A New Mexico State University film professor is continuing his one-man crusade to draw the film and television industry to southern New Mexico, one project at a time. His most recent effort is a film titled “Solitary,” which follows five inmates navigating the harsh realities of solitary confinement.
Before Ross Marks, NMSU Creative Media Institute (CMI) professor and award-winning filmmaker, accepted the job as producer of the film, he set three non-negotiable conditions: the production must be entirely shot in Las Cruces (primarily at the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse), it must partner with a local nonprofit ministry supporting formerly incarcerated individuals and it must employ NMSU students and alumni. David Midell, director of “Solitary” and an alumnus of the Las Cruces International Film Festival, agreed.
“As a professor at NMSU, I think part of my responsibility is not just to teach and train people in the classroom, but to create real-world experiential learning opportunities,” Marks, who is also the executive director of LCIFF, said. “That's the best way to learn and to create job opportunities for students once they graduate as alumni.”
Film productions in New Mexico spent more than $327 million across 80 projects over the past fiscal year. State economic reports consistently outline that the broader film and television sector provides an ongoing annual impact estimated at roughly $500 million to $1 billion, supporting about 8,000 local jobs.
These are jobs that Marks wants to bring to southern New Mexico where he and other NMSU professors are preparing students to provide a ready-made workforce.
CMI produces graduates in digital filmmaking, which focuses on live-action production, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design; animation and visual effects, which focuses on digital art and motion storytelling split into specialized tracks like 2D production or 3D and visual effects production. CMI also has a Master of Fine Arts program that features tracks in screenwriting and playwriting.
Six current students and 18 alumni worked on this film across various departments. Their presence reflects a broader economic momentum.
“The state is investing in these students,” Marks noted. “And then they have this amazing return, where a percentage of your spending in New Mexico gets rebated back to you, which is why the film industry is so robust in the state of New Mexico.”
Integrating students into the local film economy creates jobs, fuels regional development, and provides early-career networking. Michael Kraenzel, an NMSU CMI major serving as Second Assistant Director on “Solitary,” credits CMI with the preparation and connections that gave him the opportunity to work on “Solitary,” his sixth film project as a student.
“It's a very important experience. I always tell people that the connections matter,” Kraenzel said. “You should always work hard and be the hardest worker you can, but the people you meet are going to get you good jobs.”
As a Second AD, Kraenzel manages equipment, runs errands, and assists with administrative tasks. He said his role in managing operations around a 37,000-square-foot active set offers a panoramic understanding of film logistics that can’t be replicated in the classroom.
“I'm always a big defender of CMI, I think it's a very good program, but on set experience is invaluable,” Kraenzel said.
CMI students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the opportunity. Claire Medina, the costume production assistant, is an NMSU fashion merchandising and design student. Recruited by Brayden Frascone, an Albuquerque-based costume designer who has employed previous NMSU fashion students, Medina said “Solitary” is the first film set she’s been on, and it’s giving her a new perspective on fashion.
“In classes, it's a lot about your vision and what you want to create,” Medina said. “In this, it's the total opposite where you're trying to make somebody else's vision come to life. It's a lot of caring more about other people and the environment. You are a puzzle piece to this bigger picture.”
Navigating that bigger picture requires teamwork among the students, alumni, and out-of-town hires. In a building with four levels, many holding cells and as many as 100 rooms, the “Solitary” film set became a place full of new and familiar faces.
“Solitary” wrapped filming on Aug. 16, and while this part of the journey has ended, the film will have miles to go before we can watch it on the screen. In the meantime, Marks is looking toward his next projects.
“The most rewarding thing for me is walking onto the set and seeing all these students and former students working, getting paid, learning,” Marks said. “Las Cruces is my muse. It's what feeds my creative hunger.”
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CUTLINE: From bottom left: NMSU alum Carlos Garcia, Director of Photography Derek Fisher, NMSU student Gladi Godina, Make-up artist Pepper Gallegos, NMSU alum Vanessa Valerde, NMSU alum Blake Bundy, NMSU Professor Ross Marks. From middle left: NMSU alum Melody Godby, actor Sunjay Midda, Director David Midell, costume designer Brayden Frascone, FX make-up artist Siobhan Carmedy, producer Carl Reid. From top left: NMSU alum Julian Galvan, First Assistant Camera Richard Song, NMSU student Alejandro Rey, NMSU student Michael Kraenzel, NMSU alum Bardo Sanchez, on the “Solitary” film set at the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse.
CUTLINE: Richard Song, first assistant camera, and NMSU alumnus Bardo Sanchez, second assistant camera, on the “Solitary” film set at the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse. (Photo by Ross Marks)
CUTLINE: From left: Karina Arroyave, (in the role of Alma) Las Cruces actress Jessica Jiminez, (in the role of Sarah), award-winning cinematographer Derek Fisher, and NMSU alumnus Bardo Sanchez, first assistant camera, filming a scene for the “Solitary” at La Posta de Mesilla.(Photo by Ross Marks)
CUTLINE: NMSU alum Melody Godby, assistant director, sits on an inmate bunk on the “Solitary” film set at the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse. (Photo by Ross Marks)
CUTLINE: From left: Ross Marks “Solitary” film producer and NMSU professor, and actor Cameron Douglas, who plays the role of Drew on the set of “Solitary” at the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse. (Photo by Solitary)