Saturday, June 13, 2009

Los Ranchos' Loss Neighbors' Gain?

By Rosalie Rayburn
Copyright © 2009 Albuquerque Journal
Journal Staff Writer
          A Los Ranchos decision last year means New Mexico's burgeoning film industry faces the cold shoulder in that village — but Rio Rancho and Corrales are eager to take its place.
        The two Sandoval County communities have already been picked for film and TV productions, and both would be happy to see more film companies headed their way.
        "We do welcome film activity by responsible producers," Corrales Mayor Phil Gasteyer said.
        Rio Rancho's Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site touts the city as "the perfect destination for film, television and video productions." The bureau provides scouting tours, production facilities and a database of local talent. And in recent years, Rio Rancho wooed Lionsgate Entertainment to build a studio in its new city center. Lionsgate ultimately pulled out of the commitment late last year, citing the economic downturn.
        But a once-welcome attitude has changed in Los Ranchos.
        Last year the village denied a permit to residents there who were seeking to allow film production on their property. Village Administrator Kelly Ward said Friday that the village was simply enforcing an existing zoning ordinance.
        The residents, Mark and Judy Caruso, previously had a permit. Their 3-acre property off Rio Grande Boulevard was used for the TV shows "Wildfire," "In Plain Sight" and "Breaking Bad."
        The Carusos sued the village seeking to have the decision overturned. An Albuquerque District Court judge who heard the appeal Friday said he will likely render a decision in 10 days.
        Judy Caruso said Los Rancho's attitude could set a bad precedent for filmmaking in New Mexico.
        Nancy Eldridge, whose Algodones property served as a location for several seasons of "Wildfire," said she was sorry when the show was canceled early last year. She would welcome another film crew if the opportunity arose.
        "I certainly wouldn't want somebody to decide for me that the village of Algodones couldn't have filming crews," Eldridge said.
        Gasteyer said Corrales passed a film ordinance in October which includes plenty of protections for village residents and public safety. Rio Rancho has a similar ordinance.
        Paul Melendres, the Carusos' attorney, said it would be helpful to have some kind of statewide standards for film production.
        Meanwhile, if one door closes, filmmakers just look elsewhere, said Shayne Sawyer, a 30-year film industry veteran who moved to Rio Rancho three years ago from Los Angeles.
        "I don't think it's really an issue at all," Sawyer said.
        Ed Smith, founder of Edit House, a Rio Rancho company that produces commercials, training films and local government programming, agrees with Sawyer.
        They both said Rio Rancho, Corrales, Albuquerque and Santa Fe all offer alternative locations film companies could use. Rio Rancho locations were used in "Wildfire" and films such as the "Far Side of Jericho" and "Dreamland." Corrales' old San Ysidro church appeared in the Kevin Costner film "Swing Vote."
        Sawyer said people who stand to lose most by shutting out film production are the community residents.
        "Film crews spend money," she said.
       

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