The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) today announced that in fiscal year 2021, despite the global shutdown of production due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has recorded an estimated $623 million in direct spend by film and television productions in New Mexico, breaking all previous records for the state.
It is estimated that 40% of production budgets are spent on procuring goods and services from New Mexico businesses, including catering businesses, hardware stores, car rental companies, sign makers, dry cleaners, art galleries, glaziers, and more. In addition, property owners who list their property as a film location are discovering the industry can provide an additional revenue stream.
An estimated 9,000 New Mexicans work in the industry with an average wage of over $56,000 annually. In FY2021, approximately 75% of total below-the-line crew were N.M. residents, including, 4,559 New Mexico crew, 1,374 New Mexico cast members, and 13,538 New Mexico background and extras employed by productions registered with the New Mexico Film Office.
“New Mexico is generating substantial economic activity, with $623 million of outside money being injected into the state’s economy in FY2021. These are productions that would otherwise have been shot in other states if not for our world-class crew, stunning locations, and competitive film incentive program,” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “As New Mexico opens this summer and production ramps up, now is the time to ensure we remain invested in the New Mexico film and television industry, as it is key to our state’s recovery and to diversifying New Mexico’s economy.”
Although production was halted for approximately one quarter of the fiscal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state still saw 69 productions, 26 film, 24 television, and 19 additional media productions since returning to set in September 2020. The COVID-19 positivity rate among productions remained extraordinarily low, an average of .13%.
“The direct spend figures for FY2021 are impressive. $623 million in production spend, despite the shutdown, indicates resiliency and proves that the industry can quickly recover in the face of an economic storm,” New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary, Alicia J. Keyes, said. “The film and television industry has an important role to play in New Mexico’s economy. We know other states have their eyes on what is going on in New Mexico, so it’s critical that we continue to support this thriving industry as thousands of quality jobs, millions of dollars in revenue, and support for local businesses is at stake.”
Filming locations utilized by productions in FY2021 include, Abiquiu, Albuquerque, Anton Chico, Belen, Chama, Cloudcroft, Corrales, Farmington, Gallup, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Madrid, Moriarty, San Antonio, Santa Fe, Socorro, Taos, Tijeras, Truth or Consequences, Tucumcari, Colfax County, Sierra County, Union County, as well as tribal lands including Santa Clara, Santa Domingo, Zuni Pueblos, and others.
Notable New Mexico productions include NBCUniversal’s MacGruber, Netflix’s The Harder They Fall, Sony’s, Better Call Saul, Warner Bros.’, Roswell, New Mexico, Amazon Studios and Plan B Entertainment’s Outer Range, and dozens more.
