Written by Kianna Best on Aug 19, 2022. Posted in Production News

828 Productions set to open headquarters in New Mexico

California-based production company 828 will be opening its headquarters in Las Cruces, New Mexico. New Mexico's Governor Lujan Grisham made the announcement on Wednesday 17 August 2022. Plans for further land development and film studio openings are scheduled for the near future. The company join Netflix and NBC Universal as New Mexico’s third largest film partner. 

828 Production is a full-service film finance and production company. With plans to invest USD 75 million over the next 6 years, they will also be building a 300,000 square foot studio and 20 acre back lot. This will result in the creation at least 100 high-paying jobs. Activity from 828 started in May 2022 after the company purchased a 7,500 square foot office building in down town Las Cruces to cater for training, post production and visual effects working space.

Image courtesy of Film Las Cruces

“New Mexico is seeing a record number of productions from the film and television industry and all-time high spending, and it's no accident,” Governor Grisham stated. “Not only are we are investing in studios like 828 Productions, we are expanding industry workforce training with a new film school in Albuquerque and Las Cruces – and it is paying off.”

Las Cruces is one of New Mexico’s “uplift” film incentive areas that offers an extra 5% filming rebate, totalling to a total incentive of 35%. As a result, direct spending in rural areas of New Mexico have increased by 650%. The Local Economic Development Act’s ( LEDA) job creation fund has been integral in the creating career opportunities for locals. New Mexico have planned to invest USD 3 billion into LEDA’s project as the company begins to meet its target of at least 100 full-time year-round employees. 

Image courtesy of Film New Mexico

Economic Development Department Secretary Alicia J. Keyes commented: “828 Studios chose Las Cruces because of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s commitment to film and television job growth”

Along with their initial initiative, 828 Productions have finalised the plans for an additional 35 acres of land for soundstage and set construction space. Intending to shoot their first production in Las Cruces before the end of 2022, projected spend over the next decade will reach USD 350 million. The City of Las Cruces have also considered investing a further USD 897,000 through capital appropriations, as well as USD 2.8 million for city specific cinematic infrastructure. 

“This is an industry that is highly mobile and can locate anywhere.” Keyes added. “They are coming to Las Cruces to create jobs here because we have put in place forward-thinking investments that is helping this industry thrive.”

Image courtesy of Kate Torline by Unsplash

The surge in filming from Netflix and, other major studios and independent productions has led to the creation of 828 Studios. Recent from the production company include K. Asher Levin’s dark millennial comedy Helen’s Dead, Robert Rippberger’s haunted house thriller Those Who Walk Away, Deauville Film Festival Grand Special Prize Nominee The Last Son, Camille Delmarre’s high-octane action film Assassin Club, The Price We Pay, Raven’s Hollow, Operation Seawolf, The Requin, and SXSW Grand Jury Prize winner The Fallout.