Tax credits bring Hollywood to Queens

Queens is about to become Hollywood east.
With “The Sopranos,” “NYPD Blue,” “Sex & the City,” “Gossip Girl,” “30 Rock,” and “Rescue Me” already under its belt, the borough is preparing to add five more to its list of television shows filmed in the borough as a result of the state legislation’s expansion in August 2010.
The Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development announced that a record number of new television series are scheduled to film in the state for the 2011 season – with five set to shoot in Queens. Eight new series are scheduled to shoot in the state this season.
“Pan Am” will shoot in Kaufman Astoria Studios, while “A Gifted Man,” “Unforgettable,” “Person of Interest,” and “Girls,” will be hosted by Long Island City’s Silvercup Studios.
Known as the New York State Film Production Tax Credit Program, the legislation will allow a 30 percent tax credit for eligible production costs. The program will also allocate $420 million every year through 2014 which will generate approximately 4,700 industry-related jobs and $10.5 billion in direct spending for New York State.
“When deciding where to bring their projects, producers have to look for the biggest return for their money,” said Vice Chair of the Producers Guild of America East Dana Kuznetzkoff. “The New York State Film Production Credit program has turned New York into a major player in the film and television industry.”
Kuznetzkoff also said that New York is not only just for “quick exterior shoots of iconic locations, but “now a first choice when deciding where to film” with the tax credit program and “the best crews in the industry.” In addition to thousands of industry-related jobs, more than 11,000 extras will be hired for the television series’ in 2011.
The remaining three include shows being shot in the state are “Smash,” “Rookies,” and “I Just Want My Pants Back.”
“As more and more television production is done in New York, the state makes more and more money,” said Steiner Studios Chairman Douglas C. Steiner. “This is simply a great business for New Yorkers…What’s not to like?”