As the New Mexico film industry continues to grow at a record pace, there have been some obstacles to overcome.
The big one is studio space.
Amber Dodson, New Mexico Film Office director, said New Mexico isn’t alone in this struggle. On Wednesday, Dodson announced eight new qualified filming facilities around the state.
“Finding studio space is an industry-wide problem,” Dodson said. “With the newly certified sites, it helps create the space we need for productions because there is so much demand for space.”
Productions utilizing qualified facilities in New Mexico, as per the state’s film incentive, are eligible for a 5% uplift on qualifying expenditures.
With the eight additions, the list of Qualified Production Facilities is now 21 statewide, Dodson said.
Albuquerque will be adding two new qualified production facilities: Hanover Studios, located on Albuquerque’s West Side, and The Studios at Journal Center.
Hanover Studios offers a newly built 25,000 square-foot stage. A second duplicate stage is planned.
The Studios at Journal Center includes a 23,146 square-foot stage, a 21,000 square-foot mill space, dock access, a 10,000 square-foot space for production offices, as well as parking.
“We’re seeing people here working nonstop; we create a lot of jobs,” said Brian Fantl, vice president of The Studios at Journal Center.
Dodson said The Studios at Journal Center is a stellar example of economic development in New Mexico, specifically in creating a new opportunity for transitioning industries.
Dodson said the Santa Fe area now boasts two more qualified production facilities with Santa Fe Midtown Studios and Stanley Ranch, a standing set movie ranch located south of Santa Fe in the town of Stanley.
Stanley Ranch sits on 480 acres, includes an original house built in the 1920s, and has already been utilized by television series such as “Roswell” and “Waco.”
Las Cruces expands its filming infrastructure with three new qualified production facilities — Calcot/Hayner Soundstage, which includes over 30,000 square feet of space; Miranda Soundstage, a 7,000 square-foot facility; and SFM, a 9,984 square-foot facility.
Dodson said the structures are owned by 828 Productions, an official state film partner that has committed to spending $75 million dollars in New Mexico over 10 years.
“We’re excited to bring three new Qualified Production Facilities online in Las Cruces and do our part in furthering the growth of cinematic infrastructure in southern New Mexico,” said Todd Lundbohm, founder and CEO of 828 Productions.
Quixote/SSPS is also a newly qualified production facility in the southern part of Albuquerque. It includes a 7,700 square-foot space for filming and a 5,800 square-foot warehouse.
