Dan’s Papers October 8, 2010 danshamptons.com Page 52
Make Movies Here! Save $$, Use the Studio! By Susan M. Galardi While progress has been slow and steady, the effort to establish the Hamptons as a film and production-friendly place for those in the media has gained momentum recently. Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has submitted legislation that would make Suffolk more accommodating to directors, producers and photographers. One of Levy’s recommendations would streamline the process of acquiring permits to film in the county by creating a single application that would be filed with Suffolk County, granting permission to film on any county, town or village-owned properties. Another initiative resulted in The Suffolk
County Film Commission providing $25,000 in grants to low-budget, independent filmmakers. “The Next Exposure: Suffolk County Low Budget Independent Film Post Production/Completion Grant,” administered by the Tribeca Film Institute, will make available two grants of $10,000 each and one grant of $5,000 for filmmakers whose primary residence or production companies are in Suffolk, and who have shot at least 80% of principal photography within the County. Best of all, earlier this year a 30% Filming Tax Credit has been approved. Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing will help
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Paperman, with Jeff Bridges, was partially produced at the Studio
production companies obtain the Tax Credit, which provides from 10% to 30% of refundable tax credits. Last Wednesday, just before the start of the Hamptons International Film Festival, Levy held a meeting at the Bay Street Theater to explain the new tax credit. East Hampton Studio, located in a state-ofthe-art complex at 77 Industrial Road in Wainscott, is a New York State 30% tax approved facility. In fact, EHS is one of the few facilities that qualify for this incentive. At 18,000 square feet, the EHS soundstage is one of the largest indoor facilities in Suffolk County. EHS does film and television production, photo shoots, recording and recently concerts. The facility has accommodated television commercial shoots for AT&T, photo shoots for Bobby Flay, and served as a recording studio for Jimmy Buffet. EHS is also opening a satellite office for Grant Wilfley Casting to help support the local need for extras and talent. This weekend, EHS will host the Saturday night Filmmakers party for Hamptons International Film Festival, featuring live music, professional photo shoot, casting agents, set designers, open bar and food (for information, go to HIFF.org). EHS’s Michael Wudyka has recently been appointed to the Suffolk County Film Commission and is working to raise awareness of the East End as a viable spot for film productions. Recently, The East Hampton Media Advisory Committee was formed with the support of the Town Board. As chairman of the committee, Wudyka said he is committed to bringing all forms of media to what has become a film-friendly location.
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