Heery Casting

Heery Casting is the premier casting company in New Mexico, led by casting director Genevieve Heery, who has established the company as the dominant force in the state's thriving film and television production market. New Mexico has become one of the most significant production hubs in the United States, driven by one of the nation's most generous film tax credit programs offering a 25 to 35 percent rebate on qualified spending, along with world-class studio facilities including Netflix's massive Albuquerque Studios campus and the historic Santa Fe Studios. Heery Casting sits at the center of this booming market, providing both background and principal casting services for the steady stream of major productions that choose New Mexico as their production base. The company has cast for an impressive range of high-profile productions, building on the legacy established when Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul put Albuquerque on the map as a serious production destination. The state's dramatic desert landscapes, distinctive architecture, and year-round sunny weather continue to attract productions across every genre.

What distinguishes Heery Casting from many background-only companies is its role as a full-service casting operation handling both principal and background casting, making it a uniquely valuable registration for actors in the New Mexico market. The company serves as the primary casting resource for most productions shooting in the state, connecting local talent with opportunities that would otherwise be filled entirely by actors brought in from Los Angeles. Heery Casting has built strong relationships with the production companies, studios, and line producers who regularly work in New Mexico, giving it access to casting needs across virtually every project that films in the state. The company's deep knowledge of the local talent pool allows it to make precise matches between production requirements and available actors, which benefits both the productions and the talent. For New Mexico-based actors, Heery Casting represents their most important professional relationship in the entertainment industry and their primary pathway to on-set work.

Actors register with Heery Casting through the company's website by submitting photos, contact information, physical measurements, and relevant details about their experience, training, and special skills. The company handles casting calls for both background and principal roles, posting opportunities through email notifications and social media as productions enter their casting phases. Because Heery Casting manages both types of casting, actors who register are automatically considered for the full range of available roles that match their profile, from standard background positions to featured extra work and even speaking roles. The registration process is open to actors at all levels, and the company particularly values local New Mexico talent who are available on short notice and familiar with the geography and logistics of the state's production centers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Responsiveness to casting calls is essential, as the pace of production in the New Mexico market has accelerated significantly and opportunities can arise and fill quickly.

The day-to-day casting and work experience in the New Mexico market through Heery Casting involves productions that shoot primarily in and around Albuquerque and Santa Fe, with some productions venturing to other locations throughout the state for specific scenes and environments. Major studio facilities in the area provide controlled production environments, while New Mexico's diverse landscapes — from desert and mesa to mountains, forests, and small towns — offer an extraordinary range of exterior locations. Heery Casting coordinates both SAG-AFTRA and non-union bookings, with the company's principal casting capability meaning that even actors registered primarily for background work may find themselves being considered for upgrades or speaking roles if they make a strong impression. Standard background work days follow the industry norm of 8 to 12 hours, and the New Mexico production market is known for generally professional and well-organized sets. The state's production infrastructure has matured significantly in recent years, with a growing base of experienced local crew and production support services that contribute to smooth operations.

Heery Casting's registered talent reflects the unique demographics of New Mexico, which includes a significant Hispanic and Native American population that is highly valued by productions seeking authentic representation in their casting. Both SAG-AFTRA members and non-union performers are represented, with the company maintaining the flexibility to fill both types of positions depending on the production's needs. The talent pool includes actors who have been working in the New Mexico market since the Breaking Bad era, newcomers attracted by the state's growing reputation as a production center, and people from non-acting backgrounds who bring unique looks and authentic local character to their background work. Actors with bilingual abilities, particularly English and Spanish, find additional opportunities in the New Mexico market. The company values reliability, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for the work, and actors who demonstrate these qualities consistently become preferred talent in a market where the casting director's personal knowledge of the talent pool plays a significant role in booking decisions.

Heery Casting charges no fees to actors — registration is free, and there are no subscription costs, submission charges, or hidden fees at any stage of the process. The company earns its revenue from the production side. Background actors are paid by the production at standard rates, with SAG-AFTRA members earning approximately $208 minimum per 8-hour day and non-union performers in New Mexico typically earning between $100 and $150 per day as of 2025. For principal roles booked through the company, compensation varies based on the role, production budget, and applicable union agreements, but represents a significant pay increase over background rates. New Mexico's favorable tax credit has kept production volume high, and the state's relatively lower cost of living compared to Los Angeles and New York means that production earnings stretch further in practical terms. The concentration of Netflix productions at Albuquerque Studios has been a particularly significant driver of consistent work volume in the market.

If you are based in New Mexico, registering with Heery Casting is the single most important step you can take to access the state's thriving entertainment production market. The company is essentially the gatekeeper for casting in New Mexico, and being in their database is a prerequisite for being considered for the majority of background and local principal work on productions shooting in the state. The combined background and principal casting capability makes this registration particularly valuable — you are not just signing up for extra work, you are entering a system that can identify you for a wide range of opportunities. If you are in another market but considering relocating, New Mexico's combination of growing production volume, lower cost of living, and strong tax credit program makes it an increasingly attractive option. Actors outside New Mexico will not benefit from this registration and should focus on their local market's primary casting companies.

Make your Heery Casting registration as complete and professional as possible, including high-quality headshots alongside casual photos, as the company's principal casting work means you could be considered for roles that demand a polished professional presentation. Develop familiarity with the Albuquerque and Santa Fe production landscape, including the locations of major studios, common exterior filming locations, and the best routes between them, so you can confidently commit to availability when casting calls arise. If you are bilingual in English and Spanish, make this prominently visible in your registration, as it significantly expands the range of roles you can be considered for in the New Mexico market. Stay current with production announcements for the state, as knowing which shows and films are in active production helps you anticipate casting needs and submit at the right time. Treat every booking, whether background or principal, as an audition for future opportunities — the New Mexico market is small enough that the casting director will personally remember your professionalism and talent.