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Actors’ Strike Ends, but Film and TV Production Faces a Long Road to Recovery
In Summary
• The film and TV industry in New York City has been severely affected by the recent actor and writer strikes, with 45,000 job losses nationally and 14,000 in the city.
• Despite the challenges posed by the strikes, Mayor Eric Adams is pushing forward with plans to expand local studios, creating 1,700 jobs for New Yorkers.
• State-of-the-art facilities such as Sunset Pier 94 Studios and Steiner’s Bush Terminal are being built with a total cost of $650 million.
• Companies like Car Stage are investing in innovative technologies to create realistic settings for actors returning to production.
• With job creation initiatives and technological advancements, the future looks promising for those involved in the entertainment business.
New York City’s production capacity is set to double as the city experiences a studio development boom. However, the recovery of the film and TV industry following strikes by writers and actors will take months. The reopening of the Stellantis auto plant in Illinois after a strike shutdown is an example, with it taking two weeks to resume operations.
Mayor Eric Adams will have to wait before celebrating the revival of the film and TV industry in New York. The strikes caused a four-month shutdown, and it will take time for new productions to set up the necessary infrastructure and personnel to begin production.
Despite resolving issues over pay and using artificial intelligence in the agreement reached between the actors’ union and studios on Wednesday, the strike has already cost New York City a billion dollars. The future of movie and film production is uncertain due to pressure on streaming companies to reduce losses, as they account for most of the shows shot in the city.
The strikes have significantly impacted workers, studios, and other businesses dependent on production. Nationally, 45,000 jobs were lost, with 14,000 in New York City. The number of filming permits issued by the city saw a 55% decline in August, September, and October. The strikes also caused significant losses in other businesses.
Businesses like Henry’s Catering have been severely affected, with workers sent home and catering trucks idled due to the strikes. The owner, Peter Anders, hopes to have some of his trucks back in operation soon.
New York City’s film industry has become vital to the economy, employing 101,000 people last year. Including businesses that provide services to studios and on-location shoots, employment related to the industry reaches around 180,000 people, accounting for 5% of the city’s jobs.
The average pay in the film and television industry is $173,000, making it one of the highest-paying sectors in New York. While the sector could potentially return to pre-strike levels in 2019, there are uncertainties due to pressure on companies like Disney to reduce losses and the increased costs resulting from new contracts with writers and actors.
City Pushes Forward with Plans to Expand Local Studios, Creating Jobs for Thousands of New Yorkers
Despite the uncertainties, the city is determined to support the growth of its local studios. Plans are in motion to double the existing 2 million square feet of sound studio stages across 60 facilities. This exciting news comes alongside a tentative agreement reached by SAG-AFTRA, allowing thousands of small businesses and 185,000 New Yorkers to get back to work.
Mayor Adams expressed his enthusiasm for the developments, stating that the city invests in the film industry with ambitious projects like the cutting-edge Sunset Pier 94 Studios in Manhattan. This project alone is expected to create over 1,700 job opportunities for New Yorkers.
In addition to these initiatives, other projects are underway. Steiner, for example, is preparing to break ground on a new facility at the Bush Terminal in Sunset Park. This state-of-the-art facility will feature eight additional stages, with a total cost of $650 million.
Doug Steiner, the visionary behind the project, believes in the city’s exceptional talent pool and the financial benefits of the state film tax credit. Steiner is confident this is a gamble worth taking despite the risks involved.
One individual who eagerly awaits the industry’s recovery is Joseph White. With 20 years of experience as a producer, including nearly a decade with Spike Lee, White founded Car Stage in 2021. This innovative company uses LED walls to create realistic settings for actors, particularly when filming scenes in cars.
Unfortunately, the strike threat severely impacted Car Stage’s contracts, forcing them to take a hiatus and upgrade their systems. White remains hopeful and determined to bounce back. He firmly believes it’s not a matter of if but when they will return stronger than ever.
The city’s commitment to supporting the film industry is evident through these exciting developments. With job creation and technological advancements, the future looks promising for actors, producers, and all those involved in the entertainment business.