In the Roundhouse
‘Better Call Saul’ star speaks against right-towork legislation
“Better Call Saul” actor speaks in support of the N.M. film industry
SANTA FE — Patrick Fabian loves shooting in New Mexico.
This statement was met with loud cheers at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Monday.
The “Better Call Saul” actor was the guest speaker for this year’s Film and Media Day at the Legislature.
As in previous years, many supporters of the New Mexico film industry showed up in force to support the growing industry.
Fabian said with productions such as “The Night Shift,” “Better Call Saul,” “Preacher,” “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” and “Independence Day: Resurgence,” New Mexico is becoming a hot spot for filming.
“What this is doing is making New Mexico a top tier for entertainment,” he said, “And entertainment spends money.”
Fabian is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which represents about 160,000 workers in the entertainment industry.
He spoke in opposition to “right-to-work” legislation that passed the House of Representatives last year but stalled in the Senate.
“Right-to-work is a poison pill,” he said. “Things are just starting to get good and can get better in New Mexico.”
Outside of the Roundhouse, a group of actors gathered for casting information held by IATSE 480 for the TV series “The Night Shift,” “Preacher,” “Longmire” and “From Dusk Till Dawn.”
“Our annual celebration of New Mexico’s most successful job creation program since the Manhattan Project takes on a new urgency with the steep decline in extraction revenues,” said Jon Hendry, IATSE 480 business agent.
Inside the Roundhouse, various companies in the film industry handed out information about their respective areas.
“I’ve been interested in film for a while and hopefully will study it soon,” said Henry Gallegos. “This is my first time at the film and media day, and I have already made some contacts.”
Lawmakers are considering at least one film-related measure during this year’s 30-day session, Senate Bill 238, which was scheduled to be debated Monday in a Senate committee.
The bill would extend a 25 percent tax incentive — already available for movies and TV productions — to film production companies that provide distribution services in New Mexico.