Contact: Dancer Dearing
dancer@tcataos.org
575-758-2052

Film Contact:
David Jean Schweitzer
djs@new-papyrus.com
310-612-6404

For Immediate Release

Documentary ‘Made in New Mexico’ Premieres

TAOS, New Mexico (January 23, 2012) – “Made in New Mexico,” an hour-long documentary that takes an inside look at the film and media industry, premieres Feb. 1 in Santa Fe followed by screenings around the New Mexico. The film was shot and edited over a 2-year period and financed largely through crowd funding. The film aims to educate and celebrate a healthy film and media industry. It is produced and directed by New Mexico filmmakers David Jean Schweitzer and Brent Morris.

The screening of the movie will take place at the Taos Community Auditorium on Sunday, February 12 at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. The event is sponsored by the Taos Center for the Arts. There will be a question and answer period after the screening with Taos resident and filmmaker, David Jean Schweitzer, and other industry professionals.

“Made in New Mexico” sheds light on many factors that make the state one of the premiere places to shoot motion pictures, television series and digital media.  From a brief history of filmmaking to a discussion of the forward thinking necessary in today's competitive industry, the documentary explores the hotly debated incentive programs New Mexico initiated a decade ago.  Other topics include economic impact, media education, Native American filmmakers and developing brick and mortar infrastructure necessary for a thriving industry.

Set against stunning landscapes, the filmmakers interviewed producers Stewart Lyons (“Breaking Bad”), Tony Mark (“The Hurt Locker”), Kenneth Topolsky (“The Wonder Years”) and Alton Walpole (“The Book of Eli”); studio management Rick Clemente (I-25 Studios), Jason Hool (Santa Fe Studios) and Wayne Rauschenberger (ABQ Studios); actors including Virginia Madsen, directors Aaron Shiver and Lawrence Blume, union leaders, industry veterans, educators and students.  Some of the most revealing and honest points come from the backbone of the industry – many hard-working technicians on film sets and at postproduction facilities.

Both directors work full time in the industry.  Taos resident David Jean Schweitzer is also a cinematographer and long-time supporter of burgeoning talent, lending his expertise to such locally-produced films as “Good Luck, Mr. Gorski.” Brent Morris of Albuquerque is a producer and production manager of numerous New Mexico features and recently co-directed the Filmmakers' Showcase documentary winner, “Flamenco School."  “Editor David Aubrey, composer CK Barlow, executive producers Holly Baker, Rick Clemente and Betty Weaver and co-producers Melinda Frame and Mark Steinig helped make the film possible.

The premiere takes place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at CCA's Cinematheque located at 1050 Old Pecos Trail/Santa Fe, NM 87505. Visit www.ccasantafe.org for details.  Sponsored by IATSE Local 480, the screening will be free and open to the public as part of the annual Media Day at the Capital and feature a Q&A afterwards.

Additional Screenings (to date):
-Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at Film Las Cruces/Rio Grande Theater as the featured selection of the city’s monthly forum for filmmakers.  
-Friday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. at UNM’s Valencia Campus FilmFest in Los Lunas.
-Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Taos Community Auditorium.

Screenings are currently being scheduled in Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Farmington and Grants.  

"It's been a long-standing goal to give back to this vital, artistic community in our state," says co-director Brent Morris.  "Making this film connected us with so many talented and wise people.”  Adds David Schweitzer, “By interviewing experts in the economics of the field, we’ve tried to create an honest portrayal of the industry’s impact on New Mexicans.”

Please contact Brent Morris at brent@indieproduction.com or (505) 903-9802 for more information, and visit the Facebook page – New Mexico Film Industry Documentary – for updates.

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