Film Las Cruces, a non-profit organization working to grow the film industry in Doña Ana County, is opening a new film studio for film production and workforce training in Las Cruces. Here is the information provided by the organization:
At 74,000 square feet “Las Cruces Studios” will be able to accommodate all sizes of film productions from major motion pictures and television series, to independent and student films and commercials. Film Las Cruces is opening the facility in partnership with Doña Ana Community College, to help attract New Mexico’s growing film industry to Doña Ana County and to expand the training of the region’s film crew workforce.
Las Cruces Studios launches with important partnerships to help make the studio possible. Funding to lease the studio space is being provided by Doña Ana Community College with generous help from building owner Duane Green. DACC’s film crew training class will begin teaching in the studio in early March as well as other film oriented classes and training.
The film industry is also partnering with Film Las Cruces and DACC to help make Las Cruces Studios a success. Cinelease, the nation’s largest independent lighting and grip supplier is proudly donating the use of an equipment package to the Studio for use in training and student crew productions as well as providing premier customer service and reliable equipment to incoming productions as the preferred provider. With a nationwide presence in 10 cities and 12 locations, Cinelease brings over 40 years of relationships and traction to the Studio and its partners.
New Mexico’s largest film union, IATSE Local 480 is giving Film Las Cruces a grant and providing additional film crew training opportunities at Las Cruces Studios, including the DACC Film Crew Training Program (FTTP), film set construction, and set safety classes.
The State of New Mexico Film Office has already designated Las Cruces Studios as a “Qualified Production Facility,” enabling a feature film production to get an extra 5% film tax incentive on New Mexico based crew if they film at the facility. A qualified production facility must have at least one soundstage of at least 7,000 clear span space, 21 foot ceilings, and be used primarily for film production.
“We couldn’t be more excited for the opening of Las Cruces Studios,” said Film Las Cruces Board President Senator Jeff Steinborn. This studio, our staff, and the partnerships we are working with will help grow the film industry in Las Cruces. “Las Cruces Studios is open for business and ready to provide a large studio environment to support local film makers and welcome national and international productions to Southern New Mexico.”
DACC President Renay Scott heralded the new studio as a unique opportunity for its students and the region’s economy. “New Mexico’s film industry is growing, and there is a tremendous need for trained workers and studio space. DACC is proud to help make this one of a kind training facility possible for our students and others wanting to get into this field, while establishing a commercial film studio in Las Cruces. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to foster new economic development potential.”
Film Las Cruces says time will tell if the former coca cola bottling plant is the permanent home of Las Cruces Studios. The City still has funds appropriated by the State Legislature and City of Las Cruces to develop a local film studio. The Las Cruces Studios facility lease will be a good test to explore its future use along with other filming infrastructure opportunities for the City.
Film Las Cruces is a non-profit organization established to support and expand the film industry in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. They employ a full time Film Liaison and actively promote the region through outreach to the film industry and through its social media and website www.filmlascruces.com. The Las Cruces Film Liaison Jon Foley can be reached at (575)805-3456.