BallantinesPR

Albuquerque Studios
Sees Special Effects
of SONY Deal

Albuquerque, N.M. – Albuquerque Studios, the newly opened $74 million state-of-the-art motion picture and television production facility, has announced a deal with Sony Pictures Imageworks that will bring the Academy Award®-winning digital production studio to New Mexico.

“We’re building Sony Pictures Imageworks a 100,000-square-foot building,” said Nick Smerigan, Albuquerque Studios’ chief operating officer. “They’re going to move a division of their animation department to New Mexico and will continue to do their digital animation and live action features out here.”

The decision by one of Hollywood’s major studios to establish a new facility in Albuquerque is the latest indication of New Mexico’s rapidly expanding film industry.

“Sony’s move to Albuquerque validates our investment in New Mexico as a major motion picture and post production center,” says Hal Katersky, CEO of Pacifica Ventures and Albuquerque Studios. “We have built Albuquerque Studios in record time and are very proud that Sony Imageworks has selected us as one of their expansion sites. The city of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico have worked hard with us to make Albuquerque Studios a reality.”

The relationship with Imageworks is just one element of the vision Smerigan has for the studio. “What we’re creating here is the infrastructure of an industry. We’re bringing every aspect of production to the lot.” Albuquerque Studios has recently announced agreements with a number of other companies, including Axium Payroll Services, Clairmont Camera, NES Equipment Rentals, Quixote Expendables, Starwaggons, Studio Concierge (operated by Southwest Suites) and New Mexico Lighting & Grip, a subsidiary of NBC Universal, to provide clients with the very best facilities.

“We are attempting to create the center of the universe for production in New Mexico,” Smerigan says. If the 28-acre site at Mesa Del Sol, a short distance from Albuquerque International Sunport, is the center of the universe, then, he adds, “Imageworks is certainly the sun.”

The new base in New Mexico provides Sony Pictures Imageworks with great opportunities, according to Don Levy, Sony’s senior vice president of marketing and communications. “It offers a combination of quality of life plus economic advantages that will help us as a company to manage both our cost and expand our capacity,” he said. One of those advantages is New Mexico’s 25 percent tax rebate on production costs for film and TV. The tax incentive’s impact on the industry in the state was a key factor in Imageworks’ decision according to Levy. “We have the potential to grow our business and industry in the region and it seems that there’s an increasing amount of physical production there as well.”

Katersky is also quick to recognize the significance of New Mexico’s efforts to encourage film production in the state. “Gov. Richardson and Lt. Gov. Denish have had the vision to build an incentive program in this state that is the best in the United States and Mayor Chavez and his team have worked tirelessly to make the city of Albuquerque a major center for filming motion pictures.”

Construction of the building to Sony Pictures Imageworks (whose credits include Polar Express and and the Spider-Man franchise, as well as such current projects as Beowulf, Surf’s Up! and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) is expected to start soon. Once completed, it will house the most technologically advanced infrastructure and equipment the industry has to offer, Smerigan says.

Designed by Albuquerque-based architects Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, the new building provides Imageworks with an enticing prospect, says Levy. “The opportunity to build something from the ground up and to do so in an environmentally mindful way is a very appealing proposition. The determination to put New Mexico at the technological vanguard of the industry is another factor in Imageworks’ decision. “There is a desire in the region to establish what they are calling a ‘digital gulch,’” says Levy. “We have the opportunity to not only participate in that but potentially influence it as well.”

Imageworks plans to send representatives to help oversee construction of their facility. Once the building is completed, an estimated 300 employees will move to Albuquerque. “They’ll do entire shows here,” says Smerigan.

Since their decision to establish a base in New Mexico, Sony Pictures Imageworks has shown their willingness to involve themselves in the community. “Sony Imageworks has been working with the University of New Mexico to enhance the curriculum at the university’s film school, which could make The UNM Film School one of the finest programs in the country,” Smerigan says.

Imageworks has long recognized the importance of nurturing young talent, creating the Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence program. “University of New Mexico is a new member of the IPAX program,” Levy said. “Part of the impetus behind that is to grow and expand on our relationship with a local academic institution with an eye to develop the next generation of digital artists.”

The state’s tax incentives have had their desired effect. Since 2003, the film and television industry has generated more than $650 million in production revenues. “New Mexico is looking at this as an industry and not a flash in the pan,” says Smerigan. With the construction of Albuquerque Studios and now the arrival of Sony Pictures Imageworks, it is clear the film industry has found a new home.

http://www.abqstudios.com

JLS Provides Security for
Largest, Newest Motion Picture Facility
in the Country

Albuquerque, NM-When it came time to choose a security operation for Albuquerque Studios’ brand new $74 million motion picture and television production facility perched on Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque, one local company fit the bill perfectly: JLS Security.

Nick Smerigan, Chief Operating Officer at Albuquerque Studios, and Jeremy Hariton, Executive Director of Operations, made the decision to hire JLS.

“We hired JLS because they had experience on the location side of film and television production here in NM. Coupled with their great reputation and the high quality of their rank and file employees we felt they were the best for the job,” said Smerigan. “Each of the JLS officers is trained to be firm but courteous to all who approach the gate, and we found in our experience with JLS that the pride they take in their operation makes all the difference in the world.”

Founded by John Salazar and based in New Mexico, JLS got its start in the hospitality industry in 1986 and has since grown its licensed operations in Texas, California, and Nevada.

Salazar was later appointed to the NM State Police Board by Governor Richardson and it came time for his son, Scott Bass Salazar, to take over the business. Though JLS had originally focused on security for major hotels in Albuquerque, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Salazar encouraged his son to find his own niche in the industry.

New Mexico’s aggressive 25% tax rebate incentive and loan programs for filmmakers provided that niche. Soon Bass Salazar’s team was covering a multitude of film locations all over the state, including Comanche Moon, Welcome to America, The Valley of Elah, Doubting Thomas, and the recently shot 3:10 to Yuma, starring Russell Crowe.

“We are a very mobile and adaptable security firm with a highly trained and effective staff to cover even the most high profile films in the state. Our experience in the industry, our work ethic, and the quality of the professional service we provide makes us a leader within the film industry that is growing so rapidly in the state.”

The locations security business put JLS on the fast track to covering nearly all the film industry’s security needs in NM. JLS now covers up to 3 productions at a time and employs 70 licensed guards full time, protecting both equipment and the privacy of those on set.

“Our security guards watch over sets, multi-million dollar trailers and cameras, as well as the crew and talent,” said Bass Salazar.

Now, JLS’s presence at Albuquerque Studios takes the location business to a whole new level. Smerigan credits the professionalism of the JLS guards as a major factor in their successful relationship.

“Our clients want to be secure in the knowledge that no one can bother them while they do their jobs and that security is ever present, but they still want to be able to come and go on the lot with some ease,” said Smerigan. “It is tough to achieve that balance without high quality employees who take pride in their jobs. We believe we have found some of the best security we have ever worked with.”

Guards watch over the 28 acre facility, enforcing Albuquerque Studios’ standards and facilitating protection of the productions using the sound stages, production offices, mill, trailers and other provisions available to filmmakers. On-site surveillance cameras are monitored, the perimeter is patrolled, and the gates are manned by those on duty.

“I care about what happens at the Studios,” said Bass Salazar. “I like what I’m doing and think it’s great for NM and for the city of Albuquerque; it stimulates the economy and creates jobs here in the state.”

The integrity and attentiveness of the JLS crew is something that provides peace of mind for Albuquerque Studios and the potential eight productions that can be serviced there at one time.

“Scott makes sure that his officers are prepared at all times. From time to time he will run drills for his officers to ensure that they are ready for all types of situations,” said Smerigan.

Bass Salazar spent 10 years in the Air Force before taking over JLS, serving in England, Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Iraq as a special operations helicopter mechanic. He later spent four years serving in the Honor Guard at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque and credits his leadership skills and motivation to his time spent in the military. He received a BS in Adult Education and Development form Southern Illinois University.

http://www.ballantinespr.com/bpr_blogw/www.abqstudios.com

Albuquerque Studios Joins with
New Mexico Lighting and Grip Company,
a Subsidiary of
NBC Universal Lighting and Grip

LOS ANGELES (April 12, 2007) – Albuquerque Studios, the brand-new state-of-the-art eight stage production facility in film-friendly New Mexico, announces the opening of New Mexico Lighting & Grip Company, a subsidiary of NBC Universal.

“New Mexico Lighting & Grip Company is a leader in the industry,” said Nick Smerigan, chief operating officer at Albuquerque Studios. “Having them join us at the Albuquerque Studios will help us build the kind of infrastructure necessary to make New Mexico a major player in the film and television production industry.”

Known for its quality production support, New Mexico Lighting & Grip Co. will make film production both time and material efficient for filmmakers working in the Albuquerque Studios’ 18,000-to-24,000 square foot sound stages and backlot facilities.

“New Mexico Lighting & Grip Company is a multimillion dollar, full service lighting and grip company based at Albuquerque Studios. With our large inventory, we serve major motion pictures, independent features, television and commercial productions nationwide,” said Sean Buckler, rental manager for New Mexico Lighting & Grip Company.

New Mexico is a leader in the country’s film incentive programs, offering an aggressive 25 percent tax rebate on production costs and a loan program unmatched by other states. With infrastructure like the Albuquerque Studios, New Mexico continues to host major motion pictures and television productions like the recently released Astronaut Farmer and Wild Hogs.

“With more filmmakers choosing the Southwest as a location, we knew there was an opportunity to provide high quality lighting and grip equipment in New Mexico,” said Buckler. We make it easy for productions to conveniently get what they need before, during and after their shoot. With Albuquerque Studios’ scale and style, it was a perfect match for great customer service.”

http://www.ballantinespr.com/bpr_blogw/www.abqstudios.com