When I became New York City film commissioner in 2002, one of the first issues I faced was the Rudy Giuliani made-for-TV movie that was shooting in Montreal. The City's production industry was battling challenges from numerous converging factors. Today, I am happy to report that everything has changed. In fact, last year New York City posted the largest number of location shooting days on record - 31,570, and the future of the City's film industry has never looked brighter.

How did we do it? We started with improved customer service. Today, when you shoot in New York, you will find online permits, an expedited permitting service, a comprehensive guide for international filmmakers, and HOT SHOTS, an online photo library of more than 1,000 images of beaches, bridges, courthouses, highways, jails, military, police and fire facilities, parks, playgrounds, public spaces, streets and more throughout the five boroughs, which the City offers free of charge to filmmakers.  Our world class concierge service offers assistance with all aspects of the production cycle, from script to screen. And, of course, the City continues to offer our array of free services, including permits, police assistance and access to public property.

We have also dramatically reduced the cost of shooting in New York City. In 2004, New York State unveiled a ten percent tax credit, and in January 2005 the City added a five percent credit for qualified film and television productions which shoot in New York. Earlier this year, Mayor Bloomberg expanded the program, allocating $30 million in City funding annually through 2011.

In addition to fifteen percent reductions on below-the-line costs with the "Made in NY" tax credit, when you shoot in New York City you will also enjoy discounts of at least ten percent at more than 550 local vendors across the City, from hotels and restaurants to caterers and post-production facilities, thanks to the "Made in NY" discount card program.  And even after production has wrapped, the City continues to support projects through the "Made in NY" marketing credit, which offers free media throughout the City to promote the releases of films which have shot here.

Historically, films have chosen to shoot in New York for our incredible crews and talent pool, and today, our crew base is growing and improving. My Office recently developed free, full-time, month-long training programs for Production Assistants, ensuring that they have the knowledge and experience that filmmakers need to shoot effectively in the City. We have also created a program in conjunction with the City's Department of Small Business Services which is providing federal funds to independent film productions that hire crew members in advanced positions and train them for their new responsibilities. And we have created a series of panels to support our local theatre industry, which generates crossover talent from Broadway, the most coveted actors in the world, to feed our film industry.   

Take one look at the film Vanilla Sky (we facilitated the scene in which Tom Cruise walks through an empty Times Square), Stay (we diverted traffic on the roadways of the Brooklyn Bridge for production) or The Interpreter (the Mayor negotiated with Kofi Annan to help it become the first film in history to gain access to the United Nations for filming), and it becomes evident that New York's locations lend a character and energy to films that simply cannot be recreated anywhere else. And now, there's no need to fake it, because it's easier and more affordable then ever to shoot here in the entertainment capital of the world.