From the Times Ledger:
Western Queens studio heads said they hope to keep the cameras rolling after a tax credit that has brought movies and television productions back to New York City in droves recently ran out of money.
Two of the city’s largest film and television studios are located in western Queens, including Long Island City’s Silvercup Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios.
Alan Suna, chief executive officer of Silvercup, said two shows — “Gossip Girl” and “Ugly Betty” — are covered through their next season, which will begin shooting at the studio this spring. But the studio has not signed any new TV shows or movies, which could prevent Silvercup from moving forward on its massive $1 billion expansion project that would include eight soundstages, a waterfront pavilion and 1,000 apartment units.
From Crain's:
Fringe, Damages and Life on Mars are among the TV shows are now considering a move to cheaper locations because of New York state’s stalled tax-incentive program for film and TV production.
Warner Bros. Television “is saying they will not stay here without a tax incentive,” said Beth Kushnick, the set decorator on Fringe.
Fringe spends $4 million on each episode, and employs more than 100 people.
The state tax-credit that brought production levels to a record high last year has run out of money, and film executives say legislators in Albany aren’t planning to decide whether to refund the program until the end of April. That may be too late.
17 comments:
So we live in a city that wants to shut down local businesses while it pays out handsome tax breaks to transients. Let them leave and let the WP people work. Bloomturd.
Maspethian is not a smart person.
If we take care of this industry they will not be transients and make Queens their home and I dont see many (if any) other industries that are that lucrative desiring to make Queens their home.
Look at the big picture.
Why should my taxes make Suna rich and take away your waterfront with 3 50 story buidlings full of Tower People who will look down on us? There is no infrasturcture to support that crap.
To hell with them.
There are real problems in this country. Real people in need.
If you cannot run your business without subsidies, you should go down to the welfare office and take your turn in line with the other welfare moms.
Yep, I'm with anon1.
These people are not / will not be transients. We should be encouraging the growth of jobs in sectors that make sense for the NYC of today. Like it or not, there's not much future in manufacturing for this city. Leisure/service/tourism is where it's at.
If you cannot run your business without subsidies, you should go down to the welfare office and take your turn in line with the other welfare moms.
Wow, you'd better be careful what you ask for. Upon close examination, there aren't too many major businesses in this country NOT supported by government subsidies.
Look at the big expansion of Astoria-Kaufman.
Big time. Closing down streets. 14 story hotel - lots of new density. We never bargain for this when we welcomed them in to our community in the 80s.
The community is being treated like second class citizens in their own community.
So why are they paying taxes and these guys are getting tax breaks?
Leisure/service/tourism is where it's at.
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The people is where its at. When these companies takes money then rides roughshod over their communities - taking away the waterfront, streets, etc they have to be reigned in.
Wow, you'd better be careful what you ask for. Upon close examination, there aren't too many major businesses in this country NOT supported by government subsidies.
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Then maybe its about time we burst some bubbles. Maybe instead of immigrant labor, we need immigrant stockholders and immigrant managers.
I'm with Missing Foundation... (great name, btw)...
Silvercup has been whining about building that property on the waterfront for years now. they're never, ever going to get around to it because they're waiting for some government hand out to make it happen. Obviously they're not greasing the right politician palms to get the job done.
F these companies - how about the government giving hard working people like me a real god damned tax break for a change?
"Leisure/service/tourism is where it's at"
Have you ever been through a real recession? These are the first three things people stop doing.
Manufacturing is where it is at. You can train people without college degrees to manufacture stuff for sale. Manufacturing has always been the bridge between the economic classes. How far can you rise in the "service" business?
"If we take care of this industry they will not be transients and make Queens their home and I dont see many (if any) other industries that are that lucrative desiring to make Queens their home."
I really hope that was tongue in cheek.
I'm with Missing Foundation... (great name, btw)...
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Mr Angry you might remember the symbol back in the 80s throughout the lower east side and Broadway through midtown.
It was an upside down martini glass.
http://loomofruin.blogspot.com/2008/01/men-screaming.html
The group maintained that Reganomics were not built on any firm ground and that the prosperity was over. The 80s were to be a watershead.
Alas! They did not count on the fall of the Soviet Empire and the Russian mafia taking everything that was not nailed down and selling it a firesale prices. It was called the 90s boom.
After that was over, Reganonomics has kicked in with a vengeance. I believe the symbol and name should be brought back and made the banner for our new age.
Kind of gives it that extra kick to the developers with their 'missing' foundation for their pipe dreams.
What do you think?
Like it! Go for it!
Manufacturing is where it is at.
But, for better or worse, NYC's manufacturing sector has become all but hollowed out. So, uh, are YOU going to create those manufacturing jobs?
If not, please don't complain that jobs of SOME SORT are being created.
Why do we coddle big businesses who just want to strap NYC over a barrel and not pay into our tax system? The WTC was a tax abatement extravaganza which is now being followed by every other company that seeks to do business in NY. You're using our resources, our Fire Dept., NYPD, etc. Why not pay your fair share for the privilege of having your business located in this great city?
The thirty percent tax incentive used by the city and state of NY is the best money they have evr spent. The amount of money the film business brings into this city every year is astounding. We are talking billions, not millions. If a thirty percent tax break creates thousands of jobs for New Yorkers and Billions of dollars for the city and state..... do the math. This program must be renewed and when the powers that be analyze the numbers, i'm confident they will do the right thing. It's a winning situation for everybody..
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