MacLaine To Head N.M. Film Board (That's Shirley MacLaine)

The Albuquerque Journal (subscription required) ^ | January 17, 2003 | Wren Propp

[CedarDave]

Friday, January 17, 2003

MacLaine To Head N.M. Film Board

By Wren Propp Journal Northern Bureau

    Award-winning actress and movie industry powerhouse Shirley MacLaine is getting star billing on Gov. Bill Richardson's newly created state Film Advisory Board.
    The governor announced Thursday that MacLaine, an Abiquiu-area resident, will be chairwoman of the new film board, which will include five to eight other members, as yet unnamed.
    "I think it's time now for a very practical and fundamental structure to be in place so that people in an industry as powerful as Hollywood, which is all about reporting human behavior, be enhanced by (the) enchantment" of New Mexico, MacLaine said after Richardson announced her appointment.
    Richardson and Rick Homans, secretary-designate of the state Economic Development Department, also described their plans to pursue increased state financial backing for New Mexico-made films during the upcoming legislative session. The session begins Tuesday.
    At a press conference, MacLaine said she'd like to see at least 50 percent of "runaway" productions — films made by U.S. producers in foreign countries because of low costs — land in New Mexico over the next four years.
    Tax incentives and investment by public agencies have lured U.S. filmmakers to Canada, Europe, India and New Zealand when those productions could have been done here, with some changes, MacLaine said.
    "They're shooting 'Hitler' in Czechoslovakia now ... They're opening up in places where people really don't want to be ... but people really want to be in New Mexico," MacLaine said.
    Talk of building a studio — using state funds in conjunction with private investors — is also in the cards but far in the future, Richardson said after the announcement of MacLaine's appointment.
    "I want to build a new industry, and possibly a new studio is in the offing but not right away," Richardson said.
    He said the state might also support adding to Garson Studios, which features two sound stages at the private College of Santa Fe in the capital city.
    Pre-production work for a film planned by Oscar-winning director Ron Howard is taking place at Garson Studios. Filming for the 1880s-style Western is set for March in Santa Fe. Garson Studios is booked until May, MacLaine said.
    "So, see, if somebody wanted to come in, where are they going to shoot?" MacLaine said.
    MacLaine said she has scheduled meetings next week in Los Angeles and New York to talk about making movies in New Mexico. More meetings are scheduled for February.
    While the state has a no-interest loan program that "invests" up to $7.5 million in qualifying films made in New Mexico, Homans wants to see a larger percentage of the state's Severance Tax Permanent Fund made available to film-makers under the program. Currently 0.5 percent of the fund is available; Homans wants to see 1 percent, he said.
    Val Kilmer's "Blind Horizon" — filmed in Las Vegas, N.M. — received $4.7 million under the program.
    Other changes Richardson will pursue with lawmakers include providing filmmakers with in-plant training funds and expanding current tax incentives.
    Filmmaking is just one of the industries Richardson said he wants to nurture in the state. Nanotechnology is also on his list.
    MacLaine, who successfully lobbied for previous tax incentives for movie makers, said New Mexico has some energy magnetic to creative types.
    "It's conducive to creativity; I don't know what it is: the altitude; the laid-back approach; the crystals, which should not be pooh-poohed, which we know amplifies and people who have spent time with me all say that to me ... They may not say it too often in public, but they say it to me," MacLaine said.
   
    Staff writer David Miles contributed to this report.

Copyright 2003 Albuquerque Journal

[CedarDave]

MacLaine, who successfully lobbied for previous tax incentives for movie makers, said New Mexico has some energy magnetic to creative types. "It's conducive to creativity; I don't know what it is: the altitude; the laid-back approach; the crystals, which should not be pooh-poohed, which we know amplifies and people who have spent time with me all say that to me.

Shirley MacLaine Explaining to Governor Richardson the Principals of Crystal Study.

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[RonF]

Her private beliefs are whacko. But she does know something about making movies. The question is, are the tax incentives offered by New Mexico offset by the increased private spending in-state that the movie makers would bring?

[Our man in washington]

Well, she does bring over 10,000 years of experience to the job.

[CedarDave]

I don't know the economic specifics, but a no-interest loan to lure a producer to NM certainly brings benefits. Filming in Las Vegas NM brought several weeks of revenues to local businesses at a time of the year when tourism is otherwise flat and provided temporary employment for locals.

[onedoug]

Metting of Treasonous minds: Richardson who as Energy Secretary held the door open for the Chinese as Clinton sold them the nuclear store, and MacLaine as another in the parade of celebrities who visited North Vietnam to give aid and comfort to the enemy while American forces were engaged against it.

Phtugh!