Lights, camera, economic action: the New Mexico film industry is not just making movies but fueling an economic blockbuster, proven by its $3.4 billion contribution to the state's GDP in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2023, the New Mexico film, TV, and commercial production industry generated a total direct spend of $1.37 billion across all qualified productions.
- The film industry contributed $3.4 billion to New Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP) through direct, indirect, and induced effects in 2022.
- Direct spending by film productions in New Mexico reached $1.2 billion in 2021, marking a 25% increase from the previous year.
- New Mexico's film industry employed over 4,000 crew members full-time in 2023.
- The state issued 15,000 I-9 work permits for film workers in FY2023.
- Average annual wage for film grips and electricians in NM was $78,500 in 2022.
- 480 productions received tax credits in FY2023.
- Total shooting days in NM: 2,500 days across all media in 2023.
- 125 scripted TV episodes filmed in NM in 2022.
- Tax credits approved totaled $120 million for 2023 productions.
- NM's base transferable tax credit rate is 25% for qualified spend.
- Additional 5% rural credit boosted total to 30% for 40 projects in 2023.
- Breaking Bad franchise generated $1 billion spend since 2008.
- Better Call Saul shot 6 seasons, $450 million direct spend.
- Marvel's Agents of SHIELD filmed 2 seasons in NM, $200m spend.
New Mexico's film industry creates billions in economic value and thousands of jobs.
Economic Impact
- In fiscal year 2023, the New Mexico film, TV, and commercial production industry generated a total direct spend of $1.37 billion across all qualified productions.
- The film industry contributed $3.4 billion to New Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP) through direct, indirect, and induced effects in 2022.
- Direct spending by film productions in New Mexico reached $1.2 billion in 2021, marking a 25% increase from the previous year.
- The state's film sector supported 12,500 jobs in 2023, with total wages paid amounting to $856 million.
- Film production spending led to $2.8 billion in total economic output in New Mexico for FY2022.
- In 2020, despite pandemic challenges, film direct spend totaled $800 million, boosting local economies.
- The multiplier effect of film spending in NM is 2.8, meaning every $1 spent generates $2.8 in total activity.
- Hotel room nights booked by film crews exceeded 1.2 million in 2023, valued at $150 million.
- Film industry taxes paid to NM state and local governments reached $145 million in FY2023.
- Vendor payments to NM businesses from film productions hit $650 million in 2022.
- The film sector accounted for 1.5% of New Mexico's total GDP in 2023.
- Induced spending from film workers' wages added $450 million to local retail and services in 2022.
- Film production saved the state $250 million in unemployment benefits through job creation in 2023.
- Total economic impact from commercials alone was $120 million in FY2023.
- Film spending increased property values in rural NM filming locations by 15% on average in 2022.
- In 2023, 45 feature films shot in NM contributed $450 million in direct spend.
- TV series productions generated $750 million in 2022, representing 60% of total film spend.
- The film industry exported $300 million in services internationally via NM-based post-production in 2023.
- Local food and craft services spending by crews totaled $85 million in 2023.
- Film tourism from productions added $200 million to visitor spending in 2022.
- In fiscal year 2023, film productions spent $250 million on local hotels and lodging.
- Transportation costs for film equipment rentals totaled $95 million in NM 2023.
- Construction of sound stages added $150 million investment 2022-2023.
- Film industry supported 2,500 small businesses in NM 2023.
- Total payroll taxes from film jobs: $120 million in 2023.
- Gross receipts taxes from vendors: $80 million 2023.
- Aviation services for scouting: $12 million spend 2023.
- Catering spend by productions: $60 million annually avg.
- Retail boost from crew shopping: $35 million 2023.
- Healthcare spending by film workers: $25 million induced.
Economic Impact Interpretation
It seems New Mexico's film industry isn't just playing pretend with its billions in spending, 25,000 jobs, and massive economic ripple effects, proving that Hollywood in the desert is a blockbuster hit for the state's wallet.
Job Creation
- New Mexico's film industry employed over 4,000 crew members full-time in 2023.
- The state issued 15,000 I-9 work permits for film workers in FY2023.
- Average annual wage for film grips and electricians in NM was $78,500 in 2022.
- Post-production jobs grew by 30% to 1,200 positions in Albuquerque in 2023.
- NM film schools trained 2,500 students for industry jobs in 2022-2023.
- Union membership in IATSE Local 480 reached 3,800 members due to film boom in 2023.
- Diversity hiring: 35% of film crew positions filled by underrepresented groups in 2023.
- Santa Fe created 800 new jobs in art departments for films in 2022.
- Las Cruces film festival supported 500 seasonal jobs in 2023.
- NM filled 95% of film jobs with local hires in FY2023.
- Production assistants numbered 1,200 statewide, with entry wages at $45,000 avg.
- VFX artists employed: 650 in NM studios, up 40% from 2021.
- Costume and wardrobe jobs: 450 positions, $65k avg salary in 2022.
- Location managers: 150 jobs created, 85% local in 2023.
- Sound mixers and boom ops: 300 employed, wages $72k avg.
- Transportation coordinators for films: 200 jobs, $68k salary.
- Makeup and hair pros: 400 jobs in NM film, 2023.
- Script supervisors: 120 positions statewide, avg $55k.
- Steadicam operators: 80 certified in NM, busy year-round 2023.
- Below-the-line crew jobs: 3,200 in 2023.
- Above-the-line talent local hires: 15% increase to 250 in 2023.
- Set designers employed: 350, $70k avg wage.
- Prop masters: 180 jobs statewide 2023.
- Stunt coordinators: 90 certified in NM 2023.
- DITs (digital imaging techs): 120 jobs growth.
- Gaffers and key grips: 500 positions filled.
- Editors in post: 400 freelancers active 2023.
- Colorists: 75 employed in Albuquerque studios.
- Animal wranglers for westerns: 50 jobs steady.
- Security for sets: 300 guards contracted 2023.
- Permit expediters: 40 full-time roles created.
- Dialect coaches: 25 hires for diverse casts.
- Weapons armorer specialists: 20 certified post-Rust.
Job Creation Interpretation
New Mexico's film industry isn't just a flash in the pan; it's now a major economic engine, creating thousands of surprisingly well-paid, year-round careers for locals who do everything from lighting epic scenes to wrangling horses for westerns and meticulously editing them afterward.
Notable Productions
- Breaking Bad franchise generated $1 billion spend since 2008.
- Better Call Saul shot 6 seasons, $450 million direct spend.
- Marvel's Agents of SHIELD filmed 2 seasons in NM, $200m spend.
- The Book of Eli feature grossed $157m, shot in NM.
- Longmire series 6 seasons, 300 days shoot in NM.
- Night Sky Apple TV series, $100m budget in NM.
- 1883 Yellowstone prequel, 50 days in NM locations.
- Sicario sequel spent $60m in NM deserts.
- Winchester '73 classic western filmed in NM 1947.
- No Country for Old Men Oscar winner, NM locations.
- Terminator Salvation $50m NM spend 2009.
- Cowboy Bebop Netflix series, 2021 NM shoot.
- Army of the Dead Zack Snyder, NM parts.
- The Ridiculous 6 Netflix comedy, $40m NM.
- Independence Day Resurgence, NM base camp.
- God's Not Dead 2, faith-based hit in NM.
- Horizon American Saga, Kevin Costner epic NM.
- Love Lies Bleeding A24 thriller NM 2023.
- NM films won 5 Emmys for Breaking Bad.
- Oscar for No Country cinematography NM shot.
- Elsa Pataky's 1066 Viking film, NM shoot.
- Rust production employed 400 locals pre-incident.
- Ozark spin-off planned, scouting NM 2023.
- The Harder They Fall Netflix western NM.
- Tom Clancy's Without Remorse Amazon NM.
Notable Productions Interpretation
New Mexico is quietly stacking its cinematic treasure chest, proving that from desert meth labs to cosmic westerns, if you want your project to both look iconic and turn a profit, you should just follow the money—and the sun—straight to the Land of Enchantment.
Production Statistics
- 480 productions received tax credits in FY2023.
- Total shooting days in NM: 2,500 days across all media in 2023.
- 125 scripted TV episodes filmed in NM in 2022.
- Feature film permits issued: 52 in 2023.
- Commercials shot: 350 projects, 1,200 shoot days in 2023.
- Independent films: 28 premiered from NM shoots in 2023 festivals.
- Streaming originals: 15 series seasons shot in NM 2022-2023.
- Albuquerque hosted 60% of all NM productions in 2023.
- Santa Fe locations used in 120 projects in 2023.
- Rural shoots: 40% of total days, 1,000 days in 2023.
- Drone permits for film: 250 issued in NM 2023.
- Studio space rented: 1.2 million sq ft in 2023.
- Post-production facilities handled 200 projects in 2023.
- Music videos produced: 75 in NM, 2023.
- Documentaries shot: 42 features, 2023.
- Animation projects: 12 series episodes, 2023.
- New productions scouted: 650 inquiries, 2023.
- Total media days: 3,200 including prep and wrap.
- Scripted content: 180 hours produced in NM 2023.
- Reality TV shoots: 20 series, 400 days.
- Corporate videos: 150 projects for Fortune 500.
- Gaming cinematics: 8 titles filmed live-action.
- Taos hosted 25 indie features 2023.
- Roswell alien-themed shoots: 15 projects.
- White Sands shoots: 30 days for sci-fi.
- Car chases filmed: 45 sequences 2023.
- Aerial shoots: 500 hours drone/helicopter.
- Underwater filming in NM lakes: 12 projects.
- Night shoots: 35% of total days 2023.
- Multi-cam setups for TV: 20 series.
- VFX shots created in NM: 25,000 for 2023 films.
Production Statistics Interpretation
New Mexico's film industry is not just playing a supporting role anymore; it's become a leading character in its own blockbuster, directing a whirlwind of over 3,200 media days from alien invasions in Roswell to car chases in Albuquerque, all while ensuring that for every sci-fi sunset at White Sands, there's an indie heart beating in Taos.
Tax Incentives
- Tax credits approved totaled $120 million for 2023 productions.
- NM's base transferable tax credit rate is 25% for qualified spend.
- Additional 5% rural credit boosted total to 30% for 40 projects in 2023.
- 10% extra credit for NM hires applied to $800 million spend in 2023.
- Since 2007, NM has issued over $1.5 billion in film tax credits.
- 40% top credit rate for high-impact productions claimed by 15 shows in 2023.
- Refundable credits allowed 100% cash back for qualifying spends.
- $50 million in credits for TV pilots and series in 2023.
- Feature films received $45 million in incentives 2023.
- Commercials claimed $15 million, avg $300k per project.
- Post-production only credits: $20 million issued 2023.
- Family films got priority credits, 12 projects $10m total.
- Digital media credits expanded to VFX, $30m in 2023.
- Application processing time averaged 30 days for credits.
- 98% approval rate for complete applications in 2023.
- Incentives ROI: $7 returned per $1 in credits since 2010.
- New incentive cap raised to $180 million annually 2023.
- Transferable credits traded for $110 million cash 2023.
- Above-the-line wages qualify up to 25% credit.
- Marketing costs eligible: 25% credit on $20m spend.
- Soundtrack recording credits: $5m claimed 2023.
- Diverse crew bonus credit: 2% extra for 25 projects.
- Green production credit: 1% for sustainable sets.
- Legacy credits from pre-2020 finalized $30m.
- Audit pass rate: 96% for claims over $1m.
- Incentives attracted 20 new studios to NM.
Tax Incentives Interpretation
New Mexico’s film industry has clearly mastered the art of the fiscal cliffhanger, dangling such generous and creatively layered tax credits that producers would be fools not to yell "action," evidenced by a blockbuster $120 million approved last year alone.
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