ON THE SET
Santa Fe Film Office boss draws productions to City Different
Eric Witt is a staff of one. But that will change. Right now, the executive director of the Santa Fe Film Office is working on getting the office up and running.
In the six months since taking the position, Witt has worked tirelessly to help attract film and TV productions to the City Different.
“I’m fortunate to represent an area that has a very strong local brand recognition,” he says. “A lot of productions are familiar with Santa
Fe. Our biggest issue is that we’re full. The crew is all working and finding space, and scheduling productions has been a challenge.”
Witt is no stranger to the film and TV industry.
He worked in Los Angeles as a film and TV executive in production and corporate finance for a number of entities.
Witt served in Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration as deputy chief of staff, director of legislative/political affairs and director of media industries development from 2003 to 2010.
During his term, he helped guide the growth of the film and TV industry from 2002 to 2010.
In addition to expanding production, he also oversaw the establishment of statewide crew-training programs, educational and business development, and community outreach efforts — programs that subsequently have become global standard practices.
“I think New Mexico is back again as a place to film,” he says. “I would say the top four considerations are New York, Los Angeles, Georgia and New Mexico. We’re also seeing the rise of more internally productions in the state. There are local novelists that are getting some traction with New Mexico producers. The picture is very strong.”
Witt, who officially started his position in July, says it’s been very eye-opening.
“First of all, it’s the physical production that I haven’t done in 15 years,” he says with a laugh. “Dealing with day-to-day production stuff can keep me busy. You have anywhere between three and six productions, all of which have issues. That’s the pace I have to run with.”
Witt has found working with city and county at the local government level interesting.
“Servicing the film industry isn’t their first priority,” he says. “My job is to make sure that the industry is served well, while abiding by the local laws and such.”
Witt says one production issue he had to deal with was when “Granite Mountain” was filming by the Penitentiary of New Mexico, near Santa Fe Studios.
“They built an artificial forest that they put on fire,” he says. “I had to figure out how that affects the operation of the prison. When the productions go into communities or neighborhoods, I have to think about all of the things that can happen. Santa Fe acts as a gateway for filming in other communities, like Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Taos, Chama and Santa Clara.”
With Santa Fe being a hotbed for productions, Witt says, the momentum is going to continue in 2017.
“We usually see a dip in the winter,” he says. “But we have stuff coming in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It will keep us working well into June and July.”
SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.