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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Robinson

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/9/06

HB

SHORT TITLE Film & Media Employment Training & Production SB 432

ANALYST Lewis

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

500.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to

SB 442 (Promote Film & Media Enterprises in NM).

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Economic Development Department (EDD)

Higher Education Department (HED)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 432 appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the Higher Education Depart-

ment to support film and media employment training and student productions.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert

to the general fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

According to the Public Education Department (PED), digital media and film represent signifi-

cant economic development activities for New Mexico, but only if there is a skilled workforce to

complete these projects.

Senate Bill 432 – Page

2

Directors and producers who have taken advantage of recently instituted incentives to bring their

projects to New Mexico have reported enjoying a beautiful and supportive environment but have

had difficulty filling their crews with local talent. For the same reason, they have had to complete

their post-production work outside New Mexico. Higher education could play a crucial role in

reversing this trend and opening up lucrative career paths for New Mexico students.

According to the Economic Development Department (EDD),

the Film Technicians Training

Program (FTTP) hosted in four of our state’s learning institutions can always use funding for

student productions that offer the hands-on experience of working on a film production from

start to finish. FTTP programs are offered in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell and Santa Fe

and provide an inexpensive, accessible entrée into the world of film. It is through programs such

as these that New Mexico has successfully grown our below-the-line film crew to over 800

members. The Higher Education Department will want to work closely with the New Mexico

Film Office and their FTTP coordinator to designate these training funds appropriately.

The Higher Education Department (HED) notes that the Film Technicians’ Training Program,

developed by Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) provides hands-on, academic training to

New Mexico residents interested in entering the film industry. The FTTP is a mobile statewide

program, currently offered at four state colleges with plans to expand to all of the state’s com-

munity colleges and technical-vocational institutes. After an introduction to the film industry,

students choose a specific craft and work on actual short-form productions (public service an-

nouncements, commercials, etc.). The final semester is spent working on larger projects such as

short films and independent films under the supervision of experienced crew members. The film

program at SFCC is an official component of the New Mexico Film Office Workforce Training

and Development.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

HED notes that, although there are currently no specific guidelines to implement such a project,

the department is committed to supporting post-secondary student-centered initiatives that are

linked to employment opportunities. The task for HED is to formulate a plan and publicize a Re-

quest for Proposals (RFP) for student productions to take advantage of funding.

ML/nt