Creative crew

In fall 2023, Creative Media Institute professor Ross Marks ’90, his students and CMI alumni shot a full-length feature film in less than two months. “Santa’s Cousin,” starring Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts, was released in November 2024. 

Directed by Marks, the film employed 32 NMSU CMI students and a handful of alumni shooting the film in and around Las Cruces in October and November 2023.

“They took a class called Feature Film Production and they got 15 credits, a full semester’s worth of credits,” Marks says. “They did everything from camera grip and electric to costumes, makeup and design production. They did everything it takes to make a movie.”

CMI professor Mitch Fowler taught the course with Marks and served as cinematographer on the film.

“You can’t get a job working on a feature film until you’ve worked on a feature,” says Amy Lanasa, NMSU professor and CMI department head. “Our answer to that is, ‘Okay then, we’re going to create the opportunity for our students to do it while they’re our students.’ Over the years, we’ve figured out how to build a whole semester around making a feature film alongside industry partners.”

“Santa’s Cousin” is a project brought to Marks by CMI graduate Keagan Karnes ’13, head of an Albuquerque production company.

“When I got the opportunity with this film and this script, I showed it to Ross and he loved it and said CMI could come on board,” Karnes says. “I am just so happy and proud of the crew. I’m lucky that I was part of getting it started, but it was the students, it was the crew that really did it.” 

Vanessa Velarde ’24 was the production designer on the film. 

“Not only did that experience help me learn, but it helped me understand that this is what I want to do,” Velarde says. “Now that I’ve graduated, I am aspiring to be a production designer and I’m continuing to work in film.”

Marisol Hernandez ’24 found her role as costume designer was an eye-opener. 

“When you’re in a classroom, it’s not the same,” Hernandez says. “While we were shooting, I was with them 12 hours a day every single day, something I had never experienced before. It completely changed my career path going forward.”

CMI has paved the way for many NMSU graduates. At least a dozen alumni and some current students are credited crew on the award-winning film “In the Summers,” which was shot in Las Cruces. It was awarded the U.S. Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024.

While Marks’ guidance inspires students and alums, they too are making an impression on him. 

“I’ve made 15 movies in my life so far, and I would say this was the best experience I’ve ever had,” Marks says. “We did it again in June and July. Keagan came back to me with a film called ‘Brewmance,’ a rom-com. We had six NMSU student interns, and 75 to 80% of the crew were students or alumni. I want to focus my energies on creating these projects, working with students and alumni.” 

Karnes is eager expand the partnership. 

“To the extent NMSU and CMI want to continue to do this, I would do a couple a year,” Karnes says. “I mean, it’s really a win-win.”