NEW YORK — IS THIS city poised to take a bite out of Hollywood's bread and butter?
A dramatically expanded state tax credit for film and television productions has made New York a more appealing shooting locale than ever, bringing a wave of projects into the city this summer. Barring an actors strike, local soundstages expect to have more demand than they can fill in the coming months.
"We've had an onslaught of calls," said Douglas C. Steiner, chairman of Steiner Studios, a sprawling production facility at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
It's a remarkable shift from just five years ago, when the entertainment industry largely steered clear of New York because of the high costs and logistical hassles involved with shooting here. But aggressive efforts by local and state officials have made the region more production-friendly -- including a tax credit adopted in 2004.
In April, Gov. David Paterson signed a bill that boosted the tax credit on below-the-line expenses for qualified productions to 30%, up from 10%. Television series and movies filmed in New York City are eligible for an additional 5% rebate. (Below-the-line expenses are generally the costs beyond those of the cast, writer, producer, director, stunts and story rights.)
The lucrative incentives immediately got the attention of production executives at major Hollywood studios.
"It's having a huge impact right now," said Jim Sharp, executive vice president of television production for 20th Century Fox Television, which decided to produce its new ABC show, "Life on Mars," at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens. "If you try and lock in a soundstage facility, there are people standing in line. You better not blink, or you're going to miss an opportunity."
Unlike about 40 other states, California does not offer a tax credit program to keep its signature industry at home. And it now faces increasing competition not just from New York but also from states such as Michigan, Mississippi and Georgia, which have recently adopted incentive programs.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger supports the idea of offering more than $100 million worth of tax credits to keep production in California but has been unable to persuade the state Legislature to adopt such incentives. This year, with the state facing an estimated $15.2-billion hole in its next budget, the governor has yet to propose legislation to stem runaway production.
