Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Hollywood comes to Los Lunas

$6 million movie starring Michael Caine, Christopher Walken to begin production

Brandy Slagle News-Bulletin Staff Writer; bslagle@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas Los Lunas will welcome Tinsel Town legends Michael Caine and Christopher Walken next weekend as filming for a $6 million independent film begins.

Around the Bend is the first directing endeavor by Jordan Roberts. Roberts has made artistic contributions to major motion pictures such as Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks and Bye Bye, Brooklyn.

In a news conference held on Monday, Gov. Bill Richardson said more than 150 film executives and location managers attended his California movie forum last Friday, and he feels positive about the future of the film industry in New Mexico.

"We are just beginning to see the huge local economic impact on communities like Los Lunas. These productions will pump millions of dollars into our local economies, increase tourist interests and help promote New Mexico around the world," said Richardson. "Current legislation requires film producers to hire New Mexicans, and they are — at good wages."

Close to 280 extras will be cast from New Mexico, along with actors for three supporting roles.

"It was a surprise to us when this movie was announced," said Los Lunas Village Administrator Phillip Jaramillo. "We were not aware they were looking around at our area. Of course, we are pleased they will be here."

Richardson and the New Mexico Legislature enacted numerous proactive initiatives in hopes of attracting more film production crews to the state.

"I am tremendously pleased that our efforts are producing immediate results, creating more than $80 million in economic impact in the past year, hundreds of jobs and allowing our crafts people to gain the experience and the credits they need to maintain a lucrative career in film production," said Richardson.

Some of the benefits film productions have in New Mexico are no-interest loans, up to $7.5 million per project, a 15 percent rebate on expenditures in the state applicable to production and post-production costs and free use of 800 state buildings and 800,000 acres of land.

Other benefits producers find in New Mexico include free access to the Film Office's Native American Casting database, with 1,100 participants, and the "Be Our Guest" program. This program offers free hotels, meals, rental cars and full access to experienced location teams.

Elliott Lewitt, who is producing the film with Julie Kirkham, said these benefits are essential to independent films, which have smaller budgets.

"I estimate the combined savings from the state's incentive package will be approximately $450,000, which, for a film with a $6 million budget, makes the difference between making the movie and not making the movie," he said.

Los Lunas Village Counselor Robert Vialpando said the money coming in should impact Los Lunas favorably.

"It will always help when we have them come in and eat here, shop here and, hopefully, stay here. It will have an impact on our gross receipts, which the village relies on heavily for funding," he said.

Some of the movie will be filmed in the old hospital and training school facility. Parts of it are used by various governmental entities, but other areas are currently unused.

Jaramillo said the village was pleased to hear what producers had to say about the area.

"They said this is a great area to make movies because of the weather and scenery. I know they are thinking about turning the training facility into additional studios in the future, and we'll bring it up at the next legislative session," he said. "It is good to see them take a facility not being used and really turn it around for something so positive to the community."

Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Dist. 29, said that while those negotiations might happen, they have yet to be seriously discussed.

"The producer said that if New Mexico comes up with sound studios like the ones they have in Hollywood, people would come out here in droves but that it was a subject of later discussion. He (Lewitt) did ask the governor if he could discuss it with him later, and the governor said that it would be possible," he said.

Lewitt said the production will receive a rebate of $375,000 spent in New Mexico on film-related services.

"The producers said they looked at Canada and New Zealand but that New Mexico offered far more, and when they came out and saw it for themselves, they had been here for only two or three days and just fell in love it," said Sanchez.

About one-third of the film will take place in Los Lunas, the other major locations are in Las Cruces and Albuquerque.

Around the Bend focuses on the story of four generations of men separated for years and finally brought together by an opportunity to uncover the truth about their family's past. Caine stars as the family patriarch, who lives in Los Angeles with his grandson and great-grandson. Before Caine feels released from his position as caretaker and welcomes his death, a task is set before his family, which entails a road trip to Albuquerque by Walken and the younger family members.

Around the Bend is the ninth Hollywood feature filmed in New Mexico this year. The film industry experienced an $8 million to $80 million leap in only one year.

Other films shot in the state this year include The Missing, 21 Grams, Blind Horizon and Coyote Waits.

"It is nice to see some heavyweight actors come through Los Lunas," said Vialpondo.

Albuquerque Actor Miguel Martinez works closely with Anastarzi, one on New Mexico's only casting agencies that places extras for major films. He said people in Los Lunas who are interested in being extras should free up their schedules and stay alert.

"There should be a mass posting in your area, possibly in the paper, possibly on the radio. It will be like a cattle call for people who want to be involved and will tell you where you need to go and when," he said.

Martinez said people seeking work as extras do not need to spend money on head shots.

"It's kind of a waste. You can take a Polaroid or a digital picture and print it out on a computer instead of spending anywhere between $50 to $300 on some head shots. They might even take your picture there at the set along with taking your personal information and will give you a call a day or two before they need you," he said.

Jaramillo said he is positive Los Lunas will be able to provide the talent and services needed by film producers.

Sanchez said he is confident producers will continue to be pleasantly surprised by New Mexico.

"I told them if they visited the restaurants and hotels and visited with the people in the valley I am sure they would fall in love with them too," he said.

Anthony DellaFlora of the Albuquerque Journal contributed to this story.

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