Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Film Production topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Film and TV producers warn New York losing shoots as other states outcompete on incentives
Summary
Producers and a capital‑region creative‑economy leader told legislators that New York risks losing production to states with more aggressive incentives and lower area‑standard labor costs. They urged legislative action to match above‑the‑line and other incentives that draw high‑cost streaming projects to places such as Georgia.
Line producer Santiago Quinones and Upstate creative economy leaders told the Legislature that production work in New York has slowed and that other states’ tax incentives and lower area labor rates have shifted high‑budget film and television production elsewhere. Quinones, who long produced in New York, said he has “never seen the level or the lack of production coming to New York” as he has in the prior months and cited the rise of streamers with expensive above‑the‑line talent as a structural shift.
Key points - Competitiveness: Witnesses argued New York’s current incentive structure does not fully match the package available in more aggressive incentive states (often cited: Georgia), particularly for above‑the‑line costs (major stars, writers and showrunners). One producer said, “New York is a great place to shoot,” but added that above‑the‑line spending in modern streamer budgets makes it harder for shows to choose New York unless incentives match. - Workforce and local benefits: Producers cautioned that a prolonged slowdown risks dispersing the trained local crew base and the regional economic benefits that follow productions — location spending, restaurant and hospitality income, and support work. They cited long‑running shows (example cited by witnesses: a 15‑year series whose end left extensive local ripple effects) as anchors for local employment. - Policy options discussed: Witnesses and trade groups urged the Legislature to consider enhancements that would better compete for high‑cost productions, preserve post‑production and crew work in‑state and maintain incentives that support local jobs and small vendors.
Ending note Producers asked lawmakers to consider incentive reform that recognizes the current economics of streaming and high‑profile talent, while preserving local oversight, labor standards and opportunities for small‑business participation in film and television projects.
