Gina Argento of Broadway Stages is a film and production industry leader, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. With over 3 million square feet of soundstages, production services, parking, and locations, Broadway Stages employs thousands of people and continually creates hundreds of jobs. The studio is also committed to renewable energy and sustainability with rooftop solar and agricultural gardens. In the article below, Gina Argento discusses New York Mayor Adams’ commitment to investing in the local film industry, what this means for the industry, and why this is a vital step in the rejuvenation of the industry’s local economy.
New York claims to be the greatest city in the world and it looks like the city’s mayor is making sure it stays that way. Eric Adams, who was elected mayor of the Big Apple at the beginning of this year, recently announced that he was working on an economic recovery plan for the city to bounce back from COVID-19.
Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says the plan, which is called “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent,” will revitalize New York’s television and film industry and help it get back off the ground after the effects of the pandemic.
Gina Argento on What the “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent” Plan Entails
Mayor Adam’s plan is aimed to increase the industry’s growth and bring production back to before the pandemic.
Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says that the mayor introduced a council that will include experts in New York’s media scene, and he also hired Kwame Amoaku as the head of his office that will focus on that, including television and film. Amoaku’s job will be to support about 185,000 film jobs.
In addition, Mayor Adams signed off on an executive order (numbered 21), which highlights his belief in the industry and that it could overcome the obstacles that the pandemic threw at them says Gina Argento of Broadway Stages.
Mayor Adams said the Big Apple has some of the most interesting and compelling stories, and he wants an easier and smoother process to let the public access said stories.
Why it is Important to Invest in and Support New York’s Film Industry
According to Gina Argento of Broadway Stages, New York’s film and television industry had brought in a whopping $82 billion.
This industry not only supports many workers across all five boroughs but also highlights the creative energy that has come to define the Big Apple. A representative from New York’s COVID Response Alliance shared the overall sentiment of Adam’s administration and the goal of the film revitalization plan.
Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says that more opportunities are on the horizon for New York’s television and film industry, especially since COVID-19 halted a lot of production and hiring within the city. However, everyone hopes that the big and small screens will bounce back stronger than ever.
The aforementioned executive order will support this through an increase in production across all five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island) and will connect local people to film jobs. Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says that there is also going to be an increase in production companies working with other neighborhood businesses.
Who is Considered Part of the Mayor’s Plan to Revitalize New York’s Film Industry
Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says that the Council will include 23 members, with each focusing on a specific interest within the film industry. They include industry leaders of major companies pertaining to television and film.
Experts in specific aspects of the film industry will be a boon to the Big Apple. For example, Netflix set up a studio in Brooklyn last year, so having Netflix executives on board will be hugely beneficial. Many streaming services, not only Netflix but also Hulu, and Amazon, have called New York City home for their productions according to Gina Argento of Broadway Stages.
Similarly, representatives from HBO and NBC Universal will also be an integral part of maintaining relationships with the city to get more production and film sites into New York.
The Senior Vice President of Production at HBO, as well as the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Production at NBC Universal, are likely to use their positions to bring more film projects to the five boroughs.
Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says that while no one from Hulu or Amazon will be on the council, the streaming platforms are likely to feel pressure to also head to New York thanks to the success of New York-centric shows like Only Murders in the Building and the rebooted Gossip Girl.
The Current State Of New York’s Film Industry
New York City continues to be a sought-after destination for many movies and television series. As of now, there are millions of square feet for film production-related space being built throughout the five boroughs.
Broadway Stages, located in Brooklyn, is one of these spaces and provides sound stages as well as equipment to crews that need it. They also support video and photo shoots as well.
Currently, Gina Argento of Broadway Stages says that there are about 35 productions filming and 80 series shooting throughout the five boroughs. This is a 34 percent increase from 2014 and highlights the fact that New York’s film industry is thriving. Thanks to Mayor Adam’s special council and the hiring of Amoaku, things are certainly looking up for the television and film industry.
