Hello everyone!
Check out this week's press regarding our upcoming Film Industry Town Halls in Las Cruces, Ruidoso and Roswell – and the latest NM-made production, Blaze You Out. Also, tune in to "NM Film Works" radio this weekend for a program on upcoming industry events taking place in October!
Be well,
Trish
Hear us on the radio: SANTA FE: Sat @ 11am on 1260AM | ABQ: Sun @ 12 noon on 1350AM & online at www.santafe.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: NM Film Office
September 27, 2011 505.476.5611
New Mexico Film Office Announces Statewide
Film Industry Town Halls
SANTA FE—The New Mexico Film Office today announced a series of Town Hall meetings scheduled to take place across the state, beginning with Southern New Mexico in October. Director Nick Maniatis will discuss the state of the New Mexico film industry – including an update about 2011 legislation, the outlook going forward, and opportunities and training available to New Mexicans. The meetings are also intended to provide an open forum for the new Director to learn about educational programs, film related businesses, and issues of concern for each community. The Town Halls are free and open to all, including students, local filmmakers, businesses and the general public.
The first three Town Hall meetings will take place October 17, 18 and 19 in Las Cruces, Ruidoso and Roswell, respectively. The New Mexico Film Office will take questions from the audience and will collaborate with local chambers of commerce and schools in conducting these events.
"We are working to make sure that New Mexicans across the state have a chance to be a part of this exciting and growing industry," said Nick Maniatis, Director of the New Mexico Film Office. "Through these town halls, we are reaching out to residents around New Mexico to create a dialogue about how we can help each other in representing our communities."
The first series of these meetings will take place as follows:
LAS CRUCES: Monday, October 17th – 6:30pm
Doña Ana Community College Auditorium
2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd
Las Cruces, NM 880012
Contact: Matthew Byrnes at mbyrnes@nmsu.edu
RUIDOSO: Tuesday, October 18th – 6:30pm
Spencer Theatre
108 Spencer Rd.
Alto, NM 88312
(575) 336-4800
Contact: Dirk Norris at dirk@dirknorris.com
ROSWELL: Wednesday, October 19th – 5:30pm
Roswell Chamber of Commerce
131 West 2nd Street
Roswell, NM 88201-4703
Contact: Kathleen Curtis at kathleen@roswellnm.org | (575) 623-5695
"We have a strong and vibrant independent film industry throughout the state, with a top-notch digital media circuit in Southern New Mexico. We look forward to learning more about their work and supporting their efforts in any way we can," said Trish Lopez of the NM Film Office.
There is no RSVP necessary to attend any of the Town Hall meetings and the NM Film Office encourages the surrounding communities to come out and participate in the discussion. The expected time frame for each is approximately two hours with Q&A. Future Town Hall meetings will be scheduled in other cities in early 2012. The New Mexico Film Office conducts regular visits to communities across New Mexico each year during conferences, seminars, and as part of its annual tour of winning films through its NM Filmmakers Showcases.
For more information on the 2011 Film Industry Town Hall meetings and other NM Film Office announcements, please visit www.nmfilm.com or call (505) 476-5611.
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The New Mexico Film Office Announces Feature Film,
Blaze You Out, Shooting in New Mexico
SANTA FE —Nick Maniatis, the New Mexico Film Office director, announced today that the feature film, Blaze You Out, is shooting for four weeks in New Mexico. The production began principal photography in Rio Arriba County and will employ at least 80 crew members and more than 100 principal and background talent from New Mexico.
"We are very proud to announce this particular film as the writers, directors, producers and local stars are all homegrown talent," said Nick Maniatis. "From conception to creation, these are New Mexicans creating jobs for New Mexicans."
The film is co-written and directed by Espanola Valley native, Diego Joaquin Lopez, and local New Mexican resident, Mateo Frazier. Diego and Mateo began their creative partnership in 2009 on the award-winning short film Torcida. Both bring a wide range of experience to the project and have helped to define the burgeoning film and television movement in New Mexico by writing and directing locally based stories.
The production team includes: producer, Alicia Keyes Touche, executive producer, Peter Touche (Goats) of Sandia Media, co-producers Brent Morris (Monster, Smoke Signals) and O'Shea Read and associate producer, Kerith Lemon. Alicia Keyes Touche of Sandia Productions stated that, "We are excited to be a part of a new wave of filmmakers who are unearthing contemporary stories that draw from the rich culture and history of New Mexico. We feel blessed to be able to live, work and create in New Mexico." Blaze You Out is the first feature produced by Sandia Productions.
Blaze You Out features New Mexico talents Jeremy Ray Valdez (Constantine, La Mission and Walkout) and Raoul Trujillo (Cowboy's and Aliens). Other cast members include Veronica Diaz-Carranza (Mamitas, Taco Shop), Melissa Cordero (Language of a Broken Heart), award-winning actress Elizabeth Pena (Jacob's Ladder, The Incredibles, Tortilla Soup), Mark Adair Rios (Along Came Polly) and Q'orianka Kilcher (The New World, Princess Kaiulani). Local supporting cast members include Diego Joaquin Lopez, Ryan Begay, Juliet Lopez, Omar Paz Trujillo, Jose Griego, Arianna Rodriguez, Jeremiah Bitsui and Manny Chavez.
Blaze You Out tells the story of Lupe, an aspiring DJ, and her sister Alicia; two young women struggling to make a living in the Esperanza Valley, a community that has been suffocated by generations of heroin use. Ever since the death of their parents, Lupe has looked out for her rebellious sister and kept her on track. When Alicia suddenly disappears, Lupe is forced into the heart of the town's dark underworld. She quickly discovers that in order to survive and save the person that matters most, she must not only harness the power that exists within her, but also that surrounds her.
Visit the New Mexico Film Office online at nmfilm.com
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Trish Lopez
New Mexico Film Office
(505) 476-5611 | www.nmfilm.com
Facebook: FilmNewMexico
