What jurisdiction do you represent?
We are a joint city/county film office, so technically we represent the entire 2,000 square mile footprint of Santa Fe county, including the city of Santa Fe. But as a practical matter, we also act as a service partner for productions throughout northern New Mexico up to the Colorado border, particularly the north-central regions.
What productions have shot in your area?
Over the past 100+ years, literally too many to mention. Hundreds, likely thousands all told. A few of the major film/TV productions over the past dozen years include films “Only the Brave,” “Thor,” “Book of Eli,” “Hostiles,” “True Grit,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Wild Hogs,” and “Logan." Television has included “Longmire,” “Godless,” “Cosmos,” and “Graves.” We don’t handle only feature film and television, basically any commercial endeavor with a visual component to it comes through our office.
How can you help filmmakers in your area?
We aim to be a “one stop shop” for filmmakers in the region in terms of facilitating the physical production of projects. Permitting, helping with locations, vendors, interfacing with the various governmental jurisdictions (local, county, state, federal, tribal). The one thing we DON’T do – and which of course we always get asked – is help in securing financing and distribution. That’s up to the filmmakers.
What do you consider to be a unique location in your jurisdiction?
The obvious thing is the city of Santa Fe itself, but again, we cover a big territory so there’s much more to it than that. More than a particular location I’d say a unique feature is the tremendous range of topography, demographics, settings – all things from 12,000-foot granite peaks skying above the tree line, through alpine forests and meadows, riparian watersheds, down to high desert. Urban centers, small towns, mountain hamlets. Working ranches and movie ranches. Soundstages, post houses. The Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe/Aspen Ballet. World class museums. Art, music. Vistas that would make a Bishop kick a hole in a stained glass window, to steal a phrase. All of which make it a great location not only to make film and television, but also a great place to be while you’re doing it.
Favorite movie or tv show?
I’d say my favorite New Mexico films have been “The Avengers” and “Book of Eli.” But that leaves out “True Grit,” “No Country,” “In the Valley of Elah,” “Hell or High Water,” “Wild Hogs,” the list goes on and on. And who can forget the blockbuster, “Beer for My Horses”?? On tv, I really took to “Graves,” “Midnight, Texas” is shaping up nicely and I completely geek-out on “Cosmos.” The cinematography on “Godless” will make you cry. There was a multi-season series in the mid 2000’s called “Wildfire” which will always hold a special place in my heart because it really kicked off New Mexico’s production of episodic television.
Anything else you would like included?
Lastly and most importantly, I’d like to thank my SFFO colleague Jennifer LaBar and all our fellow film offices and liaisons around the state with whom we are honored to work. It’s a cliché but it’s true: Our people make the difference. The fact that we have a statewide network of passionate, knowledgeable film liaisons is a tremendous asset to our state and one more reason New Mexico stands out as a premier filming location.
For more information about the Santa Fe Film Office visit www.sffo.film
