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News Archives

Year in Review: 2011


Mayor Bloomberg honors actor Matt Damon at the "Made in NY" Awards, joined by Commissioner Oliver.

The Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting looks back at some of the highlights of 2011, in a year that saw record levels of production across the City, including 23 primetime episodic series, 110 Emmy nominations for “Made in NY” shows and the launch of the online permit system.


Rollout of Online Permit Sytem
This year the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting fully launched its online permit system. Customers can now submit their permits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Payment may be made by credit card, corporate check and personal check. Permits must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of filming and insurance certificates may take 48 hours to validate. In 2012, permit numbers will no longer begin with a category designation such as FF, TV or C and will instead be a specific event ID number.

Revisions to Rigging Permits, Parking Fact Sheet, Codes of Conduct
Additionally several other enhancements for productions occurred in 2011. MOFTB changed parking on Rigging Permits, requiring a production to park as available in a 5 block radius. This alleviates some burden to the neighborhoods on parking. There may be circumstances which require held parking which will be evaluated by OFTB on a case by case basis.

The NYPD Movie/TV Unit (TCD) is now located on 30th Street at a Police facility. Customers must now call them directly at 212-239-2521 rather than OFTB to confirm scheduled police, VTU and Traffic Agent assistance.

Revisions have been made to the Parking Fact Sheet clarifying what vehicles are covered and the ticket clearance process. This information has been uploaded to the online permit system for easy access by customers.

Revisions have also been made to the Code of Conduct/Keys to the City, clarifying responsibilities of the production company filming in a residential neighborhood or business district. The updated document further clarifies conditions upon which permits will be revoked if production companies are not in compliance. To heighten communication between productions and the neighborhoods in which they work, and to expedite the resolution of any concerns brought by local businesses or residents, all productions requesting parking privileges and using the required 'No Parking' signs must list a location manager's name and a production cell phone number assigned to a location manager or an assistant location manager.

Record Levels of TV Production, Emmy Nominations
The Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting also welcomed 23 primetime series this television season at a press conference with Mayor Bloomberg at Steiner Studios, launched a new campaign to fight content theft and conducted a summit to discuss the effects of digital piracy, and presented a new series of panel discussions with the “Made in NY” Industry Series. “Made in NY” television series received more than 100 Primetime Emmy nominations and won 23 awards.

“Made in NY” Awards
At the 6th annual “Made in NY” Awards, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Oliver honored Matt Damon, John Leguizamo, Foursquare, Stacy Spikes, Smuggler and Lauren Zalaznic at Gracie Mansion. The first-ever “Made in NY” Mayor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement was given in honor of Sidney Lumet and accepted on his behalf by the director’s daughter, screenwriter Jenny Lumet.

“Made in NY” Training Programs Reach Milestones
Throughout the year, the “Made in NY” Training Programs, which were developed in partnership between OFTB and Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, have reached new milestones. Recently, several graduates of the “Made in NY” Production Crafts Training Program achieved union membership in Local 600 and Local 52. A number of diverse New Yorkers became certified “Made in NY” PAs through the “Made in NY” PA Training Program, which provides free training for entry-level jobs in film and television, as various cycles were held during 2011. This year also saw the first cycle of training for office PAs, and in December OFTB and BWI worked together on a new training seminar for “Made in NY” PAs who are interested in working in the locations department.

Community and Outdoor Screening Series
2011 also saw the “Made in NY Discount Program reach 1,000 participating vendors while the office partnered with several studios to hold community appreciation screenings to thank residents for hosting film production in their neighborhood. Screenings of Tower Heist and New Year’s Eve took place in the Upper West Side, and a special screening of Pariah took place at BAM for residents and members of local LGBT groups in Brooklyn. During the summer, the agency also curated an outdoor film series in Central Park at Tavern on the Green, in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy and IFP.

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