Photo: Straits Times of Singapore. Potential candidates for the post of secretary of state include (from top) 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Republican senator Dick Lugar.
In New Mexico, there has been a tremendous discussion this past year about how much the state’s struggling economy has been boosted by the film industry. I could go on and on about that, but here are some good sites that cover that message:
NM Film Office
Albuquerque Studios
Production Central ABQ
See more on post production at the end of this blog post >>>
FILM, BABY, FILM!
"All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "Gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?" Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We've entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible." Michael Moore
In celebrating with the nation the election of Barack Obama as 44th President of the USA, I have one regret as a New Mexican. That is the possibility that we’ll have to give up our Governor Bill Richardson to join Obama’s cabinet. But we would do it! No doubt, he’s on the short list for several posts.
The Straits Times of Singapore reports, “For the job of rebuilding US alliances abroad, 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry has hinted at his desire to serve as secretary of state. He might be in contention with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a UN ambassador under Bill Clinton, and Mr. Richardson's successor at the UN, Richard Holbrooke.” They also ran the above photo including Rep. Sen. Dick Lugar in that list.
Reid Epstein of Newsday.com agrees, writing on Nov. 6, 2008: “Perhaps the first place to look for possible Obama appointees will be among Clinton administration veterans. There is a deep reservoir of Democratic officials with federal government experience - such as former Clinton cabinet secretaries Lawrence Summers and Bill Richardson - that didn't exist when Clinton took office in 1992.” reid.epstein@newsday.com
Another article posted today (Nov. 6, 2008) by the Associated Press says Richardson is mum on being part of new administration. “The Democratic governor on Wednesday refused to discuss the subject, invoking a familiar mantra: "I'm happy as governor of New Mexico, I'm planning my legislative agenda, and I don't want to comment any further."”
Richardson wouldn't say whether he expected to be part of an Obama transition team or have a position in the new Democratic administration. Or even whether his new, clean-shaven look — his beard of 10 months came off Monday — had anything to do with a possible job change. The nation's only Hispanic governor, Richardson has a resume that lands him on lists of likely candidates for all sorts of positions.”
I loved seeing the electoral calendar midway through the evening on Nov. 4th with New Mexico glowing blue all by itself in the southern states, at least for awhile. It signified the efforts of many New Mexicans plus advocates from neighboring states who lent manpower to knock on doors and get out the vote. So many people had been disenfranchised in the last elections that there was a massive effort (Obamanos!) to get people registered and to the polls.
New Mexico is familiar with economic woes. Now everyone across the country is feeling it, in one way or another, and trying to emulate some of the things New Mexico has advocated. Gov. Richardson has been a tremendous proponent of the burgeoning film industry here. Assuring that we didn’t just rent out our blue skies and fabulous natural light to production companies from around the world (although we do that, too) he helped the state address the fundamentals more soundly: establishing film education and training programs, assisting the establishment of world-class studios and technology and encouraging film production and experimentalism through programs beyond our generous tax incentives.
On Nov. 3rd the New Mexico Film Office in Santa Fe sent a press release with the Governor’s announcement of the recipients of the 2008 New Visions/New Mexico Contract Awards. “Now in its third year, the program is providing fourteen contracts totaling $160,000 for New Mexico-based producers and directors to create narrative films, documentaries, animated and experimental works.”
See the Awardees, including Joseph Concha of Taos Pueblo. Congratulations!
“I’m pleased to continue supporting our home-based talent,” said Governor Richardson. “Promoting the work of New Mexico’s own filmmakers is key to our continued success in the industry.” Awardees will provide a service to the state as part of their contract, such as training other New Mexicans who are new to the industry, providing free in-state screenings, workshops and seminars, and conducting outreach to students interested in pursuing film/media careers.
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An upcoming post will focus on New Mexico’s young but able post production facility: Production Central ABQ™, “New Mexico’s first full-service Film and TV Post Production facility, located on historic Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque. Production Central ABQ was conceived and created to support the burgeoning film industry that is bringing movies, people, jobs, and cash to the state of New Mexico. The industry will be happy to learn that post production work done here qualifies for the same 25% rebate the state offers on filmmaking, even on movies shot elsewhere. It also applies to post production on other media such as Games and national TV Commercials. Production Central ABQ is proud to offer producers the ability to capitalize on these lucrative incentives.”
