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Santa Fe Ranked #1 Best Place to Live & Work as a Movie Maker
From MovieMaker Magazine: In our travels across the United States, we’ve never found a place with so many film opportunities per capita. Santa Fe boasts a close-knit film community, surrounded by astonishing natural beauty and artistic inspiration everywhere you look. It offers diverse locales, endless views, more than 300 days a year of sunlight, and bountiful sound stages — including the stunning Santa Fe Studios, with two 20,000 square-foot soundstages, and, just outside of town, the Camel Rock Studios, a former casino owned by the Native American Tesuque Pueblo and the home of AMC’s Dark Winds. Tireless film commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia seems to know every industry person in town on a first-name basis — she’s part sheriff, part cheer captain, and all rock star, able to roll with big requests and surprises at a moment’s notice. Yes, Santa Fe is more expensive than most American cities — its elite residents include George R.R. Martin — but it is still significantly more affordable than Los Angeles, which is two hours away by plane or driveable in a day. With a population of about 88,000, it has none of the steel skyscrapers or 24/7 distractions of a big city, but you won’t miss them. It’s a place to move when you’ve made the decision to focus on self-improvement and creativity instead of the rat race. There are far fewer industry people to network with than you’ll find in larger cities, but your chances of meeting and working with them are much higher.
Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker, 2023
If we made a list of the Most Obvious Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, New York and Los Angeles would lead it every year. They’re the film capitals of the world, unmatched in influence, opportunity and legend. So years ago, we retired them to our Best Places to Live and Work as a…
Read MoreSanta Fe has been named one of Deadline’s “Hotspots”
Deadline’s HOT SPOTS is the first and only conference to shine a spotlight on Hollywood “HOT SPOTS” outside of Hollywood. Read more about the conference here
Read MoreFilm industry figures say commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia helps make Santa Fe great place to film
When a national magazine ranked Santa Fe the nation’s No. 1 small city in its listing of “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker,” a part of the blurb was devoted to Jennifer LaBar-Tapia. She’s not an actor. But those who’ve worked with her say LaBar-Tapia is a hell of an ambassador —…
Read MoreDepth of Field
With season two of ‘Dark Winds’ wrapped at Camel Rock Studios, the first tribally owned film studio navigates industry standards and Indigenous sovereignty The entrance has the look of a David Lynch location—a Southwestern version of the Silencio from Mulholland Drive, or the midcentury-tinged Slow Club in Blue Velvet. Red and yellow tubes of unlit neon hang…
Read MoreFrom Dazzling Art to Striking Vistas, Experience Something Different in Santa Fe
Get to know one of America’s most historic, artistic, and fascinating cities For those lucky enough to find themselves in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the possibilities are endless. A rich multi-cultural history is apparent in everything from the city’s distinct architecture to the myriad flavors and spices of its cuisine—influenced by a blend of Native American, Spanish and Mexican traditions,…
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