Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, right, watches as Edit House founders Kim Smith, left, and Ed Smith wield the scissors for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at their new digs, 640 Quantum Road, on Aug. 4. Behind the Smiths is their son, Matt, a co-owner longtime employee. Ed Smith said this is the fifth location for the firm, which began 22 years ago in the couple’s home. (Herron photo)
The City of Rio Rancho, as well as the Sandoval Economic Alliance, always like to see economic-based businesses locating in the area.
And although Edit House isn’t new to the area, it is a 22-year business with that economic-based structure.
In other words, it’s not Rio Ranchoans paying for services, and then Edit House cycling that revenue back into the community again. Edit House Productions and Edit House Advertising have a worldwide base of customers, bringing new money into the local economy.
Founders Ed and Kim Smith welcomed about 150 folks into their new facility at 640 Quantum Road – the fifth since the business began in their home in 2000 – to see the 2,000-square-foot studio and edit suites.
The building was purchased exactly three months earlier, noted Kim Smith, although had the world not experienced a pandemic, the move would have been made in 2020.
Edit House Productions’ studio, with a “green screen” and edit suites are available to others in daily, weekly and even long-term rental possibilities. The studio has a 13-foot ceiling, black walls so the lighting can be controlled, a 400-amp electrical system and two roll-up doors to bring large equipment and even vehicles inside.
Outside crews can bring their own equipment, or use Edit House’s state-of-the-art cameras, teleprompter, sound equipment and more, and the editing suites are equipped with Adobe software.
You can’t survive 22 years in the business world without success, and Edit House has done that, having produced thousands of statewide, national and international projects, with more than 35 national and international awards, with 24 “Telly” and “Addy” awards of excellence.
Among the clientele: Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, Sony Pictures/Imprezario Entertainment, the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, New Mexico State Police and – in production – the Responsible Gaming Association.
The Edit House crew recently shot green-screen footage of Finn Wolfhard, known for his role in “Stranger Things,” which was used in the “Ghostbusters” video game — they even made the slime used in the scene.”
“We’re blessed to have this type of success,” Ed Smith told the crowd, which gathered outside to see the ceremonial ribbon-cutting staged by the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber, along with the city, state Rep. Joshua Hernandez and Sandoval County, handed framed certificates to Edit House in recognition of its service.
After relating a decades-old story about once being told he should enter a trade – maybe become a welder, for example – Ed Smith admitted, “I’m not an entrepreneur, I’m stubborn.
“And I’m not a welder.”
For more on Edit House Productions, visit edithouse.net or check them out on Facebook.
