Made in New York Program Brings in $450 Million in New Filming

New York's Made in New York program—with new tax credit incentives, vendor discount programs and free advertising for films that complete 75 percent of their filming in the city—has kicked off a moviemaking renaissance in New York City.

We’ve got $450 million in new business here because of the tax credit,” boasts New York City film commissioner Katherine Oliver. “That means 6,000 jobs.” A new tax credit for taxpayers who own qualified film production facilities was signed into law by Governor George E. Pataki in August, which follows the passage this year of the state’s 10 percent tax credit and the city’s five percent tax credit for film and television productions.

Films recently shot in New York City include Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd, Lasse Hallström’s The Hoax, The Night Listener with Robin Williams and Fast Track, starring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet.

“More than half the films are indies,” says Oliver. “It’s a real range of productions applying for the tax credit.”
Films that would previously have gone to Canada are staying put. Not only is New York City—one of cinema’s most iconic locations—now starring as itself, but also doubling for other cities. Scorsese’s The Departed is set in Boston, but is shooting mostly right in the moviemaking legend’s own backyard.

“Last year, Kinsey was shot on Staten Island, which has become an incredible back lot for production,” says Oliver. “It has such diversity. It can be Iowa or Indiana, as it was in Kinsey, or be very rural as it was in Feedomland. It’s very attractive for filmmakers.”

Until recently, New York couldn’t even play itself. “Three years ago, the Rudy Giuliani TV movie was shot in Montreal, not here. We’ve come a long way from that situation,” says Oliver.