1,001 New Mexico Film Connections - All Filled Up!

Thanks to all of you for inquiring, but the 1,001 New Mexico Film Connections event registration is now closed.

If you have registered, please print your registration confirmation email, and/or the confirmation email we'll be sending this week with you on the day of the event.

Since we are all full up, only those who have registered will be able to attend. We'd love to have all of you - maybe next year we'll do it at Tingley!

Please note: The Albuquerque Journal North erroneously posted the event on their calendar, stating the was free and open to the public. We'd like to apologize for their error, and hope that we get to meet with you at a future event soon.

Special thanks to Garson Studios and to the La Posada de Santa Fe for helping put together a wonderful event!

Part Three in an Amazing Series on Production Insurance by Sam Levy of Rio Grande Insurance

Insurance options for multiple projects and the entertainment industry

by: Sam Levy, Rio Grande Insurance www.riograndeins.com

In the last two issues of Movie News, we’ve explored the coverage and considerations for single productions. In this installment we’ll take a look at insurance for production companies that make many productions as well as policies for industry related businesses. Read through the following list and descriptions to see how insurance would fit you!

Multiple Projects: DICE/Annual Productions

My favorite acronym in movie insurance is DICE which stands for Documentary, Industrial, Commercial(s) and Educational productions, which are typically made by production companies who need an annual policy because they have multiple productions throughout each year. Though the DICE acronym sounds as if it might be restrictive to the type of productions allowed, the underwriters are increasingly opening up this type of policy to almost all production types. DICE/Annual policies combine the best of both insurance worlds – they cover most of the specialized film-specific “producer’s risk” coverage that was discussed in detail last time with the broader scope of a general business owner’s commercial insurance. As you’ll recall, “producer’s risk” can cover shooting and other miscellaneous equipment, property owned by third parties, wardrobe/props/sets, negative/faulty stock and broad automobile coverage. Stunts and cast coverage can now be “bought back” onto these policies, a very recent addition to the offering. A DICE/Annual policy is rated on the average number of productions throughout a year in combination with factoring in of the budget of the largest average production.

We had discussed short term (less than 30 or 60 days) v. long term single productions, and you’ll recall that it is possible to get very affordable coverage for short term production policies of ten days of principal photography for $500. Typically a DICE/Annual policy is going to start around $1,300+ per year, so for a company that only makes two or three productions of ten or fewer days each, it may be just as easy to purchase a number of short term production policies. A DICE/Annual policy covers you for an entire 365 days of the year and takes into account office and incidental operations, so can be advantageous both financially and logistically. Note that in order to cover productions on a DICE/Annual policy, they must always be declared in advance to your agent.

Multiple Projects: Film Schools

You likely recall the scare tactics from the first article in this series in November warning against the dangers of sub-sold, paper based “co-production” arrangements from film schools. While the laws against co-production are still in place, they focus primarily on small producers that may be unwittingly taking advantage of a system. However, with the right insurance agent and policy, it is possible to get good coverage for film schools. There are policies specifically crafted to insure productions that are sanctioned by a film school at a U.S. university and for productions by students enrolled at the school. There are over 50 types of productions eligible for this coverage, but anything outside of the U.S. & Canada or with stunts must be insured as a sole and separate single production.

Multiple Projects: Production Portfolio

This recently added insurance option bridges the gap between DICE/Annual policy that is most appropriate and affordable for groups of smaller budget productions and full-fledged larger budget single productions. Production portfolio offers all of the coverages available to a larger production and offers the discounted advantage of aggregating schedules and budgets. This can be of particular advantage for a series. Production portfolio can handle groups of single project budgets up to $15 million and durations of up to 18 months.

Entertainment Services: Photographers, Videographers & DJs (and Shell Corps too)

This type of policy is specifically geared to the very small or sole proprietor business that covers private functions and/or public events. This insurance package puts together the most often requested coverage of general liability, auto liability & physical damage with equipment coverage, whether owned, rented or borrowed. Closely related to this type of policy is the “shell corp” policy for incorported individuals in the entertainment industry such as actors, directors, producers, writers, cameraman, singers, musicians, composers, radio/TV broadcasters, athletes and even touring entertainers.

Entertainment Services: Studios, including post-production

A Studio type of policy covers recording studios, editing studios, pre-production studios and post-production studios. This provides protection for entities continuously engaged in the business of providing a studio facility to the entertainment industry, for any of the purposed mentioned and their related uses. This can be tailored to fit the needs of small to large studios and coverage for catastrophe is available, including earthquake, wind and flood. Studio policies can have up to $5 million in equipment coverage and $10 million in liability as long as they are based in the U.S.

Entertainment Services: Rental Houses

Provides insurance for companies that supply the entertainment, sports and leisure industries with equipment and/or support services including installation. Again, this is for entities “continuously engaged” in the business of renting equipment such as cameras, lighting, sound, props, sets, wardrobe, trailers and more. They may provide equipment for special events such as props, sets, furnishings and more. This policy is closely related to the Studio policy and has the same high limits of coverage and catastrophe buy back available.

Entertainment Services: Floaters and Equipment Insurance

A floater covers property at an indeterminate number of locations U.S. and worldwide, generally for all risks. There are several types of floaters including personal and commercial equipment and valuable schedules. While entertainment equipment floaters are most common, and can be bought without any other coverage being required, we also handle standalone contractors equipment floaters, and personal articles. Personal articles can be comprised of valuables and collections including jewelry, fine arts and other miscellaneous items. A unique product, the film print floater covers not only film prints, but also certain expenses incurred to reprint, recopy or repair lost or damaged property from original material. Film print floater “covered causes of losses” include exposed film; damaged tape, interpositives and positives; work prints, cutting copies and fine grain prints; transparencies, cels, art work used to create images, and software used to generate computer images. Cut-outs and unused footage are not covered.

Entertainment Services: Events

Events policies are available for all sizes and durations of public and private one time and recurring events, as well as for vendors and exhibitors. Event insurance can cover cancellation, promoters, theatrical groups, venues and even cancellation. This can include festivals and trade shows as well as long duration events.

Entertainment Services: Commercial Insurance

As we get further down this list, you should begin to see the gap between a “normal” business policy and a “specialized” production policy narrow and begin to disappear. Obviously, production insurance branched out of general business insurance, and we do plenty of insurance policies for all types of businesses in the film industry that don’t do any of the specialized things mentioned above.

The word insurance is derived from the Latin word for security. In the 17^th century, the word “insure” became established to mean “providing against loss and damage.” The bottom line is that insurance exists to protect you and your interests. To “indemnify” means to make you “whole” again and that’s what we insurance agents are here to do. Insurance is not about premiums and risk and your answering questions the “right” way, it’s about being protected and secure that you can go back to business without suffering an insurmountable financial loss.

Contact your insurance agent, trust and confide in them and be up front about what could happen and what you want covered. We are here to help you and to act in your best interest. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Make sure you understand your coverages especially what is not covered or what your obligations are. If you can understand some of the available coverages by reading this article, you’ll be ahead of the game in asking questions of and having information to provide your agent. Especially in trying economic times, being fully and properly protected is essential to your future. That’s what we’re here for.

Send inquiries to sam@riograndeins.com

Sam Levy is the Film Insurance division manager at Rio Grande Insurance, www.RioGrandeIns.com
Providing superior service from Green light 'til Wrap, for all your production insurance needs, including: Single and Annual Production policies, Liability, Producer’s Risk, Rented equipment, Errors & Omissions, Work Comp, Directors & Officers, Hired and non-owned auto; Blanket additional insureds. All premiums count for 25% NM rebate.

14 local offices in NM, CA, AZ & UT.

1231 South St. Francis Dr Ste A, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Toll-Free: 888-447-8216; Phone: 505-984-8216; Fax: 505-984-8238

E-mail: sam@riograndeins.com

Albuquerque Studios is Off The Auction Block

From the Albuquerque Journal, by Dan Mayfield

The auction is off.

Albuquerque Studios' parent company, Pacifica Mesa Studios, and its creditors have worked out a deal and the studios will remain under the current management, a company spokeswoman said Thursday.

Nearly three weeks ago, Pacifica Mesa was served with a foreclosure notice on Albuquerque Studios by one of its creditors, Workers Trust Realty II. The company's loan is for an ownership interest in the studio. It is the smaller of two major loans Pacifica Mesa has taken out to finance the $90 million studios.

The bank, in a legal ad taken out in the Journal, said the company owed nearly $21.5 million to Workers Trust and was going to hold a foreclosure auction next Friday. Now, that's not going to happen.

"All of the parties are working together to resolve their differences. Albuquerque Studios continues to operate with current management," said Pacifica spokeswoman Sarah Robarts.
No details on the new arrangement were disclosed.

The bank had said the foreclosure sale was due to "default in the payment of debt and performance." The holder of the loan appoints the managers of Albuquerque Studios.
Pacifica chairman Hal Katersky said Wednesday the loan is one of two the company has on Albuquerque Studios and said he was unaware of any payments due to the bank before the announcement. Representatives of the bank have not returned calls by the Journal.

Katersky said that Pacifica was working with Amalgamated Bank, which holds the larger loan, on restructuring the entire debt. He wouldn't say how much that loan is for.

To read the full article, click here!

Casting Call for May 13th Shoot!

CALLING ALL ACTORS – ALL AGES, HERITAGES, TYPES & BACKGROUNDS:

Contact MuirStudio@q.com and/or 575-521-6261 immediately to register to audition for the following medical training film to be shot in one day, Thursday, May 13, here in Las Cruces.
$500 flat fee pay for each of six roles for the day's shoot.
Exact time and place of audition to be announced asap.

CASTING BREAKDOWN:

Shooting two videos, one in the morning and one in the afternoon on Thursday, May 13th.
All roles have lines, but mostly responses and casual conversation.
Most of the heavy dialogue is carried by the professional EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) who are "for real" and do this every day.

CAST REQUIRED:

FIRST SHOOT: ”COMPLEX PATIENT ENCOUNTER”

1 Airport Staff: Male or female, in uniform, like a flight attendant)

1 Female Nurse: Dressed as an airline passenger, she volunteers to help a passenger in distress

1 Principal Patient: Large/heavy, mature/older-looking male (with a history of COPD –Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease– exhibiting difficultly breathing). Some spoken lines in response to questions from medical technicians. Not a difficult role, but very important and the actor must stay in character throughout.

SECOND SHOOT: “SYNCOPAL INCIDENT”

1 Principal Patient: Mature/older-looking female (will have a fake IV and a 12-lead ECG attached)

1 Male Family Member: Will give answers to EMT interview questions (script says "her son")

1 Police Officer: In uniform as the First Responder

Malice in Wonderland! Public Sneak Preview!

"Malice in Wonderland-The Dolls Movie"

Be the first to see this groundbreaking, hilarious film!
WHEN: May 7th
TIME: 6:30 PM (Doors open at 6:00)
WHERE: Albuquerque Guild Theater

TWO OPTIONS:
1. Buy a presale DVD of the movie on the website, (anticipated June Release) AND get TWO tickets to the sneak preview! ($19.99 + $2.50 S/H) http://www.maliceinwonderlandmovie.com/
2. Buy $5.00 ticket at the door. $5 tickets are on a space availabe basis - arrive early!

Reserve your tickets and DVD online NOW: www.maliceinwonderlandmovie.com

High Plains Film Festival! Click the image to learn more and print out the flyer!

Investment council member questions NM film loans

A newly appointed member of the State Investment Council has questioned whether New Mexico should use an endowment fund to make interest-free loans to films.

Former state Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson, a Las Cruces Republican, voiced his doubts Tuesday as the council agreed to temporarily extend a contract with a Hollywood lawyer to advise the state on film investments.

The contract with Peter Dekom will be extended through May while the council looks to hire a permanent film adviser through a competitive bidding process.

New Mexico can lend up to $15 million to a film project produced in the state, and Dekom recommends whether the council should approve the investments.

The council last month extended Dekom's contract through April and he was paid a monthly rate of nearly $15,000 -- roughly half of what his previous $350,000-a-year contract provided.

Rawson said he wanted a report analyzing whether the film loans have been a successful investment for the state. He and another council member expressed doubts about the program.

"I don't know that we have a mandate to stay in film," said Rawson, who was named to the council last month by the Legislature.

Peter Frank, a board member and retired corporate executive from Santa Fe, said, "We've given up a lot of return on our assets."

Katherine Miller, a board member and secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, defended the film program, pointing out it was an economically targeted investment with a goal of fostering a film industry in New Mexico.

To read the full article, click here!

Learn About the NM Film Industry

Interested in movies in New Mexico?

Wonder about job opportunities in the industry?

Two representatives from the New Mexico State Film Office will give an informal talk and answer questions. Trish Lopez, New Mexico Filmmakers Program Director, and Tobi Ives, Workforce Development Manager, will give an overview of the film industry in New Mexico, discuss the role of the state film office and give basic descriptions of crew jobs, as well as review the resources and programs available through the office.

Date:	Saturday, May 22, 2010
Time:	11:30am - 1:30pm
Location:	Rio Rancho, Loma Colorado Main Library
Street:	755 Loma Colorado Drive NE
City/Town:	Rio Rancho, NM

This event is free and open to the public. For more information call (505) 891-5013 ext. 3033

Albuquerque Studios Update - Lawsuit Filed

A lawsuit alleges three former managers of Albuquerque Studios, which has seen filming of such movies as "Terminator Salvation" and "Book of Eli," were funneling business to a competitor, costing the studio more than $50,000, the Albuquerque Journal reported Friday in a copyright story.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles by Pacifica Mesa Studios LLC, alleges Nick Smerigan and brothers Jeremy and Jason Hariton caused the losses but does not describe when and what business was routed to other studios.

Smerigan was Albuquerque Studios' chief operating officer, Jeremy Hariton was executive director of studio operations and Jason Hariton was vice president for operations.

The lawsuit alleges Smerigan told his bosses he was being paid for working for competitors the day before abruptly leaving Albuquerque Studios on Jan. 22.

The trio's attorney, Rick Kurshner, said the lawsuit has no factual basis.

"I can tell you the facts that are alleged in the lawsuit that would constitute damage to Pacifica Mesa are untrue and that the legal theory behind the lawsuit is unfounded," Kurshner said.

Hal Katersky, co-founder and chairman of Albuquerque Studios' parent company, Pacifica Ventures, said the three were building their business on the company's dime.

Smerigan and his wife Gail announced the formation of RoadTown Enterprises, a construction management, design and studio-marketing business, three months after leaving Albuquerque Studios.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/04/30/entertainment/e123518D87.DTL#ixzz0md2e7gBP

NM Filmmakers Showcase!!!

The annual NM Filmmakers Showcase at the Guild Cinema in Albuquerque takes place on May 13-16. . Below are more details on time and location, and attached is the Schedule of Films.

We are honored to conduct this annual event as an open platform for New Mexicans to screen their work for the public. Films of all lengths and genres are accepted by filmmakers of all ages.

On a personal note, I’d like to strongly encourage the filmmakers who submitted their work to the 2010 event to please attend your own screening, as no person is a better advocate of your work than you are. It certainly speaks well for you and your film if you’re present to support it, and to answer any questions from the audience and our jurors.

For the second year, we’ll have a panel of jurors from the local film community selecting top honors in a variety of categories. With new submission guidelines in place for 2010, this year’s Showcase will have significantly fewer films than have screened in previous years, thus creating a tremendous slate of work from our very talented, serious filmmakers around the state. Thank you to all who submitted your work – I hope to see you there.

Cheers,
Trish
NM Filmmakers Program Director
NM Filmmakers Showcase 2010
May 13 -16, 2010
Opening Night Reception: Thursday, May 13th – 6:00-7:00pm
(Schedule of Films Attached)

Reception: Laru/Café Cubano – 3413 Central Ave, NE Albuquerque
Showcase: Guild Cinema – 3405 Central Ave, NE Albuquerque

Albuquerque Studios

Albuquerque Studios is going to the "auction block." Having defaulted on a $21.4 million loan, their creditor, Chicago Investment Trust, is calling in the chips, and The Studios (including their debt) is scheduled to auction on May 14th, in Albuquerque.

So, if this does happen, what does it mean for the New Mexico film industry?

It depends, but I think it will work out just fine.

Firstly, there was film in New Mexico before Albuquerque Studios, and there would be film after Albuquerque Studios, whether it was shuttered totally (unlikely) or if it was taken over by another studio entity. The notion that this spells the "demise" of anything (other than the careers of some studio executives and, perhaps, the name "Albuquerque Studios") is unfounded.

Secondly, Albuquerque Studios was built during an intense spike in production business in New Mexico, when our state was well out in the forefront of the "film incentive" game. At that time it made a lot of sense to build the world's largest studio for $100 million dollars. But that was before the economic downturn. And before dozens of other states launched their own film incentive programs. That being said, its possible that the current state of Albuquerque Studios as as much a result of management as economy. It's hard to tell.

Either way, under any circumstances, it's never easy to recoup $100 million sheckles.

Much of filming in New Mexico is location based, and not every picture or TV show is going to be mega-budget. Garson Studios in Santa Fe has been around since 1989, and have hosted major productions including No Country for Old Men, Legion, Brothers, Appaloosa and more. While they don't garner much press, they've been here for a long time, and will likely continue to be so. That all being said, there's much clout and function added to a film industry when we have the scope and scale of a facility such as ABQ Studios. So, to lessen its impact would be an oversimplification. And it would, in fact, be more difficult to draw in major, studio-based productions without it.

Yet a lot of film in New Mexico is also sustained by low to mid-budget pictures. While we do see mega-budget shoots that could require a mega-studio, it's the exception more than the rule. So, again, there's no shortage of productions not in need of a major studio, and I don't forsee much of a difference in the number of productions that will be landing in the State. However, without big-spending films, you could see overall expenditures drop. But everything is just conjecture at this point.

Many also felt that the studios were priced high. One of the benefits of filming in New Mexico is the lower cost of doing business, and, of course, our 25% cash rebate for productions. Charging high rates, however, can offset much of that benefit. Twenty-five percent back means little if you're already overpaying. My hope would be that new management would handle the equation differently, and to work with the incentives to make New Mexico an even more affordable destination. So, again, depending on how the cards play out, this could turn out to be a positive development.

Also, the former chief of ABQ Studios, Nick Smerigan, is accused in a lawsuit filed by Pacifica Ventures to have funneled film business to new studios in Mississippi, in which he has an interest (ie, his company Nick Smerigan is the founder of RoadTown Enterprises, the Los Angeles-based firm that is managing the studio.) These are lean times, and every production counts. I have no idea, but let's just say that for conversation sake it is true (its a much more interesting story this way, anway). I'd have to assume any future management would be under much more stringent oversight, and we'd be unlikely to have that happen again. So, perhaps, another plus. I also think there's quite a few parties interested in picking up a film studio for cents on the dollar, and I'd expect they're not a bunch of hacks.

Also, Santa Fe Studios is still firmly in the pipeline. While not nearly as large as ABQ, it would provide New Mexico with an incredible studio space that I feel is in alignment with more sustainable planning; smaller in scope with graduated improvements and expansions. The current situation in ABQ could also help foster a more streamlined process to getting SF Studios up and running - another plus.
It's always easy to hit the panic button, especially in such a tepid market and uneasy times. The real challenge comes in trying to find the good in any situation, because that's part of what helps open the way for new ideas and positive developments. Film professionals are by nature a resilient and inventive lot, and are able to weather a lot of ups and downs. After all, if you can't handle chaos, you shouldn't be involved in film.

Thus far, I'm not seeing anything that's making me reach for the life preserver, and I'd be one of the first to know if the ship is going down. Far from it. In fact, I'm interested to see how things unfold from here and believe that there are some great possibilities in store.

We're fine. Everything changes. There's usually some bumps and bruises along the way, often, in retrospect, just to keep us on the edges of our seats. And those of us in film should be used to that. After all, if we're the one's who create dramas, we should also be the best at navigating them.

Feel free to email us your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Email to info@crewnewmexico.com

CNM Film Crew Tech Program - Check it out!

The public is invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at CNM’s Film Crew Technician program, which produces the largest number of film crew professionals for the state’s booming movie and television industry. Admission is free.

Those interested in pursuing a career in the industry can learn about the course offerings at CNM, along with the various career paths and the daily work routine of a film crew professional. Attendees of the event can also ask CNM film crew faculty and students about the program, which teaches the skills to perform a variety of film crafts including camera operation, makeup, hair and wardrobe, sound, post-production, editing, electrical crafts, etc.

Attendees can also watch clips of films that were staffed by CNM film crew graduates.

Tuesday, April 27th 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CNM Workforce Training Center NE

5600 Eagle Rock Ave.
Albuquerque, NM 87113

Ask questions and get answers from film program faculty and students. Apply for admission to CNM at the event.
http://www.cnm.edu/cnmfilmsneakpeek

Film Class! ETCP Certification for Rigging Grips

Test Preparation: Emphasis on Math
Workshop Location: Santa Fe

Instructor: Johnny Perri
Dates: May 10, 11, 12
Class cost is $25 for the three days, pre-payment required
For registration and all details, email Phyllis at pdetrich@gmail.com or call 505-986-9512

ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE ATTENDEES TO BE NM RESIDENTS, ID REQUIRED.
For more information, visit: http://etcp.esta.org/candidateinfo/riggingexams.html

Lights, Camera, Music! Bo Brown and Steven Michael Quezada Headline Special Fundraising Event

Albuquerque Little Theatre (ALT) joins forces and talent with The Film Apprenticeship Programs, Inc (FAPI) to bring you Lights, Camera, Music. This special fundraising event will be held on Sunday May 16 at the historic Albuquerque Little Theater. The event will be emceed by former Miss New Mexico Christina Olmi. Native New Mexican and Country Music Sensation, Bo Brown will perform live. His new album Believe will be released soon.

Also headlining will be local Comedian/Actor, Steven Michael Quezada, who also has a recurring role on AMC’s hit and locally produced television show, Breaking Bad. Steven is a 5-time winner of NMHEA Comedian of the Year Award. He has been making people laugh throughout the Southwest at Comedy Clubs, Casinos and Special Events since 1987 with his unique Chicano style of humor. This special night of music, comedy and all-around entertainment, will be kicked off by the cast of ALT’s upcoming production, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Y’all come on out now and get a sneak-preview of this hilarious Texas tale.

Ticket prices are $10 each for general admission. The event will also feature a VIP lounge with local celebrities, snacks, and beverages. $25 admission for VIP entry. The event will be taped for future broadcast on Encantada TV, Channel 26. Tickets are on sale now through the ALT box office (505.242.4750) and online at www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org/Tickets.htm

All proceeds benefit ALT, now in it’s 80th season, and The Film Apprenticeship Programs, Inc. FAPI, now conducting it’s 3rd term of classes, trains New Mexicans for careers in television and broadcasting. The program’s mission is to put locals to work on productions in our state, keeping our jobs right here at home.

For more information on the event please contact Liz Servis: lservis@filmapprentice.org
For more information on FAPI. please visit www.filmapprentice.org
For more information on ALT, please visit www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org

48 Hour Film Project - Get Ready!

The 2010 Albuquerque 48 Hour Film Project will take place July 9-11, and registration opens soon!

The 48 Hour Film Project is a great opportunity to flex your creative muscles, hone your production skills, and test your mental mettle.

MEET AND GREET HAPPY HOUR - FRIDAY APRIL 30, 5- 7:3O BLACKBIRD BUVETTE

Come on by to join a team, recruit folks to join your team, chat with me about the 48HFP, check out the competition, or just have a drink on the back patio. It will be a laid-back fun time so come on out!

Learn more and sign up for a team! http://www.48hourfilm.com/albuquerque/

Amazing Animal Productions and Animal Actors Worldwide Join The New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com!

The world's largest providers of Movie, TV, and Commercial Animals - now with a New Mexico Office!

Amazing Animal Productions and Animal Actors Worldwide have over 35 years of providing affection-trained exotic and domestic animals to the Television/Motion Picture industry.

Experts in Script Breakdown, Budgeting and Coordinating the Animal Work for any size feature.

Their New Mexico credits include: 2010 - THE BOOK OF ELI - starring Denzel Washington; 2010 - THE SPY NEXT DOOR - starring Jackie Chan; 2009 - YEAR ONE - starring Jack Black; 2008 - BURNING PLAIN - starring Cherlize Theron. Both companies are fully licensed and insured - boast perfect records with American Humane - and are fully rebate-able!

For more information call: (877) 254-8585 or visit their websites:
Amazing Animal Productions: http://www.amazinganimalproductions.com/
Animal Actors Worldwide http://www.animalactorsworldwide.com/

crewnewmexico.com for Film Crew, 480, and 399? Absolutely, and Here's Why

No matter if you're listed on the 480 or Film Office website getting a CREW listing on crewnewmexico.com is a solid step. Here's why:

• You get an entire movie profile page, just like this.
• Your page gets its own web address: ie http://www.crewnewmexico.com/davidstump - so you have a fully functional web address you can add to business cards, your email signature, Facebook page, and more.
  
• Anyone can view our site - and your credits - 24/7. The union website is password protected.
• You can add/edit your credits and manage your page 24/7! Just login!
  
• You can email your film credits direct from your crew account.
• We'll work with you directly to help you get your talents and skills recognized.
• We're the most searched directory for New Mexico film, with over 10,000 visitors/mo.
  
• New Mexico has some of the top crew in the country, and we're searched by productions far and wide looking for talented crew.
• You may be listed in IMDB, but that does you no good for people looking for New Mexico crew.
  
• We'll introduce you and give a great shout out to you in our New Mexico Movie News, sent out to over 11,000 film professionals.
• We sponsor film events all over the state to make sure that our company, and our members, are always at top of mind for film professionals looking for services. You invest in us, and we invest in you!
  
• We submit your profile page to google search, so you'll start to appear in the top level of google results when your name is searched.
• Discounts! We often arrange for discounted ticket prices for our members for film festivals, events, and more.
  
• We blast our your career highlights to our nearly 2,000 Facebook followers.

Listing with us is quick, easy, effective, and the leading way to keep yourself on industry radar. Contact us at membership@crewnewmexico.com, or call (505) 930-0443 to register today.

Milagro at Los Luceros - Submit Your Application Now!

Governor Bill Richardson announced that applications will be accepted for audition workshops offered in locations around the state through the Milagro at Los Luceros initiative and the New Mexico Filmmakers Program.

Native American, Hispanic, and African American residents of New Mexico who are interested in acting are encouraged to apply for the workshops, which will help participants develop the essential skills needed for casting calls. Applications must be submitted electronically no later than 6:00 p.m. April 12, 2010.

Click here for the application!

Film Networking Event April 12 in Las Cruces

The Muir Studio, invites members of and leaders in the Community, Film and Digital Media, Education, Technology, Business, Government and the Arts to drop in, network and reach out at the area’s first-ever Community, Film and Digital Media After-Hours Mixer this Monday, April 12, 5:30-7:30 pm, in the new Palermo Room of the Original Lorenzo’s de Mesilla, at 1750 Calle de Mercado, adjacent to Historic Old Mesilla just off Avenida de Mesilla. Appetizers will be served along with a no-host bar.

For information or to RSVP, contact 575-521-6261 or MuirStudio@q.com

Hollywood snubs proposed betting on ticket sales

By RYAN NAKASHIMA (AP)

LOS ANGELES — Think you're better than Hollywood at gauging whether an upcoming flick will be a box office bomb or a sleeper hit? You'd get a chance to put your money behind that under two proposals that movie studios are denouncing as legalized gambling.

The proposals the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission are expected to rule on this month would let movie fans, industry executives and speculators bet on expected box office receipts. Investors profit if their predictions come true and lose if they don't.

These online trading forums would be similar to futures markets common for commodities such as corn, pork bellies, natural gas and silver. Although goods are rarely exchanged directly through such markets, they let buyers and sellers reduce risks by locking in prices months ahead of time. A corn farmer might want to do that in case a bumper crop pushes prices down too low.

Now, two companies want to bring that concept to Hollywood, a notoriously risky industry in which big-budget productions can go bust in a single weekend and independent movies can become unexpected hits. But the investors most likely to benefit from such an exchange — the six major Hollywood studios — have rallied against the proposals.

Although the companies behind the exchanges still plan to proceed, regulators pushed back a decision on one of the proposals, Trend Exchange from Veriana Ventures, amid the last-minute opposition. A ruling could now come Friday, more than a week later than originally expected.

A decision on the other proposal, Cantor Fitzgerald LP's Cantor Exchange, is expected around April 20.

The studios' trade group, the Motion Picture Association of America, argues that the proposals tarnish the reputation and integrity of the movie industry by authorizing "legalized gambling on movie receipts."

To read the full article, click here!

Discounted Performance Training for Members of the NM Film Industry!

Southwest Sports Institute in ABQ provides performance fitness training for the New Mexico film industry. They've served Hillary Swank on The Resident, as well as training assistance for The Spirit, Terminator Salvation, Eva Mendes, and Gabriel Macht.

They also provide nutritional counseling for the entire cast and crew to keep everyone healthy, and are dedicated to working with the special needs of film professionals. Their crew of trainers and healers includes chiropractors, physical therapists, nutritionists, and yoga instructors.

And, now, they're offering great $40/month memberships to members of the NM Film Industry!

To learn more, click here!

Contact SWSI to sign up, plan a visit, or ask how they can serve you, or your production! And don't forget to tell them you heard about them from crewnewmexico.com!

Southwest Sports Institute

5910 Midway Park Blvd NE, Ste A

Albuquerque, NM 87109

P 505.344.3600
F 505.344.3601

train@swsinm.com

Grant Hangs in Balance for Santa Fe Studios

. . . from the Santa Fe New Mexican.

State officials say they are still reviewing plans for a film studio complex south of Santa Fe to determine if the project qualifies for a $10 million economic development grant.

Santa Fe County has already agreed to lend the private developers $6 million to build the complex, and provide another $3.6 million worth of infrastructure and water rights free of charge.

But the state departments of Finance and Administration and Economic Development haven't yet approved the project to receive the $10 million Local Economic Development grant.

"We have not certified this project," Toni Balzano, deputy cabinet secretary of the state Economic Development Department said Monday. Balzano said the department had come up with several amendments to the project agreement related to the number of jobs created and the financial guarantees in place to protect the city and county investments being made in to the project.

Those amendments were supposed to be considered during the County Commission meeting today — though they were listed on the consent calendar, which means they likely would not be discussed before the vote. But County Attorney Stephen Ross said Monday the amendments are "not ready for prime time yet," and the issue probably will have to be tabled at today's meeting.

Neither Santa Fe County nor the Economic Development Department could provide copies of the proposed resolutions.

Ross said the documents were not completed yet. Balzano said the amendments were not yet public record.

Santa Fe Film and Media Studios father-and-son partners Lance Hool and Jason Hool have been negotiating the film studios project with Santa Fe County for years.

The most recent version of the plan calls for. . .

To read the full article, click here!

Let incentives take state film industry to maturity

- Editorial submission by Lance Hool, CEO Santa Fe Studios and Hal Katersky, chairman and CEO of Albuquerque Studios.

The near-term success of our film industry in New Mexico depends on film incentives; in the long term it will depend on developing the local infrastructure, talent and crews.

We are on a solid ground, but we must keep growing. New Mexico is the most desired place to make movies, outside of Hollywood and New York. The crew base is growing and infrastructure is being established, but there is still a long road ahead. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, only 2 percent of the films shot in North America in 2009 were shot in New Mexico. We need to grow that number.

We've seen the growth of the film industries in Australia and Canada, and the demise of the Mexican and South African film industries. Each of these industries was launched with the help of incentives from governments.

The Australian and Canadian film industries are both thriving. They began to flourish in the 1970s with the help of tax incentives. Today they have reached a mature stage, and their indigenous industries are self-sustaining. This is proven by the fact that, although their currencies have surged against the U.S. dollar, both industries continue to thrive. Films can now be produced with 100 percent local talent. If Hollywood wants an Australian- or Canadian-made film, they need not import Hollywood crews and talent. Each of these two industries has excellent local talent and crews to, not only shoot the movie, but handle all post-production as well.

The South African film industry grew quickly with favorable tax incentives in the 1980s. Unfortunately, the South African government pulled the incentives too early and abruptly. Unlike Canada and Australia, the industry had not matured. There was no infrastructure, and the industry literally evaporated. The country is grappling with how to grow back their industry and has enlisted the help of New Mexicans, among others, to emulate our successful program of incentives.

To read the full article, click here!

National Geographic All Roads Program at the WSIFF!

THE WHITE SANDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TEAM UP TO SCREEN 3 DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMS DURING
THE 6TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL APRIL 15-16TH, 2010

The All Roads Film Project is a National Geographic program dedicated
to providing a platform for indigenous and underrepresented minority-
culture storytellers around the world to showcase their works to
promote knowledge, dialogue, and understanding with a broader, global
audience.

Tickets for the WSIFF can be purchased in advance online at www.wsiff.com
or during the festival at the WSIFF Box Office located in the Allen
Theatres Cineport 10 Lobby beginning Thursday, April 15th at 5:00pm.

PROGRAM 1
Karai Norte (Man of The North) • Director: Marcelo Martinessi
Based on a classic short story of Paraguayan literature, this powerful
short film focuses on two strangers in a chance, tense encounter from
an event they were both determined to forget. Paraguay | 2009 | 21
minutes | Guaraní (English subtitles)

Lesh Sabreen • Director: Muayad Alayan
Set in a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem, this short film
follows two young lovers who navigate their socially conservative and
Israeli-controlled community, dreaming of being together. Palestine |
2008 | 20 minutes | Arabic, Hebrew (English subtitles)

4 Kilometers • Director: Miri Shapiro
This film follows Hulud, a 15-year-old girl who goes on a journey that
enables her to embrace her Bedouin tradition and let go of her desire
for modernity. Israel/UK | 2008 | 22 minutes | Arabic (English
subtitles)


UNCONQUERED: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family
Director: Bryan Beasley
This is the story of one of the 20th Century’s most important artists.
It traces the Houser family from the 1860s through today, exploring
the oral traditions of the Apache people and the works of several
generations of artists. Houser’s lasting legacy is carried on by his
artist sons.
USA / 2009 / 32 minutes

PROGRAM 2

Let’s Not Forget • Director: Violet Harvey
Violet Harvey asks America to recognize Hweeldi, a dark and traumatic
event that the Diné had to endure for freedom. USA | 2008 | 3 min |
Navajo (English Subtitles)

Aak’ume Tsatseem’a - Past & Present • Directors: Vina Leno, Jennifer
Vallo, & Theresa Pasqual
A stunning photo slideshow that explores the changing role of Acoma
women in their community. USA | 2008 | 3 min | Keres (Acoma) & English
(English Subtitles)

Older Than America Director: Georgina Lightning
A woman’s haunting visions reveal a Catholic priest’s sinister plot to
silence her mother from speaking the truth about the atrocities that
occurred at a Native American boarding school. A contemporary drama of
suspense, Older Than America delves into the lasting impact of the
cultural genocide that occurred at Indian boarding schools across the
U.S. and Canada. USA | 2007 | 102 minutes | English

PROGRAM 3

Koyemostawi • Director: Valerie M. Thomas
The visualization of a song that a mudhead “Koyemsi” Katsina would
sing during night dances in the Kiva. USA | 2008 | 3 min | Hopi

El Regalo de la Pachamama • Director: Toshifumi Matsushita
At Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni (Salt Lake), where many families work with
salt, a 13-year-old boy named Kunturi lives a traditional Quechua life
with his family. His life begins to change when his grandmother dies,
a friend moves away and his father takes him on his first trip with
the llama caravan. For three months he travels the Ruta de la Sal,
exchanging blocks of salt his father and other villagers have chipped
from the lake, for other products of the Andes, the altiplano and the
valleys. He learns from these and other experiences and encounters
along the way, including meeting Ulala, the most beautiful girl he
could ever imagine. They feel the stirrings of first love as they
share the same dream: to run together across the immense white sea
that is the Salar de Uyuni, until they reach the end of the horizon.
Bolivia | 2008 | 102 minutes | Quechua (English subtitles)

Manipulated Image - Tonight!

A reminder to please join us tonight at the Santa Fe Complex for the 1st anniversary celebration of Manipulated Image.

"For Action's Sake"
- 16 VIDEO ARTISTS FROM 10 COUNTRIES
- LIVE ONLINE PERFORMANCES FROM HAMBURG & SWEDEN CREATED FOR THIS EVENT
- PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ARTISTS

If you're outside of Santa Fe - watch live virtual performances:
Niclas Hallberg and Stina Pehrsdotter from Sweden at 9:20pm (Santa Fe time): www.ustream.tv/channel/infectious-manipulation

Igor Stromajer from Hamburg at 9:50pm (Santa Fe time): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/for-action-s-sake#utm_campaign=www.facebook.com&utm_source=2925734&utm_medium=social


Co-curated by: Wilfried Agricola de Cologne & Alysse Stepaninan

Tonight, March 12, 2010
6:30pm - 11pm
tickets: $10 (includes food and reception)

Santa Fe Complex
632 Agua Fria (between St Francis and Guadalupe; enter on Romero, west edge of the Railyard)
Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
info@alyssestepanian.com

"Taking REFUGE in Las Cruces" An evening with WSIFF Board Member Mark Medoff

Tony Award Winning and Academy Award Nominee Writer/Director Mark Medoff (CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD,WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK RED RYDER, CHILDREN ON THEIR BIRTHDAY'S, REFUGE)will present 83 minutes of stories, scenes, amusing videos, surprise guests and technological glitches from the making of his most recent film, REFUGE, starring Linda Hamilton.

All Proceeds Benefit the White Sands International Film Festival

Date: Saturday, April 03, 2010 7:00 PM, Reception starts at 9:00pm

Location
Allen Theatres Cineport 10 / Medoff Home
700 S. Telshor
Las Cruces, NM 880011
*Map to reception will be supplied at the screening

Price is $50.00 for individuals - $75.00 for couple

Info Line: 877-345-6973
Website http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/102326

Contact Kierstin Schupack: 626-664-0986
kierstin@wsiff.com

LA-ABQ Double-Shot Casting Connection Workshop!

The LA-ABQ DOUBLE-SHOT CASTING CONNECTION WORKSHOP, Brings you JASON WOOD, C.S.A., LA Casting Director, and KATHRYN BRINK, C.S.A., New Mexico Casting Director, for a Dynamic Workshop on the weekend of March 27^th & 28^th.

With 20 films and 21 television shows/episodes to his credit since 2008, JASON WOOD has got to be one of Hollywood’s busiest CDs. With 20 years of casting Principal & Supporting roles in film, video, TV, national & international commercials & documentary projects, KATHY BRINK is one of New Mexico’s busiest CDs. Spend a very FULL day (Saturday or Sunday) with these 2 experienced, working, professional Casting Directors. Prepare yourself to succeed, whether you plan to move into the LA Market, or stay right here in New Mexico. Learn from the best of both worlds, while you solidify invaluable relationships.

What You’ll Work On: Audition technique, 1-on-1 readings, scene work, taking adjustments & re-direction, making choices, tools of the trade, getting your act together, etc. Remember, the only thing you can ever be certain about in show business is, if the people who hire you don’t know you, they can’t consider you. The LA Casting Connection is committed to them knowing you, and to you being ready.

SPACES ARE LIMITED AND WILL NOT LAST. The presence of a Casting Director is never a guarantee of employment.

WHEN: Saturday or Sunday, March 27^th or 28^th, 9:30-5:30

WHERE: Far Horizons Studio, 304 Washington St. SE (between Central & Lead) ABQ

COST: $150 (checks made out to The Natural Act, mailed to: Price Hall, 53 Sandia Haven Dr., Cedar Crest, NM 87008; credit cards accepted via PayPal)

CONTACT INFO: 505-286-4272 office; 713-201-1245 cell.

Email: thenaturalact@gmail.com; www.thenaturalact.com

Open Casting Call for In Plain Sight for paid extras during this weeks Film and Fashion Industry night Wednesday March 3rd at the Q-Bar. We will be ho

There will be an open casting call for paid extras for "In Plain Sight" during this weeks Film and Fashion Industry night Wednesday March 3rd at the Q-Bar at Hotel Albuquerque.

The casting call will begin at 6:30pm. Casting directors will be on hand!

NM Women in Film Hosts Award Presentation and Showcase in Honor of Ali MacGraw

Local Non-Profit Film Chapter presents 2010 Sage Award and Showcase celebrating Local Celebrity and International Women’s Month

NM Women In Film (“NMWIF”), a non-profit chapter organization dedicated to supporting women’s achievement in film and television, is hosting a tribute to fellow New Mexican and actress, Ali MacGraw, at their 2010 Sage Award presentation on Sunday, March 21st. In addition, NMWIF will also present a showcase of the best female-created films from Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI)’s annual event held in March of each year.

The New Mexico Women in Film Sage Award was created to honor a person or entity which takes professional and/or financial risks to create important film and television work dedicated to the "greater feminine," i.e. issues of social justice, environmental degradation and protection, civil rights, racism and sexism. The NMWIF chapter conducted a call for nominations in 2009 and Ali MacGraw won the board members’ vote to receive the 2010 award.

“We are very excited to honor Ali and we look forward to a wonderful event celebrating her historic role in film, as well as the best short films from our sister filmmakers around the world,” said board member and co-chair of the Sage event, Trish Lopez. “We hope that our membership and the public will join us in Santa Fe on March 21st to commemorate this special occasion!”

WHAT: NM Women in Film: Sage Award Presentation with Ali MacGraw -and- International Women’s Day Showcase 2010
WHEN: Sunday, March 21, 2010 – 6:00pm-8:30pm
WHERE: NM Film Museum (Jean Cocteau Theatre) – 418 Montezuma, Santa Fe, NM
WHO: Open to the public - $15 for non-WIF members | Free for members
URL: www.nmwif.com

AFTRA Board Approves Joint Bargaining With SAG

From the Digital Media Law Blog by Jonathan Handel

At a videoconference meeting today in New York and LA, AFTRA’s national board unanimously voted to approve joint bargaining with SAG for the Primetime Television Contract and the SAG TV/theatrical contract. The move comes a month after SAG’s national board voted, by a tally of 82% to 18%, to “seek engagement with AFTRA in a joint bargaining agreement for negotiation of the Television/Theatrical Contract.”

Assuming SAG and AFTRA sign a formal agreement to bargain jointly – which seems highly likely – the negotiations with the AMPTP (studio alliance) will be conducted under the Phase One agreement that had been used for decades, with the notable exception of the most recent negotiating cycle, in 2008-2009. That’s good news for an industry that can ill-afford another strike or year-long stalemate.

In a statement, AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon cited “productive discussions with our counterparts at Screen Actors Guild” and added, “I look forward to continuing our work with SAG President Ken Howard and the leadership and members of our sister union as we move forward to bargain the strongest possible contracts for professional talent.” SAG was equally enthusiastic, commenting through a spokeswoman that the AFTRA vote was “terrific news for the memberships of both unions and we look forward to an effective negotiation."

To read the full article, and see the agreement, click here.