ALBUQUERQUE, AUGUST 10, 2022 – Cinelease Studios announced today it has assumed management of and rebranded New Mexico’s I-25 Studios as Cinelease Studios – Albuquerque. Bringing decades of film industry expertise and its signature white glove service, Cinelease Studios will ensure the studio will provide the exclusive, all-in-one filmmaking experience emblematic of Cinelease Studios.
“As long as Cinelease has been in the state of New Mexico, it has been our plan to provide top shelf service to our clients and partners in production,” said Gannon Murphy, General Manager of Cinelease Studios. “Now that Cinelease Studios is able to provide a home for film and television in a city and state with a reputation as fantastic as Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cinelease is making good on our promise to help grow the industry.”
“Cinelease decided to come to New Mexico because we have developed a world-class ecosystem where film and television production can thrive,” said Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes. “These new investments will expand production capacity, putting more New Mexicans to work.”
Since serving its first production in 2006, Cinelease Studios – Albuquerque has been home to dozens of productions including Chambers featuring Uma Thurman, Lone Survivor featuring Mark Wahlberg, MacGruber featuring Will Forte, Swing Vote with Kevin Costner, and more recently the Amazon streaming series Outer Range, starring Josh Brolin and Imogen Poots.
“Albuquerque has seen consistent growth in the film industry over the years and, along with infrastructure growth, has developed impressive crew depth and an ever-increasing number of qualified crew members,” said Cyndy McCrossen, Film Liaison for the City of Albuquerque. “In addition to the excellent space, Cinelease Studios will be able to offer productions an extensive support system ranging from vendors to post production services.”
Under its management, Cinelease Studios will offer enhanced customer service and an exceptional suite of in-house production services. Using the same synergistic approach as its six other studios located across the United States, clients of Cinelease Studios – Albuquerque will have access to heavy equipment solutions provided by Herc Entertainment Services and Cinelease Inc.’s lighting and grip services. To that end, Cinelease has invested millions in new equipment and technologies, including its recent acquisition of LRX Lighting, a pioneer in robotic lighting technology designed to improve safety on set by keeping boots on the ground and lights in the air.
Cinelease, the industry-leading lighting and grip company is not new to the area, having gained a foothold in the New Mexico market in 2007, servicing hundreds of productions out of its Albuquerque warehouse.
“This is a very exciting time for the Cinelease brand. We’re celebrating 45 years in the industry and 15 years in New Mexico,” said Chris Rogers, Director of Marketing at Cinelease. “We are deeply ingrained in the fabric of the filmmaking community, and our ability to honor our commitments has earned us the Gold Standard reputation. Our customer service and breadth of equipment is the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we bring to the table.”
The experienced staff of Cinelease, Cinelease Studios, and Herc Entertainment Services will be coupled with that of I-25 Studios’ existing team to create a smooth transition and a memorable filmmaking experience.
More than simply studio space, the 104,000 square footprint of stages will offer filmmakers 38,000 square feet of mill space; 39,000 square feet of newly renovated executive production and office space; additional room for storage, painting, props, wardrobe, makeup, catering; and an abundance of parking. The indoor amenities are surrounded by acres of workable backlot. With such an expansive facility and broad range of services, Cinelease Studios – Albuquerque will be a prime option for overflow of neighboring shoots.
Cinelease Studios’ management will be focused on making the space a more appealing production ecosystem than ever before, attracting content creators from coast-to-coast, doubly enticed by New Mexico’s competitive film and television incentives. Thanks to New Mexico’s forward-thinking Film Production Tax Credit Act, film productions that meet designated requirements can qualify for competitive tax credits ranging from 25 to 35 percent of qualified in-state New Mexico spend.
In 2020, Deadline named New Mexico a film production “hot spot” and the state went on to live up to the title. In fiscal year 2022, the film, television, and digital media production industry added a record $855.4 million of direct spend into New Mexico’s economy – an increase of 36 percent over fiscal year 2021, and Cinelease Studios hopes to contribute to this direct financial impact on the people and state of New Mexico.
Cinelease Studios – Albuquerque anticipates hosting a continuous flow of productions, each creating hundreds of jobs for local residents. Being easily accessible by both Interstate 25 and Albuquerque International Sunport with direct flights to and from Los Angeles, Cinelease Studios – Albuquerque is sure to draw industry workers from across the nation as well.
Cinelease Studios, with the backing of parent company Herc Rentals, is looking forward to raising the space to its full potential while simultaneously keeping its doors open to new productions starting immediately.