Current State

Three Cities, Three Problems, One Solution

Each city has film ambitions but faces constraints. Working independently, all three struggle. Working together through an IP hub model, all three thrive.

Horizon City, TX

Mayor wants to establish film economy. Has economic development funding through LEDA. Lacks IP pipeline and production expertise to build from scratch.

Risk: Investing in infrastructure without content guarantee. No proven model to follow.

SEEKING FILM CITY STRATEGY

Las Cruces, NM

City invested $3.7M in 828 Productions partnership. 828 failed to deliver promised $75M studio and 100 jobs. Partnership terminated February 2026.

Problem: Infrastructure money spent, nothing built. Community frustrated. Needs new approach that actually works.

POST-828 FAILURE VACUUM

Albuquerque, NM

Netflix purchased Albuquerque Studios in 2018. All 8 soundstages reserved exclusively for Netflix productions. Creates capacity shortage for independent producers.

Gap: "No soundstage space available in New Mexico" for non-Netflix projects. Market demand unmet.

CAPACITY CONSTRAINED

The Solution

IP Hub Corridor Model

Instead of competing, these three cities form an interconnected film economy with El Paso as the IP development engine that feeds production infrastructure in all directions.

Production Partner

Horizon City

Texas Production Hub

Small-scale production
Texas film incentives
LEDA funding available
Proof-of-concept venue

Production Partner

Las Cruces

New Mexico Production Hub

35% NM incentives
Existing infrastructure
Trained workforce (NMSU/DACC)
Post-828 fresh start

IP Development Hub

El Paso

The Mettenger AI Film Company

Meta AI infrastructure
Character/script development
McKee methodology
Binational talent pool
Film Commissioner platform
HBO/Netflix connections

Scale Infrastructure

Albuquerque

Netflix Studios

8 major soundstages
Big-budget execution
National distribution
Proven IP preferred

The Flow

From IP to Production to Scale

Content flows through the corridor, increasing in scale and budget at each stage. Revenue flows back to all participants.

Stage 1: IP Development

↓

El Paso develops IP using The Mettenger AI system
Characters generated (Totalverse)
Scripts built (McKee methodology)
Pitch packages created
Meta AI infrastructure accelerates development
Output: Production-ready IP

Stage 2: Proof of Concept

↓

Horizon City OR Las Cruces produces pilot/proof-of-concept
Small-scale production (lower risk)
Uses Texas OR New Mexico incentives
Tests market viability
Builds track record
Output: Proven IP with audience data

Stage 3: Scale Production

↓

Successful IP pitched to Netflix/Albuquerque
Big-budget production using 8 soundstages
National/international distribution
De-risked (already proven in smaller market)
El Paso team maintains creative control/revenue share
Output: Major production with proven concept

Stage 4: Revenue Distribution

↓

El Paso (IP rights + producer fees)
Horizon City OR Las Cruces (production services fees)
Albuquerque (facility fees + Netflix distribution)
All three cities benefit from jobs, spending, tax revenue
Success compounds (proven model attracts more projects)
Output: Regional film economy established

What Each City Gains

Mutual Benefits, Not Competition

This model creates value for all three cities simultaneously. When one succeeds, all succeed.

For Horizon City

Film Economy Without Risk

Guaranteed IP pipeline from El Paso
Production services revenue
Uses existing LEDA funding strategically
Doesn't need $75M investment (828's mistake)
Scalable model (start small, grow)
Film city vision achieved

For El Paso

Film Commissioner Platform + Regional Leadership

Film Commissioner role expanded to regional scope
Meta AI infrastructure leveraged
IP rights = long-term revenue
Producer fees on every project
Regional economic development wins
Binational film hub positioning

For Las Cruces

Post-828 Solution

Uses existing infrastructure (not new investment)
Leverages 35% NM incentives
Taps NMSU/DACC trained workforce
IP pipeline reduces production risk
Revenue share model (not city investment)
Proven alternative to failed 828 approach

Timing

Why This Works Now

Multiple factors converge to make this the perfect moment for tri-city corridor formation.

828 Productions Failed

Las Cruces terminated partnership 1 week ago. City seeking new model. Fresh start possible.

Netflix Capacity Constraint

Albuquerque Studios fully reserved. Independent producers need alternatives. Market gap exists.

Horizon City Film Ambitions

Mayor actively seeking film economy strategy. LEDA funding available. Looking for proven model.

Meta AI Infrastructure

Meta AI center opening in El Paso NOW. Only binational metro with this advantage. First-mover opportunity.

Let's Build This Together

Three cities. One corridor. Interconnected film economy that benefits everyone. IP flows from El Paso, production happens in Horizon City and Las Cruces, scale execution in Albuquerque. Revenue distributes across all participants.

Discuss Partnership

Luis Ruiz | Film Commissioner Candidate | Tri-City Corridor Architect

correspondentx@icloud.com | (915) 760-7927

El Paso, Texas

Film Commissioner Strategy | The Mettenger AI Film Company | $100M Economic Impact

The Tri-City Binational Film Corridor