​www.ncgr.org

​nminbre.org

Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor

Alicia J. Keyes
Cabinet Secretary

Todd Christensen
Director

​Bruce Krasnow
(505) 827-0226, cell: (505) 795-0119
Bruce.Krasnow@state.nm.us

“Better Call Saul” contributes to media education
 "Grants, Carlsbad, Farmington, Española benefit from Give Back 
SANTA FE, N.M. - More than $600,000 has so far been paid to film and media education programs around New Mexico from production companies who do business in the state under a unique Give Back Program to boost workforce training, the New Mexico Film Office announced Tuesday."

"The latest contribution came in the amount of $68,000 from the “Better Call Saul” Season 4 production. The contributions were paid to the following programs:

• New Mexico State University - Grants, Creative Media Technology, $11,000
• New Mexico State University Foundation, Carlsbad, Creative Media Carlsbad, $23,000
• Northern New Mexico College, Española, Film and Digital Media Arts, $11,000
• San Juan College, Farmington, Digital Media Arts and Design Program, $23,000

“This is such a smart program because the industry is helping train its own future employees,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “We’ve got New Mexico colleges and universities using film and media industry dollars to beef up training programs all over the state, and students across New Mexico are able to learn the skills they need to launch a fulfilling and exciting career right here.”

“This is an important part of our film incentives law,” said Alicia J. Keyes. “The industry is investing in workforce development and programs, which will lead to better careers for our students and more jobs in New Mexico.”

The Give Back Program is a result of the Film Production Tax Credit Non-Resident Crew provision, which allows a credit for below-the-line crew wages in exchange for a contribution to an educational program equal to 2.5 percent of the non-resident wages.

Karen Henry, head of the Creative Media Program at NMSU in Grants, said the money has “truly transformed” the experience for her students by opening up more opportunities. The Give Back funds have been used to purchase cameras and accessories, 3D printer supplies, paper, ink, and game consoles for students to test their video game designs.

“As a small rural community college, we lack the funds to keep our program current with the industry and be able to provide the supplies needed for relevant hands-on experiences,” she said. “These funds allow the Creative Media Program to continue to expand current course offerings and develop into new areas, like virtual and augmented reality, to expose students to the latest exciting creative developments.”

She added that contributions from the Give Back Program have also provided several scholarships and work-study positions to talented Creative Media students, allowing them to continue their pursuit of a Creative Media Degree. 

Luke R. Renner, Director of Film and Digital Media Arts program at San Juan College, said the film industry donation allowed the program to purchase new equipment and expand technical training. They were also able to purchase dolly track, grip equipment, and lighting, and upgrade cameras in the program to meet the needs of 4k production.

Renner said that some of the money is being used to help with travel costs for students to attend the New Mexico Film Foundation's statewide Student Filmmakers Showcase in Albuquerque on Sept. 21. They would also like to give students more on-hands training opportunities.

A part of the funds will be used to bring in outside industry professionals to conduct on- campus workshops for both San Juan College students and local high school students from the film and digital media programs. 

“The biggest challenge for students in this rural part of the state is the costs associated with internships in metropolitan areas. These funds provide the students career development opportunities,” said Renner.

At Northern New Mexico College, the Give Back money was used to purchase equipment for broadcast and live video feeds. “The program is growing and we couldn't have done that without this support,” said David Lindblom, Assistant Professor, Film & Digital Media Arts at the Española campus. ”It has created excitement in our students."

The latest disbursements bring the 2019 fiscal year payments to more than $200,000 with a total of $640,000 paid to programs over the past three years.

Other programs that received contributions from film and television productions in New Mexico since 2017 include:

• New Mexico State University Graphic Design and Multimedia, Alamogordo
• Central New Mexico Community College, Film Technicians, Albuquerque
• University of New Mexico Cinematic Arts Department, Albuquerque
• University of New Mexico Digital Media Arts, Taos
• Doña Ana Community College, Las Cruces
• New Mexico Highlands University Media Arts Fund, Las Vegas
• University of New Mexico Digital Media Arts, Valencia 
• Institute of American Indian Arts Film Program, Santa Fe
• Media Arts Collaborative Charter School, Albuquerque
• Eastern New Mexico University Film Technicians program, Roswell
• Eastern New Mexico University Foundation Department of Theater and Digital Filmmaking, Portales
• Southwest University of Visual Arts, Albuquerque
• Navajo Tech University Department of New Media Programs, Crownpoint
• Luna Community College Media Arts and Film Tech, Las Vegas
• New Mexico State University Creative Media Institute, Las Cruces

The non-resident crew giveback requirement is just one of the initiatives of the Economic Development Department that is helping to sustain a long-term industry cluster in New Mexico. As part of another recent agreement, NBCUniversal is required to provide funding for workforce development as well as aspiring director internships." 


Visit the New Mexico Film Office at nmfilm.com

GEMS looks to ensure that a girl sees herself as a change agent or a problem-solver, a possible technology entrepreneur, engineer or a scientist, and as a person who makes a difference.  Over the years, GEMS has expanded its mission to encourage girls to pursue education and careers in all STEM fields, including technology, engineering, making and related high-paying, entrepreneurial enterprises.

"Holt Hamilton Films is where Native American Indian, Indigenous, and those interested in Native Country turn for quality, family-friendly, uplifting wholesome entertainment.

Our mission is all about sharing with you great Indigenous stories that Hollywood will never tell, by casting young and old, undiscovered and discovered, Native American actors."

Hello Ruby is the world's most whimsical way to learn about computers, technology and programming. The story started with a book, and now Ruby continues her adventures in exercises, games and apps. Suited for kids age 5 years or older. 

Hello Ruby has been published in over 20+ languages, including: 
English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and much more!

Lightning: Illuminating its mystery
Tess Light, Los Alamos National Laboratory
"On any given day lightning flashes nearly 4 million times across the earth. Yet it’s surprising that this routine natural phenomenon is still commonly misunderstood.
What triggers those bright cracks across the sky and determines the shape of a lightning bolt?
Join Los Alamos scientist Tess Light on a journey to explore lightning’s role in the atmosphere and some of the mysteries of this beautiful and puzzling phenomenon."

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Jean Cocteau Cinema
418 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe

Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
Cottonwood on the Greens (Community Room)
4244 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos

Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
Dialogue Brewing
1501 1st Street NW, Albuquerque