Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Only hours after the Hollywood actors strike ended, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state agencies to fast-track the process for film and television productions, allowing work to resume quickly across the state.
“The governor wants to get everything up and going all across the state, from the five Burroughs to Buffalo and get everyone back to work,” said Tim Clark, Executive Director of the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission.
“I think she’s really talking about fast-tracking the film tax credit. The state has a brand new tax credit that we really couldn’t use because of the strikes. It makes a place like Buffalo one of the most lucrative places in the country
to shoot now,” Clark added.
There has been a noticeable uptick in activity in Western New York every since a tentative agreement was reached to end the strike on November 8.
“We are constantly scouting with directors and producers. In fact, a very famous movie director in Hollywood, Fred Olen Ray is in town scouting for an upcoming feature film and we have scouts from movie studios and independent film makers getting ready to make their movies in early 2024.” He added, “It’s going to be a stampede of activity here.”
Clark cautioned that it will take some time before things ramp up around here.
“It’s a slow process. You don’t just shoot a movie. You have to scout for the movie. Find a location, hire the crews, get vendors in place. There’s a lot to do. People want to get back to work quickly. But it will take some time.”
Members of the actors union, SAG-AFTRA, voted yes on the new contract that they won after 118 days of striking. 78% voting to approve, with 22% voting against.