|
|
 |
|
Each month we will showcase a City agency employee or an industry specialist who helps to facilitate production in New York City.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack Powers - New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
August 1, 2007 - Thousands of New Yorkers are fleeing a quarantined Manhattan. Will Smith rushes his family to a waiting helicopter on a barge moored off the East River; immediately the helicopter takes off into the wintry night sky. The logistics of this complicated scene from the upcoming sci-fi thriller I am Legend required the coordination of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting with over forty representatives of city, state and federal agencies. Jack Powers of the EDC played a key role in bringing the different government representatives together. In paying careful attention to every last detail, Powers ensured that the filming of the scene was a success.
Powers is used to large and challenging projects. As vice president of operations for the Economic Development Corporation, Powers works with a team that manages 120 government-owned properties across New York City. He is responsible for tasks as diverse as managing the harbor visits by military ships for Fleet Week, to supervising operations during Macy’s annual 4th of July fireworks.
Powers handles filmmaking at EDC properties, which include the South Street Seaport, Fulton Ferry Landing and streets underneath the FDR Drive near the East River. Working with EDC project managers, Powers oversees the film industry’s use of NYC piers, bulkheads and shipping terminals.
“Public safety is always the highest priority in any film production” explained Powers. This concerns both the casual passers-by as well as the production team on the set. To ensure this, stated Powers, “communication and effective follow-through are essential. Everything changes the minute the film crews show up. We just have to be able to adapt and make sure our message is clear.”
After 18 years at the EDC, Powers is happy to continue his work and take on the challenges it presents. “I love it,” he confirmed.
 More Industry Stars
| |
 |
|
