BACK FROM AFRICA

Sorry to have been gone abit, but I was in South Africa working on a USAID project in Zimbabwe. I have been working on it for five years and looks like it will be renewed for another three and extended into Kenya, possibly Ethiopia. Being in rural Africa is a sobering experience and makes me realize how self-indulgent and materialistic we Americans are. They have nothing and are happy and hopeful. We have everything and are neurotic and cynical.

Although I love film and television, it is disheartening to see how we have distorted values throughout the world. Our TV shows are popular there; everyone with a TV knows about Oprah and American Idol. Our movies are bootlegged on to bad DVD discs and watched there too. Our tendency for violence supports their lifestyle rather than encouraging any kind of evolution towards more peaceful conflict resolutions. We have through our films supported women in taking power in abusive relationships. I look forward to Invictus which will celebrate what Africa can do under inspired leadership and teamwork.

Want Your Home as Movie Site?

Not much happening now in the city. So if you think you might like to have your home available for a movie set, let me know. It usually means you would move out for five days or so and make maybe $5000 or so. Not bad. I just need some inside and ouside shots of your home and a description. Give me a call and I can give you the details.

Judy Pierson
220-9193

STEVEN SEAGAL NEW MEXICO

Our own Gov. Richardson announced that Steven Seagal will be filming "The Keeper" in Santa Fe Sept through October. Steven plays a bodyguard whose client is kidnapped and he has to rescue the woman. Wasn't there one like that where it was the President's daughter or was it his ex-wife played by our own Shirley MacLaine that was kidnapped too? nd then there was one that takes place in Mexico City. Oh well, guess there are no new stories.

I remember meeting Steven once at one of our neighborhood burger places in Hollywood, called the Hamburger Hamlet. They have the best fat old juicy burgers and I liked mine smothered with grilled onions, dijon and plum jam! Yumm!! Anyway, he was at a table next to ours and he was so short!! I was shocked as he plays such big guys in the movies.

So anyway, look for a muscular short guy in Santa Fe this fall.

And if you are looking for a house to buy or sell, call me. 505-220-9193,

"Swing Vote" Out in Theatres

Well, our own Kevin Costner who hung around ABQ for several months filming, can now be seen in "Swing Vote". Look for scenes filmed here locally! Annette Johnson is one of the adorable little girls in the film. Annette's father flies back and forth with my husband each week to work in LA. A proud father, indeed.

"GAS HOLE" in NM

Oh, I just got the title! "Gas Hole" as in a__hole. Get it? anyway apparently this aspiring Michael Moore producer showed this film in ABQ yesterday at the Guild Cinema. It's neither conservative or liberal but factual. Okay, well I'll go see it on DVD in the Fall. Did anyone see it?

MIKE TODD DIED IN NM 50 YEARS AGO

The headline of the Journal on March 22,1958 was “Air Crash Near Grants Kills Mike Todd.” He and Elizabeth Taylor married less than a year earlier and I remember being so sad for her. Todd was purported to be the love of her life… how sad for her. Mike Todd was known for his award winning “Around the World in 80 Days”. Todd was flying from Burbank, CA to New York City in a leased aircraft. Elizabeth stayed home with a cold and begged him not to go. The plane crashed over Zuni after the pilot moderate icing and was reportedly heavily overloaded. The plane slammed into a pasture. Three days earlier he had flown into ABQ for a premiere of the film at the Hiland Theatre. There is no marker at the site which is so respectful. That kind of respect instead of capitalizing on a tragedy which is what happens in Hollywood is one of the things I just love about New Mexico!

NM Filmakers Conference

The New Mexico Filmakers Conference and First Vision Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency March 27-29, 2008. There will be workshops and networking opportunties for New Mexico talent. On Thursday night there will be a screening of films by New Mexicans to include winners of Govenrnor's Cup competitions. For more information on the entire conference go to http://www.nmfilm.com/.

Remember if you want to buy or lease property in New Mexico, give me a call.

HOMES TO BUY OR FOR LOCATION

There are just great deals here in ABQ to buy second homes with sellers eager to make a deal, any deal. Some are willing to rent or generate revenue by having them be used as a location set. There are some million dollar beauties in the High Desert area and just about any age, type or model of home. I just listed a terrific townhome owned by an artist which would be a great second home here in ABQ. Check out Eastridge on my website www.JudyPierson.com. Call me.

NM IS A WINNER AT OSCARS!

Who by now doesn't know that No Country for Old Men won the Oscar as best picture and several other awards to boot. What may not be known is that it was filmed here in New Mexico in one of our proud historic towns called Las Vegas. Las Vegas was on the original Santa Fe trail and like Pasadena, CA had rich families from the mid-west settle there at the turn of the century. There are wonderful grand old homes that are being updated and attracting buyers from out-of-state who want to retire in NM but live in elegance. Charming town! I just sold a fast food drive-in to a Taco Bell franchise so even the food is getting upgraded!!

Oscar Attention Goes to New Mexico

Two movies made in New Mexico are up for Best Picture. One is "There will Be Blood" with Daniel Day-Lewis about the silver minor who discovers oil. The other, of course, is "No Country For Old Men" with Tommy Lee Jones, who has made several films here. The film was written by our own New Mexican, Cormac McCarthy. both Lewis and Jones have been nominated for best Actor awards too. The Western movie "3:10 to Yuma" is one of my favorites and was nominated for Achievement for Sound Mixing and Music Written for Motion Picture. Talk about top billing for our State?!

www.cabq.gov is where to find the Abuquerque, New Mexico Film Office website which has information about Why Film in ABQ? plus airport and charter service locations. What isn't on there is the Hollywood Realtor in New Mexico site which is www.JudyPierson.com. Check it out. Coming from Hollywood and "connected", Judy Pierson is one of the top realtors in the city and can assist in finding locations and homes to rent or buy.