Local Film Location Scout and Producer to Lead City Film Office

Mayor Tim Keller has named Cyndy McCrossen, a lifelong New Mexico resident and statewide location scout expert of two decades, to lead the City’s nationally-acclaimed Albuquerque Film Office.

McCrossen, who specializes in quality location management, scouting, and research services for film, television, commercial, and editorial print projects, is best known for her work on critically-acclaimed and locally-produced TV series Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, and Preacher.

“The burgeoning film industry is one of our bright spots in Albuquerque, and supporting it is key to our economic development,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re welcoming Cyndy McCrossen on board to lead our City film office and help us continue earning our spot as one of the top locations to work in film.”

McCrossen will be in charge of promoting Albuquerque to TV, film, digital, and ad producers to secure key industry contracts and to recruit production-related companies to relocate their businesses to Albuquerque; providing community outreach to keep residents and local businesses informed about how they can get involved in the film industry and educate citizens about the local economic impact of film making; and scouting locations and accommodations for film operations; among other responsibilities.

“We’re thrilled to have Cyndy join the City’s Film Office, and the Economic Development Department team,” said Synthia R. Jaramillo, the City’s Economic Development Department Director. “Cyndy brings a wealth of film experience, and she comes to us at a great time as productions continue to increase, and Albuquerque’s film industry notoriety grows.”

McCrossen, who received the Location Managers Guild of America award for “Outstanding Locations in a Single Commercial: Coca Cola 'Beautiful'” in 2014, said she is honored to have been chosen to head the award-winning Film Office. Albuquerque is the only big city besides New York to have been named Best Place to Live and Work as a MovieMaker for three consecutive years, most recently in 2020.

“I have been a staunch advocate for the film industry and film crew education in New Mexico for the better part of my career,” McCrossen said. “This position will enable me to transform that passion into new local jobs, new business, and even more national visibility for Albuquerque as the country’s No. 1 film hub.”

McCrossen’s clients have included America’s Most Wanted, Chevrolet, the City of Albuquerque, CBS, Coca Cola, Entertainment Weekly, General Mills, GQ, Neiman Marcus, PNM, and Presbyterian Hospital. Her film work includes many recurring series for AMC, Amazon, CBS, MGM and Netflix, including Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Briarpatch, Chambers, Godless, Graves, House of Cards, In Plain Site, Outer Range, Perpetual Grace, and Preacher. Her feature film credits include 2 Guns, Blood Father, Independence Day, Magnificent Seven, and others.

McCrossen is a graduate of Albuquerque High School and The University of New Mexico, and has worked in the New Mexico film industry for 20 years.

The Film Office is a division of the Economic Development Department.