Local movie studio to begin construction in 2024

Representatives of 828 Productions updated the Las Cruces City Council on plans to develop office space, production facilities and more in multiple locations in the city next year, including the distinctive cotton gin near Amador Avenue.

The California-based production company announced plans last year to relocate to Las Cruces and build a $75 million production facility including studio, back lot, soundstage and business space. In exchange for $3 million in state funds through the Local Economic Development Act, the company has pledged to employ 100 people by the end of 2029 and invest the $75 million by the end of 2031.

New Mexico’s film industry incentives, meant to draw movie productions and permanent facilities to the state, were a factor in the company’s decision to locate here, CEO Todd Lundbohm said, in addition to the availability of local graduates trained in post-production skills through New Mexico State University and Doña Ana Community College.

Among the studio officials presenting to council were Robert Dean, a graduate of NMSU’s Creative Media Institute and local filmmaker serving as the company’s head of operations; and Jonathan Sepp, former director of the nonprofit Film Las Cruces and now 828’s manager of operations and public affairs.

“We’re not just here making a movie of building a soundstage,” Sepp told the council. “We’re really here to build, develop and establish an industry here in Las Cruces.”

This fall, a Legislative Finance Committee study raised questions about how much private investment was resulting per dollars spent on tax rebates offered to film companies, with the cost per job created far higher than with other economic incentives offered by the state.

Lundbohm said 828 Productions has yet to touch any of the LEDA funds or nearly $900,000 in support approved by the city in March.

The first round of construction was planned for February, including studio lots on S. Compress Road and Hayner Avenue, to include a 20,000-square-foot soundstage and 10,000 square feet of mill space; production and training facilities on S. Miranda Street; and administrative and guest accommodations at its headquarters at 100 S. Church Street. The plans include new construction as well as renovation and retrofitting of some existing properties.

New soundstage capacity was critical, Lundbohm said, because since Netflix purchased Albuquerque Studios in 2018, its eight soundstages have been reserved for its own productions, exacerbating a need for other producers: “There’s no soundstage space available in New Mexico at the moment; same thing with back lot space.”

The recent Hollywood double strike by unions representing writers and actors caused delays but appeared to be resolved and productions were resuming, Lundbohm said.

As 828 plans for the beginning of construction, the company is also planning two productions, including photography and post-production in Las Cruces, during 2024. The feature films are titled “Moist,” directed by Barry Sonnenfield, during the second quarter of the year, and another feature titled “Die Well” later in 2024.

Dean emphasized that 828 was building the infrastructure for long-term industries and local employment, emphasizing that much of the industry operates out of public view, where no cameras and production trucks are visible; as well as local workforce development to supply what a nascent local industry would need.

“When you think of film production, I think very often all we think about is the physical making of the movie and what we watch on the screen,” he said, “but the truth is, that life cycle from end to end is sometimes years and years of process, and that process is only as good as your team.”