New Member Update for The Week of 3.2

We' like to give a great warm welcome to the newest members of the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com. We're extremely proud to have nearly 300 cast, crew, and film vendors/film serving businesses, and 6,000 visitors to our site per month! Contact us at membership@crewnewmexico.com if you have any questions about getting listed.

• Welcome to the folks at Aquila Travel - if you've flown in or out of New Mexico for a production, these are the guys you booked you! One of New Mexico's leading film vendors!
  
• Big welcome to A-List resort and spa - The Encantado Resort. Just north of Santa Fe, this Auberge resort offers immaculate accommodations, fine dining, and levels of privacy and service not found elsewhere in New Mexico.
  
• Big welcome to Crossroads Rodeo Company - Animal wranglers, livestock coordinators, animal rentals, specialty (western) props!
  
• Welcome Steve Watson and Reel Chefs Catering to crewnewmexico.com. They're cooking Book of Eli right now!
  
• We welcome the talented photographer R. David Marks - Headshots, Set Stills, Commercial Photography: http://www.crewnewmexico.com/davidmarks
  
• crewnewmexico.com welcomes Suhanna Gibson and The Chalk Farm Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe - Art Dealers, Art Consultants, and Specialty Props for the New Mexico Film Industry!
• crewnewmexcio.com welcomes Amazing Placitas furnished rentals for productions and film folks! Casa Placitas!
• We welcome Santa Fe Realtor Gene Bourne and his nearly 3,000 square foot Santa Fe Home - huge footprint, excellent price, in south Santa Fe.
  

The Latest from crewnewmexico.com

We're glad to have so many new visitors from our cover story on the New Mexico Business Weekly. We appreciate all of your inquiries, and we're looking forward to welcoming all of you to crewnewmexico.com in the following weeks. Meantime, here's just a few highlights of what's new on crewnewmexico.com

• We have nearly 6,000 unique visitors to our site per month.
• Our Podcast Radio interviews and news reports are streamed by listeners far and wide every day!
  
• We now have nearly 300 members in our directory.
  
• We welcome crew and vendors whether they are affiliated with a union or not. Many of our members are local union affiliates (about 75 of you), however many work in unrelated support businesses or crafts. We offer occasional discounts to union members - inquire within!
• Our crew skill list is over 150 skills long, and we support listings for over 500 business types!
  
• We're working with local chambers of commerce and business support groups to increase vendor awareness about the film industry, and to promote your local film region/locations.
  
• We support the local economy. In fact, our partnership with the Santa Fe Alliance added nearly 30 small Santa Fe businesses to our directory just last month.
• Our New Mexico film forum and discussion board is only 5 weeks old, but already has nearly 100 members and lots of postings. Create an account and contribute!
  
• We're flexible - do you have a skill or business type that you don't see available on our site? Don't worry - contact us and we'll add it for you!
• Do you have a large group of individuals or businesses you'd like to list in our directory? Interested in learning how we can help highlight your economic region and businesses in your area? Simply contact us at membership@crewnewmexico.com!

HB 725 is Done!

We're pleased to report that HB 725 which would have modified the New Mexico Film Incentive program has been defeated in the House Business and Industry Committee.

We'd like to give a special thanks to the hundreds of crewnewmexico.com friends, vendors, and advertisers who put forth a lot of time and effort making their opinions known to the committee. It really paid off!

Movie Crew Brightens Carrizozo Economy

Amazing Exhibit - Check it Out!

*MICHAEL McCORMICK*

OBJECTIVE TO RECORD IMAGE
A LIFE IN ART AND FILM 1960-2009

Exhibition at The Art Center Design College

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Friday, March 6 through Friday, April 17, 2009. The Art Center Design College is proud to announce a retrospective exhibition of work by artist and puppeteer Michael McCormick featuring sculpture, painting, and installations as well as masks, puppets, and other performance objects. Credited for creating memorable props, puppets, and models for films including The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Return of the Jedi, and White Sands, McCormick explores the theme of Gravity: Decay and Resistance in this comprehensive show of personal and commercial projects.

To Read More About It - Click Here!

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.

To read the full article, click here!

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.

To read the full article, click here!

Our T-Shirts, Hats, and Bumper Stickers

It was great to see so many of you at the Film and Media Day event at the Roundhouse; one of the most frequent questions we got was "Who made your Gear?" ie, who made our hats, shirts and bumper stickers. We use Linda Flatt of Safeguard Business Systems in Santa Fe. Here's Linda's crewnewmexico.com profile: http://www.crewnewmexico.com/safeguardbusinesssystems. Tell her you heard about her here and say hi from us. They do all kinds of promotional gear - wrap party gifts, custom printed products, specialized gifts, and more.

NMWIF and WIFTI Women's Day Showcase!

NMWIF & WIFTI INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY FILM SHOWCASE – MARCH 8th!

Celebrate International Women's Day with a fun and female film screening !!!
WHEN: Sunday, March 8th, 6:30pm
WHERE: The Santa Fe Film Center, 1616 St. Michael's Drive, Santa Fe, NM, 87505
WHAT: Announcing the 4th Annual Short Film Showcase, hosted by Women in Film and Television International and New Mexico Women in Film. This elite selection of female film talent will be screened in over 15 cities worldwide and will feature short films culled from over 40 finalist selections submitted by our international members and Film Festival Partners. Women in Film Chapters are participating in China, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Sweden, and 12 cities throughout the U.S. There are currently 182 events planned from over 18 different countries to mark this March 8th occasion. There will also be a selection of shorts made by New Mexican women, with an opportunity to meet the local filmmakers after the screening.

COST: $5 members, $18 non-members. FREE movie candy and buttered popcorn !!! For more info, contact NMWIF

Acting Classes!

We'd like to get the word out on a series of great acting classes hosted by crewnewmexico.com member Darlene Hansen! Tell her you heard about it on crewnewmexico.com!

"On Thursdays, starting March 5th, Darlene Hansen is teaching acting classes. What she covers in that class is how to be comfortable with yourself and your talent; how to read a script well; how to audition for a movie or tv series; how to be comfortable with the camera. The class goes from 10-1pm. The cost is $50.00 per class or if you sign up for four classes that is reduced to $45.00 per class. Classes have to be paid in advance. Please call her her at (505) 268-0530 to reserve your spot.

Then on Sunday, March 1st, Darlene is teaching an advanced acting class. This class covers how to express yourself before and after auditions because this is usually the only time that you can show the director/producer who you are; how to express yourself to the other actors so they hear you and want to act with you; and how to open yourself up so that we can see all sides of you and all the possibilities and talents. This class goes from 3-6pm. It costs $50.00. Please call Darlene at (505) 268-0530 to reserve your spot. "

New Member Update for the Week of 2.23

We'd like to give a warm welcome to the newest members of crewnewmexico.com! Please be sure to tell them you heard about them here!

• Girasol Ranch - 200 acre film location on Torrance County!
• Casa Rio Grande - Great furnished rental in Santa Fe.
• Beautiful 2BR production rental in ABQ.
• and many more coming this week!
  

New Member Update for The Weeks of 2.9-15.2009

We'd like to give a warm welcome to all of the newest members of the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com! If you contact these folks, please let them know you saw them on crewnewmexico.com!

• Modern Autoworks - Auto Repair in Santa Fe. Nearly 20 years experience!
  
• 480 Member Ryan Cowles - Prop Fabricator
• Barranca Sunrise - Magnificent A-List furnished rental in Santa Fe
• Lisa Van Allen and "The Last Craft Service Company," and her affiliated company "Flyin' In Production Rentals". They were some of our earliest members and joined months ago before our blog started! Welcome!
• 3 Filming Locations in Santa Fe - The Lofts, Luna, the Art Yard! Awesome for shooting, production offices and more!
  
• Publicist and Marketing Specialist Betsy Model!
  
• Edy Keeler - Interior Designer, Set Design
  
• Michael Mandel - Santa Fe Software!
  
• Annapurna Cafe in Santa Fe and ABQ!
  
• Hayley Ritchey Dentist!
  
• Edward Khmara - Screenwriter and actor!
  
• Synergia Ranch - Production lodging and retreat, right next to Bonanza Creek movie ranch!
  
• Gene Bourne - Real Estate
  
• Patrick O'Keefe of Sangre de Cristo Wellness!
  
• Jane Sauer Gallery - Contemporary art and sculpture for movie sets or personal collections!
• Mandala Moon - Network Chiropractic, Private tutor, pet services!
  
• Santa Fe Candle - Set Dressing and Props! Worked on lots of movies!
  
• Countoured Cooking - Amazing catering company for events and personal cheffing!
• Ace Hardware of Santa Fe! Right next to Garson Studios!
• For Stars Movie Catering! Big Time Movie Cooks!
  
• Garrett's Desert Inn - Production accommodations near the plaza and the film office!
  
• LA Stunts! Stunt Coordinator, Stuntman, 2nd Unit AD! Equipment and other Expendables.
  
• Ramsey Scott! Over 20 years experience in the industry - grip, stunts, makeup, acting.
• Juliet Hyde-White: Costumer/Set Costumer,Key Costumer,Key Set Costumer!
• Dickey Beer - Stunt Coordinator!
• Jay Etkin - Ethnographic art and props for the film industry. Featured in multiple productions!
  
• PakMail Santa Fe - Shipping/receiving and more for the props dept.
  
• Running Quail Condo - Sweet ATL accommodations in Santa Fe. A favorite with A-Listers!
  
• Casita Don Manuel - Great furnished rental in Santa Fe. Close to everything, cozy, private, great rates.
• Seriously amazing restaurant Mauka in Santa Fe! Local ingredients, one of Santa Fe's Finest.
• Gourmet to Go Catering in ABQ. Crafty support, box lunches, boutique and event catering, vegetarian, macro, organic. They catered Obama!
  

DreamWorks taps state's computer center

The the state's Computer Applications Center is getting its first close-up with the film industry.

Gov. Bill Richardson was at the Intel plant in Rio Rancho on Tuesday to announce the first commercial partnerships with the New Mexico Computing Applications Center and its supercomputer, Encanto. The new ventures initially are expected to create about 100 high-tech jobs. The partnerships are with firms in the media world and in health care.

Richardson called Encanto a major tool in developing a high-tech, high-wage economy.

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. is teaming up with Cerelink Digital Media Group of New Mexico to use the resources of the Computing Applications Center so DreamWorks can render its three-dimensional films in New Mexico.

To read the full article click here

Shootin' The Breeze With O'Neill's

Now that we've launched our own Podcast Radio station we can sit down and get to know all of our members and learn more about how they serve the film world and the film professionals here in New Mexico. And then, we post the show live so everyone can hear it. Listen in as we chat with Robert Munro, Director of Sales for O'Niell's Pub on Central Ave.

Powered by Podbean.com

FIlm and Media Day at The State Capitol

Come on down to the New Mexico State Legislature on Wed Feb 25 to show your support for the New Mexico Industry, and to and learn first hand what's happening in the world of New Mexico Film! Spread the word. Click image below to learn more!

New Mexico Film Directory is Out of Print

The print version of the New Mexico Film Directory has gone the way of the dodo - its out of print, and any listing you've had there is likely way out of date. Listing in static and printed directories is a thing of the past, especially for film. You need to be found quickly, easily, from anywhere, for your critical information to be available with just one click, and in a dynamic and interactive environment that has impact, reach, and utility.

We've added 250 film professionals and supporting businesses to crewnewmexico.com in just over 6 months, and receive over 5,000 visitors to our site per month. We're the leading resource for the New Mexico Film Industry, and we invite you to join us. If you're not listed, this is a great time to consider coming on board!

Welcoming and Supporting Small Business

We'd like to give a very warm welcome to the over 20 members of the Santa Fe Alliance who joined during our Santa Fe Alliance/crewnewmexico.com promotion.

The film industry relies heavily on local providers of goods and services, and it was our pleasure to support the members of such a great organization, many who have been looking for a place to reach out to the film industry for years! Welcome, again, and let us know if we can help you get started on your profile pages.

The New Mexico Union Member Discount!

Since our inception, we have supported members of film unions in New Mexico by offering a significant discount for listings on crewnewmexico.com. Whether its for yourself (as a crew member), or for the many of you who run film-supporting businesses on the side, we wanted those who make up the backbone of the industry to have all the exposure they want to productions or the film community at large. . . and we continue to do so! If you’re a member of a New Mexico union, and would like to take advantage of our 50% discount and join the nearly 250 members of our directory, please contact us as membership@crewnewmexico.com! With rates starting at just $79/year, there’s no better way for you or your business to get exposure to over 5,000 unique visitors per month!

• Learn more by clicking here!
  

Welcome New Member PakMail of Santa Fe

We're proud to welcome our newest member, PakMail of Santa Fe, to crewnewmexico.com. PakMail provides many services that are of benefit to productions and film professionals, such as packing, shipping, delivery, receiving, and warehousing (props, artwork, wardrobe, supplies and equipment, your personal effects, etc), pickup/dropoff, mailbox rentals, blanket wrapping, small moves, and more. "We ship anything, anywhere!" is their motto.

PakMail Santa Fe
369 Montezuma
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 989-7381

crewnewmexico.com Radio! Check it out! Enter Our Logo Contest!

crewnewmexico.com Radio! Listen in for a (almost daily) update on New Mexico Film Industry news, events, calls to action, weather, and interviews with crewnewmexico.com members and key industry professionals. You can download, stream, subscribe - whateva! Listen Here!

And don't forget, we're still hosting the crewnewmexico.com Podcast Radio We Need a Logo Contest! If you or someone you know is a talented graphic designer, submit your design, and win lots of fabulous prizes, unabashed adoration, and glory throughout the film world (no, seriously, you do win some good stuff).

Logo needs to use our "C" icon! All entries must be submitted by Feb 15th. Emails us at radio@crewnewmexico.com if you have any questions, or need a vector graphic.

Santa Fe Film Biz Happy Hour! Tuesday!

Come and mingle with your fellow film professionals and film friendly folks at the Santa Fe Film Biz Happy Hour! Drink cheap margaritas, eat yummy snacks, get out of the ridiculous cold.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Cowgirl BBQ
319 S. Guadalupe
Santa Fe
5:30-7:30.

And don't forget, the Cowgirl serves up great BBQ for Crafty Support, 2nd meal, and throws many a wrap party. They're super supportive of the film industry, (and they have nightly beer specials).


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Great Radio Interview with Mark Scharen of Post Hoc Productions

Now that we've launched crewnewmexico.com Podcast Radio, we're going to be interviewing key New Mexico film professionals and crewnewmexico.com members. It's another way that we help spread the word and give our members the opportunity for a spotlight, and for you, the listener, to learn who's who in New Mexico film, and what they do. We do lots of things to promote our members, and here's just one more way. And a fun, informative way at that. We're going to be interviewing all of our members, so stay tuned!

Our first interview is with Mark Scharen of Post Hoc Production
Click here to listen!

For the StarStruck - Jackie Chan Waxes Poetic About New Mexico!

New Member Update for 2.3

We'd like to give a quick shout-out to today's amazing new members of the crewnewmexico.com film directory!

• Wendy Kennedy - Personal Assistant to Producers and Directors!
• Blanca Garcia - Long-trusted and ever-talented costume designer and costume supervisor!
• Casting Director/Extras Casting guru Darlene Hansen!
• Over the Rainbow Cleaning - Locations and Studio cleaning services!

Please be sure to tell them you saw them on crewnewmexico.com

Santa Fe Alliance and crewnewmexico.com Team Up to Support the Local Economy

crewnewmexico.com recognizes the power and importance of local businesses. It is the local individuals and businesses that make up 99% of our directory, and provide many of the goods and services to the film industry. Not only that, we're a local business, too, located right here in Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe Alliance is at the heart of the local business community, working hard to strengthen and empower the local economy, by encouraging smart development, and networking of small local companies and individuals.

And so, with common goals, The Santa Fe Alliance and crewnewmexico.com have teamed up to offer an outstanding 50% discount to all Santa Fe Alliance members who list in the crewnewmexico.com film directory between now and February 14th. Alliance members simply enter ALLIANCE50 in the promo code line during checkout for your savings, or feel free to email or call us and we'll sign you up!

If you're not a member of the Alliance, you can join now practically recoup your investment with this discount. Visit the Alliance site now!

If you have any questions about crewnewmexico.com, or wish to learn more about how you can be involved in the New Mexico Film Industry, email us at membership@crewnewmexico.com, or call (505) 930-0443.

If you'd like to work with crewnewmexico.com to promote your local business community, or a cluster group of indiviuals and businesses, please contact daniel@crewnewmexico.com.

Welcome to All Our Newest Members!!!

crewnewmexico.com is growing by leaps and bounds, and we'd like to give a quick shout out to all of our newest members. Stay tuned for a full introduction on each member!

• Over the Rainbow Janitorial/Strike Services!
  
• Art Department Assistant - Ashley Michelle Marsh (she's working on Eli!)
  
• Set Medic David Bethel!
• Marja Custom Catering - amazing boutique caterer and crafty support!
  
• Actress Michelle Pershing!
• Set Teacher/Studio Tutor Kathy Minnich!
• 1st Assistant Camera - Chip Byrd!
• Makeup Artist Jack Sinclair
• The Multitalented Location Manager, Location Scout, UPM and Production Manager Scott Clark!
• Assistant Makeup Ramsey Scott!
  
• Production Designer Susan Magestro!
• Remedies Skin Care Clinic, Santa Fe!
• Set Security Specialists Northern Intermoutain Security!
• Fabulous A-List Furnished Rental - Jewel of Circle Drive
• The amazing Sagebrush Alpaca Ranch - New Real Estate Listing
• New Real Estate Listing - Get Down to Earth Landscaping!
  

Teaser for New Mexico-Made "The Year One"

Click Here for Year One teaser!

In-Depth Analysis of the SAG-AMPTP Situation

Here's the most in-depth analysis that we've seen in a while regarding the SAG-AMPTP situation. It's consolidated, and informative. It also provides multiple links that provide information on the history of the current affairs. Quick summary is that SAG has diminshed a lot of its bargaining capacity, but all is not lost.

SAG-Studio Pregame Report

by Jonathan Handel

With kickoff in the SAG vs. studios matchup just a day away, what better time for a pre-game report? Let’s look at length, leverage, and deal points.

1. Length

The SAG negotiations are well beyond any OT contemplated by the NFL. That may be one factor that leads some people to assume the two-day meeting this Tuesday and Wednesday will result in an immediate deal. Not so fast, bucko. Union negotiations aren’t played according to sudden-death rules. The SAG negotiating team has an obligation to seek the best deal achievable, and I anticipate they’ll do so. That’s different from seeking the best deal imaginable, which seemed to be the previous SAG administration’s playbook, but it’s not the same thing as throwing in the towel.

To read the entire article, click here!

Film A Success for State Coffers

A new study that looks at the impact of the film industry on New Mexico's economy, conducted by the respected Ernst & Young company, shows strongly positive results: hundreds of millions of dollars in direct film-production spending, and more than 9,000 new jobs attributable to the industry benefiting dozens of communities and hundreds of local businesses across the state. There is strong evidence of positive effects not only for direct film production, but increasingly for the hospitality, tourism and other sectors, as well as priceless marketing of New Mexico.

To read the full article, click here!

How the DGA Closed the Deal

While the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America have been grabbing headlines for the past year, the Directors Guild of America has mostly gone back under the radar.

A year ago, the DGA achieved a rare stretch of public notice when it came to an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers on Jan. 17. That fomented hope that the writers strike might end, after talks broke down between the WGA and the producers six weeks earlier.

By the time the WGA put down its picket signs on Feb. 12, the DGA's profile outside of Hollywood had receded. Insiders remember, though, that the DGA leaders had averted an impasse that would have compounded the WGA stalemate -- partly by conducting its own research over the previous two years into the parameters of new media and by maintaining an extensive dialogue with the AMPTP and key member companies.

To read the full article, click here