Rio Rancho - Film, TV Location Shoots Reviews

Film Industry Finds
Rio Rancho Film-Friendly

"As a Location Manager, I've worked in the Rio Rancho area on numerous feature, television and commercial productions. The community has always been helpful, supportive, and enthusiastic. With the recent expansion of local hotels, Rio Rancho has become the perfect gateway to some of New Mexico's most rugged and spectacular scenery."
- Michael Dellheim

"My experience working with the City of Rio Rancho was unparalleled. Their rapid understanding of the needs of the production company and willingness to assist was remarkable; their public works and police departments were mobilized immediately to fulfill those needs in an extremely short time frame. Everyone involved in the production was totally impressed with the efficiency and positive 'can do' attitude of the city's administration and staff."
- John Meade

"Rio Rancho played the role of 'home' for close to a hundred LA crew and cast members on "John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars", shot primarily at the Pueblo of Zia, over a period of several months. These folks were battling intense heat, high winds, heavy rainstorms, and a brutal production schedule....if ever a crew needed comfort and care, it was this one. Not only was Rio Rancho the welcome respite at the end of each workday, but it served as a production base with fabulous alternative studio space and production offices. The Columbia Screen gems group also received incredible cooperation and assistance from Rio Rancho.
- Lisa Strout

"I have served both as a Producer and Location Manager for commercial productions, shooting on location in the City of Rio Rancho. Whether I am working on automotive productions or producing a fashion shoot, I can honestly say Rio Rancho saved the day. The first time I shot in Rio Rancho, the Department of Public Safety offered their own staff to help find the perfect road for my needs, they helped the citizens through our massive film crew of a road block and essentially allowed us to do our job safely. The fact is, Rio Rancho wants us to shoot in their city. They have a system in place and they understand that we have unusual requirements. This is a place that serves our needs."
- Craig Vencill

Versatile Locations

Choose from mountains, mesas, volcanoes, high-desert open space, scenic roads, rural environments, sports facilities and architecture that captures Spanish adobe, traditional neighborhoods, and high tech commercial buildings. Our online photo library provides a glimpse of the many possible location shoots in and around Rio Rancho.

Free Assistance

The Rio Rancho Convention and Visitors Bureau is your one-stop source for cost-effective film projects. Our service-oriented staff offers quick turnaround to finalize locations, city permits, equipment, and hotel accommodations. Contact the Rio Rancho Convention and Visitors Bureau: (888) 746-7262 or e-mail film@RioRanchoNM.org.

One-Stop Permitting

Rio Rancho is the place for versatile, affordable and hassle-free location shoots. Few permits are needed to film in the Rio Rancho area, which makes producing a project here easy and cost-effective.Click here to download a pdf application or contact the Rio Rancho Convention and Visitors Bureau: (888) 746-7262 or e-mail film@RioRanchoNM.org. We can help obtain permits for production: when filming requires street/lane blockage or closures when filming obstructs pedestrian traffic when filming open space, public parks or historical sites when filming on federal, state and tribal lands Rio Rancho city personnel, including police traffic control, are available at $32 per hour per employee. City services, including the use of heavy equipment, are billed on an hourly basis at cost. All fees must be paid in advance.

Film-Friendly Climate

Local climate is best described as arid with abundant sunshine, low humidity, scant precipitation and a wide yet tolerable range of temperatures. More than three-fourths of the daylight hours have sunshine, even through the winter months. Temperatures are those characteristic of a dry, high altitude climate. Learn more about Rio Rancho area facts and location.