Summary:

Albuquerque has a long but sporadic history of film production dating back to 1898.  The light, the nearby exotic western locations and dramatic landscapes, and the weather have brought filmmakers here.  Starting in 1970, there was a steady flow of film production here.  Local TV and film tax credits, first enacted in New Mexico in 2002, have helped grow the local industry.  

The film!ABQ.com website is a great site to learn about the current state of the industry, information for film makes, and  useful information for fans.  http://filmabq.com/


Albuquerque Film Studios

There are currently three media production studios in Albuquerque:

  • Albuquerque Studios located on a 28 acre lot on Albuquerque’s Southeast mesa contains eight sound stages , production office, and an ample backlot.
    http://abqstudios.com/

  • I-25 Studios on the North side of Albuquerque offers a full range of studio services and amenities including six sound stages, production and executive offices, an SFX shop and more.  http://www.i-25studios.com/

  • Comcast Digital Media Studio at WESST offers an intimate downtown studio for creating commercials, promotional videos, photo shoots, campaign PSAs, corporate presentations and much more.  In addition to editing facilities they also offer 42 seat theater and a 20 foot screen for screenings.  https://www.wesst.org/comcast-digital-media-studio/


Film and TV shows filmed in Albuquerque

Some more notable recent films and TV shows filmed in whole or in part in Albuquerque:

Films

2006    Little Miss Sunshine

2009    Brothers

2012      The Avengers (Marvel)

2013      The Lone Ranger

2013      We’re the Millers

2014      A Million Ways to Die in the West

2015      Independence Day Resurgence

2015      Maze Runner: Scorch Trials

2016      Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

 

Television

  • Breaking Bad

  • Better Call Saul

  • Graves

  • In Plain Sight

  • Killer Women

  • Lemonade Mouth

  • Messengers

  • Night Shift


Extra! Extra! Want to be an extra?

Many locals and tourists take advantage of opportunities to be an extra in these productions.  While speaking roles are usually cast by agents in New York and Los Angeles, there are lots of small, background parts that are filled locally and do not require Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) membership.  Often they will use you and your car and pay you for your time.  Warning, there is a lot of waiting around, long hours, and not everyone who they take will be used.  However, the production will usually provide food and drink.  Here are two articles with more info on being an extra:  

 

If you are interested, get good headshots (http://filmabq.com/how-to-be-an-extra/) and checkout the casting agencies listed below:

  • On Location Casting:   "OLC"  http://www.onlocationcasting.us/  they did "IN PLAIN SIGHT", Independence Day Resurgence, and more-- .  To get started with OLC, go to  FACEBOOK:   https://www.facebook.com/onlocationcasting   
    (large database survey to fill out.)  You DO NOT need to pay for an 'active' account unless you want to.  Their system automatically asks you to do this.  HOWEVER, active and nonactive accounts are both looked at for casting calls --  They used to be a big player here... but ever since TV show NASHVILLE which they do ALL the casting for down in Nashville, very little recently in ABQ : except for (Independence Day Returns last summer

 

 

  • Robert Baxter Casting:  ("Longmire" , "Manhattan Project" plus movie like "Magnificent Seven" plus films as well).  Go to FACEBOOK:   https://www.facebook.com/robert.baxter.1042  
    Send him an email with recent photo, car photo, age, height, weight, phone, availability.
    Email: robertbaxtercasting@gmail.com

 

  • White Turtle Casting:  ("BETTER CALL SAUL", NIGHT SHIFT, BREAKING BAD)
    send them recent photo, name contact phone height weight availability
    Email:  extras@whiteturtlecasting.com   

 

 

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