The New Mexico Film Office has a network of Film Liaisons throughout the state to help film productions with local services.

Jan Wafful, Otero County Film Office/City of Alamogordo, has been an AFCI registered liaison with the NM Film Office since 2006.  

How can you help filmmakers that come to your area? As economic development, I offer all services of mine free to the filmmaking industry, including students, independent filmmakers and studios. This is a one-stop office for help with location scouts, permits, crew contacts in the area and all types of products goods, services and where to find manpower and equipment needed for filmmakers to make their film projects. 

 

What do you consider to be a unique location in your jurisdiction? My favorite and most visited location is the White Sands National Monument. Some of the films that have shot here are “Transformers I & II,” “Book of Eli,” “Year One” and “12 Strong” with Chris Hemsworth and a great cast and crew was made here earlier this year (just released in January). Orogrande Mines, Mescalero Apache Reservation, Cloudcroft, Tularosa, White Sands Missile Range and most of Ft. Bliss are all within Otero County, it is the 3rd largest county in NM and one that is pretty diverse in locations.

Favorite Shot in New Mexico movie or tv show? One of several of my favorite movies made here, besides the ones already mentioned during my tenure, is “Tank Girl.”

Film Festival: I also co-direct the Desert Light Film Festival here at NMSU-Alamogordo each year with my co-director and friend, Joan Griggs, who was the film liaison before me. It is the only recurring film festival in NM for middle and high school students. We teach seminar classes and have keynote speakers on every aspect possible of filmmaking to encourage film careers in NM. It is our goal to grow the industry from the ground up in southern NM. We have about 400 plus students who attend each year.      

120 Years of Film in New Mexico Trivia: In 1911, There were three films shot in Otero County NM—they were: “Fool’s Gold”, “Brothers” and “The Dude”—all westerns.

Is it possible to answer a Craigslist Ad and find a career as a Foley Artist in the industry? If I'm making strange noises and sound effects in my kitchen, is it possible someone will pay me to do that as my job? And does training as a ballet dancer help me make sounds that are believable as Sylvester Stallone’s footsteps? Let accomplished Foley Artist Lara Dale answer those questions (the short answers are “yes", “yes" and “yes”) and tease you with some awesome sounds she produces from a variety of toys she’s brought to the studio to demonstrate. A sonically good episode of Filmcast!

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