In 2005, Gerry Fuentes lost his job as a home health care provider in New Mexico. With film production in New Mexico booming, Fuentes thought he'd try his hand at some of the below the line opportunities that seemed to be coming up everywhere. It was a decision that wound up turning his life around.
"I'm able to have a good job, get out of debt and have medical insurance," says Fuentes, who has worked as a background actor, greensman and prop maker on many different productions, including "3:10 to Yuma." "Having this work has completely changed my standard of living."
Former residential home builder Jim Twocrow, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and originally from South Dakota, began retraining to work in the film business in 2005 at his brother's suggestion. At the time, Twocrow hesitated a little because the home market was also booming. Now, he couldn't be happier he left it when he did.
We love to discover and promote great new products and services for our friends in the New Mexico Film Industry - and here's two (from the same company) that you need to know about. Spread the word!
crewnewmexico.com has arranged for discounted production and personal parking at FastPark and Relax at the Albuquerque International Sunport (airport). All you need to do is go online and register for a free FastPark rewards card and you'll get a great discounted parking rate, your own parking card for quick in/out, and you'll earn points toward free parking. These guys are really professional and have taken something as ordinary and elevated to a high level of service. Covered parking, free bottled water, free newspapers, and the most affordable parking rates you'll find.
Secondly, you can set up a Production Parking Account. Allows you to expense, track, and apply parking costs for the 25% rebate. You designate who from your production get's a parking card - and the rest is handled automatically. Track in/out, get reports for costs, billing statements - easy!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Whether you are interested in making a name for yourself in the film industry or are on the production side looking for talent, crew, a location, industry-supporting vendors, or the best place to house your actor while they are on a shoot, you need look no further.New Mexico's premier film industry resource, crewnewmexico.com, is where you can find all your answers.
Home to a booming film industry, New Mexico offers locals many opportunities to shine in a variety of movies and television productions.For example, the film "Let Me In" will need over 500 background extras, meaning job opportunities for many people. In addition, most movies need around 100 on-set crew members, and the support of dozens of companies and hundreds of individuals that provide services to that particular film.
Founder of crewnewmexico.com, Daniel Taras, recently provided more insight, not only into the industry as a whole but also to what other opportunities are coming for New Mexicans that would like to work in the film industry.
You are the founder of crewnewmexico.com.How did you get into this industry?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial life, but also a creative one. Photographer, professional writer and editor, traveler, safari guide, documentary cameraman.
When I started working in New Mexico film, I kept hearing the same question: “How do I get involved in the film industry?” Another big question – this one from the production side -was “Where can we find who and what we need to make this movie?” I decided to answer both questions at the same time.
I felt that if we were to grow into the major film destination that’s been envisioned for New Mexico, we needed to have a production resource commensurate with the scope of what was happening. Since the film industry is largely here due to tax funded film incentives, I also wanted to ensure that the citizens of New Mexico have a way to feel informed and involved in the industry that’s right in their backyard. In a state that is as large as New Mexico, with a population spread so far and wide, I also saw a great need for networking and connectivity.
In just one year, we’ve added over 600 New Mexico individuals and businesses to our directory, receive around 10,000 site visitors per month, and send out our New Mexico Movie News industry newsletter to 8,000 filmmakers. Based on those numbers, I know we’re doing it right.
What sets crewnewmexico.com apart from other similar companies?
crewnewmexico.com was built from the ground up as a dynamic and interactive online tool that takes advantage of how business and networking are done in the year 2009. There have been print directories in the past, but they are expensive to publish and use a lot of natural resources to deliver a final product that is often out-of-date.
crewnewmexico.com is built on sustainable principles. We use very few natural resources. We only use digital format in all of our communications. No printed mailings, no print-outs, no fax machine. We can telecommute. We had a visit from an office supply salesman who wanted to set up an account for us. I said, “Nothing personal, but we don’t use office supplies.” You’d be amazed at how it helps minimize overhead and lessen environmental impact. All those paper clips come from somewhere.
In two years since the inception of crewnewmexico.com we’ve used a total of 5 packs of printer paper and a few ink cartridges. I never go to Staples. I have 3 printers collecting dust in the closet if you want one.
What has been your best experience, thus far, in the film industry?
The amazing interaction I have with such a wide variety of New Mexico film people and businesses – that’s the most rewarding. In one day, I can be doing business with an actor, caterer, grip, realtor, lawyer, location, hotel, producer and ice-delivery man. It’s like a Mr. Rogers tour through the economy.
Being in a place where we can bring together such a wide variety of people and services, all with the ultimate goal of helping make great movies and helping keep business flowing – that’s the best experience. Our goal is to make sure that anyone considering shooting in New Mexico is fully informed of the amazing array of talent, goods and services available to them. And for local individuals and businesses to have an opportunity to be involved.
I also love seeing people I know on screen or in the film credits. That’s brilliant.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors?
Hone your craft. Follow your heart. Get great headshots. Life is short. Live your passion. If you’re not doing what makes you happy, you’re wasting very precious time. Whatever happens, you’ll be richer for the experience.
What should people who want to get a foot in the door avoid doing?
I always go by the 3 Ps. Be polite, professional and persistent. Oh, and if you do get on a movie set, never run. It looks like you forgot something.
As an extra or a cast member, what should one expect as a typical day?
Days on a set are long, usually never less than 12 hours, up to 16 or more. In New Mexico, weather conditions can swing wildly, so be prepared. If you’re going to be an extra, bring snacks, a book, and a pillow for your bottom because you might spend half the day waiting for your scene.
Making movies reminds me of football games. They spend a lot of time preparing for the next scene, and then there’s only a few seconds of action. Now I know why people drink so much beer on Superbowl Sunday.
What would you like to see happen in the NM film industry in the next few years?
New Mexico is becoming synonymous with film-making, and that’s free advertising for us as a movie-making state. The longer the industry is here, the deeper its financial impact and the more ingrained it becomes into our economic culture.
Productions are here largely because of financial incentives. Keeping the New Mexico film incentives competitive is critical to the ongoing success of the industry, and we need to keep proving to the citizens of New Mexico that having film as an economic backbone for the state is a rare and amazing opportunity. I have 600 people in my directory alone who are involved in film, and a lot of them make a great living.
There’s talk of new film studios, a tentative opening of Santa Fe Studios, and a deepening of the industry to include digital media, gaming, and more post-production. Plus, citizens around the state are rallying to bring production to their cities. That’s all good news.
Is there anything specific coming up that people should know about right now?
There are currently six projects shooting in New Mexico, including Due Date starring Robert Downey Jr., Breaking Bad, starring Bryan Cranston, and Passion Play starring Megan Fox and Mickey Rourke.
You can stay up to date on what’s happening in the New Mexico by reading our New Mexico Film Blog (http://www.crewnewmexico.blogspot.com), and our Who’s Filming Now (http://www.crewnewmexico.com/newmexicofilms) pages.
Of course, using our directory (http://www.crewnewmexico.com), or contacting us directly, is an excellent way to help you get set-up for a scouting trip or production.
Do you have a favorite scene in a movie or a favorite line from a movie?
Any scene and any line from “When Harry Met Sally.” And, of course, anything made in New Mexico.
Conci Bergere Kenney Althouse, a 2007 graduate from Monte del Sol Charter School has been accepted to the Cinematography Conservatory Masters Program at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, CA. At the age of 20, she is the youngest applicant to be accepted to this prestigious Institution.
As an independent filmmaker in Santa Fe, Conci has made dozens of films, including two feature films, which were accepted into the Santa Fe Film Festival as well as other prestigious film festivals.
American Film Institute trains the next generation of filmmakers at its world-renowned Conservatory. AFI is the birthplace for the creative minds behind classic films such as Saving Private Ryan, Schindlers List, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Last Temptation of Christ. A silent auction with music and hors d'oeuvres will be held at Warehouse 21 on June 24th at 5 PM. A large collection of fine art including paintings, photography, silver work and blown glass will be offered for auction. As a creative force in the Santa Fe Arts Community, many artists from Santa Fe and around the nation are donating their art to help Conci offset the sizable cost of attending this Masters Program.
The Santa Fe Community is invited to attend the silent auction on June 24 at 5 PM. This is an opportunity to help one of Santa Fe’s great young talents and bring the leading edge of the cinema arts back to Santa Fe. After graduating from AFI, Conci intends to return to Santa Fe to continue working with her independent film company, Sane Asylum Productions.
Fundraiser June 24th, 5pm-10pm@ Warehouse 21 1614 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 690-4577 for more information
We welcome you to a special screening of "Tales of the Maya Skies," a fulldome film co-produced by UNM's ARTS Lab. Please join us to celebrate the work of renowned New Mexico professionals like Hue Walker and Michael Stearns - and rising-star Jonathan Strawn - as well as the fabulous student artists and technologists who contributed greatly to this unique production. Meet these merry makers and see this NSF-funded immersive film on the astronomy and culture of the Maya on the big dome:
Wednesday, July 7th 5:30pm reception; 6:30 screening (40 minutes) The Planetarium at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (aka LodeStar) 1801 Mountain Rd, NW, ABQ
**The film opens to the public July 2nd at the Planetarium. Please help us spread the word to get as many New Mexicans to see this film as possible! Learn more at: http://nmnaturalhistory.org/
The Director of Development will be responsible for developing and implementing the development strategy for the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation.
The mission of the Notah Begay III Foundation is to promote the health, wellness and leadership development of Native American youth. The Foundation seeks to accomplish this mission by helping Tribal Nations to build the capacity to design and sustain effective sports, wellness and youth development programs for Native American youth.
As a new position in the NB3 Foundation, the Director of Development will have the opportunity to build the development function. The Director of Development will be responsible for designing and implementing all development systems and functions that will enable the NB3 Foundation to create a successful development department that will achieve the Foundation’s fundraising goals to support programs, organizational development and sustainability of the Foundation.
Thank you for registering for an acting account on crewnewmexico.com. We've received notice of your transaction and will be creating an account for you shortly.
Once we have your account ready, you'll receive an "Account Confirmation" email that will contain your account and login information which you'll use to add/edit information to your page.
You'll only need to contact us at this point if you've created the account for someone else and will want to have their name on the page. If that's the case, please email us the first name, last name, and email address of the lucky recipient!
If its after hours, please be patient as we're more lightly staffed in the evenings and it may take a few hours to get to your transaction.
We're thrilled to have you on board crewnewmexico.com - and will be emailing you soon!
On Sunday June 27th the Santa Fe Film Festival invites you to join them for a day of great food, music, nature walks, and jeep tours when you can enjoy the beauty of the ranch that Val says “embodies the alluring natural majesty and splendor of the Southwest. “
Have a great time while supporting our Santa Fe Film Festival that brings money, culture, and awareness of Santa Fe’sunique beauty to the influx of outsiders who attend the festival.For tickets and information email Michael Hare:wmhare@gmail.com
Governor Bill Richardson today announced his continued support for film in New Mexico by awarding an additional $200,000 to the New Mexico Filmmakers Program.
The money will be used for filmmaker training and outreach programs including the New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase, the annual New Mexico Filmmakers Conference, the New Mexico Filmmakers Resource Center and various outreach events including the upcoming Native/Hispanic Film Tour.
“The variety of programs we offer local filmmakers is unparalleled in the rest of the country,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “The accolades our filmmakers are garnering speak to our talent level and the success of our programs. This is a clear indication that this industry has taken hold here, which means more jobs and more opportunities for our people and businesses.”
Under Governor Richardson’s leadership, the New Visions/New Mexico program has awarded a total of $640,000 in production funding to forty local filmmakers from around the state. Several filmmakers have used these awards to additionally leverage thousands of dollars in outside funding, and have had their films honored in top caliber film festivals around the world including the Sundance Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, and the Rome International Film Festival.
Just a quick reminder... registration for the Albuquerque 48 Hour Film Project has steadily filling up and not many spots remain. The Early Bird registration rate ends today!
Save some dough and register your team now before we run out of room for you. Go to: http://www.48hourfilm.com/albuquerque albuquerque@48hourfilm.com
We're New Mexico's #1 film directory, with nearly 700 leading film-supporting vendors, crew and talent and 10,000 searches per month from across the industry! Plus, our New Mexico Movie News is the leading source of film and vendor information in the NM film world. What are you waiting for?
Our Sizzling Summer Specials expire Friday June 18th. Rates this good won't be coming around again any time soon, so don't delay - get listed today!
The crewnewmexico.com Team (505) 930-0443 membership@crewnewmexico.com
The NM Film Office will be conducting FILM TOURS around the state this week and next. Tobi Ives (from the film office) will be in Jicarilla Pueblo and Taos this week, while Trish Lopez will be visiting Silver City, Mescalero Apache and Valencia County next week. Anyone who is interested in learning about film training programs (above and below the line) and various job opportunities in the NM film industry should attend. All presentations are free and open to the public. See below for schedule:
JICARILLA/DULCE: Tuesday, June 8 – 5pm to 7pm Dulce Community Center on Hawks Drive - Gym
TAOS PUEBLO: Thursday, June 10 – 4pm to 6pm Red Willow Education Center – 885 Star Road, Taos 87571
SILVER CITY: Tuesday June 15 – 5pm to 7pm Grant County Conference Center – 3031 Hwy 180 East, 88061
VALENCIA COUNTY: Thursday, June 17 – 4:30pm to 6:30pm UNM Valencia Campus – Student Community Center, CSCC-H 108
MESCALERO APACHE: (Tentatively scheduled for June 16th – Details TBA)
As you know, this coming Friday and Saturday (June 11-12), we’ll be holding our first Film Finance & Distribution Conference (Part I: For Micro and Low Budget Filmmakers). A summary of the schedule is listed on the homepage www.nmfilm.com. By tomorrow, the entire schedule along with speakers’ bios and specific time frames will be posted on the homepage. One of the events we’ll be conducting on Saturday afternoon is a Pitch Workshop with Producer Suzanne Lyons, which will include a practice “pitch session” with a few local filmmakers. Those filmmakers will be chosen at random that afternoon. If you are interested in adding your name to the hat of those who’d like to pitch your project, please send and email with the following information to: trish.lopez@state.nm.us.
-Your Name -Title and genre of your project -E-mail and phone
As a filmmaker interested in the opportunity to pitch that day, you will need to:
-Be registered for the Conference (see NMFO website for RSVP info); -Be present for the entire pitch workshop on Saturday (currently scheduled from 4:30-6:30p); -Present your pitch in two minutes or less; -Be open to constructive feedback from our panelists.
As we’ll be conducting the pitch workshop first, you’ll learn a great deal of information and helpful tips for pitching prior to the mini-pitch. We welcome all who are interested to give it a shot. I think you’ll all find this year’s entire conference to be a wonderful forum for of information for local filmmakers. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Jacques Cousteau was an ocean pioneer. He inspired people around the globe through his explorations, bringing the underwater world to our homes. A devout marine conservationist, he long ago warned of the coming issues our oceans would face.
Around the world stories are told of growing up with Cousteau. His stories, TV shows, and written words are a part of all of us. His legacy and work have formed a collective heritage that we all share. It is through each of us that it will live on.
In honor of Cousteau’s century of influence, we are hosting a call for short video tributes. We seek video submissions 100-seconds in length, one second for each of the years since his birth. Be creative. Your 100-second video can be humorous or serious, poetic spoken word or a creative animation, underwater or above. Each 100-second video must be an original piece and a genuine reflection of how Cousteau has inspired you.
A total of 20 selections will be chosen by a film jury and woven into a video collage to premiere at the Ocean Inspiration event this fall 2010 in New York. The top winner will be flown to New York to attend this historical event.
ABQ Film Fest is currently accepting submissions for AFF 2010, which will take place August 26-29, 2010.
"This year we have partnered with film fest submission powerhouse withoutabox.com. If you do not currently have an account with them, please set one up (it’s free) as this will help you streamline the festival submission process.
This year we will host American Auteur Monte Hellman, with a retrospective of his work and several Q&A’s following the screenings. He’s often sighted as an influence by many well known directors and has worked with Jack Nicholson, Roger Corman and Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino has always admired Hellman’s work and originally asked him to direct Reservoir Dogs which Hellman eventually signed on as Executive Producer. Long revered in Europe, Hellman is rumored to be up for an award of his latest film “Road to Nowhere” (which he shot using the Canon 5D Mark II) at the Venice Film Festival but we will have him here in Albuquerque first.
Michael Weise, of MWP, the leading publisher of film related books will also be at the festival conducting film workshops with some of his leading authors. We will also hold a Filmmaker’s Boot Camp to cover the nuts and bolts approach to understanding how to use the latest technology to make your film even if you don’t have that millionaire uncle waiting to invest.
Graham Elwood of ComdeyFilmNerds.com will host live podcasts from AFF. With a host of comedian friends and filmmakers, you never know who might so up. Graham came to Albuquerque this past October with comedian Doug Benson (Super High Me) to a packed UNM auditorium. Graham and friends will also host this year’s award ceremony to be held at official hotel sponsor Hotel Andaluz.
We are working hard to bring you an incredible film festival this August 25-29, 2010 with screenings held at the Kimo, Guild, Lobo and several other spots along historic Route 66. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements as we take this year’s festival to new heights!"
Narrative Features and Narrative Documentaries:
Early Deadline: May 31. Fee = $30 Regular Deadline: June 30. Fee = $40 Late Deadline: July 15. Fee = $50
Short Features and Short Documentaries and Other (Music Videos, Spec Commercials, Multimedia)
Early Deadline: May 31. Fee = $15 Regular Deadline: June 30. Fee = $20 Late Deadline: July 15. Fee = $25
Lisa Strout, Director of the New Mexico Film Office and Trish Lopez, New Mexico Filmmakers Program Director, today announced the second annual Native American & Hispanic Film Tour. The New Mexico Film Office is teaming up with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 480 for a series of presentations designed to inform Native American and Hispanic residents about potential careers in the state’s film industry.
The free presentations will be held in Jicarilla Apache Nation, Taos Pueblo, Silver City, Mescalero Apache and Valencia County between June 8th and June 17th. Professional film crew technicians will share their experiences about how they began in the industry, the lifestyle of working on set, and a representative from the NM Film Office will be available to answer questions about training opportunities and other resources offered by the state. All New Mexicans are welcome to attend any of the events and registration is not necessary.
“The film tour is a unique opportunity to meet fellow New Mexicans who have created meaningful careers for themselves, improving their lives and the lives of their families,” said Strout. “This initiative continues to inspire and inform New Mexico’s youth, connecting them with the opportunities that exist right here at home.”
Dates and times of the free presentations are below:
JICARILLA/DULCE: Tuesday, June 8 – 5pm to 7pm Dulce Community Center on Hawks Drive - Gym Located approximately 200 feet off Highway 64 on Hawks Drive Landmarks: Best Western Jicarilla Inn and Jicarilla Supermarket | Contact: Leon Reval, 505-759-4218 or lee.reval@gmail.com
TAOS PUEBLO: Thursday, June 10 – 4pm to 6pm Red Willow Education Center – Main Room 885 Star Road, Taos 87571 Directions: From Kit Carson Road: go north on Paseo del Pueblo Norte until you get to the Allsup’s Convenience store. Drive towards Taos Pueblo. Red Will Ed Center is located next to Tony Reyna’s Indian Shop, off the main highway (Veteran’s Highway) on the right hand side. | Contact: Shawn Duran 575-758-5990 or sduran@taospueblo.com
SILVER CITY: Tuesday June 15 – 5pm to 7pm Grant County Conference Center – Main Conference Room 3031 Hwy 180 East, 88061 Located on the corner of the 180 and 32 Bypass | Contact Facility Manager: 505-574-2488
VALENCIA COUNTY: Thursday, June 17 – 4:30pm to 6:30pm UNM Valencia Campus – Student Community Center, CSCC-H 108 280 La Entrada Road, 87031 (off Hwy 47) Main Campus: 505-925-8500 | alexa08@unm.edu
MESCALERO APACHE: June date/location TBA
For further information about the state’s film industry and recent announcements from the NM Film Office, please visit www.nmfilm.com or call (505) 476-5600.
New Mexico can be found a lot on the big and little screen these days. Watch AMC’s critically acclaimed Breaking Bad, featuring two-time Emmy winner Bryan Cranston, and there are the Sandias. It’s hard to tell, but, yep, there’s Galisteo in Legion, a thriller with a God-is-angry-with-humanity-so-here-comes-the-apocalypse storyline that was released earlier this year.
That steady activity of film and TV shoots is raising New Mexico’s profile in Hollywood as several films or TV series shot here have racked up Oscar and Emmy awards in recent years. But the bigger profile is also raising the amount of money New Mexico is paying out to film and TV productions through a controversial tax credit program.
Over the past 33 months, 118 film and TV productions were paid $181 million through the program, including $60 million this fiscal year, state documents show.
This year’s payout appears likely to eclipse the $61,464,418.56 New Mexico doled out last year. This year’s total –$60,519,012.63 — was through April 14, more than two months shy of June 30, the end of the fiscal year, documents show.
The film tax credit program is wearing a bigger bulls-eye these days as New Mexico’s lagging economy, and a strained state budget, add urgency to critics’ calls for an end to the program.
Citing pared-down state services, higher unemployment and forced state worker furlough days — most state workers took their fifth, and final, furlough day of the fiscal year Friday, opponents say 2010 isn’t the time to be handing out money.
“We’re cutting services, furloughing state employees. And we’re sending tens of millions of dollars to Hollywood. That ain’t right. It’s wrong,” said first-term Rep. Dennis Kintigh, R-Roswell.
Kintigh, along with two top Senate Democrats, has emerged as a vocal critic of the program, citing worries about the state paying an industry to do business here at a time when New Mexico is hurting.
“We’re told if we don’t provide these incentives they will pack up and leave. If that’s the case the industry doesn’t have any roots here,” Kintigh said. “We don’t do that for the newspapers or the TV business.”
Doing away with the program is short-sighted, advocates say. The tax credits go toward reimbursing a portion of money production companies already have spent here in New Mexico, not to subsidize Hollywood.
Governor Bill Richardson today announced that the New Mexico Film Office will present a two-day conference designed to educate local filmmakers on how to obtain financing and distribution for small films. The conference will take place Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. It will feature panels and discussions led by experts and seasoned film industry professionals.
The events are free and open to the public, however because space is limited those wishing to attend must register in advance. “The primary focus of our film program is to provide jobs, opportunity, and support for New Mexico filmmakers,” said Governor Richardson.'
“This conference will offer critical information and advice to those trying to find a way to make and distribute their small films. It is one more way we are making the film industry work for New Mexicans.” Friday afternoon programs will run from 2:00 p.m. until 5 p.m. and will include panel discussions focused on “How to Maximize Your New Mexico Film Incentives.”
These will be followed by discussions about the New Mexico film Loan Program, the Film Crew Advancement Program, and the wide variety of services offered through the New Mexico Filmmakers Program.
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!
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 17th 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
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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.
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)
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
In 2005, Gerry Fuentes lost his job as a home health care provider in New Mexico. With film production in New Mexico booming, Fuentes thought he'd try his hand at some of the below the line opportunities that seemed to be coming up everywhere. It was a decision that wound up turning his life around.
