New Mexico Filmmaking

by Jeff Berg

Overview

The moderate climate and majestic western landscapes of New Mexico make it an enchanting locale for the motion picture industry. Thomas A. Edison's crew shot the very first film in the state at the Isleta Indian Pueblo in 1897. Silent-era icons like directors Romaine Fielding and Tom Mix shortly followed to take over the small town of Las Vegas, setting the stage for an explosion of western movies. Today, New Mexico's generous incentive programs and quality facilities make it one of the top filming destinations in the country, attracting big projects like the Academy Award-winning No Country for Old Men and AMC's critically acclaimed television series Breaking Bad. In this comprehensive volume, local author and film historian Jeff Berg explores the history and legacy of New Mexico on the big screen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467117999
Publisher:	History Press, The
Publication date:	11/16/2015
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	1,080,363
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jeff Berg is a freelance writer, journalist and New Mexico film historian living in Santa Fe. He has traveled around New Mexico from corner to corner presenting his noted "Made in New Mexico" film clip series, doing live narration for each show. Previously, he served on the board of the Mesilla Valley Film Society and was an assistant manager at the Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe.

Table of Contents

Preface 5

Acknowledgements 7

1 The Silent Years: Cinema Arrives in New Mexico 9

2 The 1930s and 1940s 19

3 Eureka! New Mexico Is Discovered: The 1950s 42

4 New Mexico Grooves in the 1960s 53

5 Rediscovered!: The Cargo Years 67

6 Slow and Steady: The 1980s and 1990s 81

7 Give Me a Break and We'll Film in New Mexico 103

8 People and Places 111

9 Read the Book, See the Movie 127

10 Show Me the (Tax) Money 134

Appendix: The Best Movies Made in New Mexico: Personal Opinion 137

Bibliography 139

Index 141

About the Author 144