Talking art, particularly film and New Mexico movies, here in the city of Albuquerque, means talking about Christa Valdez. Talking to Christa Valdez is even more important; she’s a mover and a shaker in our city’s creative community, after all.
On the phone, our local arts and cinema maven said that her latest project — focused on bringing local creatives to the fore via passionately homegrown but professionally provocative vodcasts available 24/7 through her new website Viva New Mexico — is designed to be “two parts Pee-Wee's Playhouse, and a pinch of Meow Wolf. That's the stage, and the canvas, I've put together.”
During the interview that followed that first contact, she reminded us that once her new facilities are up and running, it’s going to be contingent on a supportive Albuquerque arts community to help grow that vision for our city: "It's up to the storytellers to come out and "paint" and "dance”, she said as I scheduled an interview with her and got ready to talk about the arts in our fair duke city.
Talking with Valdez means that one is serious about the cinema around these parts. Valdez means business; she’s worked in and supported the film industry in this state for a good part of her life; she’s been a professional in the Duke City since Chavez was the mayor, for what it’s worth. Christa is a stalwart member of our creative scene, an artist, businesswoman, and industry prophet to some. Here’s what she told Albuquerque City Lifestyle when we met up recently.
What’s going on, Ms. Valdez?
This morning, I was like, what the heck am I going to say? So, I jotted down what I’ve been doing … It's a long list.
Fair enough. Your name crops up whenever experts are talking about the film industry, about the nature of creativity in this state … Could you tell our readers a little bit about your career, please?
I was 21 years old when I plopped in there from NMSU, straight from Las Cruces to Rio Rancho.I was a project manager at Intel. From Intel, I went into radio sales. And I started doing some promotions; that was with what is now iHeart Radio. And I mean, that was my bag. That was my jam, because I grew up on the radio. And I still love it.
But you became focused on film as time went by, que no?
As I look back, it aligns like puzzle pieces to me. I started [my first film project] in 2008. I appointed myself a New Mexico film and talent Advocate. It started with just a film blog, One Headlight, named after a tune by Jakob Dylan. And from there, it quickly snowballed, thankfully, into the film website, New Mexico Film News. And I did that for 14 years. But when COVID hit, the [film] industry shut down in New Mexico [temporarily].
Why did New Mexico film become your forte?
I fell in love with the blog that turned into the website. I have reels out there of me out at Ghost Ranch in dusty winds, talking to actors on set. I just like talking to people. And I like sharing awareness and promoting people.
You’re definitely a people person; let’s talk about that a bit.
I started to work with actors. One of my favorite clients was [actor and filmmaker] Alejandro Montoya Marin, and the way we found each other is that he had already done a few movies [and worked in New Mexico]. Then, the website went from One Headlight to nmfilmnews.com. We were getting 2,000 hits a day. That was d*mn good in my book. So I started representing talent, on-screen talent and behind the scenes; filmmakers like Alejandro. I started to work with them, helping them promote their work and featuring them on the website.
Fast forward past the debacle of COVID to your latest professional developments that are directed toward our city’s vibrant art and film scene.
In 2024, I was able to take out a mortgage on my house, and that’s the money that I’m using now to create a full production studio. We’re going to have a fully functioning production studio in a 2,000-square-foot space; we have a photo studio, and we have a production studio. We're going to have a full glam hair and makeup area. I know the community is there, and I know the community is in need. You know, there are filmmakers who need to be lifted up. There are people who need to be lifted up, especially right now. The industry is slow right now.
What’s your professional and business philosophy as you move forward with this new, important creative project?
I teach my kids that what I want for me and for them is to have a clear conscience when you go to bed … and to be happy, and when you wake up be happy; like the saying, do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. I live by those things. Authenticity is the only way for me to be happy. And when I say great things [about Mexico film or the arts], I mean great because those things feed my soul and they make me happy! Helping someone else sort of realize their dream or do what they need to do, not just what they want to do, but what they need to do, is where I am at.
What can readers do to support your vision?
Check out our new website, it's called Viva New Mexico [vivanewmexico.us]. Read the articles, do the research. Contact Christa at Viva New Mexico if you’re interested in contributing, donating, or working to sponsor people in our local creative community!
Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.