On September 30, the Santa Fe Film Festival Board of Directors invites the Santa Fe community to attend a dinner in honor of Lance Hool, CEO of Santa Fe Studios. A three-course dinner and silent auction at Encantado will celebrate the life and commitment of the ALMA award nominated producer, director and actor. For details, click here.
Best known for executive producing high-profile films by directors such as Tony Scott (Man on Fire) and Simon Wincer (Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles), Lance Hool’s love of the cinematic arts originated with his family.
Lance was first introduced to show business when legendary director Howard Hawks shot one of his earliest films, Viva Villa! on his grandfather’s Mexico City ranch. Many years later, Lance began his acting career alongside John Wayne in Howard Hawks’ last film, Rio Lobo.
After several films in front of the camera, Lance began to put his own stamp on movies as a producer and director. His warmth and generosity of spirit are reflected in his considerable body of work; his films are like his children—he takes pride in all of them. But the picture he’s most proud of is One Man’s Hero.
Lance Hool felt so strongly about the dramatic, emotional story of Irish immigrant soldiers who enlist in the American army, then desert to Mexico after encountering religious persecution, that he spent 25 years gathering resources to produce it. Due to its politically controversial content, the film had a limited United States release. It was, however, an international success.
When the movie was released in Ireland, Lance and Tom Berenger—who plays Irish-born Sgt. John Riley in the film—traveled to Belfast for its premiere. The film had found its way to Ireland’s Gerry Adams, an important figure in the Northern Ireland peace process. On a hot summer night in Belfast, in a sold-out theater, two long-time enemies in Ireland’s troubles came together for the first time to watch Lance’s film. The movie’s portrayal of suffering by both Catholic and Protestants so moved both men that afterward they hugged like brothers.
Lance has carried that sense of justice, passion and commitment to excellence throughout his career, and he now brings it to Santa Fe. While on location shooting The Tracker starring Kris Kristofferson, Santa Fe’s natural beauty and strong sense of community inspired Lance, his brother Conrad and son Jason to create Santa Fe Studios. He felt that if Santa Fe was going to attract film production on a long-term basis, it needed an infrastructure that would draw experienced filmmakers.
Set to open in October of 2011, Santa Fe Studios estimates that film projects will generate approximately 62,500 man days of work in the first three to five years. The initial phase of the world class, state-of-the-art, green facilities will include two 18,000 square foot sound stages and 24,000 square feet of production offices. When fiscally conservative business principles and production volume allow, three additional sound stages will be constructed.
In addition to Hollywood projects, Lance, has had inquiries from film productions in countries including India, France and England. When asked what would attract such diverse international business, he replied, “It’s the Southwest mystique; the Santa Fe brand is attractive” to experienced production talent.
Recognizing the difficulty for young people to gain experience, family-owned Santa Fe Studios has developed friendships with New Mexico colleges. “It’s difficult to break into the film industry,” said Lance. “Young and emerging artists need a place to learn.”
The Encantado honorary dinner and silent auction were conceived by the Santa Fe Film Festival Board of Directors not only to bring support to the Santa Fe Film Festival, but also to recognize Lance for his contribution to the long term sustainability of the Santa Fe film community.
Board members Nick Durrie (Chairman) and Sandy McGovern Durrie (Vice Chair) are pleased that Santa Fe Studios will bring not only much needed revenue into the City Different, but will be “a great opportunity to provide long-term green jobs for the community (and ensure) Santa Fe’s sustainable future.”
Dinner guests at the Encantado event will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction of exciting items including a cocktail party for 20 at Santa Fe Studios, and the possibility of a walk-on part in a future studio production.
Ticket information can be found at our event page here. Contact Suzy Hool for reservations at [email protected].
Please join the Santa Fe Film Festival Board of Directors in honoring Lance Hool as we celebrate the finest in world and independent cinema at the 12th Annual Santa Fe Film Festival from October 20-23.
