Think all things New Mexico… what is the first thing that pops into your mind?
Is it sweeping desert plains? Is it Hatch green chile mixed into just about any dish? Is it the ridiculous winds at all times of the year? Could it be the slow highway speeds? (Longtime residents collectively sigh) Is it being asked by outsiders if we are really part of the U.S.? (Wow! You guys speak English?!?)
What about the movies? When considering all things Land of Enchantment, does Hollywood come to mind? Most likely, it is the last thing anyone would consider. Compared to our small, humble state, Hollywood seems like another planet. Surprisingly, New Mexico has a more storied relationship with cinema than most would imagine.
The first film shot in New Mexico dates back to 1897. Since then, we have had countless classics set up shop in the state, including The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Superman (1978), Red Dawn (1984), Twins (1988), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), and Independence Day (1996).
The blockbusters have continued in recent years, as New Mexico has hosted hit films like No Country for Old Men (2007), Transformers (2007), The Book of Eli (2010), Thor (2011), The Avengers (2012), Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), The Kid (2019), Army of the Dead (2021), and Cry Macho (2021).
The list goes on and on, and with recent developments, the sky is the limit.
According to multiple media sources, including the Albuquerque Journal, Netflix purchased Albuquerque Studios in 2018, and it has undertaken a massive expansion of the property that should be finalized in the next few years.
It is a massive move, one that will provide hundreds of jobs and stimulate a state economy with few prospects outside of oil and gas. Not only that, but the deal all but establishes New Mexico as a staple in the movie business for years to come.
With the unprecedented Netflix move, coupled with the rich track record in film, one that continues to grow, it begs the question: What makes New Mexico such a popular venue for filmmakers?
For the most part, it seems to be a combination of factors. On one hand, New Mexico has wide open spaces. While we are the 6th largest state by area, we rank 36th in population. This low people to land ratio provides plenty of wide open spaces, perfect for setting up production just about anywhere.
Secondly, New Mexico has versatile landscapes and scenery that can fill in for nearly any region. Are filmmakers in need of a desert scene? Just hop over to White Sands National Park. That’s where Transformers filmed its famous battle scene in Qatar.
What about a small, southwest town? No Country for Old Men, starring the likes of Javier Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones, was shot in Santa Fe and Las Vegas, New Mexico, but the action is set in a Texas border town near the Rio Grande. New Mexico’s open and adaptable landscapes have created the perfect recipe for the film industry.
These advantages have also aided in expanding film locations even farther from Santa Fe County, which serves as the typical go-to production area. Recently, even Eddy County has served as a location for a few projects.
In October of 2018, Walking with Herb, a faith-based film starring George Lopez and Edward James-Olmos, held production in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The movie is based on the book of the same name, written by Joe Bullock. Bullock, a native of Artesia, New Mexico, said some of the movie was filmed in Artesia, as well.
“Joe wanted to have part of it filmed in Artesia… Joe has deep ties here,” said Johnny Knorr, Bullock’s longtime friend. Knorr was able to experience most of the filming process, noting that the cast and crew, specifically Lopez and James-Olmos, were very humble and gracious.
Eddy County was back at it this year, as Carlsbad hosted the cast and crew for the filming of the pilot episode for The Promised Land, a TV series based on the story of Exodus.
When asked why they chose Carlsbad, New Mexico of all places, Richie Johns, one of the show’s producers, began with the scenery: “…our Director of Photography had previously worked in the state…he had seen the beauty of New Mexico firsthand, and he had the footage to prove it!” Johns continued praising the people of Carlsbad and their support for the show. “We have been so thankful for the support from the community. We have been blessed by the community and we have done our part to try to give back.” The cast and crew have done just that; a few of them even stopped by the theater department at Carlsbad High School to speak to students.
When considering the possibility of future projects in Southeast NM, Johns was very optimistic: “I can definitely see the potential of other projects making their way to Southeast NM. If the state continues to support the film industry, it will certainly drive more productions to New Mexico…there are not too many places in the U.S. where you can get that specific look.”
Considering the Netflix deal, I would say support for the film industry is set. It is difficult to know just what the future of the film industry in New Mexico will look like, but all signs point to our state continuing to make its mark on the big screen.
Article written by Zeke Montoya and originally published in Focus Regional 2022 Winter edition.
Sources
- Albuquerque Journal Netflix Article: www.abqjournal.com/2502411/netflix-forging-ahead-with-expansion-in-nm.html
- Visit the official website for The Promised Land: www.thepromisedlandseries.tv
- For more on films shot in New Mexico: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_shot_in_New_Mexico
