Locals meet with film office, learn about
movie industry in New Mexico By Debra Mayeux
Aztec’s own Jane Voss and Hoyle Osborne were just two of the local performers who turned out for the first New Mexico Film Office Town Hall in Farmington on April 24. They along with several other local actors, filmmakers and movie enthusiasts were at the town hall to fill out applications for the state's casting directors and hear from office representatives about the state of the film industry here.
Hoyle got his first taste of Hollywood last year in the blockbuster movie Cowboys and Aliens. The nationally known pianist performed on the piano in an old-time saloon scene. He enjoyed the experience so much and has such a unique talent to offer he had to make sure the industry knows that he's available for more on-screen gigs.
His partner Jane also has a unique vocal quality when she sings her Americana and Folk tunes, making her another possible find for the big screen.
According to Don Gray, contract locations coordinator, one never knows what Hollywood might be looking for when it comes calling. On a shoot in Carrizozo, the production rented red bricks and dirt from one person and purchased wrecked cars for $80 a pop from a scrap yard.
"Any inclination that you are vendor (or actor) that might provide a service to the film industry, there is no reason why you should not be on our website," Gray said. "If you are interested in casting calls you should check that link every week."
He added that the more New Mexico has to offer the industry in terms of people and settings, the more attractive the area becomes.
It is his job to focus on those specific assets and literally sell the state to Hollywood filmmakers. He explained that while Albuquerque has a film studio and is easily accessible, thus less expensive for productions, there are out-lying areas where movies are made.
That is the case for San Juan County. It just so happens that two movies are being made here this summer. The Host filmed last week in Shiprock. It is based on the science-fiction novel of the same name by author Stephenie Meyer and it tells the story of aliens that come to earth and take over human hosts after being implanted into people's bodies.
Also filming this summer is The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp. It will be in Shiprock as well.
"The directors of The Host and The Lone Ranger felt that they couldn't find anything that fit their script well enough in Albuquerque, so they came to this area," Gray said.
When a movie films in an area, it has an economic impact. Cast and crew stay in hotels. Restaurants either cater meals or become more busy with workers coming in to eat. And more importantly local jobs become available while the movies are shooting.
Some 49 local actors were hired as extras for the Book of Eli in Carrizozo, and there were casting calls in Shiprock with some local hires for The Lone Ranger.
This is just one way the film industry brings money into the state. Gray said he would like to develop a tourism industry around successful movies filmed here.
"I'm really excited to do that because New Mexico has film history all the way back to 1898. ... If The Lone Ranger is a big hit, you can exploit that big hit. To me it's a multimillion dollar industry that we have never exploited in New Mexico," Gray said.
Other information shared at the town hall had to do with developing a thriving community of New Mexican filmmakers. That is the job of Dirk Norris, the office's new outreach programs manager. He wants to develop programs that include a New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase, workshops for underprivileged youths in the areas of filmmaking and acting, and the New Mexico Visions grant.
When the grant is awarded, a filmmaker is able to finish his project, but then turns around and volunteers to do some type of service to the community. "So they are giving back to the state," Norris said.
"Kind of at the heart of everything, my job will be to help you filmmakers tell your stories," Norris added. "It's going to be through things like this, coming out to the community instead of you coming to us. We'll be around the state more. We're always accessible."
That access is through the film office's website at www.nmfilm.com.
Letter Carriers Annual Food Drive What's collected in
Aztec stays in Aztec!
The annual Letter Carriers food drive is set for Saturday, May 12. Please leave your non-perishable food items at your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up.
The Aztec Post office is proud to donate all food collected this year to the First United Methodist Church of Aztec to supply their food bank.
In years past, all food collected was sent to the Echo Food Bank in Farmington, however, last year postmaster Laciene Roach suggested we keep the food here in Aztec and the letter carriers agreed.
The First United Methodist Church food bank helps families here in Aztec as well as Flora Vista.
The annual food drive is a great community outreach, letter carriers in the city of Aztec as well as our rural carriers and clerks at the post office all participate.
This year the letter carriers will be distributing paper bags for the food drive. Look for them in your mailboxes on Thursday, May 10 or Friday, May 11th.
Please plan to participate so we can "fill up the food bank," and we will get you some collection totals when it's all done.
Thank you Aztec,
Lisa Johnson, NALC representative for Aztec
Marcin Jakubowski:
Open-Sourced Blueprints
For Civilization
The Aztec Local News (TALON) is published semimonthly, on the 1st and middle of each month. As a community-input newspaper, serving the Aztec, Bloomfield, Cedar Hill, Center Point, Flora Vista, Navajo Dam, and Blanco areas, we welcome stories, news, events, poetry, photos, etc. from area residents. Please call 334-1039, fax 334-1551, or e-mail us at aztecnews@sisna.com, to give us your input.
6500 copies of The Aztec Local News are delivered to over 150 locations in the area for free pickup and mailed to those who prefer the convenience of a subscription.
Editor & Publisher: Candy Frizzell, 505-334-1039
Journalist: Katee McClure, 330-4616
Reporter: Debra Mayeux
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Photographer: Katee McClure
Proofreaders: Gina Martinez, Linda Lawson, Debbie Israel
Subscriptions: Debbie Israel
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