LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Being able to see the production of a film first hand it really makes you realize how tedious the process can be, but for some NMSU students it's an opportunity of a lifetime. The film is called “Refuge” and the location for Tuesday’s scene was at New Mexico State University. Some of the actors have some big names such as Chris Payne Gilbert, who has made TV appearances on shows like “Friends” and “Sex In The City.” Lena Georgas was also on seen Tuesday and she has made appearances on shows such as “Numbers” and “Law and Order.” Two actors who were not present Tuesday are Linda Hamilton and Chris McDonald. Hamilton may most be remembered for her work in the movie “Terminator” and McDonald in “Happy Gilmore.” Regardless of big names and faces it's an independent film that has two objectives: One of course, to produce a great film with great actors and the other to help give NMSU students hands-on training.

“Part of what we are doing here is proving that we've got young people down here who are capable of working on films,” said director and producer Mark Medoff.

Young people like students from the NMSU Creative Media Institute, a university program that has come a long way in a short period of time.

“Well, we started in 2005 of January with no students and we have 250 majors now,” said Medoff, who is also a CMI professor. “The whole point of being in the CMI program is so eventually we can get on-set experience; this is what we all want to do as a career the whole time so being able to do it here at NMSU is pretty exciting,” said CMI major Marissa Macias.

And for Macias, who is also acting as second assistant director, the experience has already been amazing.

“This is definitely the biggest project I've worked on and to be able to work on it in such a high position it's really a blessing but a neat opportunity and I'm learning so much,” said Macias.

Medoff said the film industry is booming in New Mexico; it's just a matter of bringing it to the southern part of the state. “The history of film in New Mexico has been that movies are supposed to happen north of Albuquerque and we've been battling for years and years to attract movies down here,” said Medoff.