Written by new-contact on Jun 6, 2014. Posted in Incentive News

New York half-year location filming surpasses record for whole of 2013

Location filming in New York in the first five months of the year has already surpassed production levels for the whole of 2013. Figures from Empire State Development show that New York has already hosted 23 TV pilot shoots, the same figure for the whole of last year.

The organisation credits New York’s generous filming incentive for helping deliver TV pilot production spending of USD127 million by June, more than for the whole of 2013, while the state has already hosted nearly twice as many full TV series.

High-profile programmes helping boost New York’s TV production industry include The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, which relocated from Los Angeles when long-time host Jay Leno retired.

“The hefty increase in production for 2014 proves that New York remains vitally important on the creative side as well offering a smart tax programme that keeps the cameras rolling,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment.

“Many of our most popular programmes are filmed in New York and we believe the relationship between NBCUniversal and the state, with the Governor’s leadership, will flourish for years to come.”

Commented Alan Suna, head of New York’s Silvercup Studios: “Silvercup Studios hosted a record five TV Pilots this season. We are thrilled that we have three new series to add to our already busy production schedule."

“All of this production translates to more tax revenue and more jobs for New York thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo and his continued support, in concert with state legislators, of the Empire State Film and TV Tax Credit Programme," Suna added.

New York’s filming incentive programme has helped turn it into one of the top production hubs in North America. Superhero sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2 became the largest feature ever to film entirely in the state in 2011, and this month Marvel begins shooting a collection of live-action TV series locally as part of New York’s biggest ever production deal.