July 21, 2022
Mayor Adams’ Economic Recovery Plan Spotlight Initiative, the plan includes First time Cinema and television Industry Council
The meeting of New Deputy Commissioner for cinema office in Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
Mayor Panels Executive Decree 21, Require every agency to have a liaison with the film office
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced three key elements of his “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent” economic stimulus plan that will spur inclusive growth in the film and television sector, invest in the New York’s creative economy and will ensure the recovery of the industry beyond the levels of the COVID-19 pandemic. These components include the introduction of the first-ever Film and Television Production Industry Council, created to advise on the city’s production policies and programs; the appointment of Kwame Amoaku as Deputy Commissioner in the Office of Film of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), to serve as a senior advisor on production policy as film production in New York returns to industry-standard levels before the pandemic; and the signing of Executive Order 21, outlining the Adams administration’s support for the television and film industry.
“A strong base of production workers call New York home, but unfortunately many have seen their jobs and livelihoods suffer during COVID-19 – this administration is taking action to change that,” said Mayor Adams. “We are committed to helping the film and television industry recover fully, and our new Film and Television Production Industry Council and the appointment of Kwame Amoaku as the new Deputy Film Commissioner holds true. our promise. New York City has incredible stories to tell, and we’re going to make it as easy as possible for the film and television industry to tell each of those stories.
“New York’s film and television industry supported more than 185,000 local jobs and accounted for more than $82 billion in total economic output before the pandemic,” said Deputy Mayor for Labor and Economic Development Maria Torres-Springer. “The execution of these initiatives ensures that this administration continues to respond fairly and effectively to the needs of this industry and the great city.”
“New York’s film and television industry has led the recovery of our creative economy, demonstrating its importance to our city’s cultural identity and vitality and attracting talent, businesses and tourists from around the world,” said MOME Commissioner Anne de Castillo. “With the authority of Executive Order 21, the leadership of Deputy Film Commissioner Kwame Amoaku, and the support of the Industry Council, we can advance a holistic and coordinated approach to strengthen and diversify the industry in New York City.”
“I want to thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner del Castillo for the opportunity to serve the film community in this incredible city,” said MOME Deputy Commissioner of the Film Office Kwame Amoaku. “I look forward to being a part of the tremendous economic force that motion picture production represents, not only for the studios and networks producing great content here, but also for New York residents and businesses.”
The Film and Television Production Industry Council will be co-chaired by Directors Guild of America (DGA) East Executive Director Neil Dudich and Executive Producer and Co-Chair of the Producers COVID Response Alliance of New York April Taylor. The council will advise on city production policies and programs and will include the following 21 members:
- Venus Anderson – Program Director, “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program at Brooklyn Workforce Innovations
- Gina Argento – President and CEO, Broadway Stages
- Kathy Banuelos – Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association (MPA)
- Rebecca Damon – Executive Director, New York Local, Labor Policy and International Affairs, Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
- Ryan Ferguson – Location Manager and DGA member
- John Ford – President and Chief Commercial Officer, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 52
- Caroline Gershenson – Set Medic, IATSE Local 52 Officer
- Malaika Johnson – Location Scout, member of Teamsters Local 817
- Ezra Knight – President of New York, SAG-AFTRA
- Dede Lea – Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Relations, Paramount
- Amy Lemisch – Director, Studio Affairs, Netflix
- Matt Miller – President and CEO, Association of Independent Commercial Producers
- Flo Mitchell Brown – President, New York Production Alliance
- Tommy O’Donnell – President, Teamsters Local 817
- Santiago Quinones – Producer, DGA member
- Jay Rowe – Senior Vice President, Production, HBO
- Hal Rosenbluth – President, Kaufman Astoria Studios
- Doug Steiner – President, Steiner Studios
- vans stevenson – Senior Advisor, Global Government Affairs, MPA
- Veronique Sullivan – Senior Vice President and Head of Global Production, External Affairs, and State and Local Government, NBCUniversal
- Canella Williams-Larrabee – Production unit manager, DGA member
“It is an honor to be asked to help lead a group of distinguished film, television and business industry veterans to advise Mayor Eric Adams on policy recommendations that will strengthen New York’s place as a destination. leading production facility in the world,” said Neil J. Duditch, is executive Director, CEO. “We thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to working New Yorkers and the arts and for recognizing the film, television and trade industries as a key driver of economic growth and a provider of union jobs for high quality with exceptional pay and benefits.”
“I am grateful and honored to be co-chair, with the esteemed Neil Dudich of the DGA, of this advisory committee. I commend Mayor Adams and his administration for convening such an advisory committee for the film and television industry comprised of local members of the production community, whose boots are on the ground and who are professionally and personally invested in the success long term of the industry and this city,” said April Taylor, Executive Producer, Co-Chair, New York Producers COVID Response Alliance. “We look forward to listening to and learning from each other as we create growth and opportunity for New York’s people and economy while ensuring the world continues to see New York on screens large and small as the vibrant and special place it truly is.
Most recently, film and television industry veteran Kwame Amoaku served as director of the Chicago Film Office. Amoaku will promote New York City as a premier production location, develop and maintain relationships with key industry players, and oversee the licensing process for films. Amoaku’s career in film and television spans 30 years and includes experience in directing, producing, writing, cinematography, acting, and location management. As director of the Chicago Film Office, he helped develop COVID-19 protocols that allowed filming permits to be issued by June 2020 and served on the city’s COVID Recovery Task Force, which invested in workforce development and infrastructure to increase sound stage capacity and revenue by 25% and film production by 125%. Amoaku also designed and implemented a workforce development program for Chicago residents from underserved areas and established the Chicago Independent Producers Lab to provide professional development and support to Chicago’s independent filmmaking community. Chicago.
Finally, the administration also announced the issuance of Executive Order 21, requiring every city agency to have a liaison with the film office to support the $82 billion economic impact in the city and the 185,000 jobs that the industry supports and contributes to New York’s cultural identity. . This will facilitate on-site production in all five boroughs, which, in turn, supports industry growth, connects New Yorkers to jobs in this growing sector, and strengthens local small businesses.
Today’s announcements demonstrate the Adams administration’s continued commitment to investing in studio and sound stage facilities across the city and supporting the continued demand for production space. Currently, nearly 1 million square feet of production and related space is under construction or renovation across the five boroughs, including the “Made In NY” campus at Bush Terminal in Brooklyn. Growing demand for content – driven by the rise of streaming platforms – has led the number of productions in New York to reach all-time highs, both before and after the pandemic, with 35 productions filming on the ground at any time. moment. and 80 series shot in the city – a 34% increase in episodic production since 2014.
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