Outer boros get in on the ‘Action!’
The city’s $8.7 billion film industry is in the middle of a scene change.
Manhattan no longer accounts for more than half of all film permits — with the majority of productions now set in the outer boroughs.
In 2012, 54.8 percent of 6,910 film permits were issued for Manhattan shoots, followed by Brooklyn with 28.8 percent, Queens with 13.5 percent, The Bronx with 1.6 percent and Staten Island with 1.4 percent, according to city data.
Of 8,222 issued last year, Manhattan saw 46.2 percent of permits. Brooklyn had 32.5 percent, followed by 15.9 percent in Queens, 4 percent in The Bronx and 1.5 percent on Staten Island.
Officials attribute the transition to a bump in outer-borough soundstages. Although permits are only needed for filming on city streets, production companies typically do shoots outdoors near studios.
The city also organizes tours for location scouts in the outer boroughs, according to Julie Menin, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
“Some of the boroughs wanted to see more economic benefits of filming,” she said. “From delis to bodegas, these businesses really benefit.”
Permits are required for larger shoots that use prop weapons or vehicles, actors dressed as cops, stunts or exclusive use of city streets, parks or other public property.