By Lisa Richwine

SANTA FE (Reuters) – New Mexico’s desert landscapes have been the ideal backdrop for Hollywood Westerns. But the state has also served as a location for everything, from the drug-dealing drama Breaking Bad to the sci-fi thriller Stranger Things.

New Mexico’s position in TV and film was brought to the forefront last week by the death of Halyna HUTCHINS, a cinematographer on “Rust”, a Western being filmed at Bonanza Creek Ranch (NYSE:) outside Santa Fe. Actor Alec Baldwin fired the prop gun that killed Hutchins after being told it was not loaded https://www.reuters.com/world/us/alec-baldwin-fired-prop-gun-that-killed-crew-member-movie-set-authorities-2021-10-22, according to authorities.

Rust was one of the many films being shot in New Mexico. The state has been a major hub for Hollywood, offering producers a 25%-35% tax credit. Comcast Corp (NASDAQ) has established Albuquerque production studios.

According to TV executives and filmmakers, the state has a pool of skilled workers that helped bring Hollywood to it. According to the New Mexico Film Office, approximately 9,000 New Mexicans work in this industry and earn an average of $56,000 per year.

Bill Horn (a set decorator) has experienced the rapid growth of recent years. His projects include those for Netflix (T:), Sony Corp (T.) and ViacomCBS.

In 2010, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, (IATSE), had fewer that 600 members. He said that the union now has more than 1,500 members.

Horn said that “it’s growing very much.” He is currently working on Fox’s drama, “The Cleaning Lady”. He said that local educational opportunities for special film work have expanded and that new apprenticeships are being considered. He stated that “We are pretty desperate to train.”

The state is also working on Netflix’s “Trigger Warning”, and “Dead for a Dollar”, which stars Willem Dafoe, Rachel Brosnahan and Christoph Waltz. According to state statistics, New Mexico produced 48 movies and television shows in September.

The film office reported that $623million was spent in film and TV production from July 2020 through July 2021. Some politicians are unhappy about giving tax breaks to Hollywood businesses.

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The Bonanza Creek Ranch has seen filming for “Rust” suspended. It has been used by Hollywood since Jimmy Stewart’s movie, “The Man From Laramie”, in 1955, and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, in 1968.

Five sets are available on the sprawling site, which includes a 24-building Old West-style community with a blacksmith shop, saloon and train station. There is also grazing cattle for free.

There were also recent productions like the Tom Hanks movie, “News of the World”, last year.

Cameras were set up to record night scenes at the ranch one day following the accident. This site offers tours related to film and rentals for corporate retreats and private parties.

The ranch is not the only sound stage in the region. After buying Albuquerque Studios in 2018, Netflix now has one of the biggest sound stages. This is where AMC’s “Breaking Bad” was filmed. Netflix purchased Albuquerque Studios in 2018, where it had filmed “Breaking Bad” in 2018. Two years later, they announced their plans to expand the facility. They also promised $1 billion of production spending.

Reports from media outlets about discontentment with working conditions in the set since “Rust’ tragedy have been reported by many. Others who were involved in other New Mexico projects said they had never seen a shooting like this.

Jesse Casias (who builds sets) said that “there is nothing in place for this to happen.” “There’s no reason for it.”

About 200 industry workers, from costume designers to prop makers and location scouts, gathered Saturday night at a candlelight vigil for Hutchins https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/director-gutted-by-death-cinematographer-accidental-shooting-2021-10-23 in Albuquerque. Many spoke of the bond that is formed when working on set for long hours.

Jon Hamm is currently filming in Belen for a movie. He and John Slattery, his “Mad Men”, attended the Vigil “to support local communities”. Slattery is the director of the film. He said Hutchins were friends with members of his crew.

Other people felt the same loss, even though there was no direct relationship to Hutchins. Horn, the decorator for sets said “It is just a sad time for everyone.” “Hearts broken.