March 2024 Newsletter
Classes & Mentorships Underway
Our Dual Credit course with SFCC & RHS is moving along splendidly! Class participants are learning the fundamentals of Video Production with hands-on training. Students are creating a short film for their class project, which is currently in production. Shown above is the class filming on location in an interrogation room at the Raton Police Department.
As their first project, the class was tasked with creating a short public service announcement (PSA). Their debut video project on the topic of Mental Health & Suicide Prevention is available to watch below or on Youtube.
In addition to our credit course, our Film Prize Jr. NM Mentorship program is in full swing. High Schooler Christeana Piancino filmed her 2023 Film Prize Junior Project this month with the help of Chiara Martinez, Ann Theis, Matthew Bacher, Jose Lopez, Will Elder, Kaydence Murcia-Trujillo, and Elizabeth Holloway! Christeana wrote, directed, and stars in her short film, "Doubt Defiers."
"Doubt Defiers" will premiere in April at the red carpet Film Prize Junior New Mexico Premiere Event at the Albuquerque Convention Center on April 5th.
We'll keep you up to date as all these youth led projects are completed and hit a screen near you! In the meantime you can learn all about the mentorship program and see our past participants' project on our website.
Next Networking Mixer Announced!
Mark your calendars! Our next filmmaker meetup will be on Sunday, April 7th from 4-6pm.
We will meet at Colfax Ale Cellar, 215 S 2nd St. in Raton.
Bring along your friends! We will be talking about upcoming events, training and volunteer opportunities, and project pitching. Bring a project idea to pitch to the group for support.
Launch of New Creative Industries Division in New Mexico
On February 20th, Raton's creative community was visited by the Creative Industries, a new NM State EDD division, to discuss the future of the creative industries. Over 20 local artists, filmmakers, musicians, arts administrators and teachers, and government leaders, squeezed into 111 Park Cafe to talk to Mike Young, who was representing the new division.
The Creative Industries Division was created through the passage of House Bill 8 in the 2023 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 5, 2023. The Creative Industries Division’s mission is multi-faceted:
Identify and help establish public infrastructure to support creative industries.
Propel economic development in New Mexico's creative industries.
Foster entrepreneurs and support small businesses in the creative sector.
Aid organizations championing creative industry companies and workers.
The success of the Creative Industries Division hinges on collaboration and engagement from passionate individuals like you. Voice your perspective, stay informed, and contribute to the vibrant future of New Mexico's creative community.
EDD Page - https://bit.ly/RAEDDCID
Sign Up - https://bit.ly/RA-CIDList
Facelift & Speed Upgrade to Locations Pages
We've redesigned our Locations Pages on our website in preparation of an expansion of our outreach campaign encouraging Film Location Scouts to visit Colfax County. Check out our Location Landing Page and comprehensive Locations Database and let us know what you think!
Next up on our website updates are the Crew Pages and Home Page. If you'd like to add your location, business, or crew listing to the website, please visit our Get Involved Page.
Local Highlights of the Month
Jennifer H Caldwell is grounded and funny, playing nurturing and warm to badass straight-shooter. She earned her SAG-AFTRA card with Curb Your Enthusiasm; played Off Broadway in NYC and has extensive improv experience. She is Meisner-trained and is now studying with Brad Barnes. She was raised behind a convenience store cash register, and love practicing dialects, astrology, hiking, and pickleball. She also has a political drama screenplay for option and narrates audiobooks.
Check out her listing on our website.
Colfax County Courthouse is a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful five-story building was originally constructed in 1936 and well maintained throughout the decades.
It is home to many unique architectural features including a beautiful courtroom, out-of-service jail, historic coal shaft, eerie libraries, vault doorways, and well maintained corridors.
A local favorite, K-Bob's Steakhouse, has been established in Raton almost four decades. They offer dine in, carryout, and catering. With wonderful regular menu items, daily specials, and a wide variety of non menu items as well, it's a great place for meet ups and feeding a hungry crew!
View their listing on our website.
SkillSharp contains an extensive library of online video based training content and learning tools. Video lessons are supplemented with articles, downloads, and other materials to help you gain skills to be more successful in the workplace. They have courses in Skilled Trades, Leadership, Business, Technology, and more.
Best of all? It's free for Raton residents through the Center for Community Innovation!
Read more about it on CCI's 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 New Mexico Film & TV Blog - Latest 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!