Producers Bringing Post Production Here
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that applications to New York State for post-production work have soared as a result of legislation supported and signed into law by the governor last year, which strengthened incentives to attract post-production activity to the state.
Since the law took effect, 34 productions have applied for post-production work in New York-double the number of applications received during a two-year period under the previous tax credit-helping to create jobs and spur new spending in the state.
“Last July, the state sent a clear message with a new law that we welcome and support producers, editors and directors to come to New York for post-production work,” Cuomo said. “In just a matter of months, the state has received a record number of applications to do post-production here-evidence that we are making smart investments to attract businesses, create jobs and generate economic activity. Let this progress be an invitation for other productions to come to the Empire State, the future television and film capital of the world.”
Signed by Cuomo in July 2012, the new law boosted the available post-production credit from 10 to 30 percent in the New York metropolitan commuter region, including New York City and Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties. For post-production work upstate, 35 percent in tax credits were made available to encourage additional investment and construction of new facilities in the region.
So far, applications have been submitted by projects shooting in states including Louisiana, Georgia, Idaho, and Massachusetts, and from as far away as Jordan. It is estimated that this work will generate $23 million in new spending in New York.
“Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, the state’s television and film incentives program is attracting new productions that are resulting in more investment in New York and more jobs for New Yorkers,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “It is clear that New York is becoming the place to be for the film and television industry.”
Among the new applicants for the credit is Hateship Friendship Courtship Loveship Marriage, an upcoming feature film from Benaroya Pictures. The film stars Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce, and is directed by Liza Johnson from a script written by Mark Jude Poirier, based on a short story by Alice Munro.
Another recipient of the tax credit is Electric City Entertainment, the producer of Random, which filmed in New Orleans but did post-production in New York.
Post-production includes all of the editing after filming is complete and includes visual effects, color correction, sound editing and mixing.
The industry also includes thousands of other jobs, from engineers and messengers to creative and staff.
The strengthened law was designed to expand state support by specifically focusing on attracting post-production work to communities in all corners of the state.
At a time when other states are experiencing production flight, New York’s strengthened credit supports an industry cluster which has become a major source of direct and indirect employment and economic opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people.
To learn more about the state’s film and television incentive programs, go to www.nylovesfilm.com/tax.asp.
