Thanks to hit shows like Dark Winds, Indigenous-owned Camel Rock Studios is making its mark on Hollywood.
The Indigenous ensemble cast of Dark Winds — including standouts Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, and Jessica Matten — has rightly been lauded for bringing to life 1970s Navajo Nation as depicted in Tony Hillerman’s classic Leaphorn & Chee novels. But there’s one unassuming character that has appeared in each and every episode of the AMC noir thriller, sometimes even stealing the spotlight from these Native stars: that mesmerizing Southwestern landscape.
Camel Rock Studios has more than 100 acres of undeveloped land of varying scenic aspects in its backlot.
More than simply a backdrop, those breathtaking vistas are courtesy of the Tesuque Pueblo’s Camel Rock Studios, set just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. Earlier this year during Dark Winds Season 3 filming, C&I got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what makes the country’s first Native-owned movie studio so uniquely suited for authentic Indigenous storytelling.
Far from the sound stages of Tinseltown and far from ordinary, Camel Rock officially opened its doors in 2020. The private studio is part of a New Mexico entertainment boom that’s grown to unprecedented proportions, with more projects being filmed in the Land of Enchantment than ever before. In fact, media production is now one of the state’s fastest growing industries, bringing in a record $2.2 billion during the past three years.
[Left] Kiowa Gordon returns as Jim Chee in the upcoming third season of Dark Winds. [Right] Jessica Matten is set to reprise her role as Bernadette Manuelito in the upcoming Season 3.
In so many ways, Camel Rock is a shining example of Indigenous innovation. After the Tesuque Pueblo debuted a new luxury casino in 2018, the former 1990s-era gaming facility sat vacant, ready for its next chapter. Tribal leadership was heavily considering converting the 75,000-square-foot space into a movie studio when Universal Pictures came calling with a serendipitous request: Could the Hollywood institution shoot its Tom Hanks film News of the World there? Thus, the studio’s fate was sealed.
After that filming wrapped, AMC asked to lease out the property to shoot Dark Winds, its Indigenous-focused show from Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin (who, we’re told, stop by Camel Rock now and then during production). It’s precisely the type of project the Tesuque Pueblo had hoped to land, allowing the small but mighty community to have a hand in shaping Native content. The unique opportunity to film on tribal lands — and the irreplaceable richness that lends to the storytelling — isn’t lost on the show’s cast and crew. Celebrated Cheyenne/Arapaho director and executive producer Chris Eyre perhaps said it best: When it comes to Indigenous representation, this is how to “do it right.”
Ryan Begay, who plays Guy Atcitty in Dark Winds, admires the Tesuque Pueblo shooting location made possible by Camel Rock Studios.
“The land breathes further life and authenticity into these stories,” notes McClarnon, who is of Hunkpapa Lakota/ Irish descent and serves as executive producer on the show in addition to portraying its leading man. “This environment allows me to bring Joe Leaphorn to life. For so many Native tribes, land is the foundation of our culture and our spirituality. The land is sacred and an important character within our [tribal] stories.”
Gordon, who plays detective Jim Chee on Dark Winds and is a member of the Hualapai tribe of northern Arizona, seconds that. “It’s Mother Earth portrayed,” he muses. “In this day and age when there’s a lot of CGI and green screen being used in the industry, it’s a breath of fresh air to be able to do something that’s this real and grounded — to be out in the elements, feeling the heat of the sun and the cold of the wind. We get to play out in the dirt, out in the bush, out in the mountains, out in the water. You really can’t beat that.”
Clients of Camel Rock Studios have access to additional shooting locations throughout the 17,471-acre Tesuque Pueblo. Visit camelrockstudios.com for more information.
For the Tesuque Pueblo, transforming the former casino into a movie studio was easy in some aspects, since the enterprises have overlapping needs: wide open spaces, secluded offices and conference rooms, ample storage areas (primed for props and costumes), 24/7 video surveillance, plentiful parking (for all those 1970s-era vehicles), and the like. Even so, the Pueblo of Tesuque Development Corporation spent an initial $50 million on sustainable high-tech infrastructure improvements in order to meet industry standards and continues to infuse additional funding as needed. Tesuque Pueblo Lieutenant Governor Floyd Samuel says the investment has been well worth it, bolstering the tribal nation’s economic development while also creating a blueprint for other Indigenous communities to follow.
But the benefit isn’t just to the pueblo. Production companies enjoy easy access, simplified permitting, and dedicated support from stage manager Peter Romero and his team. In terms of facilities, they get access to two studio spaces (including the former bingo hall), a rare 12,000-square-foot onsite mill for construction needs, and a 100-plus-acre backlot of undeveloped, undisturbed land — allowing for those scene-setting panoramas.
Actor Zahn McClarnon, who portrays Joe Leaphorn in the series, says the authentic surroundings allow him to bring his character to life.
Additional shooting locations are available across the 17,000-plus-acre pueblo with approval from tribal leadership and the tribal preservation officer, who ensures all sacred sites are safeguarded and oversees post-production remediation. That includes removing temporary exterior sets, restoring displaced trees and plants, and taking any other necessary stewardship steps. After all, it’s of the utmost importance to Indigenous peoples to be “in right relationship” with the land.
Filming at Camel Rock allows production companies to not only put money back into the pueblo but also to tap local Indigenous talent, which Matten thinks is vital. “We’re empowering the people that [this story] belongs to,” says the Metis/Cree/Chinese/European actress, who plays officer Bernadette Manuelito on Dark Winds. “When we bring in crew members who are Navajo and are based here, I hope they feel empowered to be working on what’s rightfully theirs. But this isn’t about skin color — it’s just human beings working together in a very supportive environment, which is what I love most.”
Zahn McClarnon will return to Season 3 of Dark Winds as the veteran tribal police lieutenant.
For McClarnon, that’s what authentic representation is really about. “One of our main objectives for all three seasons has been employing as many Native Americans as possible both in front of and behind the camera,” he says. “I’ve been in this business for three decades now, and it’s certainly a beautiful time for Native representation in film and TV. I am very, very fortunate to be part of this renaissance and hope I can help open up doors for more Indigenous filmmakers, performers, and storytellers.” Spotlighting Indigenous talent while showcasing stunning tribal lands while supporting Native sovereignty? Now that’s a win-win-win, if you ask us.
Season 3 of Dark Winds is set to premiere in 2025. Catch up with our previous season recaps and more here.
From our August/September 2024 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy AMC