The Creative Media Institute is building on its reputation to make southern New Mexico a Mecca for filmmaking with the latest project by New Mexico State University professor Ross Marks.
Marks is teaching a class this semester where his students are making a full-length feature film titled “The Santa Assist,” starring Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated actor Eric Roberts. The film also stars Eliza Roberts, Johnathan Stoddard and Alexandra Harris.
Marks will direct the feel-good holiday story, which features Santa Claus sending his reluctant cowboy cousin Colton on a mission to bring holiday cheer to a small town in New Mexico. He falls in love with Natalie a single mom raising a deaf son.
The film will employ 26 NMSU students. The film will be shooting in the Las Cruces area in October and November.
“I am excited to bring another film to my hometown and state,” Marks said. “More than 20 NMSU students will gain real world experience and on-the-job training making this film. That makes the film a huge success even before it is released.”
Mary Haarmeyer and Judy Pennell wrote the screenplay. Haarmeyer, Marks’ Rio Road Productions and Kirk Roos’ Badlands Features are producing the film as a co-production with NMSU’s Creative Media Institute.Marks, the director, the producers and writers are all living in New Mexico.
The film is looking for extras. Individuals interested should email thesantaassist@gmail.com.
“Making this film in southern New Mexico is important to me,” Marks said. “It is my goal to grow the film industry here. The best way to do that is making films. The locations, crew and people in southern New Mexico make filmmaking a pure joy.”
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