Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today visited the set of the new television sitcom Hope & Faith at Silvercup Studios, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic studio in New York City.  Hope & Faith shoots entirely in the City, employs nearly 200 New Yorkers and is expected to spend $27 million this season on cast and crew salaries, meals, facility supports, construction materials, props, wardrobe and other costs.  Joining the Mayor on set were Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting Commissioner Katherine Oliver, Silvercup Studios' CEO Alan Suna and President Stuart Suna, Hope & Faith Executive Producer Emile Levisetti and the show's stars Kelly Ripa, Faith Ford and Ted McGinley.

"I'm pleased to wish Silvercup Studios a happy 20th anniversary, and delighted that this great studio - one of the pioneers in reviving the industry in New York City - keeps growing," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "ABC/Touchstone's investment in New York City supports this great facility with the addition of Hope & Faith, bringing more jobs for New Yorkers and additional revenues to the City."

"We couldn't be more pleased that New York City has Hope & Faith in Silvercup," said Commissioner Katherine Oliver.  "Silvercup has played a key role in attracting high quality television shows including the series Hope & Faith, a new sitcom which we also celebrate today."

"Silvercup Studios has played a pivotal role in attracting advertising, film and television production to New York City these past twenty years," said Alan Suna, CEO of Silvercup Studios.  "Growing in size from one 3,000 sq. ft. sound stage in 1983 to eighteen sound stages encompassing over 400,000 sq. ft. in 2003, we mark our twentieth anniversary by celebrating one of New York's newest hits, Hope & Faith. This Touchstone/ABC production joins an ever-growing list of successful productions filmed at Silvercup Studios. Silvercup Studios would not have flourished in 'Anytown' USA.  The City of New York has played a starring role in Silvercup's success story."

After converting the former flour silo room of the landmark Silvercup Bakery into a major film studio in 1983, Harry Suna and his sons Alan and Stuart Match Suna have since expanded the facility to include Silvercup Studios East.  Along with the Main Lot, the entire facility offers 18 studios, production offices, lighting/grip equipment and other services.  Silvercup has hosted an array of television, film and commercial projects over the years, including Godfather III, When Harry Met Sally, Working Girl, City Hall, and Ransom.  Birth with Nicole Kidman and Stay with Ewan MacGregor are among the films recently completed at Silvercup, and the facility has been the site of many national and regional advertising campaigns such as Wendy's, Victoria's Secret, Old Navy and the Olive Garden.  The Sunas are currently planning a further expansion on the East River to be called Silvercup West, which will encompass new film studios, offices, apartments, retail space and cultural facilities.

Hope & Faith is a comedy about what happens when ex-soap diva Faith (Kelly Ripa) suddenly moves in with her sister Hope (Faith Ford), husband Charley (Ted McGinley) and their three children - after her character is unceremoniously killed off from her soap gig.  Since its debut on September 26, 2003, Hope & Faith has ranked No. 1 in its time period for seven consecutive weeks, qualifying as the top entertainment program in its slot among adults 18-49 on all 10 of its episodes. 

"New York is one of the greatest cities in the world, with an enormous pool of talent," said Hope & Faith creator Joanna Johnson.  "We're delighted to have the opportunity to work and live here.  In turn, we hope that making a successful comedy series like Hope & Faith attracts more filmmakers to this production jewel."

Entertainment production in New York City contributes over $5 billion annually to the local economy and employs more than 100,000 New Yorkers.  Overall, production shooting days on location for the first six months of 2003 reflected a 36% increase compared to the same period in 2002. Specifically, television production has seen a 52% increase from 3,164 production shooting days in January - June 2003, compared to 2,085 shooting days during the same period in 2002.

MOFTB has been stepping up its customer service initiatives.  For the first time since the Office's inception in 1966, permits for film and television production are now available online, saving hours of production time by cutting down on the number of visits required to the Office.  MOFTB has also eliminated all required visits for still photography permits through the online permit, saving administrative and travel time.

MOFTB has also energized its marketing efforts, and held the first-ever Entertainment Summit at Gracie Mansion on September 30th to assess the City's competitive position as a location for production and explore ways to increase its market share.  Eighty executives from the film, television, commercial, labor and support service sectors attended the Summit, including Dick Wolf, creator of the Law & Order franchise, Les Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Entertainment, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation and Michael Lynne, President and CEO of New Line.  And MOFTB unveiled its newly designed website (www.nyc.gov) in August 2003, and has since rolled out new enhancements to its discount program for entertainment crew and executives, which includes reduced rates on car rentals, limousine services and air travel.