Following ratification of SAG-AFTRA & WGA contracts, Hochul directs state agencies to fast-track process and allow film & TV industry to resume economic activity in NYS

New York’s film and TV industry created more than 65,000 jobs last year; generated $35 billion since 2013

Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed state agencies to fast-track the process for film and television productions, allowing these industries to quickly resume work now that both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA have ended strikes and ratified contracts. Her team said, “The film and television production industry is a key economic driver for New York, adding over $9 billion in gross domestic product each year.”

Hochul said, “It’s critical that workers in all industries are fairly paid for their labor. Now that the strikes are over, I am directing all relevant state agencies to fast-track approvals and permitting so that actors, writers and the dedicated middle-class professionals of this industry can get back to work.”

See a copy of the executive chamber’s letter to state agencies.

A press release noted, “In anticipation of industry union strikes moving toward final agreements, New York state is preparing for the return of large-scale productions statewide. By Dec. 11, state entities will review processes for marketing, making state-owned properties and services available for production and also identify ways to support business attraction. This includes expediting permits; keeping fees and direct personnel costs transparent and not exceeding the costs to the state; maintaining an industry point of contact within the agency to handle production requests; and ensuring the agency maintains a person or team to act as a liaison to expedite permits, clearances and the provision services. Properties and services provided by the state should be made available to the maximum extent practicable to production companies. Unresolved problems should be brought to MPTV and the governor’s office.

“New York state’s film and TV production industry generates millions of dollars in investment and supports thousands of production workers, caterers, hospitality workers and small businesses in our communities every year. Unions, such as SAG-AFTRA and WGA, help to ensure high wages, full benefits and robust protections in the film and TV production sector, and these jobs are accessible to a wide range of New Yorkers, with 44% of jobs in the industry available to workers without a four-year degree. The industry is an important piece of New York state’s economy and, according to the most recent independent evaluation, in 2021 and 2022, the film industry added over $18 billion in real GDP and created more than 131,000 direct jobs.”