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Governor Bill Richardson and Robert Redford Announce “Milagro at Los Luceros” Initiative
Contact:  Pahl Shipley, NM Film Office (505) 476-5613

SANTA FE-Governor Bill Richardson and acclaimed filmmaker and environmental advocate Robert Redford today announced the details of a unique collaboration called “Milagro at Los Luceros.” Programs will begin this spring and will include a series of labs, workshops, and discussions. The focus will be on creating and expanding training programs in film, arts, and the environment.

“It’s extraordinary for a person the caliber of Robert Redford to collaborate with state government to create a new kind of initiative that will address film and film arts as they relate to jobs and jobs training,” said Governor Richardson. “It’s a great gift from Robert Redford to the state of New Mexico.” “I have always wanted to explore new ways to enable underrepresented voices- Native American and Hispanic in particular- to tell their own stories in their own ways on their own turf,” said Mr. Redford. “I also believe in arts as an economic driver, and I look forward to helping a new generation of storytellers prove that with me and with the state of New Mexico.” Today’s announcement is the next step in a process which began last May, when the Governor and Mr. Redford first announced the project which will be headquartered at historic Los Luceros in Northern New Mexico. The collaboration includes Mr. Redford, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, and the New Mexico Film Office, which is part of the state’s Economic Development Department. The name “Milagro at Los Luceros” refers to “The Milagro Beanfield War,” the 1988 film directed by Mr. Redford and shot on location in Truchas, New Mexico. Los Luceros lies northeast of the town of Alcalde, New Mexico, and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1983. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs purchased and operates the 148-acre property and is preserving its historic nature and integrity for the purpose of cultural, artistic, environmental, and educational activities. Mr. Redford has also written an open letter to the people of New Mexico. That letter is attached to this release. MILAGRO AT LOS LUCEROS – 2010-2011 PROGRAMMING Milagro at Los Luceros, a collaboration between Redford Enterprises, the Film Division of the Economic Development Department, and the Department of Cultural Affairs, will provide immersive film jobs training to take place at historic Los Luceros in Northern New Mexico, concentrating on New Mexico Hispanic, Native American and underrepresented populations. Milagro’s Programming Launch, April 2010 Events will include: Multiple screenings of The Milagro Beanfield War A low-rider parade celebrating the film An art contest to design the Milagro logo Writing Workshops: Year-round programming for Milagro at Los Luceros will begin with a continuum of one-day story workshops entitled, “Designed Obstacles,” under the creative direction of award-winning Screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury, scheduled for spring, summer and fall, 2010. A 5-day Magical Realism Screenwriter’s Lab using themes of Native American, Hispanic and African American culture will take place in 2011. A Screenwriter’s Lab for scripts written for New Mexico landscape and using themes in Native, Hispanic or magical realism and a Native Intensive Lab under the Direction of Chris Eyre are in development, contingent on available talent and funding. Actor’s Lab Spring, 2010 Working in complement with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Affirmative Action & Diversity and SAG National President’s Task Force for American Indians, the Actor’s Lab will be under the Creative Direction of Robert Redford. It is the first Actor’s Lab designed specifically for Native and Hispanic actors and will be used as a national training model for diverse populations. One-day Audition Workshops will be held simultaneously around the state to develop and enhance auditioning skills. Interested participants may apply for these workshops by submitting a resume highlighting dance, theatre, storytelling or film acting skills. It must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from an educational institution, recognized mentor, or professional entity. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Subsequently, each participant will submit an audition tape, either produced through an Audition Workshops or from previous experience. A panel of professionals will then choose the participants of the first Actor’s Lab. Think Tanks In the spring of 2010, Milagro will host its first Think Tank, held in conjunction with the New Mexico Film Office Film Finance and Distribution Conference. Milagro at Los Luceros will host innovative thinkers and leaders from both inside and outside the film industry to design a marketing and distribution plan for the future. In mid-May of 2010, Milagro at Los Luceros will host Academy Award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler in a discussion on the science behind filmmaking entitled “ A Visual Paradigm for the Brain: The Camera as Storyteller.” In August of 2010, Milagro at Los Luceros will host a gathering of native filmmakers who will be attending Smithsonian’s Annual Native Showcase during Indian Market. This gathering will be designed as a follow-up to the spring Think Tank, focused on production, distribution and marketing obstacles and possible solutions. Other Events: Participant-based programming will be complemented by hosting public screenings and discussions on Hispanic and Native American films, visual anthropology, film finance and distribution, and arts as an economic driver in New Mexico and the global economy. Gatherings on the topics of science, health and the environmental, falling within the Los Luceros mission and guidelines, will also be developed. The site of Los Luceros is currently undergoing renovation and construction, scheduled for completion by January of 2011.