NYC Plays Home to Record Number of Prime-Time Series

NEW YORK: A record 23 prime-time series are being filmed in New York City’s five boroughs, as part of the city’s entertainment industry that supports 100,000 jobs, 4,000 local businesses and contributes $5 billion to the local economy.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Katherine Oliver, the media and entertainment commissioner, kicked off this year’s television season at Steiner Studios at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The announcement was made from the set of Sony Pictures Television’s new series Pan Am, one of eight new prime-time shows being filmed in NYC.

This year, shows based in New York City earned a record 110 Primetime Emmy nominations. The city is home to 23 prime-time series for the 2011-12 TV season, as well as 140 news programs, talk shows and reality series. The city’s entertainment industry contributes more than $5 billion to the local economy each year. More than 100,000 local workers make their living working on the film and TV sets. There are also 4,000 local businesses that support the productions that shoot on location throughout the five boroughs. Last year, 200 films were also shot in the city.

"Thousands of New Yorkers are hard at work building sets, making costumes and scouting locations for the record 23 new and returning TV shows that film here,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “A show like Pan Am employs 400 people behind the scenes and generates activity for our local economy at places like lumberyards, fabric stores and coffee shops. We’re working to strengthen and diversify New York City’s economy and create jobs, and our thriving entertainment industry is a prime example of those efforts paying off.”

“This fall, our televisions screens will once again be filled with a host of shows that are made right here in the Big Apple,” added Commissioner Oliver. “We’re proud to call these shows ‘Made in NY’ because we know that filming in the City means jobs for our fellow New Yorkers. We wish all the new and returning shows all the best during this upcoming season and at the Primetime Emmys. We’re also so proud of our ‘Made in NY’ production assistants – young people who once unemployed and didn’t know how to break into the industry. Thanks to the free training and job skills they received, they are now flourishing on projects like Pan Am in the locations and camera departments.”

“Film and television production is manufacturing for the 21st century, and it is a business New York City does exceptionally well. We have the best crews anywhere, and create the best content in the world,” said Douglas C. Steiner, the chairman of Steiner Studios. “This onslaught of film and television production here is a direct result of the mayor and other elected officials working together to make New York City competitive and hassle-free.”

“Brooklyn’s big stage is a star on the small screen, from The Cosby Show to current hits Boardwalk Empire—which is filming at Borough Hall today—and Blue Bloods, which films at Broadway Stages,” said Marty Markowitz, borough president. “And of course we are proud to welcome Pan Am to Brooklyn’s roster of TV hits. Thanks in large part to leadership from Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Oliver, vital tax incentives provided by Governor Cuomo and the legislature and state of the art facilities like Steiner Studios there has never been a more exciting time for television production in Brooklyn and throughout New York City. So when you get tired of LALA land come to Brooklyn—or as I call it Hollywood East.”
 
“From Pan Am to Boardwalk Empire, the TV shows and films produced right here in New York prove that you don’t need to be in Hollywood to be a star,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “The TV and film industry creates jobs for countless New Yorkers, generates business and often brings New York to the rest of the world. I’m proud to have Steiner Studios here in my district, joining the Brooklyn Navy Yards in creating new jobs in the heart of the city.”
 
“Today’s announcement is further proof that the film industry is alive, well and growing in our great city,” added State Senator Martin J. Golden. “I am proud of the City and State’s efforts and look forward to new opportunities to assist.”
 
“New York is clearly home for the 21st century film industry,” commented Assembly Member Joseph Lentol. “We are very happy about that because so many jobs are created for each media project.  Every phase of filming can be done in New York because we have great studios like Steiner Studios and the talented and creative workers that are the recipe for great economic success. Plus everyone involved in this industry loves New York and we love them.”
 
“Pan Am joins a long list of television series that have chosen New York City as its backdrop, and we couldn’t be more thrilled,” added State Office for Motion Picture & Television Development Pat Swinney Kaufman. “The 30 percent New York State Film Production Credit has attracted more than 100 projects into the program since January. With the extension and expansion of the program, we have received more than 600 applications. Business is booming and these projects are helping to support our local economies across the state, bringing jobs to small businesses and employing thousands of New Yorkers.”