Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer during a scene filmed in Los Alamos for ‘Oppenheimer’. Courtesy image

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

This past March Hollywood paid a visit to Los Alamos. Director Christopher Nolan and his cast of A-list movie stars shot scenes for their movie “Oppenheimer” at several locations around town. 

The second trailer for the movie has been released and the movie is scheduled to hit theaters July 21.

In preparation of Los Alamos and its history being cast in a global limelight, Los Alamos County, Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) and local organizations such as the Los Alamos Historical Society are making plans to take advantage of all the expected attention.

During the Dec. 6 County Council meeting, former Councilor Sara Scott asked about preparations being made in response to the movie.

“I do know that different groups are trying to really leverage … the whole Oppenheimer movie,” Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board (LTAB) Chair Jenn Olsen said. “I think we have a great working relationship with the LACDC right now and I think LTAB and the Tourism Implementation Task Force are discussing those things right now. We’re hoping that between Datafy and some of the other new data tools we are looking at bringing on board we can use [historical event] data to come up with our strategic marketing.”

In a recent interview with the Los Alamos Daily Post, Los Alamos County Marketing Specialist Kelly Stewart said plans were hatching as soon as the cameras began rolling.

“We have a lot of plans for leveraging the film locally,” she said, adding that, as the County’s film liaison, she is reaching out to NBC Universal Pictures to acquire images, information and swag “to promote the film and to bring it to life and to create anticipation for it.”

Additionally, Stewart said ScienceFest 2023 has been extended to a 10-day event, July 7-18, leading up to the Oppenheimer’s national release date, which is July 21.

In addition to the existing Los Alamos ScienceFest website, LosAlamosScienceFest.com, an Oppenheimer-specific microsite is being developed to feature information about J. Robert Oppenheimer. Stewart pointed out that Oppenheimer’s story continues even today; for instance, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm recently nullified the 1954 decision to revoke Oppenheimer’s security clearance.

Stewart said it is expected that Oppenheimer and Los Alamos will receive more attention because of the film. The plan is to promote Los Alamos as the place where many of the film’s events actually occurred and where the community takes pride in providing the facts of the story upon which the movie is based.  This is something she said they are working with the New Mexico Tourism Department to pitch to travel media and influencers at the end of January during the annual Media Marketplace event in New York City.

Pulling off an effective campaign around the movie will require broad local support, LACDC Executive Director Lauren McDaniel said.

“We really want to engage the entire community and have as many businesses and organizations involved as possible,” she said. “This can be anything from leading tours, to offering Oppenheimer-themed business specials that are unique to our town,” McDaniel said. “This is a significant opportunity for Los Alamos and our region. Many of our residents are excited by the movie release, and I think the goal is to create an experience where visitors feel immersed in the origins of our community’s historical significance and culture.”

Stewart emphasized that the movie offers a chance to educate the community and the younger generations about Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project and the work that was done in Los Alamos.

As far as specific events in the planning stages, Stewart said they are working with NBC Universal Studios to host a special event in town for the movie’s premiere.

Los Alamos MainStreet Director Jacquelyn Connolly said in response to the movie, ScienceFest in 2023 will feature more historical content about the time period, such as big band performances, dances and art. The hope is to show off the beauty, culture and science of the area, she said.

Connolly added that discussions also are occurring with students to interview local residents about the Manhattan Project.

The County and LACDC noted that there are already many programs planned or being conducted that tell the story of life during the Manhattan Project, and Oppenheimer’s life and contributions. Programs include bus tours to the Trinity Site, behind-the-fence tours conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory, spy tours at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe and in Los Alamos and the Historical Society’s lecture series, just  to name a few.

In Los Alamos scenes were shot in Fuller Lodge and on its lawn, the United Church of Los Alamos, Women’s Army Corps dormitory and outside Guaje Pines Cemetery, among other places.

While filming occurred over a two-week period in March in Los Alamos, location and production design crews were scouting locations, building and decorating sets and filming in other northern New Mexico locations mid-January through late March, Stewart said, adding that Los Alamos received good reviews from the movie crew.

“They loved it,” Stewart said. “Los Alamos has a reputation for being film-friendly and they told us our low-key community provided respite compared to other locations. Plus, the locations crews were wonderful stewards of every location and dedicated to leaving the area in better shape than they found it.”

McDaniel pointed out that local restaurants and hotels enjoyed the uptick in business while the movie was being filmed. She said Director Nolan was a big fan of the Blue Window Bistro.

More business for local restaurants, retailers and hotels is anticipated once the movie is released, Connolly said.

“We’re trying to work with businesses to make them aware of what to expect and to have coordinated strategic effort,” she said.

Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director Todd Nickols said it is expected that the Los Alamos History Museum will see a 20 percent increase in visitors over the next four years.

“This immediately puts us on the worldwide map,” Nickols said. “I hope businesses are ready and I hope the County is ready for things to increase.”

Tourism has always been a focus for Los Alamos and Connolly pointed out that the LACDC recently started A2D (Arrival to Departure), training, which creates visitor champions and is the first step toward becoming a Los Alamos Ambassador. The program is run by Liz Martineau, who has had 26 people complete the program in 2022, primarily focusing first on those who work at the visitor centers and Historical Society.

“Anybody can participate in the free program, which empowers those in the community to be advocates and ambassadors of Los Alamos,” Connolly said.

Along with preparing for various events and the increase in visitors in response to the movie, work continues to preserve Oppenheimer’s legacy and work in Los Alamos.

McDaniel noted that funds are being accepted to renovate the Laboratory Director’s former home on Bathtub Row, which is part of Los Alamos MainStreet and the historical district.

Nickols said the entire renovation process from start to finish is expected to cost $3 million. With portions of the house dating back to the Ranch School days, he said the home is 94 years old and it shows.

“We have our hands full,” Nickols said, adding that the intent is to effectively preserve the home. “We just want to make sure we do it right.”

No matter the project or event, Nickols said he hopes the movie will bring the whole community together.

“Honestly, I would love to see the entire community get together and do something,” he said.