For the first time since the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting was established in 1966, the city will start charging productions for permit fees. While this certainly won't help to lure the Hollywood set here, other cities (including Los Angeles) already charge for permits. The one-time fee will be just $300—pocket change for blockbusters, but a healthy chunk for those working on a shoestring budget. In comparison, L.A. charges $625 for two weeks of filming, with additional fees for services like cops on set, parking, and street closures (which will all remain free perks in New York). more ›

Another year, another new fee that may drive productions filmed in New York to, well, Canada or someplace. According to the NY Times, the new charge of $3,200 would accompany each permit to film inside city owned buildings. Of the 54 buildings included, there were reportedly 190 requests to film in them last year. more ›

With South Williamsburg supposedly still on their break from Hollywood, having been dubbed a no-film zone after too much action, the spotlight has turned to Greenpoint. But the NY Post reports that locals there are also getting riled up over the takeover, which brings a lack of parking spaces and too much traffic. A shopkeeper told the paper, "The thrill is gone. As far as I'm concerned, this is a nuisance. This is of no benefit to anyone around here." more ›

The Hollywood lights have been shining down on South Williamsburg a lot lately, so much so that the neighborhood is being given a three-month reprieve from the action by city officials. Several projects got the greenlight to finish up filming before being tossed out of the new no-film zone, after which they'll certainly be able to find that "gritty urban look" Williamsburg offers in other areas of New York City. more ›