Extreme Makeover

The Extreme Makeover filmed in freezing January aired tonight and it was a tear jerker. The Rodriquez family is truly amazing in what they have done over 6 years in our "war zone" area. The crime rate is down 50% and the area is buzzing with hope. The show tonight captured the big hearts that differentiates New Mexico from the family themselves to the thousand or so volunteers that built the homes. Someone said that every city has a word that describes it. For Albuquerque the word is "heart". People here with and without alot of money give generously of their time, concern and money. I love it here! I left Hollywood ten years ago and have never regreted it. I'll let Hollywood come here to me as I am not leaving! Call me if you want to move here! You will love it too.

FILM MAKERS SEEK HOMES WITH POOLS

The weather would seems ideal, but few homes in Albuquerque have pools, and renting homes with pools is quite desireable for filmmakers here on location. There are nice apartments that can be rented on a month to month basis with outdoor pools, but few homes. I think the main reason we do not see many pools here is the heat. It's hard for pools to survive without cracking issues when you have our freezing winters and hot summers. We found after moving here from LA that you can't lay out in the sun here; it's too intensely hot. Swimming in that heat will fry your skin in a nanosecond. The altitude creates a much more intense heat even though our summers do not get as hot as AZ or Nevada. So here in our Mile High City we head to the half dozen or so wonderful gyms with beautiful indoor pools.

“LEGEND” TO FILM IN NM IN APRIL

You hated him as Silas the albino in “The Da Vinci Code” but this time Paul Brittany is the archangel Michael in the film “Legend.” The movie is about the last days when God loses faith in humanity and decides to end things. Michael tries to save the earth. Most of it will be filmed in Santa Fe, but I am really hoping to run into his wife, Jennifer Connelly, of “A Beautiful Mind”, at Buffalo Exchange or Chez Nous!

JACK BLACK BRINGS IT TO NEW MEXICO!

The "Year One" staring Jack Black will be filmed in New Mexico. The ABQ Journal describes the role as a "neolithic road tripper" and I am not sure what that is. Maybe I am dating myself, but I do like Jack Black. The film is described as a road trip through ancient times which is a genre we haven't seen for awhile. More details are not available except that it will be filming in ABQ for three weeks. Wonder where he will hang out.

Well, give me a call if you are with the film and need anything of a real estate nature.
Judy

CRYSTAL DARKNESS FILMED IN NEW MEXICO

Not that we want to be associated with the whole meth addiction problem, but a documentary on the ravages of meth will air April 10th in ABQ. It features interviews with NM health and law officials and it's aim is to warn young people about the addictiveness of meth. I work with kids who are custody of the courts and so many are in foster homes because their parents, usually young, are addicts. The cost to all of us is incredible. I hope this film resonates with young people.

As a realtor, we have to be on the look out for homes that have been used as meth labs. These homes have to be almost gutted to get the chemicals out of the rugs, floors and walls. Usually we see it in rental homes. It's a nightmare. That's why I would rather get a good movie related tenant in my client's homes. Give me a call if you want to buy or lease a home or are looking for a location site.

Judy Pierson
NM's Hollywood Realtor

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.