel, right by my local coffehouse. Today the Astronaut Farmer, with Billy Bob Thorton, opens and next week Wild Hogs a comedy, with Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lewis and William H. Macy begins. 3 other movies are, currently, in production in the state and two major studios are under construction in Albq. and Rio Rancho. I think I'll get a job in the entertianment industry!

[danlo]

From NBC4.tv, Jan 25th
But features film production in Hollywood is down. New numbers show filmmakers are finding a new home in the Old Southwest.

Production is moving to New Mexico, where a local newspaper has dubbed it "Tamalewood."

"New Mexico is definitely a major player now," said Steve McDonald of Film LA. "They've really been really aggressive in providing tax incentives, loans and financing."

He said New Mexico is Hollywood's most serious threat.

There was a resurgence of feature films in Hollywood in 2004-05 after a seven-year decline. But 2006 saw another drop, about 8 percent. Feature film production dropped nearly 40 percent in the last 10 years.

New Mexico's feature film production quadrupled in just four years.

"I understand there are nine feature films being done in New Mexico this week," said McDonald.

Eric Witt from the New Mexico Film Office spoke with NBC4.

"We'll never be a Los Angeles, that's just not going to happen here," Witt said.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, now a presidential candidate, rolled out the red carpet for filmmakers, even using Hollywood-style Westerns in his campaign advertisements.

Money and location are two factors that attract filmmakers to New Mexico. It is only a 90-minute flight from Los Angeles and among the states that offer big tax breaks to filmmakers.

The state offers a 25-percent rebate and multi-million dollar loans are available. Shooting permits are inexpensive.

"We've said this from the beginning, that we've never been in competition with Los Angeles for film production," Witt said. "The market that we went after aggressively has been runway projects."

New Mexico is doing other things to lure more filmmakers. The Albuquerque Studios is an eight-soundstage lot.

"There residents here, and the elected officials and policymakers, should be worrying about it because every production that leaves California means that we are having people who are not working here that would be otherwise."

[danlo]

Filmed in New Mexico, just this year alone!

3:10 to Yuma
Afterwards
Astronaut Farmer, The
Breaking Bad
Burrowers, The
Conspiracy
Dinosaurs Alive
Donor Conspiracy, The
Eye, The
Hitcher, The
Husband for Hire
In The Valley Of Elah
Kid Nation
Linewatch
Love Lies Bleeding
Naked Fear aka Naked Prey
No Country For Old Men
Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa
Once Upon a Time in the Hood
Sarah Connor Chronicles, The
Seraphim Falls
Sunshine Cleaning
Tennessee
Tortilla Heaven
Trade aka Welcome to America
Transformers
Vortex, The
Wild Hogs
Wildfire - Season 3
Wildfire-Season 4

[matrixman]

Oh sure, there is a "Sarah Connor Chronicles" being filmed, but still no Thomas Covenant Chronicles...in the one place that (arguably) inspired the Land. Sarah, I liked you in the Terminator films, but please, just go to hell now. Thanks.

Sorry, danlo, that just soured my mood.

[danlo]

Hey I'm not the one approving what's shot in NM , thanks for replying tho...