Film-makers are being lured to New York by new film-friendly city policies and tax incentives, both city and state, available to films and most television shows.  And often, large portions of the movie call for scenes set in places in different areas of the world and require a more varied landscape.  But these need to be close to home.  Where would such a rare location exist?

Right here on Staten Island.  It is has become a film-makers dream with its many beautiful parks, diverse neighborhoods and variety of landscapes.  With a little imagination and a lot of movie magic, Staten Island can become anything it needs to be.  It can even be Columbus, Ohio.   Jesse Peretz, movie director and Dan Shaw, his chief assistant, have decided upon Staten Island as the perfect place to film part their newest project “Fast Track” starring Amanda Peet and Zach Braff.  The film follows the New York couple as they move to Columbus after the birth of their first child.   So, Peretz and Shaw have decided, why travel all the way to Ohio?  Staten Island has all the charm of a Mid-western town, with a minimal amount of travel to get to and from New York. 

Take the Wagner College campus, Grymes Hill, as another example.  The college has been the site of many movies, including “School of Rock” starring Jack Black, and even a short running television series starring Richard Dreyfus.  Locations such as this provide the stylish beauty and antique look of an ivy-league school, but more importantly allow the production team the flexibility of having the city “right next door”.  The convenience of this, along with the newly implemented tax breaks, is difficult to match, giving Staten Island a leg up when it comes to being scouted by film-makers.

Staten Island is a veteran at hosting large movie productions.  Part of “Splendor in the Grass”, the 1961 film of teenage love set in rural Kansas and starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty, was filmed on Staten Island, among other places.  More recently, part of the film “Fur” highlighting the life of photographer Diane Arbus and starring Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr., was filmed at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Richmond Terrace.  Even the blockbuster hit “War of the Worlds”, starring Tom Cruise, was filmed in part on the West Shore Expressway.

The new tax incentives that have taken effect offer a rebate of 15 percent for certain production costs.  10 percent is granted from the state and 5 percent from the city.  Since January 2005 these new incentives have added an estimated $300 million in revenue to the city’s film industry, and over 6000 new jobs.  This is a significant increase to a business that in recent years has posted average annual revenues of $5 billion and 100,000 jobs.  The city’s film production days have increased to 23,321 last year, due to these incentives, a 57 percent increase from 2002. 

New York City’s film studios have benefited from the new tax breaks as well.  New York used to be the place to shoot a film only when you had a big reason.  Now New York City is a considered location from the beginning.  In response to this increased demand, the NYPD now has a squad of 30 officers who help oversee locations during production.

The only thing missing is a local film festival to highlight major productions and avant-garde options.  With a booming film industry and major academic campuses, the island seems poised to take on the other New York area film festivals.  That’s where the 2006 inaugural Staten Island Film Festival being developed by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation with the support of SIBOR, the Builders Association and the local JCC.  The festival will run June 1-4, 2006 and already seven (7) local venues have been lined up as screening location.

Sandy Krueger, SIBOR CEO, recently sat on a committee that interviewed candidates to fill the key role of overall festival director.  He said, “We got to meet a number of highly qualified folks who each brought unique talents and levels of experience to the table.  The choice was difficult, but I believe the person selected will do an outstanding job.  I was honored to able to participate and I look forward to the first of what I hope will be many film festivals.”

There are excellent opportunities for sponsorships.  There are at least a dozen award categories, each awarded to the best filmmaker in the category, during a gala event held at the conclusion of the festival.  These sponsorships are an opportunity to create a public partnership between a corporation, individual or family and an exceptionally popular public arts event.  Interested parties should contact the SIEDC or SIBOR for more information.

Sari Kingsley, President of the Board of Directors, says “I am extremely pleased to see the Staten Island Board of Realtors taking such a proactive role in bringing an event such as this to Staten Island.”

Whether it is because of the booming movie industry presence, the upcoming film festival, or simply the natural beauty and diversity, Staten Island is a great place to be.  Nothing is ever “Perfect”, but we’re getting there.