Congratulations to Lucy River, our First Facebook Friend

Lucy was the first person to add us as her Facebook friend,  and receives $25 towards any purchase on crewnewmexico.com! Lucy is an actress, an acting coach and talent coach who lives here in Santa Fe.  How to make friends and influence people? Cash.

Santa Fe Studios Gets the Green Light

For those following the growth of the New Mexico Film Industry, you'll be pleased to know that Santa Fe Studios has received the green light from the Santa Fe County Commission -- one of the (if not final) legislative humps to overcome on their path to building a major motion picture studio in Santa Fe. Santa Fe Studios would be built south of Santa Fe on Highway 14, feature up to 10 sound stages, pre and post production facilities, and commercial space for supporting businesses.

Albuquerque Studios is booked to capacity, and the addition of world-class studio space to the New Mexico film industry arsenal would serve to solidify New Mexico as a primary film destination.

crewnewmexico.com got a chance to speak to the County Commissioners to address a common concern: how will all this film work trickle down the the average local person. We explained that now there is a resource (us) dedicated to connecting individuals and businesses to the film industry, and that in just a few short weeks we have grown to nearly 40 members. We're happy to help to facilitate the growth of the industry in ways that support the local economy. And we also work to ensure that visiting productions have all the resources they need to maximize the value of our incentive programs.

Congratulations to the Hool family: Lance Hool, Conrad Hool, and Jason Hool on another positive step towards making Santa Fe Studios a reality.

Sex & Lies in Sin City (Somewhat) Breaking News

The CrewBlog has heard that Sex and Lies in Sin City ran into some last minute locations issues, and its been up in the air as to where they're going to land for their second week of shooting. First it was Santa Fe, then ABQ, and now, the word is that they will, in fact, be shooting in or around Santa Fe for at least the early part of this week. . . We'll keep you posted of any solid news so you know where to go to work tomorrow.

Feel free to check the crewnewmexico.com Who's Filming Now page for the latest in, well, Who's Filming Now in New Mexico.

Find Us on Facebook!

Our Facebook group page is now up and running, and we want you to be our friend. The first person to add us as a friend receives a $25 credit towards a membership or upgrade on crewnewmexico.com! Our Facebook group is crewnewmexico.com. We'll be adding content to the page frequently, so please check in!

It's the "Where in New Mexico" Fun Game!

Each week we'll post a photo of a place in New Mexico -- sometimes popular, sometimes obscure -- and its your job to guess where it is. Location scouts should enjoy this! The first person to correctly identify the location receives a $100 credit towards a membership or upgrade on crewnewmexico.com! This week's is pretty easy for starters. Good luck! email your guess to : onlinegroups@crewnewmexico.com.

Rules: Well, try not to win too many times. Up to 3 wins maximum per person. After that you can tell your friends, and they can win.

Welcome Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch

If you've been working in film in New Mexico for more than, say, a day, you've probably heard about the famous Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch. Located just 8 miles south of Santa Fe, Bonanza Creek is one of the premeire locations in the New Mexico film industry. Bonanza is a working cattle ranch with old west standing sets that have hosted productions from National Geographic photo workshops to major motion pictures, including the Lone Ranger (a long time ago), and the upcoming Ed Harris film, Appaloosa (starring Ed Harris, Renee Zelwegger, Jeremy Irons, and Viggo Mortensen), and even the currently filming Sex and Lies in Las Vegas, starring Mena Suvari and Matthew Modine. It was also the setting for the reality show Kid Nation

The several thousand acre ranch offers many different types of landscapes -- open pasture, dry riverbeds, a pond, volcanic cones, and several standing sets, including a full old west town, a fort, a church, an old west house, a saloon, barns, windmills. . . Its amazing!

Check out their crewnewmexico.com page here
and their external website here

Filmaka Contest for Filmmakers!

The FILMAKA staff and jury were blown away by the quality and the quantity of the submissions. Now after the success of its first season, Filmaka has launched its 2nd Season and this month's Feature Film Competition theme is "Help Wanted" .
Uploading for entries will be closed by July 2nd '08.

Make a film not more than 3 minutes in any language based on the given theme and upload through your Filmaka account. Every month up to 20 winners will receive $500 each and $1000 for a follow up film and proceed to the jury level to compete for $3000 and $2000 in addition to participation in the Final level to win a Feature film contract and $5000.

From the producers and financiers of 'Bend it Like Beckham,' 'Buena Vista Social Club,' 'Kill Bill 2,' and 'Hero,' comes the Filmaka.com contest. Filmaka.com is a contest site where filmmakers get to submit their short films for viewing, voting, and selection. Jury includes big panel of Hollywood personalities like Colin Firth & Bill Pullman and directors Neil LaBute, John Madden, Paul Schrader and more.

They are honored to welcome diversity, creativity and profundity of filmmakers worldwide. At Filmaka, quality is the watchword. Potential and talent are coupled with legend Hollywood Hallmarks and vivacious platform endeavors towards all around development of its members.

Learn more at filmaka.com

Welcome New Member - First Assistant Camera Operator Jennifer Ann Henry

Jennifer Ann Henry is a talented recent addition to the New Mexico film industry. She's a first assistant camera operator in Albuquerque, with a strong film resume and work history. Jennifer has over 15 years experience as a camera operator, is member of IATSE Local 600, and has already established New Mexico residency. She's willing to travel back to LA (or elsewhere) for work, but is thrilled to call New Mexico home.

See her crewnewmexico.com profile here
Her IMDB profile here

Welcome New Member Starlight Event Design!

We love Starlight Event Design! Lainie Quirk and her team have over 20 years of event planning experience putting together entertainment events, parties, weddings, fund raisers and more. SED has well over a decade of working in the Hollywood community in several capacities. Here's a quick list of what they can do for you:

• Field Film Promotion through staged events
• Wrap and Premiere Parties
• Private Parties for Talent
• Location Scouting
• Marketing and Publicity
• Creating Strategic Alliances for individual celebrities and projects

Lainie and her crew are also the Starlight Celebrity Concierge team, assisting film professionals in New Mexico with more intimate details of their daily life. They're an excellent resource for the New Mexico Film Industry!

See their crewnewmexico.com page here!
and their main website here!

Welcome Dr. Brandon Taylor Acupuncturist!

Acupuncture in Santa Fe! Dr. Brandon Taylor of Mountain Spirit Integrative Medicine is one of crewnewmexico.com's newest members. Dr. Taylor is a nationally board certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and medical massage. His main practice, Grasshopper Natural Medicine in open everyday of the week for massage and acupuncture and they're also available to travel to you on set or in your hotel. They also accept most insurance. We love acupuncture. It helps with stress, pain, smoking cessation, and general health concerns. Its great for acute and chronic issues. We've used acupuncture as our primary form of health care for 10 years, and so we're especially happy to have Brandon on board!

See Brandon's crewnewmexico.com page here!

Our Classifieds are now FREE!!!

We've made a great change to our classified ads section, crewclassifieds.com. What's so great? Its now FREE! You can post your ad for anything from "room for rent" to "camera for sale," casting calls, help wanted and more. Our ad pages are film-industry specific, so any ad is going to be seen by a perfect target market. If you'd like to add photos to your classified, or make it a featured listing or have it renew automatically -- that's a few cents to a few bucks, but you're welcome to keep your ad free and easy.

crewclassifieds.com is searched daily by film professionals in New Mexico, and around the country too. Its a great way to see what people are doing, buying, selling, needing, around the industry, and an excellent way to get the word out on something of your own. Find jobs in film. Buy camera equipment. Advertise your services. Its quick, easy, and targets your market right on the nose.

Special Offer to IATSE 480 Members!

We're offering a 50% discount on membership to all members of IATSE Local 480! IATSE Local 480 is the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees branch in New Mexico, and they provide most of the talented crew for Union productions in New Mexico. With a roster over 1,000 strong, and growing fast, they are the backbone of the New Mexico Film Industry, and are a large part of why productions choose New Mexico as their filming location. Union members provide services to almost every nook of production. They provide jobs in film. These are the people on the ground, making the movies in New Mexico. To thank them for being the core of the industry and giving New Mexico such an excellent reputation in the film world, and helping build the industry that makes crewnewmexico.com possible, we're inviting members of 480 to promote their skills, or side businesses or support services, all at 50% off.

To qualify for the discount, you need to be a member of the Local 480, and you'll see the discount code in the classifieds section of their website, or it will be in the upcoming newsletter in a letter I wrote introducing crew to the Union. If you're not in the 480, your account will be billed the full rate within 7 days, and/or your account will be terminated like Terminator 4. Offer Expires July 4, 2008. Can not be combined with any other offer.

You can learn more about the Union, and how to become a member of the IATSE Local 480 by checking out their website: www.iatselocal480.com

Welcome New Member - Starlight Celebrity Concierge

We're super excited to welcome New Mexico film concierge Lainie S. Quirk to crewnewmexico.com. She is the owner of Starlight Celebrity Concierge and Starlight Event Design, and has over 20 years of providing Concierge Services to Celebrities, including Hollywood's A-list. Starlight works with industry professionals filming in New Mexico, as well as Celebrity Personal Assistants who may have remained home, and need a temporary resource to work their their employers. Services include but are not even limited to the following:

Event Planning - All aspects, from intimate gatherings to full scale productions

Errands, Phone calls/Appointment setups

Reservations, Internet research

Concert Tickets/Theatre/Symphony/Sporting Events

Set up all needs for housing while in NM at private home or hotel suite

Transportation - car, public flying and private jet travel

Travel arrangements - hotels, destinations. Airport check in and logistics.

Security

To learn more about Starlight, you can check out their crewnewmexico.com page here
or their concierge website here.

Welcome New Member - Mitch Hanna Photo/Graphic Arts

Photographer and Graphic/Visual Artist Mitch Hanna has 10 years experience in graphic design, photo retouching/manipulation & photography in Los Angeles, Santa Fe & Denver. He has a B.A. in Moving Image Arts (Film) w/ an emphasis on writing & a minor in Studio Art. His photos/design work have appeared in such publications as: The Santa Fean, The Los Angeles Times, TREND, The New York Times, The Collector's Guide, Doggie Aficionado, The Santa Fe Catalogue, THE, Pasatiempo, The New Mexican, etc. -Clients include: URSA, Thornburg Companies, Goldie Hawn, Virgil Ortiz Fashion, Emilia Poochie, Los Angeles AIA, The Santa Fe Opera, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bill Richardson, and more. He's highly skilled in Large Format reproduction printing & custom collateral printing, and an excellent problem solver & willing to accompany almost any budget. A great find for the New Mexico Film Industry.

See his crewnewmexico.com profile page here

Welcome New Member -- Retro Props!

Johnnie Meier and his Museum of Classical Gas is a goldmine of vintage movie props for the New Mexico Film Industry. It is a living museum of retro commercial signs, gas station items (pumps, signs, oil cans, display racks), diner/cafe items, vintage shelf stocking. curios, wagons, classic/vintage cars. Over 1000 film props. Specializing in obsolete brand names. Inventory includes vintage restored items and distressed items . Props for interior/exterior set designers. Their props have appeared in many major motion pictures including No Country For Old Men, Believe in Me, and, currently, Legions. The museum is located just off Hwy 84/286, 18 miles north of Espanola. You can' t miss it!

See their Retro Props crewnewmexico.com profile page here!

Coming Soon to a Town Near You!

crewnewmexico.com will be coming soon to a town near you! Our mobile business platform allows us to take crewnewmexico.com out in the field so that we can explore New Mexico on behalf of the New Mexico film industry, seek out new members from across the state, and provide you with information and photographs about the people and places that make New Mexico such a great place for filming. It allows us to meet our members, and to find little known people and places that should be on film-industry radar. If you've got a special New Mexico film location or great New Mexico furnished rental, a business, even a town, restaurant, mountain or famous molehill you'd like to show us, simply drop us a line and we'll come out and see. Our goal is to link individuals, businesses and places to the professionals of the New Mexico film industry. We give you the ability to network, advertise, and become a part of the fastest growing industry in the State.

You can contact us lots of different ways:
Phone (866) 986-8884
Fax (866) 986-8884
Skype (Internet Phone) (505) 908-9309
Skype name: crewnewmexico.com
email: info@crewnewmexico.com

Drop us a line anytime. We want to know about your New Mexico Cast, New Mexico Film Crew, New Mexico Production Support Services, New Mexico Film Locations, New Mexico Furnished Rentals, New Mexico Lodging, New Mexico Real Estate, and, of course, New Mexico dining!

Where in the World is crewnewmexico.com today?

We've built crewnewmexico.com on a mobile platform so that we can be out in the field or back in the office and have all the same business capacity. So, where are we today? Today we're out in beautiful Dixon, New Mexico looking for new locations for an upcoming photo shoot, taking photographs for our film locations database, and visiting Dixon furnished rentals. Dixon is a lush agricultural town tucked in the Embudo Valley, just east of 84/285, about 20 miles south of Taos. There's a community-owned grocery store, the Dixon Market, a rushing river, and birds in full migration. The Western Tanagers are in full swing and eating every bee in sight. The Picuris Pueblo is a short drive away. Picuris is one of the smallest Tiwa pueblo, known for its Bison herd, beautiful landscape, and enduring culture. Yesterday we hiked to the top of a mesa, and found petroglyphs and had a beautiful view of the snowcapped Sangre de Cristo mountains.

New Member! 1931 Ford Model A Picture Car

Beautiful classic car. 1931 Ford Model A Motion Picture Car, located in Santa Fe! Customization ready. Runs perfectly. A rare find for the New Mexico Film Industry!

Check out the car here!

New Member! 42 Acre Film Location in Pecos with River Frontage

42 acres with river frontage, just east of Santa Fe. Brand new filming location - never used before.
We'll be filling in the details over the weekend, but get a sneak preview now -- click here!

Introducing New Mexico Actor Ross Nederhoff

New Mexico actor Ross Nederhoff is one of our newest Cast members! This talented young man is a passionate and dedicated New Mexico actor ready to graduate from theater to larger and more intricate roles in the New Mexico film industry. He had done modeling musical theater and many plays, and received acting training by Triple Threat Performers and the PMAA film school.

Learn more about Ross by clicking http://www.crewnewmexico.com/rossnederhoff

Welcome New Member: 8 Dwelling Corporate Accommodations - in ABQ

Check out our newest member - 8dwelling Corporate Accommodations. They've got hip, modern, fully furnished rentals in Albuquerque that they rent out to film professionals. Located in the heart of Albuquerque. Geared towards discerning clients who appreciate attention to detail and design. They've got two units, plus more coming online soon. Their new loft, the Aliso, is located in the Nob Hill District -- 1171 sq ft, wifi, modern, gourmet kitchen, custom furniture, garage parking, cleaning service, walking distance to Nob Hill. Clean, modern, chic. Views of the Sandia Mountiains. We love these guys.

See their page here: http://www.crewnewmexico.com/8dwelling
And their website here: http://www.8dwelling.com

Support Santa Fe Studios

Another note from the folks at IATSE Local 480: We need your support at the Santa Fe County Commission meeting on Tuesday May 27th for another vote in the approval process for the new Santa Fe Studios proposal. It is important that everyone in the filmmaking community show up and offer their support. This is a public hearing so if you wish to voice your input you may do so, but more than that we need people to simply show up and visibly lend their support. Why is this a big deal for you? This is concrete on the ground and the more infrastructure we have the less likely we are to lose our incentives. Please show up at the Santa Fe County Building, 102 Grant Avenue (the corner of Grant & Palace in Santa Fe), we should come up on the agenda around 2pm. You can park in the city lot on San Francisco St and walk through Burro Alley to get there.

Open House for Santa Fe Studios

This note from the folks at IATSE Local 480: There is an open house tomorrow (Wednesday, May 21st) for Santa Fe Studios and the County Media District beginning at 6pm at the Santa Fe Community College. This would be a great place to network and meet the people behind the new studio. Please join us and show your support of this new facility!

NM Filmmakers Mentorship Program

We'd like to help spread the word about a great opportunity for those who want to work in the New Mexico Film Industry. The following is a press release from the New Mexico Film Office:

"The New Mexico Film Office is pleased to announce NM FILMMAKERS MENTORSHIPS, made possible by JTIP for Film and Multimedia. The Mentorship Program is open to New Mexico residents age 18 and older, who wish to advance their film careers by shadowing professional above-the-line or specialty talent on major productions. Mentorship is available for the following positions:

Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, Production Designer, Line Producer, Unit Production Manager, Production Supervisor, Script Supervisor, Casting Director, Story Board Artist, Sound Looping.

The pilot program will take place on a major television series shooting in Albuquerque from June through November 2008. We are now seeking applicants who are willing and able to commit a minimum of twenty days, maximum of sixty days, on the production during that time. The application is attached.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 2, 2008 @ 5:00 PM
Questions: please email nm.filmmakers@nmfilm.com or call 505-476-5600."

To learn more about the NM Filmmakers Program, visit the New Mexico Film Office Website: http://nmfilm.com/locals/nm-filmmakers/

Triple Threat Performing Arts Workshop/Summer Youth Workshop

Triple Threat Performing Arts still has a few spaces available in its summer youth workshop series! Musical Theater Drama Camp - June 9 - June 20th (9am - 4pm). This 2-week workshop will focus on all aspects of the performing arts from character development, vocal technique, musical theater dance and acting skills to stage presentation costuming and production. The workshop will end with a costumed, staged production.

Showstoppers! A Broadway Musical Review July 7 - 11th (9am - 4pm). This 1-week workshop is filled with works from various Broadway Musical hits, including “Hairspray,” “Wicked,” “High School Musical,” and “Grease,” just to name a few. It will incorporate scenes into many of the musical pieces to present a dynamic and diverse costumed and staged show! This workshop will focus primarily on vocal technique, musical theater dance, and basic acting skills. The performers will also work on production and presentation.

Intro to the Performing Arts
WEDNESDAYS ONLY June 12 - July 30th (5pm - 7pm). This 8-week course will offer the participants the chance to dabble in various performance genres. They will take weekly classes in musical theater, vocal technique, acting, commercials, script reading and hip hop. The program will conclude with an informal performance for family and friends!

Our regular weekly classes will be offered too! Call for pricing and discount information (family, multiple event), or to register.

NM Filmmakers Showcase

Announcing the NM Filmmakers Showcase!

May 15 – 18, 2008 at Albuquerque's Guild Cinema.

The Guild will show 30 hours of short and feature length films made by New Mexicans. For the second year, selected audience favorites will travel to three New Mexico cities in the summer of 2008.

Meet the Filmmakers - Opening night, May 15th, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Laru/Café Cubano - 3413 Central Avenue, NE

Special thanks to the Guild Cinema and Laru/Café Cubano.

For more info, please see the New Mexico Film Website

Santa Fe Screenwriting Conference

Among the extraordinary screenwriting Mentors coming to The Screenwriting Conference in Santa Fe is the decorated ex-Navy Seal Commander Chuck Pfarrer. His produced movie credits are Navy SEALs, Darkman, The Jackal, Virus, Red Planet, and Hard Target.

This year the conference features twelve top producers looking for new projects: world-class William Morris agent Mike Esola; Valhalla Motion Pictures Creative Exec David O'Leary (Valhalla is run by Gale Anne Hurd, producer of The Terminator, Aliens, Armageddon, The Hulk, Terminator Three and more); Mosaic Media Group's Creative Exec Jake Kurily (Mosaic produced Batman Begins, Semi-Pro and more); Tapestry Films Director of Development Kat Blasband (Tapestry produced The Wedding Crashers, The Wedding Planner, Pay it Forward, Point Break and more; and many more. For more information on these and other producers accepting pitches: http://scsfe.com/hollywood/pitch.aspx.

Learn more - click here
To register: 505-424-1501.

Welcome New Furnished Rental Member -- Adobe Home on 20 Acres

crewnewmexico.com's newest member is property manager Marianne Hund, who represents a beautiful adobe home and guest house on 20 private acres, only 14 miles from Albuquerque. Very private, very quiet, yet with all amenities including 42" HDTV, wireless, and fully-furnished casita that sleeps 4. Property borders the Cibola National forest, with 60 miles of hiking trails and rock climbing just steps away. And they're putting the finishing touches on a decked out kitchen! The rates are very reasonable. Ideal for groups, those in need of privacy, and visiting production families. Corral available for horses, and RV space, too, with electric and water. A great find.

See the property at crewnewmexico.com/adobeacres

Welcome New Production Support Member - Steve Hardy Real Estate

We'd like to welcome Steve Hardy Real Estate to crewnewmexico.com!

Steve Hardy is a native of Santa Fe, providing professional and personalized home rental services for cast and crew, production office leasing, and assists individuals or production companies with purchasing property. Steve is a Real Estate Professional with background that includes a decade in financial services marketing. In addition to his financial and marketing experience, he was the top graduate of his MBA class. A lifelong passion for property and the study of architecture as an undergraduate makes Steve a great partner when searching for homes, locations or office space. Steve continues to keep abreast of changes in the business world by acting as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at the College of Santa Fe. Steve has spent time with many of the top people in the entertainment business and is knowledgeable of the needs and time lines of productions.

View Steve's crewnewmexico.com profile
View Steve's Real Estate website
Go to crewnewmexico.com

All Premium Members Receive 3-Month Banner Free!

From now thru May 18, any new premium members receive a free 3 month banner ad in their associated cagtegory. Even better --- we'll make you a banner ad on the house! The banners are the 120x90 "button" size, and can link directly to your crewnewmexico.com profile page or your external website. Banners are an excellent way to build brand recognition and to get traffic to your website(s). email us if you have any questions at adsales@crewnewmexico.com.