Film Production Is Economic Engine for Westchester County
The iconic phrase “lights, camera, action” is often associated with films shot in Hollywood studios or perhaps with actors featured against a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.
But Westchester County is starting to get its fair share of film production thanks to efforts from County Executive George Latimer and Westchester County Tourism & Film (WCTF). Despite industry-wide challenges in 2022 and 2023, film production in Westchester still yielded $2 billion in economic activity, 6,796 jobs and $656 million in wages during those two years.
The Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild strikes in 2023 and lingering effects from the COVID pandemic significantly halted film and television production activity across the nation and unfortunately in our county but WCTF’s Senior Marketing Manager Sarah Marshall is optimistic about the industry’s future here in Westchester. “This year’s economic impact research showed resilience amidst the strikes and competitive pressures,” she noted.
WCTF provides location guidance, offers technical site visits, and facilitates the permit process for those wanting to film anywhere throughout the county’s 500 square miles. Westchester has actually had a long history with film production – dating back over 100 years to the silent film era.
In addition to movies, episodic TV shows, music videos, fashion photography and commercials are all shot throughout Westchester. “We get hundreds of inquiries a year,” notes WCTF’s Director Natasha Caputo. Many of the episodic shows have renewed their contracts for the following year and have multiple episodes in a season such as FBI: Most Wanted offering a steady revenue stream for the county.
Film professionals are attracted to Northern Westchester for a variety of reasons. Scenic landscapes abound in Northern Westchester. With rolling hills, forests, and rivers, locations like Muscoot Farm, Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard and Hilltop Hanover Farm provide stunning backdrops for various types of scenes.
Recent award-winning and popular productions that filmed in Westchester in 2022 and 2023 included The Crowded Room (Apple TV+); FBI: Most Wanted (CBS); Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX, Hulu); The Gilded Age (HBO); The Girls on the Bus (HBO); Leave the World Behind (Netflix); Life and Beth (Hulu); Maestro (Netflix); Poker Face (Peacock); Succession (HBO); Severance (Apple TV+); and The White House Plumbers (HBO). This past summer, the County earned 32 Emmy nominations for films and television shows filmed throughout Westchester during the past year.
Similar News Items
BCW-member ArtsWestchester’s Annual Arts Awards on Wednesday celebrated local organizations, artists and art patrons who power the county’s vibrant cultural scene. The Sonesta White Plains buzzed with energy as over 300 attendees gathered for the event that celebrated ArtsWestchester’s 60th anniversary and artists who champion inclusivity and artistic excellence. “I don’t need to tell you […]
The Business Council of Westchester is among nearly 40 other businesses and business associations across the state. as well as various national groups that have joined with the Business Council of New York State, Inc. in delivering a legislative memo in support of the “Affordable Waste Reduction Act” (S.5062 (Martinez)/A.6191 (Jackson)). The supporting groups have […]
BCW Member WBP Development joined with State, County and Village officials on April 3 for the groundbreaking of Station Plaza, a $96 million transformative project consisting of an eight-story residential building with 108 units and a four-level detached parking garage. Each apartment will be designated for households earning at or below 80 percent of the […]
Become A Member
Join the county’s largest and most influential business organization today.
JOIN NOW!