Jeff Berg, "New Mexico Filmmaking"

Air Dates: November 21-23, 2015

This week's guest on REPORT FROM SANTA FE is film historian Jeff Berg discussing his new book "New Mexico Filmmaking," exploring the history and legacy of New Mexico on the big screen.

The first piece of film ever shot in New Mexico was in 1898, when a member of Thomas Edison's crew took some footage at the Isleta Indian School. Since then, there have been over 800 hour-long (or greater) films shot, or partially-shot, in New Mexico.

The economic contribution of the motion picture industry to New Mexico is impressive. For example from 2010 through mid-2014, movies brought in $1.5 billion to the state, including items such as motel bills, restaurant bills, rental cars and jobs. 15,848 film jobs were part of that. It brought in $103.6 million dollars in state and local taxes for productions, as well.

Governor Dave Cargo started the first Film Commission anywhere in America, with the help of New Mexican author Max Evans, whose movie “The Rounders” was a great hit in Hollywood at that time.

Using film clips from such classic New Mexico movies as “Salt of the Earth”and “The Milagro Beanfield War,” Berg explores the grand history of New Mexico in film, focusing on some of the older less-well-known films. He also discusses the roles some of the great actors of the past played in New Mexico films, such as Gene Autry and Errol Flynn.

The moderate climate and majestic western landscapes of New Mexico have made it an enchanting locale for the motion picture industry. Today, New Mexico's generous incentive programs, quality facilities, and experienced crews, make it one of the top filming destinations in the country, attracting such big projects as the Academy Award-winning “No Country for Old Men,” Marvels’ “the Avengers,” and AMC's critically acclaimed television series “Breaking Bad” and its spin-off “Better Call Saul.”

Berg is a freelance writer and N.M. film historian based in Santa Fe. He currently is the film writer for the Las Cruces Bulletin, the Albuquerque Free Press, and contributes to "IndieWire."