Pop over to the website of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (MOFTB) and the header banner as well as the Mission Statement proudly proclaim NYC as a one-stop shop for all production needs in New York City, including “free permits, free exterior locations and free police assistance.” Well the word “free” before the word “permits” may soon be making its final curtain call. The cause of the exeunt is the city’s budget woes causing city agency heads to look for new ways to drum up extra cash.
For the first time ever films, commercials, music videos and television series productions shooting in NYC will have purchase City Hall permits that have been free since the MOFTB was established in 1966. The Bloomberg administration today summoned representatives from Hollywood studios, advertising and labor unions to inform them of the proposed $300 fee. Other cities such as Los Angeles already charge permit fees ($625 for two weeks) and the NYC charge would be required once for every movie, commercial or music video shoot, no matter how many days the production was working in the city, and once a season for television projects. New York requires a permit for shoots using vehicles or equipment other than hand-held and tripod-mounted cameras as well as to gain the exclusive use of city property.
The fee likely would raise less than $1 million a year, but still significant to the film and television office’s relatively small $2 million budget. The city’s budget is about $60 billion.
The overall industry is a $5 billion-a-year business in New York, employing more than 100,000 people and buoyed up by the Made in NY incentive program.
New York To Charge For Film Permits For First Time Ever
Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (MOFTB)
New York Film Permit Charge Coming for First Time Ever
Made in NY Incentive Program
