May 19, 2008
More Movie, TV Productions Lured Back to NYC
After years of hemorrhaging film production business to cheaper locations like Canada, New York City is seeing a spike in movie shoots, back up to the pre-9/11 level. Bloomberg reports that the city saw a 36% rise in production last year, with over 245 movies and television shows shot citywide in 2007. A consulting group hired by the mayor’s office determined that the industry pumps $5 billion a year into the economy and employs some 100,000 people.
The increase is attributed to a number of factors like the guttering dollar and an increased flexibility on behalf of the city when it comes to shooting at famous landmarks. And last month Governor Paterson signed a bill giving bigger tax incentives for productions that complete 75% of their work in the five boroughs; it’s now a 35% tax credit, up from 15%. (Which bests Connecticut's competitive 30%.)
Last week ABC confirmed that production on Ugly Betty will be moving to New York, prompting crew members to buy a full-page ad in Variety warning Governor Schwarzenegger that the loss of movie and television jobs is damaging California's economy. In recent months, New York has hosted productions that include Woody Allen’s current project (pictured), the remake of The Taking of Pelham 123, Bride Wars, Julie and Julia, and The International (starring Clive Owen). Of course, this also means less parking and more pushy production assistants stopping you on the sidewalk during filming – apparently, they do have a right to do that.
As if anticipating the wrath of impatient pedestrians, Ugly Betty star America Ferrera told David Letterman she's "excited" about the move but, "New Yorkers are really cool and (laughs) I’m just a little nervous how they’re going to accept the show since we’ll be on the streets, blocking the way.”
Photo courtesy Lorcan Otway.
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This is good for the city because it's as if it needed more attention in Hollywood.
I mean, I almost forgot new york existed for a minute there.
Make New York a right-to-work state and you'll see plenty of film and video shot here. Maybe even some manufacturing will move back to the state despite being chased out by Albany!
This is great news; filming in NYC has a ripple effect that boosts non-film-related businesses as well.
The "pushy production assistants stopping you on the sidewalk" made me chuckle. Years ago when I started as a (very polite) production assistant I had to stop people from walking under a crane swinging a large i-beam around Lincoln Center.
There was going to be a camera suspended from the crane and they were practicing the crane moves to get the correct trajectory. As I asked people to walk around the coned-off & taped-off area, so many people yelled at me! I simply pointed upwards and told them I was concerned for their safety.
Still many people ignored me and stepped over the cones and tape; I'm quite sure they would have sued if the cable had snapped or some other misfortune had occurred. It's good to be reminded as the NYT article stated, usually those PAs are trying to keep the public from harm as well as allow the filmmakers to get their job done.
As a union member and veteran film professional, I can attest that safety is a huge concern and even though it's an inconvenience (and we apologize for that) often pedestrians are being diverted temporarily so they don't meet an unfortunate end with some dangerous equipment.
Woody Allen and Larry David? Canada and California must be grateful New York is getting this business.