March 2025 Newsletter
Pitch Your Idea
Raton Promo Pitch is open now, submit your ideas today!
Do you have a brilliant idea to showcase the charm and uniqueness of Raton, New Mexico? We want to hear it!
Pitch your best idea for a 30-60 second video to attract visitors to our beautiful small town. Share your vision for making Raton a must-visit destination in any style or genre.
Be creative, be bold, and most importantly—show why Raton is special! The Winning pitch will be brought to life, so, if you think you’ve got the perfect pitch? Let’s hear it!
Submit Your Idea Here!
Need Inspiration? Check out these classic tourism promos!
Great Media Mixer at Casa Lemus!
On February 8th we had our first Film & Media Networking Event of 2025 at Casa Lemus in Raton.
We met for tacos, music, and a great discussion! Thanks to everyone in the media community for turning out and special thanks to Casa Lemus for providing space and suburb service. The group discussed the upcoming collaborative Raton Promo Pitch Campaign and enjoyed a special performance by the Raton 3 at the end of the evening to make it an extra special mixer!
Check out the event page to see some snapshots and join us next month for the next mixer on March 15th at Casa Lemus and become a part of our community video production project!
www.elratonmediaworks.org/events
Time Kids Production Under Way
El Raton Media Works has a new team of young filmmakers who have embarked on writing, producing, and editing their first short film for the Film Prize Junior New Mexico state-wide youth film competition.
And we have our amazing intern and Dual Credit student, Christéana Piancino, who is back for a second year. This year she built on her successful first film, "Doubt Defiers" by creating another inspiring story using advanced techniques and storytelling finesse.
We want to extend an huge thanks to all the parents who have supported their young filmmakers ambitions. We had several 8+ hour days of production, not to mention the planning and editing that has taken place over many months. Last but not least, thanks to our Local 600 Cinematographers Guild Members, Letty Gallegos, and Matthew Bacher for volunteering their time to support our local youth during production. They were wonderful mentors for our production teams!
Time Kids
Middle School Competition
Movie Logline: When a few friends are playing video games, a portal through time appears leading to an adventure to get back to the present.
Key Cast: Julia - Juliett Giacomo, Cam - Cameron Martinez, Javi - Matthew Trujillo, and Sam - Audriana Esparza
Key Crew: Directo r- Juliett Giacomo, Co-Director - Christéana Piancino, Writers - Juliett Giacomo Cameron Martinez, Camera Operator - Christéana Piancino & Juilett Giacomo, Costume Designer - Danielle Archuleta, Boom Operator - Lorenna Gutierrez & Audriana Esparza, Script Supervisor - Cynthia Lucero, Editor - Juilett Giacomo, Director of Photography - Letty Gallegos, Key Grip and 1st AC - Matthew Bacher, and Producer - Ann Theis.
Demons & Angels
High School Competition
Movie Logline: Vanessa wrestles with the idea of breaking up with her manipulative ex-boyfriend, fearing that it could get worse.
Key Cast: Vanessa - Mavis Zamarripa, Michael - David Valdez, Jane - Joplin Vigil, and Teacher - James Cordova
Key Crew: Director/Writer - Christéana Piancino, Writers - Christéana Piancino & Chiara Martinez, Camera Operators - Christian Padilla, & Joplin Vigil, Boom Operator - Audrianna Esparza, Director of Photography - Letty Gallegos, Key Grip and 1st AC - Matthew Bacher, and Producer - Ann Theis.
We will be asking for your help on voting for our fabulously talented Raton youth when the online audience competition starts!
Film Prize Junior New Mexico Festival
Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM
April 4-5, 2025
Get ready for a celebration of creativity! The Film Festival will showcase your films, offer interactive demonstrations, and provide fantastic learning opportunities with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals.
https://filmprizejr.com/newmexico/festival
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Film/Media Mixer
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Location: Casa Lemus
350 Clayton Rd, Raton, NM 87740
Cost: Free
Join us at Casa Lemus to team up with the local media community as we announce the winner of the Raton Promo Pitch and begin the collaborative production process.
Any experience levels and ages are encouraged to participate!
Event Page Link: www.elratonmediaworks.org/events/filmmakermixer-march25
Open Screen Night & Short Film Showcase @ El Raton Theater
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: El Raton Theater
115 N 2nd St. Raton, NM 87740
Cost: Free
YOUTH FILM SHOWCASE 6:00PM
Join local emerging filmmakers as they premiere their short films and provide Q&As on the production process!
PREMIERE OF SHATTERED DREAMS 7PM
Join us for the World Premiere of “Shattered Dreams” by Jacob Jaramillo
OPEN SCREEN NIGHT 7:30PM
This is your chance to showcase your short films or works-in-progress on the big screen and get feedback from a supportive audience. Think of it like an open mic night, but for movies!
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, all are welcome. Don't miss this awesome opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers and share your passion for cinema!
Event Page Link: www.elratonmediaworks.org/events/osn-april-25
Video Submission Link: Google Form Link
Local Highlights of the Month
Michael Hoffmann is a Raton local that is learning film and media production to compliment his IT skills, and he never misses a networking event! We're proud to have community members like Michael that are helping to bring Raton a media industry by supporting local events and volunteer initiatives.
Elk's Lodge No. 865 stands out as a large contributor to the Raton community. Although a member's only club, they contribute to causes that benefit all members of our community, and they have great discounts on beverages! Stop in and check it out.
Raton's Convention Center is a wonderful, versatile location with ample amounts of space for crews or large attendence events.
Santa Fe Film Institute is an organization in New Mexico that every filmmaker should know. They have grants and assistance available for creatives in the region.
Learn more about SFFI at their website
Have a favorite Filmmaker, Business, Location, or Resource in Raton and the surrounding area? Click here to nominate them for our next Highlight of Month.
Northern NM Film & TV Blog ~ Recent Posts
Have an article you'd like us to write about?
Drop us a note to team@elratonmediaworks.org
Get Involved!
Are you interested in getting involved as we develop? Sign up on our crew and businesses lists or reach out to us directly at team@elratonmediaworks.org with your ideas.
We are all currently volunteers, but as we expand there will be various paid opportunities that come up in addition to volunteer work. Our goals are large and require people with all sorts of various different talents and backgrounds to make it possible. We'd love to hear from you!
