HS Alliance
Hit two
There is no doubt that film and television production in New Mexico continues to increase. According to the State Film Office, New Mexico hosted 72 film and television productions in fiscal 2021, which ended in June. And the rest of this year promises to be even busier. But there’s an impending roadblock that could end production at movie studios here in the state – and across the country, too.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Employees, or IATSE, is calling for a general strike among its 60,000 workers. The IATSE represents nearly 100 “below-the-line†trades, from decor builders to accessory manufacturers, including electricians, transport and lighting technicians. IATSE 480, the New Mexico chapter, has more than 1,600 employees who are currently working on a dozen different projects around the state.
The union is currently involved in a fight with the Alliance of Film and Television Producers (AMPTP). The union’s “Hollywood Basic Agreement†with AMPTP expired on July 31. It was briefly extended until September as negotiations continued. But the IATSE and the movie studios failed to come to an agreement on a range of issues, including appropriate compensation for “new media†(computers, streaming, downloads, websites) and excessive working hours. The problem here in New Mexico is the Area Standards Agreement, a separate contract covering 23 local unions outside of Los Angeles. The IATSE is asking its members to vote on a strike covering both agreements. A vote is expected to be taken and announced between October 1 and 3.
HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax and BET are not affected, as they are under a separate contract that does not expire until December 31, 2022. Of course, the major producers in New Mexico – Netflix and CBSUniversal – do not. part of this list. and would stop production immediately if the strike did occur. If members vote in favor of the strike, they could leave work by Monday.
Latino Cinema
The National Hispanic Cultural Center continues its series of free community films inside the Wells Fargo Auditorium (1701 Fourth St. SW). Las Razones del Corazón (The reasons of the heart) is screened as part of the series “Parejas Creativas (Creative Couples)”, featuring the films of director Arturo Ripstein and screenwriter Paz Alicia Garciadiego, who have worked together since 1986. Ripstein, who began his career under the direction by Luis Buñuel, is considered one of the greatest Mexican filmmakers. His creative partner and wife, Garciadiego, is an award-winning screenwriter. Las Razones del Corazón is a reinterpretation of Flaubert Madame Bovary located in present-day Mexico City. Emilia, a middle-class housewife, feels overwhelmed by the mediocrity of her life. One day, she loses the two things that make everything bearable – her lover and her credit card – and makes a fateful decision. The film is screened on Friday October 1 at 6 p.m. The NHCC recently received a $ 50,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support its community film program, so expect many more films from Hispanic and Latino directors in the future.