About Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a vibrant city situated in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, renowned for its rich history and culture. It has a mild climate with 300 days of sunshine per year and beautiful landscapes you can explore year-round. The city features adobe architecture, diverse art galleries and restaurants, historical sites, Native American art, distinct shopping districts, and markets, making it an attractive destination for visitors.
This marvelous city in New Mexico also has plenty to offer creative artists and production companies. It boasts some of the most varied scenery in the Southwest U.S., from high deserts and lush forests to mountain peaks and red sandstone cliffs, making it an ideal filming location for any project. With natural light that lasts 14 hours a day during peak season and a low humidity rate all year round, production teams have ample time to capture great visuals without worrying about weather conditions or time constraints.
Businesses in Santa Fe understand the value of bringing film production into their community. That’s why they actively support production by providing incentives, such as tax breaks from local governments, which helps to cut down on overall production costs. Without a doubt, using one of Santa Fe’s production spaces is an excellent way to take advantage of its stunning natural beauty while benefiting from various financial incentives available to filmmakers.
Production Options in Santa Fe
- Videographers
Videographers are experts in planning, capturing beautiful video footage, and editing for a variety of projects, including television shows, commercials, and movies. They have a keen eye for composition and lighting and can make your production look its best. By hiring a Santa Fe videographer, you know you’re working with a talented professional with filming skills and an eye for detail.
- Lighting
Lighting companies in Santa Fe are trained in supplying both natural and artificial light for filming. They are familiar with an array of lights and lighting systems and will support you in creating the mood and tone you desire for your project.
- Cleaning
Cleaning vendors are experts in keeping production spaces clean and tidy. They have the equipment and supplies necessary to keep your area looking its best and can even provide deep-cleaning services if needed. They will also remove any safety hazards and ensure the production set is healthy, clean, and safe.
- Makeup
Many makeup artists in Santa Fe can help you create the perfect look for your production space. Whether you need natural-looking makeup or something more dramatic, there's an artist who can help you achieve the look you want.
- Furniture Rental
For productions that require furniture and additional props, you can rely on reputable companies that offer furniture rentals in Santa Fe. They are equipped with quality furniture, from chairs and tables to couches, tents, and beds. You can also find rental companies with additional services, including kitchen gadgets and office equipment. Whatever your production needs, there's sure to be a company that can help you out in the city.
Production Vendors in Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Audio Visual
No matter what top-quality equipment you need for your projection, Santa Fe Audio Visual can help. From projectors and LED Video Walls to TV monitors, screens, lights, and microphones, the company can provide everything for your project or event. It was founded in 1990 and has since become one of the full-service audio-visual equipment providers in the city.
- Moji Cinema
The company specializes in producing marketing solutions and purpose-driven video strategies to reach the target audience and position you as the leader in your field. They have a highly experienced team of filmmakers, editors, and motion graphics artists who are passionate about telling stories that matter. Whether you're looking to produce a commercial, a short film, or a full-length documentary, this team has the skills and experience to make your vision a reality.
- Millennial Maids
Leave the cleaning job to the expert hands of Millennial Maids, a maid and janitorial business in Santa Fe. They provide different professional cleaning services to suit your needs. They work with businesses, homeowners, and even production companies to help maintain cleanliness in your home and workplace.
Pros and Cons of Productions in Santa Fe
Santa Fe is an increasingly popular destination for businesses seeking to host a production space. With its growing presence in the field of technology, Santa Fe is also well-suited to provide modern amenities such as reliable internet access and other amenities that can be beneficial for businesses. However, it's important to consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of holding productions in Santa Fe before deciding whether this is the right location for your project.
Advantages
- Santa Fe has a stunning desert environment that makes it ideal for hosting productions and allows producers and filmmakers to capture the essence of the region through their projects.
- There are plenty of tech companies located in Santa Fe that can help you with any technological needs needed for your production.
- Production space rental costs are generally lower in Santa Fe than in other cities due to local incentives and tax breaks available to businesses operating in New Mexico, making it an attractive option financially.
- The vibrant culture in Santa Fe allows filmmakers and producers to tap into rich resources they wouldn't have access to elsewhere, such as live music events, art galleries, restaurants, and more which could be utilized when planning a shoot within the city limits.
Disadvantages
- While there are plenty of resources available within Santa Fe itself, some industries may require additional resources or materials which may not be readily available nearby or would need to be imported at an extra cost if they're not accessible locally (depending on what type of project you're working on).
- The desert climate often involves unpredictable weather variations throughout the year, which could potentially disrupt plans for any outdoor shoot. It's important to consider how this could affect your shooting schedule accordingly.
- While there are incentives available from local governments, larger corporations based out of states like California or Texas may offer larger financial incentives when trying to retain talent—something that can make it difficult for smaller filmmaking companies with limited budgets competing against bigger players within the same industry segments.
Tips on How to Organize Productions in Santa Fe
Whether it's a documentary, commercial, music video, or feature film, you'll want to ensure your project is handled efficiently and effectively. From utilizing the right equipment to making sure you have a well-thought-out plan in place, these tips will help make sure you get the most out of your production site in Santa Fe:
- Evaluate your potential locations: Start by assessing the available space to determine what kind of productions can be done in that area. Look at the size, shape, and type of room or studio to understand what kind of productions may fit into it best. Consider factors such as size and lighting needs, soundproofing requirements, necessary equipment, etc., so that you can accurately plan for your project's success.
- Invest in quality lighting equipment: Depending on the kind of production done, it is important to make sure you have enough light sources for adequate coverage when shooting, optimum performance, and everyone's safety. If needed, create a budget for good-quality lights that won't break your bank but still meet production standards.
- Maximize your resources: Utilize any available resources to reduce costs as much as possible. Check with local rental stores or online marketplaces for discounted equipment rentals—this can save both time and money during the production set-up process. Additionally, consider borrowing items from friends or family if they have something that could be useful during a shoot.
- Keep your area clean and tidy: Make sure your workspace is clean and organized before starting any project. A cluttered or dirty environment can lead to unnecessary delays or mistakes due to a lack of easy access or visibility among tools or materials needed during production times. You may designate an area where people can work without hindrance or disturbance from other activities going on nearby at the same time.
- Clarify everyone's role: Outline roles clearly amongst team members, so everyone understands their tasks from beginning to end. This way, nothing gets left out, and every crew member and the staff know exactly what needs to be done when working collaboratively with others in different areas.
Famous Locations in Santa Fe
- The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
This museum does an excellent job of emphasizing the richness that came from Spanish Colonialism. As soon as you enter, you’ll immediately notice the museum's authenticity, with the Spanish Pueblo Revival-style architecture setting the tone for a fantastic collection of works. Unique pieces of furniture are also on display, in addition to paintings.
- Bandelier National Monument
The Bandelier National Monument is home to craggy red sandstone cliffs and walls and a network of ancient settlements and dwellings. It is a popular tourist spot for nature enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about the area's earliest inhabitants. Visitors can explore hiking trails, picnic in the shade of pine trees, and learn about the region's fascinating history.
- White Sands National Monument
Gypsum sand dunes are a must-see for nature lovers seeking an otherworldly experience. Although the temperature can be pretty hot, the snow-looking white sand remains cool to the touch. Visitors here are welcome to hike or take a scenic drive through the dunes. There are also ranger-led programs available.
