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DECEMBER, 2003 Vol.4. NO.12...........................................................Pages 8and 9
MOVIE MAKING IN NEW MEXICO: FILMED ENTIRELY IN NEW MEXICO BY RON RAMSEY “Blessed are they that
readeth…for the time is at hand.” —Revelations 1:3 The November 13th invitation-only showing of Ron Howard’s “The Missing” in Santa Fe went swimmingly. Two showings were filled to capacity, with cast, crew, and family members attending. Over 1500 people. Invitations were even sent out to the many extras who worked in “The Missing”. Unusual, as film extras are rarely invited to anything except on-set lunch. Post show reviews were glowing: “Amazing, especially Cate Blanchett.” said one. “Tommy Lee Jones is scary.” said another. A surprising amount of what was filmed ended up on the cutting room floor, including 90% of the 2nd unit work, but the final cut is paced to keep your toes tapping. Go see it on the big screen—the vistas are spectacular. Go see it on acid—the vistas are a “milagro”! One crew member commented: “During the credit roll, almost 3 minutes of it was all our NM guys.” At the end of the credits, it says: “Filmed entirely in New Mexico.” Missing from “The Missing” NM showing were all “The Missing” dignitaries; the stars, producers, lackeys, and Ron Howard. They all attended the New York premiere two days later. The great thing about attending a New York premiere is that you don’t have to park your own car. It is hoped the great job done by New Mexico film workers on this fine film will show the world that right here is the place they want to make their next major production. This is the “Can do!” attitude that has been missing in New Mexico for 600 years. “And
the second angel poured his vial upon the sea.” —Revelations 16:3 Unfortunately, the big budget Bruce Willis production: “Hostage” was lost to New Mexico. The reason? Weather. Because of Willis’s tight schedule, shooting had to begin January 19th. The production wanted a guarantee of 15 nights of shooting without snow. In January? If you live in New Mexico, you know this is laughable, like a Republican “president” guaranteeing peace and prosperity. “Hostage” will now shoot in LA. Governor Gropenator had nothing to do with it, although he will say he did. LA does weather. No snow there in January. It could rain all month, of course, and Bruce Willis can go back to what he does best: die hard. One effect of losing “Hostage” is the New Mexico film industry missed an opportunity to show that they can make movies other than Westerns.
“And all did eat the same
spiritual meat.” —Corinthians 10:3 Dueling
Governors
In November, Governor Richardson, Jon Hendry, (Business Agent of Local 480) and Lisa Strout, (Deputy Director of the NM Film Office) went to LA to meet with many movie big shots to promote filming in New Mexico. Governor Gropenfuhrer was not invited, but attendees included many from the list of Premier Magazine’s Top 100 movie power brokers. The NM contingent reports an incredible response. Hendry predicts 2004 will be the biggest year ever for the NM film industry, bigger even than the “Wyatt Earp Era”. (I cannot name names or possible projects under penalty of being sentenced to work in the broiling sun as an extra on “Wyatt Earp 2”. Check Premiere Magazine’s list yourself and pick out your favorite big shots.) Meanwhile, Arnold cuts car taxes in Sacramento. It’s no coincidence that Arnold once played a character named “Matrix”. “Remember when I said I’d
kill you last? I lied.” —Arnold Schwarzenegger (Commando) Two movies are currently filming in the state. “Around The Bend”, a contemporary road movie, is shooting everywhere. “Bend” cast includes Chris Walken and Michael Caine. If you see them, wave. “Mojave” is filming as we speak at the Zia Pueblo. “Mojave” is described as “An ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances” movie. And office-type guy from LA goes to a rave in the Mojave Desert and things turn strange. It is easy to understand that. Every time I drive across the Mojave, weird stuff happens, from hallucinating hitchhikers, to hearing disembodied voices telling penguin jokes. One character in “Mojave” is named “Brick”. The “Mojave” production tried every which way to get around having to pay union wages and health benefits, like designating people as “production assistants”, a job not covered by the union. Jon Hendry offered to tear up the contract the day before shooting began, so the “Mojave” management had to comply. Right on! “Mall Cop” finished shooting in November, keep an eagle eye out for it at your local video store. There is absolutely no truth to speculation that, had JFK lived, “Mall Cop” would never have been made. One trend to look for in 2004 is fewer productions in Albuquerque, more in Santa Fe and Taos. This is good news for Santa Fe film professionals, bad news for cheap motels in the Duke City. It is possible the old nursing college in Los Lunas, indoor home for sets from “Elvis Has Left The Building”, will evolve into a full production and sound stage. “Not seeking mine own profit,
but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” —Corinthians, 10:33 The film craft training program is moving along, still working the bugs out. The focus is now on the “mentor/trainee” aspect. They are taking people with some film experience, but no screen credit at a craft level, putting them on with a trained movie crew member, to bring them up to a proficient level. They are finding, on productions, that a ratio of about 6:1 mentors-to-trainees is the system that works best. Too may trainees and you have a lot of inexperienced people standing around yakking, much like Wal-Mart. Have a great holiday season.
DISORDER IN AMERICAN COURTS (CON'T FROM NOV 2003) These
are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts,
and are things people actually said in court, word for
word, taken down and now published by court reporters who
had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges
were actually taking place. Q: She had three children, right? A: Yes. Q: How many were boys? A: None. Q: Were there any girls? Q: How was your first marriage
terminated? A: By death. Q: And by whose death was it
terminated? Q: Can you describe the individual? A: He was about medium height and
had a beard. Q: Was this a male, or a female? Q: Is your appearance here this
morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to
your attorney? A: No, this is how I dress when I go
to work. Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have
you performed on dead people? A: All my autopsies are performed on
dead people. Q: ALL your responses MUST be oral,
OK? What school did you go to? A: Oral. Q: Do you recall the time that you
examined the body? A: The autopsy started around 8:30
p.m. Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at
the time? A: No, he was sitting on the table
wondering why I was doing an autopsy. Q: Are you qualified to give a urine
sample? Q: Doctor, before you performed the
autopsy, did you check for a pulse? A: No. Q: Did you check for blood pressure? A: No. Q: Did you check for breathing? A: No. Q: So, then it is possible that the
patient was alive when you began the autopsy? A: No. Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor? A: Because his brain was sitting on
my desk in a jar. Q: But could the patient have still
been alive, nevertheless? A: Yes, it is possible that he could
have been alive and practicing law somewhere.
Cathi
& Dale Whittleton, Owners
CAMINO DE PAZ MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: PATRICIA PANTANIO (505)747-9717 :
Advertising Deadline for the January 2004 issue is December 17, 2003 For More Information call (505) 471-5177 or (505) 747-0589
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Inside This Issue About the Cover........ 3 Book Reviews............... 15 Baptist Dog 13 Critter Fixer Fund....... 11 Corny Red Neck Humor............... 15 Disorder in the American Courts....... 9 Fair Trade Chocolate 10 Final Word on Italian Cookies............... 14 Kudos to You and You and You.......... 5 Letters to the Editor..... 13 New Words 2003........ 11 North Central NM Events 3 Marriage Counseling 14 Movie Making in New Mexico..... 8 Oh, Shoot!.. 14 PEACE........ 5 Raw World is...Heaven on Earth.. 12 Screenwriting Tips From Larry....... 12 Southern California Artists Bring Joy of
Cartooning 7 Taking Over the World. 7 Theft of Police Badges Sparks Too Much of a Bad Thing 4 “We, The Screenwriters”...............
5 Wheat, The Whole Wheat, and Nothing But The
Heat.. 7 When They Say It’s Locally Grown, They
Mean It.... 3 Where to find The Sun-News........ 2 |
