New Mexico sees fall in big-budget production
South-western US state New Mexico has seen a fall in the number of big-budget productions filming locally after three years of increases.
By Nick Goundry 14 Sep 2018
South-western US state New Mexico has seen a fall in the number of big-budget productions filming locally after three years of increases.
The number of shoots filmed in the state with budgets over $1m declined by a quarter in the fiscal year ending 30 June 2018, compared to last year, according to the New Mexico Film Office.
Direct production spending fell from just over $500m in 2017 to around $235m this year.
Production industry officials in the state described the industry as “cyclical” and pointed out that they are hosting more shoots with lower budgets, according to a report in local media outlet the Albuquerque Journal.
However, there was also a suggestion that while New Mexico is renowned for its generous filming incentives, delays in producers actually receiving the financial support payments could be starting to affect the state’s appeal in the US.
New Mexico remains the most popular part of the US for desert locations, with recent high-profile shoots having included a fourth season of drama Better Call Saul (pictured). However, the state faces international competition from countries like Morocco, South Africa and Malta, as well as from locations closer to home in California.
When the Marvel Cinematic Universe was first launched ten years ago, the first Avengers and Thor movies were based in New Mexico, but Marvel now tends to shoot in either Atlanta or London.
Big-budget movies in New Mexico have become less common, but in recent years have included the X-Men spinoff Logan and the sci-fi sequel Independence Day: Resurgence.
See KFTV's production guide for more on filming in New Mexico.
Image: AMC/Sony Pictures Television
Direct production spending fell from just over $500m in 2017 to around $235m this year.
Production industry officials in the state described the industry as “cyclical” and pointed out that they are hosting more shoots with lower budgets, according to a report in local media outlet the Albuquerque Journal.
However, there was also a suggestion that while New Mexico is renowned for its generous filming incentives, delays in producers actually receiving the financial support payments could be starting to affect the state’s appeal in the US.
New Mexico remains the most popular part of the US for desert locations, with recent high-profile shoots having included a fourth season of drama Better Call Saul (pictured). However, the state faces international competition from countries like Morocco, South Africa and Malta, as well as from locations closer to home in California.
When the Marvel Cinematic Universe was first launched ten years ago, the first Avengers and Thor movies were based in New Mexico, but Marvel now tends to shoot in either Atlanta or London.
Big-budget movies in New Mexico have become less common, but in recent years have included the X-Men spinoff Logan and the sci-fi sequel Independence Day: Resurgence.
See KFTV's production guide for more on filming in New Mexico.
Image: AMC/Sony Pictures Television
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