Really tough here, because while the neighbors do have valid concerns, $5B is not exactly small change. That said, everyone involved needs to come to the table to figure out a reasonable solution---and everyone will have to give up a little.

I work at a Lighting Rental House in LIC, and there are about 5 of us lighting houses within a mile of another. There are are probably about 200 people in total working out of them. We are not the names you see in the credits, but we are dependent on those people on the set for out jobs. I can believe that there are about 100,000 that are in some way involved in the industry. Besides obvious things like lighting and grip and camera you have take into account all of the cooks that are prepping those meals, all the drivers, the cleaners. It's a lot of regular people doing unglamorous work for a day's pay. 

I also live 2 blocks from Kaufman Astoria Studios and they are filming all the time. I like it actually, it's adventurous. One day while walking home I saw Hank Azaria dressed up like Gargamel wrestling/ fighting with NPH on an outdoor set that was half a castle resting upon a huge blue screen.  That is why people leave podunk towns and come here. 

I live in Greenpoint and filed a complaint with the Mayor's office because there were three shoots taking place at one time and, as a result, no parking. The lady that took my call was the nicest, most helpful person. She listened to my concerns and even called me back to let me know when the shoots would be wrapping up.

In general, PAs do suck, but like another commenter mentioned, they're kids. With all the shoots in the hood I usually don't need much prodding to know where to be, but I'll admit I've walked through a set or two when they're being particularly surly.

i guess it's just one of the caveats of living in one of the most exciting cities, no?

get a noise app or fan and you're set. that's how i combat the multitudes of pigeons and stomping from my load-bearing wall.

And by the way, when did $5 billion become just "some money?"

Its not a Hollywood invasion. We are New Yorkers, we live in these neighborhoods as well.
Sometimes we may be an inconvenience, but I do my best to try and act as a good neighbor on set.

"$5 BILLION into the city's economy each year, supporting around 100,000 job..."
Right. They are just numbers created out of thin air... Next week when M. Bloomberg needs to justify an excuse to close firehouses or fire teachers -- we will be broke again. 

My bet is that these little pop up film sets cost us more money then they give in tax breaks and extra just about everything for the crew....

There aren't even close to 100,000 end credits on NY-filmed features and series in the last year.

They may be including secondary jobs - for instance the folks from LeNoble Lumber went to Albany last year to show support for the film tax credit. They stated that they would be out of business without the orders they receive from the film industry.

There are lots of businesses that get a bump from film production: car rental, restaurants, hotels, clothing, furniture, paint & hardware stores, fabric suppliers, digital image labs, art supply stores, and prop houses to name but a few.

Of course there aren't 100K end credits. That number does not reflect 100K individual jobs, but the number of jobs that are available to various film professionals throughout the year. As part of the working film professionals in this city, those 100K job opportunities have provided me with a living to support myself and my family. As one who actually finds those locations in your neighborhoods that we film in, I can honestly say we do everything we possibly can to reduce the inconvenience to local residents. We make donations to neighborhood and block associations, we pay folks who are truly inconvenienced or hurt by our presence, we go out of our way to address all concerns of a neighborhood or block and we truly make every effort that we can to keep the disruptions to a minimum. In other words, we listen.

To all those with complaints, do you complain to the Con Edison crew working out on the street at 3am? Do you moan when the DPW digs a hole in your street that sits there for weeks on end that takes away valuable parking spaces without any work actually being done? Do you complain to the city about the garbage men who pick up trash for local businesses in the middle of the night? No, you don't. You complain to the one business that actually takes some responsibility for the job they are trying to do. You complain to the one business that is actually bringing money to your city and your neighborhood. You complain about film crews because you can't complain about the city and all the other inconveniences that come with living in this city.

Here's a little advice to all those with issues about films being made in NYC: If you have problems with a film crew, or if something specifically is causing a disturbance to your normal life on your block, try talking to someone on set in a nice way, instead of cussing someone out. 9 out of 10 times you'll get a polite and respectful response and a true effort to bring as much relief to you as possible. 

We have jobs to do, which isn't an excuse, but in my experience on set, and in being blasted by a local for our presence, kindness goes a long way and will most likely bring a kind response. That goes for the way we address those complaining. Don't talk to a PA, they know nothing and are the least experienced people on a set and as a result they have no idea what the hell they are talking about or how to act. Think of it this way, most are kids. Does your kid always know how to be polite? Probably not. They don't know any better. Ask to speak to someone who can actually address the issues. We're trying to work with you and all we're asking is for a little cooperation from you. Unlike the MTA, Con Edison or any city run agency who does as they please with little to no concern for your grief or inconvenience, professional film crews will actually want to help you out, if for no other reason but to not cause any slowdowns to the work that we're there to do. You might not believe it, but there is nothing fun about working until 6am. In other words, we want to get off your block just as much as you want us to leave.

When ConEd is working on my street I get a benefit: electricity.  When The Good Wife or Blue Bloods is filming on my street, what do I get? These shows are terrible and the production staff is far far ruder than a Con Ed worker would ever imagine being.

What if I came to your house and did my job loudly outside your door? Or if I told you that you couldn't walk on your own street because I needed to do my dumb job for another 20 minutes. Oh, what's that?  You've got your baby with you and an armload of groceries? Oh, that's too bad. Juliana Margolies has to say something deep to Alan Cummings on the streets of Greenpoint first.

You actually do benefit from film companies shooting on your block you just are not aware of it.  Every film company makes a donation to block associations or whomever is oversee the area.  You should get involved with those organizations to make sure they spend the money as you see fit.

I'm sorry that you've found some crews rude that isn't acceptable but there are asshats in every profession.  So you can't paint all crews with one brush.  If it is bad you should ask for the Location Manager and tell him his crews attitude isn't acceptable.

I will admit, I'm not a fan of those shows either, but that's besides the point.

I'll give you another tip since what you seem to be bothered about the most is being asked to wait or move out of the way. They aren't actually allowed to tell you to do anything. In an ideal situation they are politely asking you to give them a moment to do what they need to do. In other words, help them out/cooperate with them for a few minutes. Never, and I mean NEVER, does anything film related take 20 mins of you waiting or stopping traffic. It's called Intermittent Traffic Control, which applies to both street traffic and sidewalk traffic; and 9 out of 10 times they are doing so for your own safety. So the next time a film crew is outside your front door doing their work loudly and you're just trying to get home with your groceries or children and someone stops you from proceeding, give them a minute, and if they're still asking you to wait or cross to the other side, just go on through. And here's another tip, if you have your hands full and a crew is trying to get set up for a shot, they will do anything within their power to clear you from the area. In other words, they'll help you with your groceries, or a delivery, or anything else for that matter just to get you out of the way and not delay their work. We can not stop the daily grind and the lives of people in this city for very long, only intermittently. So says the City of NY film permit.

Lastly, just like in everyday life, if you're a jerk you'll most likely get treated as one. But if you're polite (even if in a stern manner) about it, well, you'll get results. 

Oh and I would love it if you came to my house and did your work loudly outside of my door. I probably wouldn't hear you anyway. Why? Oh, that's right, because we live in NYC where everything is loud! But please, come on by and  crank it up if you will.

That Batman shoot a few weeks ago didnt shut down the 59th st bridge and cause massive traffic either....

Oh no, it totally did! Which was a pretty amazing accomplishment. Do you know how hard that is?! But anyway...WB paid TONS of money to do it. Millions most likely. They worked with the city, the DOT and all the other agencies that control the bridge. That money helps this city and the people of this city in so many ways. I also know firsthand that traffic detour instructions were put up weeks in advance (much like the signs you see when the marathon is running), but people don't always pay attention. That crew did exactly what was asked of them when they got permission to close it down. The only thing they didn't do was read the traffic signs to every driver in advance. File your complaint with Bloomberg's office (I'm sure approval for something that big had to go all the way up the ladder) and I'm sure you'll get a response by the time you're waiting in line to see the movie.

I will admit, I'm not a fan of those shows either, but that's besides the point.

I'll give you another tip since what you seem to be bothered about the most is being asked to wait or move out of the way. They aren't actually allowed to tell you to do anything. In an ideal situation they are politely asking you to give them a moment to do what they need to do. In other words, help them out/cooperate with them for a few minutes. Never, and I mean NEVER, does anything film related take 20 mins of you waiting or stopping traffic. It's called Intermittent Traffic Control, which applies to both street traffic and sidewalk traffic; and 9 out of 10 times they are doing so for your own safety. So the next time a film crew is outside your front door doing their work loudly and you're just trying to get home with your groceries or children and someone stops you from proceeding, give them a minute, and if they're still asking you to wait or cross to the other side, just go on through. And here's another tip, if you have your hands full and a crew is trying to get set up for a shot, they will do anything within their power to clear you from the area. In other words, they'll help you with your groceries, or a delivery, or anything else for that matter just to get you out of the way and not delay their work. We can not stop the daily grind and the lives of people in this city for very long, only intermittently. So says the City of NY film permit.

Lastly, just like in everyday life, if you're a jerk you'll most likely get treated as one. But if you're polite (even if in a stern manner) about it, well, you'll get results. 

Oh and I would love it if you came to my house and did your work loudly outside of my door. I probably wouldn't hear you anyway. Why? Oh, that's right, because we live in NYC where everything is loud! But please, come on by and  crank it up if you will.

I will admit, I'm not a fan of those shows either, but that's besides the point.

I'll give you another tip since what you seem to be bothered about the most is being asked to wait or move out of the way. They aren't actually allowed to tell you to do anything. In an ideal situation they are politely asking you to give them a moment to do what they need to do. Never, and I mean NEVER, does anything film related take 20 mins of you waiting on them. It's called ITC or Intermittent Traffic Control, which applies to both road traffic and sidewalk traffic; and 9 out of 10 times they are doing so for your own safety. So the next time a film crew is outside your front door doing their work loudly and you're just trying to get home with your groceries or children and someone stops you from proceeding, give them a minute and if they're still asking you to wait or cross to the other side, just go on through. And here's another tip, if you have your hands full and a crew is trying to get set up for a shot, they will do anything within their power to clear you from the area. In other words, they'll help you with your groceries, or a delivery, or anything else for that matter. We can not stop the daily grind and the lives of people in this city for very long, only intermittently.

But I'm sure you'll still complain or be angry because, well, it's in front of your face and you have a place or person to vent to. Vent away, just know that if you're a jerk you'll most likely get treated as one. But if you're sternly polite about it, well, you'll get results. 

Oh and I would love it if you came to my house and did your work loudly outside of my door. I probably wouldn't hear you anyway. Why? Oh, that's right, because we live in NYC where everything is loud! But please, come on by and  crank it up if you will.

I will admit, I'm not a fan of those shows either, but that's besides the point.

I'll give you another tip since what you seem to be bothered about the most is being asked to wait or move out of the way. They aren't actually allowed to tell you to do anything. In an ideal situation they are politely asking you to give them a moment to do what they need to do. Never, and I mean NEVER, does anything film related take 20 mins of you waiting on them. It's called ITC or Intermittent Traffic Control, which applies to both road traffic and sidewalk traffic; and 9 out of 10 times they are doing so for your own safety. So the next time a film crew is outside your front door doing their work loudly and you're just trying to get home with your groceries or children and someone stops you from proceeding, give them a minute and if they're still asking you to wait or cross to the other side, just go on through. And here's another tip, if you have your hands full and a crew is trying to get set up for a shot, they will do anything within their power to clear you from the area. In other words, they'll help you with your groceries, or a delivery, or anything else for that matter. We can not stop the daily grind and the lives of people in this city for very long, only intermittently.

But I'm sure you'll still complain or be angry because, well, it's in front of your face and you have a place or person to vent to. Vent away, just know that if you're a jerk you'll most likely get treated as one. But if you're sternly polite about it, well, you'll get results. 

Oh and I would love it if you came to my house and did your work loudly outside of my door. I probably wouldn't hear you anyway. Why? Oh, that's right, because we live in NYC where everything is loud! But please, come on by and  crank it up if you will.

"do you complain to the Con Edison crew working out on the street at 3am? Do you moan when the DPW digs a hole in your street that sits there for weeks on end that takes away valuable parking spaces without any work actually being done? Do you complain to the city about the garbage men who pick up trash for local businesses in the middle of the night?"

Man, have you never even MET a New Yorker? Of course they complain about those things -- and thousands of other things besides.

But here's the thing -- this isn't about whether you guys are being assholes. You're not -- you're just doing your job, and I'm sure you're nice about it. It's about whether a neighborhood is being over-stressed with too many people doing these jobs, politely or not. There are just limits to what you can do to relieve the inconvenience on people -- no matter how hard you try.

But the one thing that would work is to make the impact less frequent. Con Ed has to work in a neighborhood to keep the lights on. You guys? Well, you bring some money to the city -- and certainly it gives you a job. But for the people of heavily-used neighborhoods, it's a net loss -- they rarely get paid for the inconvenience, and much of the talent and equipment is shipped in rather than bought or hired from within the neighborhood. The local hardware store might make a fortune, but the hundreds of people working across the river in Manhattan on something totally unrelated? They don't see a dime. So how often can you ask them to take that loss?

The people who have complaints -- who can't use their sidewalk or their park or their whatever -- aren't asking you to be nicer about taking over their neighborhood. They're asking you to do it less often -- to spread the pain to other neighborhoods.

Do you think we can just show up in any neighborhood we want without permission or authorization from the city of NY?! No, sir, we can not. That's something the city of NY provides to the production. Meaning we are permitted to be exactly where we are. Your complaints are with the city, not with the crew. Take it up with the Mayor's Office of Film/TV, get your hood put on the hotspot list and you'll get some relief for a short while instead of taking it out on a crew member that is just told to show up at a location at a specific time for work. In all honesty, if I were to show up at your door offering you a few thousand dollars to shoot in your home or your building you wouldn't be complaining. Something tells me you would suddenly forget about the inconvenience you had for a few days. I know this, sir, because I am in fact a NYer who has MET many NYers, and one thing I know about NYers is that we are tolerant and not just a bunch of whiners about nothing. You complain because, well, you just so happen to be one of THOSE NYers and not like the rest of us.