NYC reboot: Film and TV production revving up across city, report finds

Despite COVID-19, television and film production in New York City is roaring back, says a new report by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

According to the report, the sector is returning to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, when it was responsible for some $82 billion in total economic output. 

“The report makes clear what we’ve long known – that the film and television industry is a significant economic driver providing high quality, well-paying jobs and generating significant revenue for the local businesses that support it,” said Kris Bagwell, executive vice president and managing director of Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, Queens. 

New York City Film & Television Industry Economic Impact Study 2021

New York City has long played a vital role in the global film and television industry. Likewise, film & television has greatly influenced the city’s development, both culturally and economically. In 2019, the film and television industry in New York City supported approximately 185,000 total jobs $18.1 billion in total wages $81.6 billion in total output

NYC TV Production Hits Pre-Pandemic Level In August; Film Commission Study Highlights Industry Economic Impact

New York City’s film and television industry generated $64 billion in direct economic output in 2019, $12.2 billion in wages and 100,000 jobs, and production – led by TV – is ramping back to pre-pandemic levels, according to film commissioner Anne del Castillo and an extensive new study commissioned by her office and released today.

Film and TV Production Make a New York Comeback. But Will the Tax Credits Roll?

Work on shows from “Mrs. Maisel” to “Gossip Girl” is nearing pre-pandemic levels in Hollywood on the Hudson. Competition, though, could get fierce: California and other states are upping tax credits in grabs for a piece of the action.

New York City Productions Navigate Roadblocks to Stage a Strong Comeback

As an increasingly vaccinated New York lifts virtually all of its COVID-19 restrictions, there’s a turf war brewing between New York City productions and restaurants, with the Mayor’s Of­fice of Media and Entertainment caught in the crossfire. Just ask Awkwafina.

Michael Hackman Sets the Stage

His Culver City firm has been expanding its portfolio of studios and soundstages in the entertainment capital and beyond.

Lights, Camera, Construction!

New and expanded soundstages across the city will help reshape neighborhoods and turn New York into a Hollywood of the east.

How ‘Blue Bloods’ and Other Shows Resumed Filming in Pandemic N.Y.C.

With the city’s economy in a downturn, film production has been a bright spot, with crews again filling the city’s sound stages and, increasingly, the streets.

New York City’s economy is in a downturn, but film production has been a bright spot.

With Broadway dark and concert halls closed, New York’s arts and entertainment industry has been devastated by the pandemic. But film production has been a bright spot, with television and streaming series again filling the city’s sound stages and, increasingly, the city’s streets. >>>

Hackman Capital/MBS to develop new studio complex in Dagenham, England

Real Estate Exec's View of the Market: Fall 2020

Optimistic about the future of New York’s economy, guests discuss the current state of real estate activity: market rate rents, stable vs affordable rent collections, lower but improving; hotels: occupancy still poor, conversion to housing, being considered; the studio business: strong demand, robust; life sciences: a growth industry! (Taped: 8/11/2020)

Reopening Hollywood: Rising New York Production A Bright Spot In A Strapped City, But Concerns Linger

New York City could have 40 or more productions underway by year end, bringing it decisively back to pre-COVID-19 levels as an industry ramp-up that started in September gathers steam into the fall.

Silvercup Studios Sold to Hackman Capital and Square Mile Capital

Hackman Capital Partners and Square Mile Capital have acquired Silvercup Studios, the high-profile independent film and television studio in New York City, for an undisclosed price from brothers Stuart and Alan Suna.

Peabody Awards: ‘When They See Us’, ‘Ramy’, ‘Succession’, ‘Watchmen’ Among Winners; PBS Tops Among Networks

Themes of racial and social injustice, war, the current world and even an upside-down one are key in the winners of the 2020 Peabody Awards, which on Wednesday unveiled its annual list of the 30 most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media in 2019. (Deadline - Patrick Hipes)

Ava DuVernay Launches Education Initiative and 'When They See Us' Learning Companion

ARRAY 101's learning guides allow participants to "explore systemic injustice" and "take action to change themselves, institutions and systems." (The Hollywood Reporter - Sharareh Drury)

11 TV Shows to Binge for Design Inspiration From the midcentury

There’s never a wrong time to turn to quality television as home design inspiration. But now that we’re all self-isolating and social distancing within our walls because of the COVID-19 pandemic, plunging through your streaming queue and gazing at a show’s visual style—one that seamlessly complements its story and characters—is a flat-out essential activity. Beyond the benefit of providing some good old-fashioned escapism, the right series with the right set-design eye candy can spark your own creativity and innovation. And in this current golden age of television, a plethora of swoon-worthy options are just a sanitized finger-click away. Check out these all-time greats, whose aesthetics span from the polished world of 1950s New York City to contemporary white-trim California cool. Welcome home.

Film tax credit changes may hurt smaller enterprises

by Flo Mitchell-Brown

While the comings and goings of movie stars in Hollywood get most of the attention in the entertainment world, a less glamorous but more important drama is unfolding here in New York for the hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods are tied to the film and TV industry.

Believe it or not, New York is the second-leading state — behind only California — for film and TV productions, generating $4.8 billion in spending and accounting for 254,400 new hires last year.

These jobs are held not by people named DiCaprio or Cruise or Streep, but a diverse array of New Yorkers who support productions in various sectors, from food and hospitality to logistics and transportation, construction, carpentry and electricity.

Full Article >

Long Island City film and TV studio invites local 10th-graders into its facilities as part of inaugural Career Discovery Week

BY BENJAMIN MANDILE

Many have been to job fairs at high schools, but groups of teens this year attended the job fair of their life when they had the opportunity to visit various businesses around New York City in the first-ever Career Discovery Week. 

As part of a newly formed partnership between the New York City Department of Education and the Partnership for New York City, thousands of local 10th-graders visited one of 180 companies from Feb. 10 to 14 that joined forces to offer kids a first-hand look into the work that they do. 

Silvercup Studios, the largest full-production television studio in the northeast region of the United States, opened its doors in Long Island City as part of this new partnership to let the students peak behind the green screen. 

A group toured the set of the upcoming show Prodigal Son and talked with the director, producers and designers of the new crime drama to learn about how their experiences in the industry led them up to working on on the show. 

“Being an executive producer is like being a conductor in the orchestra,” said Adam Kane, the show’s executive producer. “[Early in my career] I was shooting news broadcasts, weddings, bar mitzvahs and even depositions to get the experience I needed before moving over to television.”

Other companies that are part of the collaboration include Fortune 500 names including Jet Blue, JP Morgan Chase and AT&T, among others that gave local teens the chance to put a face to these companies and learn about the varied job opportunities available. 

Silvercup Studios offers high schoolers film industry insights

Long Island City’s Silvercup Studios opened its doors as part of the city’s first Career Discovery Week — a citywide effort to connect highschoolers to the professional world.

Empire State Development - 2019 Annual Report

Governor's Office of Motion Picture and Television Development