Anticipating a Work Increase, New Mexico Starts a New Advanced Training Program for Film Professionals

With the demand for film crews high in New Mexico, the state Economic Development Department in conjunction with other organizations has introduced advanced training for existing state film-production crews.

By BOB QUICK | The New Mexican

The state Department of Labor and The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 480 are also part of the $2 million training program.

New Mexico’s 300 percent increase in film-production inquiries since the beginning of the year have made the classes necessary, said Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans.

"Before we can take advantage of scheduling more films simultaneously, we’ve got to increase the number of professional local crews for film-production companies working in the state," Homans said.

"The fundamental thing is in order to have a feature-film industry in New Mexico we have to have three full film crews," he said. "We now have about two and a half film crews we can pull into a production."

A crew can consist of several hundred people.

"Our long-term goal is to provide an environment capable of sustaining a permanent local film industry that will provide long-term jobs for our film professionals," he said, adding that may mean as many as five or six film crews.

The training program consists of three pilot classes covering script supervision, dolly grip and crane operation and hairdressing for film, with more classes being developed.

The state Department of Labor will coordinate training programs, and the union will certify graduates of the classes as having fulfilled part of the requirements to join the union and enter the work force.

Upon completion of the classes, participants will be eligible for hire by participating film and television companies through the Economic Development Department’s In-Plant training program.

A film component of the program allows productions to be reimbursed 50 percent of trainees’ work for up to 1,040 hours of work.

One of the current classes in dolly grip and crane operation is being conducted at Serious Grippage in Santa Fe. Other classes are held at different places and eventually will be held at community colleges around the state, said Karen Wentworth of the state Economic Development Department.

The film industry is becoming a larger part of the job market in New Mexico, according to the state Economic Development Department, because incentives passed by the state Legislature over the past two years have made it more financially attractive for film companies to work here.

Director Ron Howard recently wrapped up a film made in New Mexico, The Missing, and the filming of two Tony Hillerman novels was completed by the Public Broadcasting Service, said Lisa Strout, deputy director of the New Mexico Film Office.

"We’re waiting to announce the start of two new productions," she added.

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