Now Filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Casting Calls, Production Hubs & How to Get Cast

Albuquerque isn’t just the city where Breaking Bad happened. It’s one of the most active production hubs in the United States — a city where Netflix bought its first-ever studio complex, where the state hands productions up to a 40% refundable tax credit (per industry incentive trackers, with the exact rate depending on production type and uplifts), and where background actors book paid work year-round. If you want to act professionally outside of Los Angeles or New York, Albuquerque deserves to be on your shortlist.

This guide covers why Albuquerque became a production powerhouse, the studios and casting directors who drive it, exactly how to get cast — as background or in principal roles — what it pays, what it costs to live there, and how to find real Albuquerque casting calls right now.

Why Albuquerque Is a Major Production Hub

The New Mexico tax incentive does the heavy lifting

The single biggest reason cameras roll in Albuquerque is money. New Mexico offers a 25% base refundable tax credit on qualifying in-state production spend, with stackable uplifts — including +5% for series television, +5% for filming at qualified production facilities, and +10% for filming 60+ miles outside Bernalillo and Santa Fe counties — that can push the effective rate to roughly 35–40% for productions that stack them, according to industry incentive trackers and a New Mexico legislature presentation. Unlike some states, the credit is refundable (it functions like a cash rebate) and there is no per-project cap.

To put that in context: on a $20 million feature, the difference between a 25% and a 35% credit is about $2 million back in the production’s pocket. That math is why streaming giants have anchored permanent infrastructure in the state instead of just flying in for one-offs. The annual program payout cap is about $140 million for FY2026 and is scheduled to grow toward $160 million by 2028–2029 (per a legislative presentation from the NM Film Office), so productions can count on the program holding up.

Geography, crews, and year-round shooting

Albuquerque sits at the intersection of several production advantages:

• Diverse looks within an hour. Desert, mountains, small-town main streets, modern downtowns, ranch land, and distinctive Southwest architecture — productions can double the area for the American West, Mexico, the Southwest, and plenty of “anywhere” locations.
• Deep crew base. Two decades of consistent production (plus formal workforce training — see the New Mexico Media Academy below) mean producers can staff locally instead of flying in department heads.
• 300+ days of sunshine and mild winters. Weather delays are a budget killer; Albuquerque’s high-desert climate keeps schedules intact.
• Cost. Crewing, location fees, and general costs run well below Los Angeles and New York rates, and the incentive stacks on top.

Major Studios and Production Facilities in Albuquerque

Netflix Studios Albuquerque (formerly ABQ Studios)

The anchor of Albuquerque’s production economy. Netflix acquired the Mesa del Sol facility in 2018 — its first-ever purchase of a production studio complex — with a $30 million capital investment plus $14.5 million in city and state support. The campus started with 12 sound stages, production offices, and a backlot, and Netflix later expanded it with four new soundstages, mills, and dedicated backlots across 108 acres.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said the hub generated nearly $900 million in New Mexico production investment since 2019. Productions associated with the facility include Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Avengers, Logan, The Book of Eli, The Lone Ranger, Sicario, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, The Harder They Fall, Army of the Dead, Stranger Things (season 4), and Ransom Canyon. The facility was also home base for In Plain Sight, Preacher, Midnight, Texas, and Get Shorty.

For actors, the takeaway is simple: Netflix’s permanent footprint means recurring work. Series work at a permanent studio is the engine of the local extras economy, and day-player and co-star roles under five lines frequently go to local talent.

NBCUniversal’s Albuquerque footprint

NBCUniversal is the state’s second “film partner,” committing $500 million in production spending when it signed its partnership in 2021 (per the NM Film Office’s legislative presentation). NBCU pilots and series have shot in the Albuquerque area, including westerns and procedurals that hire hundreds of background performers per project. When a major network commits at that level, it means standing casting relationships with local extras casting offices.

Qualified production facilities and the workforce pipeline

Both Netflix’s and NBCUniversal’s Albuquerque studios are recognized as qualified production facilities under the state’s incentive program, which matters because filming at one triggers an additional credit uplift — a reason productions cluster at these campuses rather than scattering.

The state is also building its pipeline deliberately. The New Mexico Media Academy established its Albuquerque headquarters at the historic Rail Yards, with a goal of training roughly 1,000 students per year and offering paid apprenticeships with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and 828 Productions, plus hours toward IATSE Local 480 membership for apprenticeship graduates (per the Governor’s office announcement). More trained crew and vendors on the ground = more productions = more casting calls.

Note: 828 Productions, the state’s third film partner, built its studio in Las Cruces (a $75 million commitment over six years, per the Governor’s office), not Albuquerque — but its presence strengthens the statewide production ecosystem that feeds Albuquerque’s casting pool.

What Films in Albuquerque: Notable Productions and Project Types

The range is wider than most people assume:

• Prestige TV: Breaking Bad (2008–2013), Better Call Saul (2015–2022), Stranger Things (season 4), Godless, Longmire, Ransom Canyon
• Major features: The Avengers, Logan, The Lone Ranger, Sicario, The Book of Eli, The Harder They Fall, Army of the Dead, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Independence Day: Resurgence
• Western and period projects: El Camino, The Harder They Fall, Netflix’s Godless — westerns are a recurring genre because of the terrain, and westerns are hungry for background actors (townspeople, ranch hands, period soldiers, indigenous roles)
• Network pilots and procedurals: NBCUniversal projects and other network shows in preproduction regularly hold large extras open calls in the area
• Commercials, documentaries, and indie films round out the calendar

The genres that hire the most local actors are westerns (large background needs), contemporary TV series (bar, street, and office scenes), and network pilots (which cast wide nets and often need 500–1,000+ extras per project, according to local casting news coverage).

A note on timing: this guide reflects information current as of late 2026. Individual productions’ shooting schedules change constantly, and we won’t claim a specific project is filming this week without a dated source — always check current casting listings before assuming a show is hiring.

The Albuquerque Casting Ecosystem: Who Casts What

Extras casting: Alessi Hartigan Casting

If you do background work in New Mexico, you will almost certainly encounter Alessi Hartigan Casting (Sande Alessi and Shayne Hartigan). They are the dominant extras casting office for the region — their credits include Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Oppenheimer, Stranger Things, The Harder They Fall, The Lone Ranger, and the Netflix film Rez Ball, for which they worked directly with indigenous communities.

Their influence is deep enough that when the New Mexico Film Commission drew up its standards for extras casting, the commission reportedly asked Alessi and Hartigan to help write them. They run a registered-talent database model: you register online for free, upload photos and information, and they pull from that database when productions need background actors. According to their own public listings, they are transitioning to registered-talent-only casting — meaning if you want to work as an extra in Albuquerque, registering in their database is close to mandatory.

Large open calls still happen — for example, an in-person open call at Revel in ABQ drew crowds ahead of Netflix series and Jordan Peele project shoots, with local reports noting thousands of extras hired per project cycle — but the database is where the day-to-day bookings originate.

Principal casting

Principal roles (speaking parts) on Albuquerque-shot projects are typically cast in a split pattern:

• Series-regular, guest-star, and major supporting roles are usually cast out of Los Angeles (or New York) by the production’s principal casting director.
• Co-star roles, under-fives (roles with fewer than five lines), and day players frequently go to New Mexico–based actors through local casting offices and self-tape auditions.
• Theater and commercial work casts almost entirely locally.

For an Albuquerque-based actor, the realistic target list is: co-star roles on series, featured background, commercial principals, indie film leads, and theater. Guest-star bookings happen for established local talent, but the flow runs local-first for the smaller parts — which is exactly where you should aim early.

Agencies

Albuquerque has legitimate talent agencies that represent actors to local casting offices — for background, principal, and commercial work. Legitimate agencies in New Mexico, like everywhere, never charge upfront fees to represent you; they earn commission (typically 10–20%) on work you book. If an “agency” asks for hundreds of dollars to sign you, walk away.

How to Get Cast in Albuquerque: Step by Step

Step 1: Get your materials in order

Before anything else, you need professional-grade submission materials. Local casting directors decide in seconds:

• Headshots that look like you today. Not glamour shots — clean, natural, type-appropriate. One strong commercial headshot and one theatrical/character headshot covers most submissions.
• A current résumé listing training, credits, and special skills (accents, instruments, sports, languages, stunt skills, firearms/handling experience for westerns).
• A one-minute demo reel or slate if you have one. For background-only work, you don’t need a reel — current photos suffice.

Step 2: Register with the extras casting databases

This is the fastest path to paid set experience in Albuquerque:

1. Register with Alessi Hartigan Casting at their official site (free registration, upload photos and details). This is the single highest-leverage move for background work in the state.
2. Watch for open calls. When major projects land, casting offices hold in-person open calls — historically at venues in Albuquerque — where you confirm your registration and photos in person. These are announced on casting listings and local film-office channels.
3. Keep your availability and photos current. Extras casting is logistics: the person whose photos are current and who answers availability texts promptly gets booked.

Step 3: Apply to casting calls on casting platforms

Principal and featured-background roles are posted on casting platforms. Search for “Albuquerque” and “New Mexico” location filters, and set up alerts. Most local postings will ask for self-tapes — invest in a clean self-tape setup (neutral backdrop, good light, clear audio). A self-tape done well beats a sloppy in-person read every time.

Step 4: Build local relationships

• Take classes at local studios and theaters. Albuquerque has a real theater scene, and working actors there also work on sets.
• Attend industry events and film-office mixers. The community is small enough that casting assistants and ADs know each other — be the person who’s reliable, on time, and easy to work with.
• Get on set as background first. Extras who are professional get remembered; background coordinators feed recommendations up the chain for featured and day-player upgrades.

Step 5: Know the union question before you move

See the union vs. non-union section below — your SAG-AFTRA status materially changes which calls you can answer in Albuquerque.

Background Actor Pay in Albuquerque

Background rates on SAG-AFTRA productions in Albuquerque follow the national contract (contract through June 30, 2026):

• Background actor: $224/day
• Special-ability background (swimming, driving, horseback riding — huge for westerns): $234/day
• Stand-in: $262/day

Most extras bookings are day-rate calls of 8–12 hours. Overtime applies past the standard day. Non-union background rates are set per production and are typically lower — which is part of why union-eligible actors in Albuquerque prize the SAG productions.

Do the math: three background days a week at $224/day is about $2,688/month before taxes (an estimate — call frequency varies wildly by season and project load). That will not replace a full-time job on its own, which is why even the busiest local background actors keep day jobs. But as supplemental income in a low-cost city, it’s real money.

Union vs. Non-Union Reality in Albuquerque

The Albuquerque market runs mostly on SAG-AFTRA productions for features and series — the incentive program rewards hiring New Mexico residents, and the union pipeline is well established. Key realities:

• SAG-AFTRA members can answer union calls freely and are the first choice for background bookings on major productions.
• Non-union actors can still work — many commercials, indie films, and some background needs are non-union — but the biggest, steadiest paychecks (Netflix, NBCU series work) are union.
• The Taft-Hartley path: non-union actors cast in a union role can be “Taft-Hartleyed” into SAG-AFTRA eligibility. Extras who work enough union voucher days can join. In a market like Albuquerque, where union series hire thousands of local extras per season, the Taft-Hartley route is a genuine, repeatable path to membership — several seasons of steady background work can get you in.

Cost of Living: What Actors Should Know Before Relocating

The financial case for Albuquerque as an actor’s base is strong but has limits:

• Overall cost of living runs about 8% below the national average (an estimate based on a 92 vs. 100 cost-of-living index figure for New Mexico), with housing the biggest gap.
• Median home value in Albuquerque is roughly $318,000 for a typical 3-bed/2-bath (an estimate from relocation data), with the metro population around 565,000.
• Rents run well under Los Angeles and New York — a working actor’s informal but widely repeated comparison is that comparable apartments cost roughly half or less of LA equivalents (an estimate from actors who have lived in both).
• Minimum wage in New Mexico is $12.00/hour, and side jobs pay local rates — meaning your non-acting income buys more than it would on the coasts.

The honest tradeoff, as one longtime New Mexico–based actor put it: you will pay less and get SAG minimum with little room to negotiate, with fewer total opportunities than LA or NYC. Almost nobody lives on acting income alone in a regional market. What Albuquerque offers instead is a sustainable hybrid life — affordable housing, real union credits, and set experience — while you build the reel and relationships that can carry you to bigger bookings.

How to Find Albuquerque Casting Calls Right Now

1. Casting platforms with location filters — search “Albuquerque” or “New Mexico” and set alerts. This is where most principal and featured-background postings land first.
2. Alessi Hartigan Casting’s registration database — register directly; this is the direct line to background bookings.
3. The New Mexico Film Office (nmfilm.com) — the state’s official film office publishes production news and resources.
4. Local casting Facebook groups and trade listings — many westerns and indie projects post quickly to local groups.
5. The Albuquerque and Santa Fe film offices — production liaison offices announce open calls and workforce events.

When you find a posting, check the basics before submitting: production name, shoot dates, pay rate, union status, and whether local-hire is required (most Albuquerque postings are local-hire only — meaning you must already live in or near the city, with no travel or housing provided).

Whether you’re a background actor chasing your first voucher days, a working co-star building credits, or an LA actor eyeing a cheaper base, Albuquerque is one of the few cities in America where the cameras show up reliably, year after year — and where a registered, professional, available local actor can work steadily.

Browse current Albuquerque casting calls and apply directly — background, co-star, commercial, and indie film roles are posted on Project Casting by working productions, and most Albuquerque postings hire locally, so registering your profile with current photos is the fastest way to get in front of casting directors.

FAQ

Is anything filming in Albuquerque right now?

Albuquerque is a permanent production hub — Netflix operates a major studio complex there, and NBCUniversal is a committed state film partner, so productions cycle through year-round. Specific current projects change weekly; check active casting listings rather than assuming any particular show is hiring today. This guide reflects information current as of late 2026.

How do I become a background extra in Albuquerque?

Register (for free) with Alessi Hartigan Casting, the region’s dominant extras casting office, and keep your photos and availability current. They transitioned to a registered-talent database model — you need to be in their system to be pulled for background bookings. Watch casting listings and local film-office channels for in-person open calls when major projects land.

How much do background actors make in Albuquerque?

On SAG-AFTRA productions, background actors earn $224/day, special-ability background (e.g., horseback riding, stunt driving) earns $234/day, and stand-ins earn $262/day, under the current contract (through June 30, 2026). Most calls are 8–12 hour day-rate bookings with overtime after the standard day. Non-union rates are lower and set per production.

What is the New Mexico film tax incentive?

New Mexico offers a 25% base refundable tax credit on qualifying in-state production spend, with stackable uplifts — +5% for series television, +5% for filming at qualified production facilities, +10% for filming 60+ miles outside Bernalillo and Santa Fe counties — that can bring the effective rate to roughly 35–40% for productions that qualify for multiple uplifts (per industry incentive trackers). The credit is refundable, there is no per-project cap, and the annual program payout cap is about $140 million for FY2026, growing toward $160 million.

Do I need to join SAG-AFTRA to work in Albuquerque?

Not to start. Non-union actors can work commercials, indie films, and non-union background calls. But the biggest, steadiest work — Netflix and NBCUniversal series — is SAG-AFTRA, and the incentive rewards hiring New Mexico residents on union productions. Non-union actors cast in union roles can gain eligibility through the Taft-Hartley process, and steady background work across seasons is a realistic path to membership.

Is Albuquerque a good city for actors to live in?

For actors seeking a sustainable regional market, yes: cost of living runs about 8% below the national average (an estimate), housing costs roughly half or less of Los Angeles equivalents (an estimate), and the permanent studio infrastructure delivers steady union work. The tradeoff is fewer total opportunities than LA or NYC and little room to negotiate above scale. Most working local actors keep day jobs; the ones who thrive treat Albuquerque as a base for union credits, reels, and experience.

Which studios are in Albuquerque?

The main facilities are Netflix Studios Albuquerque (formerly ABQ Studios) in Mesa del Sol — 12 sound stages plus production offices and backlot, expanded with four additional soundstages and support buildings — and NBCUniversal’s Albuquerque studio operations. Both are recognized as qualified production facilities under the state incentive program. The New Mexico Media Academy, a state workforce training hub with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and IATSE partnerships, is headquartered at the Rail Yards in Albuquerque.