Senator Gianaris Applauds Increase In Film Production

New TV shows to be filmed this year due to film tax credit.

Queens, NY – A record number of new television series are scheduled to be filmed in New York State this year due to the New York State Film Production Credit championed by Senator Michael Gianaris. Eight new television series will be filmed in the state in 2011, creating more than 4,700 industry-related jobs.

The Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development announced that the film tax credit lured 70 new projects to New York since January. These projects are expected to spend a total of more than $1 billion.

“During these difficult economic times, there is nothing more important we can do than create jobs,” Senator Gianaris said. “The film tax credit is the most successful job creation program in recent years and I am glad to see that western Queens is sharing in the benefits of its success.”

While in the State Assembly in 2008, Senator Gianaris was a lead supporter of legislation expanding the state film tax credit from 10 percent to 30 percent. New York State’s Film Production Tax Credit Program now is fully funded until 2014, which will result in the creation of thousands of jobs and generate $10.5 billion in direct spending in the state.

Senator Gianaris’ western Queens district is home to two major production companies, Silvercup Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios, which produce the bulk of New York City’s film and television projects.

In New York City alone, more than 100,000 New Yorkers are employed each year to work on an average of 200 films and more than 100 television shows from Hollywood as well as from India, Italy, Japan, South America, and many other countries.

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