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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 21 OctOber 2017
George R.R. Martin mixes business, politics at film forum

By MORGAN LEE uted to the construction of
Associated Press production studios in New
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Au- Mexico.
thor and film producer The discussion took place
George R. R. Martin waded at a downtown art-house
into the politics of mov- cinema that Martin re-
ie-industry tax breaks on stored and owns.
Thursday while endorsing The discussion was joined
a prominent Democratic by Tesuque resident Tony
candidate for governor of Mark, executive producer
New Mexico. of “The Hurt Locker,” and
Martin, a longtime Santa producer and documen-
Fe resident and author of tary filmmaker Andrea
fantasy novels behind the Meditch.
“Game of Thrones” televi- State officials say more
sion series, made a plea to than 60 film and television
raise or eliminate New Mex- productions were shot in
ico’s $50 million annual limit the state during the past fis-
on the state’s tax incentive cal year.
for film production. TV series and pilots pro-
At an hour-long forum duced in New Mexico over
about New Mexico’s film the last year include “Bet-
industry, Martin sat along- ter Call Saul,” ‘’The Night
side Congresswoman Mi- Associated Press Shift,” ‘’Longmire,” and
chelle Lujan Grisham, a tisan Legislative Finance open for business.” dustry that “pays for itself.” Netflix’s “The Ballad of Bust-
Democratic candidate Committee have cau- She described film as an in- Public funds have contrib- er Scruggs.”q
for governor in 2018 who tioned against film tax
this week announced she incentive increases that
enue growth and put new ‘Breaking Bad’ actors will host
would seek to expand tax could outpace tax rev-
incentives for film and tele-
vision production and look pressure on the state gen-
for ways to encourage the eral fund. fundraiser for Puerto Rico
construction of new pro- New Mexico state govern-
duction studio space. ment has slashed spending
Martin described a cut- at several agencies and By RUSSELL CONTRERAS
throat competitive envi- public universities this year, Associated Press
ronment of the film industry, after depleting financial re- ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) —
and his own budding ef- serves amid a downturn in Two actors from the hit se-
forts to attract more movie tax revenues linked a tep- ries “Breaking Bad” will host
production to Santa Fe id economy and weak oil an Albuquerque fundraiser
by offering low-cost office prices. next week for victims of
space at a building provid- Measured in terms of di- Hurricane Maria in Puerto
ed to him posthumously by rect job creation per dol- Rico.
an estate. Filmmakers Joel lar — without considering Bob Odenkirk, who played
and Ethan Coen currently indirect economic benefits sleazy lawyer Saul Good-
are utilizing the building — the film tax credit scored man, is sponsoring a ben-
through Martin’s nonprofit poorly in comparison with efit event in Albuquerque
Stagecoach Foundation. other state subsidies, ana- where the show was filmed,
“We’re in competition with lysts found. the actor announced on
Texas and Arizona and Martin and Lujan Grisham social media.
Utah,” Martin said. “How highlighted the sometimes “Albuquerque! A benefit In this Sept. 26, 2017 file photo Bob Odenkirk arrives at the Los
do we compete? ... Obvi- intangible benefits of the event for Puerto Rico — Angeles premiere of “Spielberg” at Paramount Studios.
ously the incentives are a film production, as tourists October 23 with my friend Associated Press
big part of it. We have to are drawn to the state by Steven Quezada of Break- ey for the island. It will fea- Paul.
get rid of this (state tax in- on-screen images, from ing Bad. Join in if you can!” ture a raffle, a silent auction The show ended in 2013,
centive) cap.” the Robert Redford’s 1988 Odenkirk said on Twitter, and entertainment. but tourism companies
Martin quipped that he like “The Milagro Beanfield with a picture of the invita- Hundreds of thousands of in Albuquerque still offer
caps — “but only on my War” shot in Northern New tion. people in Puerto Rico are Breaking Bad tours show-
head.” Mexico, to the “Breaking Steven Michael Quezada still without running water. casing spots made popular
He said that limiting the Bad” series that still draws played federal drug en- Some of the island’s 51 by the show.
tax credit is “like saying, steady streams of cult fans forcement agent Steven sewage treatment plants Odenkirk is currently star-
‘We have enough jobs, we to Albuquerque shooting Gomez in “Breaking Bad” remain out of service after ring in the “Breaking
don’t need any more jobs. locations. and is now an elected Hurricane Maria struck last Bad” prequel “Better Call
We’re going to cap the “The film industry is one of member of the New Mexi- month. Saul,” which is also set in
number of jobs?’” those bright spots that we co’s Bernalillo County Com- “Breaking Bad” tracks Albuquerque.q
Earlier this year, a bill to can focus on immediately mission, the regional gov- the life of Walter White,
Like
raise the annual limit on and it’s pretty easy,” Lujan erning body for the area played by Bryan Cranston, Like
the film tax credit and link Grisham said. that includes Albuquerque. as a high school chemistry
us on
future annual increase to “We want to double the The $50 per person event teacher who gets cancer us on
inflation failed to win ap- number of films that we’re will be held at an Albuquer- and turns to making and
Facebook
proval in the Democratic- doing. ... We want to lift the que brewery and is part of selling methamphetamine Facebook
led Legislature. cap. If you’re really going a broader effort by actress with a former student, Jesse
Bon Dia 24 Aruba
Analysts with the nonpar- to be open for business, be Anne Heche to raise mon- Pinkman, played by Aaron facebook.com/bondianoticia