Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM
LA INVASION
We had a lively little debate the other day about how the city is changing thanks to the movie business.... I'm just wondering, what do people think about The Biz in Abq? Seems like a monumental shift to me.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hairy McLairy on -
NM is only experiencing the shoot side of the "The Biz" here. A film can take 8 weeks to shoot and over 18 months in post-production. Until post moves out here, NM is just being used as a shoot location.
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Permalink Reply by misterhinkydink on -
Except for the filming around town and in my neighborhood I haven't noticed much of a change. But when someone tells me they're "in the business" I'll probably want to punch them in the face.
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Permalink Reply by bee on -
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth for several reasons - the majority of "local talent" is below-the-line jobs, the environmental impact (or seagull effect - fly in, shit all over everything and leave), the economic incentification to do the above things, plus it occurs to me that a lot of the downtown revitalization efforts are focused around this transient money, lots of $400k condos and no grocery stores/low income housing. I'm worried about the long term damage that the "biz" will leave on the duke when the spaces have been used up and the incentives are no longer there... just my 2 cents.
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Permalink Reply by KC on -
I am not in the "biz", but I have only noticed good things from your so-called "invasion". I welcome the much-needed improved image of the city and state. I actually like the "California influence" on local food, clothing, culture, and politics. I welcome this new business that brings talent and creativity... there are lots of local employers lacking artistic influence (Intel, national labs, etc).
I've lived in NM for 7 years and have always been baffled by the New Mexican way of rejecting anything new or different. When they build a nuclear plant or a new weapons-building facility... complain! When they build a film studio... applaud!
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Permalink Reply by Kitson Harvey on -
Oh my god! Do you have numbers to back that statement up, Mark? I would looove to see them! I didn't realize that Slackers Anonymous was doing research on this stuff!
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Permalink Reply by Raine K. on -
I lived in Dallas for two years and hated it also - too many fake people and horrible climate!
I can't imagine ABQ could ever turn into a Phoenix - I think New Mexico has a way of working it's magic on people and slowing them down (in a good way). When I lived in Dallas I was a crazy workaholic - trying to keep up with the Jones. Here, I'ved slowed down and actually started enjoying my life and tapped into my creative side.
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Permalink Reply by Kitson Harvey on
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Ah -- it was a personal statement, and not actually tied to any data about "most". Let me know if you find anything like that, tho.
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Permalink Reply by NMGolfHacker on -
I was born in Albuquerque and raised in LA. So, I have seen the 'biz' in both places. The 'seagull' effect is absolutley incorrect. Recently they filmed "Game" near my office in DT. They had explosions, cars burning and so on. When they were done you could not tell the day after any movie had been filmed in that location.
Any new industry into NM is good whether it is executive or 'below-the-line' jobs. My father started out as set builder (below-the-line job)in LA and became a fairly succesfull kitchen and bath remodeler in CA, remodeling kitchens and baths for the likes such as Bob Hope, Tina Luise, Robin Williams, Jack Lalane and so on. That 'below-th-line' job started his careeer and the contacts he made, made his business successful.
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Permalink Reply by Khan on -
I'm pretty mixed on the issue. On the one hand, extra business, money, and activity is good. I suppose local lunch caterers have been busy with it. And...
I live down by the U, and until very recently have worked at the U or in Nob Hill for the past decade, so I've been pretty effected by the filming. Streets blocked off, have to bike some ways out of the way to get to work, stores closed, access to businesses where I work blocked. But hey, s#!t happens, and I could say the same things about road crews, right? I never experienced an actor or crew member, far as I know, spending money at a business where I work. Or maybe some chaps from The Secret Room ate at my pizza joint. That's okay, maybe they went to the place across the street. The store where my partner works has actually gotten a LOT of business from the industry, major furniture sales, extravagant gift baskets for the "stars." So that is a success I can genuinely point to.
The only time I know a crew member came into my work, the guy took it upon himself to park his car running ACROSS our 4 little parking spaces. When my boss questioned him about that action he was obnoxious ("Well, I guess I'm a WILD man.") and my boss kicked him out. He seemed surprised. But that's an isolated incident.
All of the promises of financial benefits to local commerce seem more like the promises of a pyramid scheme to me, but what do I know? Maybe it's a pain in the butt, though it can also be kind of amusing. Who didn't have a mushmouthed "Hey Ma! I'm on TV!" moment when they hit the Desert Sands Motel in No Country for Old Men?
I just think that the Studios should acquire and art collection, and then I can go manage it for them.
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Permalink Reply by Mario on
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Not all natives reject change in fact I love some of the changes I've seen here in the last 5 years or so. I'm glad the movie business is doing well, and if it is allowed to continue, you'll see many more New Mexicans profiting from "The Biz."
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Permalink Reply by Chris K. on -
I would like to hear from anyone on DCF that works in the Biz.
Randy has given his insight into some bad issues that have come about for New Mexicans regarding work. Unfortunately it seems like those problems are because of Union issues (which surprises and saddens me, Unions should work to help their members, not keep them from earning a living, in my opinion).
How about anyone else on DCF who has had success in the industry? I would love to hear your stories, good or bad.
My opinion is anything that can give someone an opportunity to make some money, enjoy some form of success, etc., is a good thing. So I guess my question is, has the Biz been a benefit in that
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