NY to film crews: Pay up, bub
Source: Agencies |
April 28, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FOR the first time ever, television and film productions that come from all over the world to shoot in New York City will have to pay for the City Hall permits that have always been free, a major change in policy that Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration blames on budget woes.
Senior Bloomberg administration officials summoned representatives from Hollywood studios, advertising and labor unions yesterday about the proposed US$300 fee for films, commercials, music videos and television series.
To be sure, US$300 is a barely noticeable budget line in most multimillion-dollar television and screen projects, and most major cities - including Los Angeles, New York's major film competitor - already charge permit fees. But the change is an about-face in policy for a city that has long prided itself on uniquely providing free permits and other perks to lure projects to shoot in the city.
Permits have been free since the city established a film office in 1966.
"At this stage with these unprecedented budget cuts, we have no other choice," said Katherine Oliver, commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting.
The fee likely would raise less than US$1 million a year, but still significant to the film and television office's relatively small US$2 million budget. The city's budget is about US$60 billion.
About 3,050 filming applications that would be subject to the fee were submitted to the city last year.
Senior Bloomberg administration officials summoned representatives from Hollywood studios, advertising and labor unions yesterday about the proposed US$300 fee for films, commercials, music videos and television series.
To be sure, US$300 is a barely noticeable budget line in most multimillion-dollar television and screen projects, and most major cities - including Los Angeles, New York's major film competitor - already charge permit fees. But the change is an about-face in policy for a city that has long prided itself on uniquely providing free permits and other perks to lure projects to shoot in the city.
Permits have been free since the city established a film office in 1966.
"At this stage with these unprecedented budget cuts, we have no other choice," said Katherine Oliver, commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting.
The fee likely would raise less than US$1 million a year, but still significant to the film and television office's relatively small US$2 million budget. The city's budget is about US$60 billion.
About 3,050 filming applications that would be subject to the fee were submitted to the city last year.
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