Page 18 - 2021 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

Film
Action!
Film, TV and
video production have resumed in Westchester County.
Long a hot destination for the film and television industries, Westchester County welcomed back film crews across the county over the past year.
“It’s not surprising that production companies want to be back in Westchester County,” says Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “Our diverse locations and landscapes offer a breath of fresh air and ample space for film, television, and commercial production crews to safely set up and socially distance on set.”
Westchester’s diverse cities, towns and villages served as backdrops for several episodic shows, including Law & Order: SVU, Succession and City on a Hill. With plenty of room to spread out and social distance, the County’s parks were especially popular locations.
A KEY ECONOMIC DRIVER
Prior to the shutdown, Westchester was experiencing a film boom. Inquiries from location scouts about Westchester locations were up 28 percent over the prior year, with production days seeing a 40 percent rise. In addition, revenue from film permitting at county-owned properties was up more than 70 percent.
Latimer added: “The film industry is an important economic driver for the County and its local communities, which also benefit from film and television production. This will play an important role in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Westchester Forward
A Disinfecting Light Stands commercial shoot in Mamaroneck.
RECENT PRODUCTIONS
Westchester has served as the backdrop for award-winning films and episodic television shows, including “The Irishman” (Netflix); “Fosse/Verdon” (FX); and “Mr. Robot” (USA Network). Other recent productions filmed here include “The Americans” (FX); “Divorce” (HBO); “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC); “Saturday Night Live” (NBC); and “The Goldfinch” (Amazon).
UNIQUE REPURPOSING
For productions seeking a unique location within the NYC film zone, the Westchester Marriott Hotel offers all that and more. Learn more about this popular, film-friendly location on page 13.
TWO NEW STUDIOS ON
THE HUDSON
Great Point Media is constructing two major film and TV studios on the Hudson River. The first is at iPark Hudson in Yonkers, a 100,000 square foot, $100+ million production hub, named after its anchor tenant, Lionsgate. In Tarrytown, Great Point is working on upgrading an existing studio facility which will feature one 12,000 square foot sound stage and over 15,000 square feet of office space and workshops.
WESTCHESTER WITH CARE
As part of our Westchester with Care program, local businesses and attractions are taking a simple but
powerful approach to help keep our community healthy, safeguarding one another and enabling residents and visitors to live, work and play with confidence in our beautiful county— now and into the future. Learn more at visitwestchesterny.com/pledge.
THE PLACE TO BE
Westchester offers outstanding air and ground transportation, including Westchester County Airport (HPN), Metro-North Railroad with service from and to Grand Central Station, Amtrak, four interstate highways and several parkways.
FILM SAVVY
Westchester County Tourism & Film is your one-stop shop for concierge service that will provide assistance to your TV series, video, commercial, large studio film or small independent project. We offer:
• Assistance in scouting locations • Production planning and help
navigating the permitting process
• Contacts for your cast and crew needs • Essential equipment rental
information
• Tourism information to help plan
your stay in Westchester
Connect with Us!
Learn about New York State’s extensive tax credits and sales tax exemptions. Contact us today at 914.995.8500 or visit visitwestchesterny.com/film.
“Westchester County is a top destination for film production because of the vast array of film- friendly locations we offer within the New York City film zone. We’re within easy reach and we offer hands-on support to make it easy to film here. In these challenging times, we’re here to help troubleshoot, solve problems, and provide assistance in any way we can.” —Westchester County Film and Tourism Director Natasha Caputo
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
© Les Fincher NYC