LA Scrambling to Bring Back Film Crews

Facing a sharp decline in the shooting of big-budget productions in Los Angeles, city officials are considering hiring a "film czar" to promote their interests with the multibillion-dollar entertainment industry.

Just three major films - those with budgets more than $75 million - are scheduled to be shot in L.A. this year, city officials said.

By comparison, more than 100 major films were shot in L.A. in 2007, and 22 in 2008.

City Council President Eric Garcetti said the liaison would be an advocate for Los Angeles.

"We need to have one person here who the industry can go to and who can tell us what we need to do," Garcetti said.

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White Sands Film Fest Moves to Las Cruces

A fixture in Alamogordo for the last five years is moving to Las Cruces.

Well, sort of.

The 2009 version of the White Sands International Film Festival is "expanding" to Las Cruces, according to Kierstin Schupack, associate festival producer.

"Most of the screenings, workshops and panel discussions will be in Las Cruces," Schupack said Friday from her Los Angeles home.

She said because of the festival's previous success, it is expanding to Las Cruces, which has several venues from which to choose. Events will be hosted by the new Allen Theatres in Las Cruces, as well as New Mexico State University and Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces.

"Basically, the festival has grown and we needed more venues," Schupack said.

Alamogordo, she said, will host a joint opening night film event Thursday, April 23, at Allen Theatres.

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