Richardson announces funds and warns about film industry’s future

Gov. Bill Richardson said there are more funds to promote the New Mexico film industry’s growth while warning about the future once he leaves office.

Richardson announced June 14 that colleges around the state will share $385,000 in state funds for film programs. On June 11, he said there is more funding for the New Mexico Filmmakers program, and urged attendees at a film conference to continue fighting for the film industry.

Luna Community College in Las Vegas (N.M.) will get $150,000 to purchase basic equipment to start a new program focusing on film technicians who specialize in the construction aspects of filmmaking. Las Vegas has been a popular location for shooting, with films such as “No Country For Old Men” using the historic downtown.

Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell is to receive $135,000 to expand its existing filmmaking program. ENMU-R has already produced a number of films and this expansion will help involve at-risk students from area high schools and the use of a dual-credit program that offers college credit.

New Mexico State University in Carlsbad is getting $100,000 to buy equipment for its fledgling film program to teach students practical skills to help them get hired for film and television productions.

Richardson also announced an allocation of $200,000 for the New Mexico Filmmakers Program during a stop on June 11 at the New Mexico Filmmakers conference on film financing and distribution in Albuquerque.

The funds will be used for filmmaker training and outreach programs, such as the New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase, the annual New Mexico Filmmakers Conference, the New Mexico Filmmakers Resource Center and outreach events on the upcoming Native/Hispanic Film Tour.

Richardson lauded the work of New Mexico filmmakers, particularly those who have received awards under the New Visions/New Mexico program, which has given a total of $640,000 in production funding to 40 local filmmakers.

Several of those filmmakers have used the awards to leverage thousands more in outside funding and have sent their films to top festivals, he noted. More than 65 percent of the award recipients from all New Mexico Filmmakers Programs have been underrepresented minorities, Richardson said.

The governor received a standing ovation at the conference, which had about 200 attendees, according to the New Mexico Film Office.

“Thank you. Please stay standing,” Richardson joked. “This is my last year, in case you hadn’t heard.”

Richardson added that he is proud of his legacy in advancing the film industry here, along with his staff and the New Mexico Film Office.

“You’ve got a big task next year. Continue this film program,” he told attendees.

That includes the tax incentives from the state, and efforts like the New Mexico Filmmakers program plus extras such as the free use of state land for movie companies.

“Your assignment is called the New Mexico Legislature,” Richardson said. “Because I’m not sure what will happen when I’m gone. I’m being honest. It’s important you exercise your right as citizens and explain why you think it’s good for our state, why it enabled you to stay here and do a job.”

Richardson’s second and final consecutive term ends this year. He did not start the state’s film incentive program, but he has pushed it aggressively. Since 2003, more than 138 major film and television productions have been shot in New Mexico, with an estimated economic impact of more than $3 billion, according to the New Mexico Film Office. State officials say there are 10,000 direct and indirect jobs related to the film industry here and more than 250 businesses and services directly related to it.

The battle over the film incentives has become an annual event in the Legislature, with attempts to do away with them entirely in the past two sessions.

Jon Hendry, business agent for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 480, warned attendees during the first day of the conference that things could look very different come Jan. 1.

“This era will end the day Richardson leaves office,” he said.

Hendry urged attendees to start thinking about the future and how they can all work together rather than trying to tinker with the existing rules on incentives and the state’s film loan program. Some independent producers have complained that they can’t always access some of the state’s incentives, such as the film program, which requires a guarantee on the loan and a distribution deal.