SW New Mexico News

At least a dozen alumni and a few current students from New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute (CMI) are credited crew members on a Sundance Film Festival award-winning film. "In the Summers," directed by Alessandra Lacorazza, received the U.S. Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

CMI alumnus Josh Bleiweiss and Abigail Hunter are credited as unit production manager and second assistant director, respectively, on the film, which follows two sisters during their annual summer visits to their father’s home in Las Cruces.

“As a second AD, my responsibilities are vast,” said Hunter, who graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in digital filmmaking. “The primary responsibilities, of course, are assisting the first AD with scheduling and making the call sheet that goes out to cast and crew every night. I am also the direct contact for the cast during principal photography, so anything they need during shooting is my responsibility. I also work closely with the unit production manager to fix any problems or issues that arise on set. The well-being of the set and how it functions always falls on the ADs, and we work together to make sure the environment is a safe and fun workplace.”

Daniel Tantalean, one of the film’s producers, and Las Cruces Film liaison Andrew Jara reached out to CMI professor Sherwin Lau for recommendations from the department. Many of those recommended were subsequently hired for the project.

“People want to hire our students because they have a good attitude; they are proactive, self-motivated and possess an excellent work ethic,” said Lau, who worked with many of these alumni and students on his film "The Farmer."

Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in creative media with an emphasis in digital filmmaking in 2020, Bleiweiss has started his own production company that rents out equipment for filmmaking ventures. He expressed enthusiasm about more opportunities for young film students in New Mexico.

“I think that more projects coming to Las Cruces and New Mexico as a whole is a great thing,” Bleiweiss said. “We have such a great culture here for stories to be told that I hope we continue to see the space grow.”

Hunter echoed similar sentiments: “I am extremely proud of the local people that have grown in the business, especially fellow classmates that have really started making a name for themselves in film. We have proven that we can stand with the best of them, and I think there is something inherently special about that coming from this smaller town.”

The Creative Media Institute focuses on nurturing student filmmakers' artistic endeavors in animation, digital filmmaking, and creative writing. CMI professor and department head Amy Lanasa emphasized her pride in student success within the region.

“The main motivating factor for the CMI team is that we all want our students to be employable in the industry we love," Lanasa said. "We want that industry to grow here in our region because we know it has tremendous potential to strengthen the economy where we all love to live."

Visit https://www.sundance.org/blogs/2024-sundance-film-festival-announces-award-winners/ for a full list of winners from this year's Sundance Film Festival. Email cmi@nmsu.edu for information about getting involved with CMI.

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CUTLINE 1: Group photo of New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute alums and students working on “In the Summers.” First row from left: Jennifer Campbell, Abigail Hunter, Benjamin Quintanar, Gabriel Balderas, Travis Wollard and Guillermo Portillo. Bottom row: Paulina Holguin Bonilla and Edward Elkabachi. Campbell is not connected with NMSU. (Courtesy photo from Abigail Hunter)

CUTLINE 2: From left: New Mexico State University Creative Media Institute alumni Dagger Wolf, Benjamin Quintanar and Gabriel Balderas working behind-the-scenes during filming of “In the Summers,” which received this year’s Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival. (Courtesy photo from Abigail Hunter)

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