New Mexico film industry ready to go as tentative deal poised to end writers strike

With the Writers Guild of America reaching a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a slight sigh of relief was felt within the New Mexico film community.

The WGA strike began May 2, halting productions across the country. Productions that were in full swing in the state quickly shut down.

Alejandro Montoya Marin, who has filmed a number of projects in the state, said the strike has affected everyone in the film industry.

As a member of the Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, Montoya Marin began to pick up editing work to make ends meet.

“Yes, I want this to be over, but I want it to be done right,” Montoya Marin said. “I was about to sell a script right before the strike took place. During the last almost five months, I’ve been preparing to get back to work on my own independent productions.”

The WGA released a statement to its members Sunday night.

“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA Negotiating Committee said in an email.

The three-year contract will be sent to WGA members for a ratification vote. After nearly five months on strike, it’s highly likely to pass muster with the WGA’s 11,000 members, especially with the enthusiastic endorsement of WGA leaders.

The WGA addressed concerns in the first full-fledged contract negotiation since 2017.

On July 14, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists began to strike — marking the first dual strike in 60 years.

The guilds are fighting for higher wages, greater shares of revenue generated by streaming hits, and limitations on the use of artificial intelligence, among other benefits and protections.

On July 26, members of the New Mexico film industry took a public stand as more than 300 lined up to picket in front of Netflix Studios.

New Mexico has remained a hot spot for filming since the film incentive program was beefed up in the early 2000s.

Netflix Studios, NBC Universal and 828 Productions have all made 10-year deals with the state in recent years, catapulting the film industry.

According to the New Mexico Film Office, there was $794 million in direct spending in fiscal year 2023 — that’s down from fiscal year 2022, which had a record high of $855.4 million in direct spending. Over the course of the past three fiscal years, film industry spending in the state was more than $2.2 billion.

The state hosted 85 productions in fiscal year 2023, down from 109 total productions in fiscal year 2022, the film office stated.

Currently, there are 6 productions, which are commercials, digital media and video games.

“The industry strikes are impacting new production starts in New Mexico and, with that, direct spending into the state economy for payroll and support services from small businesses,” said Dolores Martinez of the New Mexico Film Office. “We had 38 projects in production prior to the strikes. Some projects are on hold, awaiting the greenlight to finish, and we have many more new projects, both films and series, looking to commence work when possible.”The PBS series, “Bands of Enchantment,” filmed at the KiMo Theatre, wrapped up production for its third season on Monday in Albuquerque.

The series merges international musicians with New Mexico bands in half-hour episodes that will air nationally in early 2024 and then be available for streaming by international audiences, according to PBS.

Ken C. Peterson, of Elkhorn Entertainment, is the mastermind behind the production, which has kept many New Mexicans working during the strikes.

“The energy behind filming season two at the Rail Yards was unbelievable and led to an award-winning season that was just picked up by Amazon Prime and nominated for a Rocky Mountain Emmy,” Peterson said. “To be back and filming at the historic KiMo Theatre is a dream come true.”

Albuquerque native Jerry G. Angelo had a world premiere for his latest feature film, “Coyote Cage,” at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Friday.

Angelo, a SAG-AFTRA and Producers Guild of America member, said the strikes have had an impact on independent films as well.

But Angelo has continued to write scripts and produce projects.

“I can work and create nonunion jobs, which is awesome because we can still keep moving,” Angelo said. “That doesn’t change the fact that we want to make films with healthier budgets. We are able to help nonunion actors get experience. The fight is for the entire film industry, and the agreement gives us hope that the future will be brighter.”