Filming Commercials in New York City

Agricultural brands might want to look elsewhere, but for companies looking for a vibrant cross-section of metropolitan and suburban backdrops, NYC offers a wide array of exceptional locations.

While it’s true that New York isn’t the production hub it used to be in the heyday of film and TV, the city has bounced back in recent decades to once again become a prominent hub of filming activity. 

With the popularity of TV shows like “Succession,” the “Law & Order” franchise, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and a number of independent and studio feature film productions, there are plenty of camera-ready locations around the five boroughs that can be quickly transformed into the perfect setting for your commercial.

This makes getting started easier than you might think, especially with the help of a local locations scout.

Backdrops Available in the New York City Metropolitan Area

1. Urban settings with towering skyscrapers
2. Historic neighborhoods with classic brownstones
3. Picturesque urban green spaces like Central Park and Battery Park
4. Iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge
5. Industrial areas perfect for grittier shots
6. Modern office buildings
7. Riverside landscapes
8. Beaches? Yes, there are beaches!

While that traffic we mentioned is definitely something to contend with, New York City nonetheless boasts an impressive transportation infrastructure that makes moves to and from these diverse locations manageable.

Want another hint? There’s air traffic from JFK to consider during peak times (don’t tell our sound recordist), but Prospect Park in Brooklyn was designed by the same people as Central Park. It can be easier to access and less crowded as a shoot location (translation: cheaper).

Unique examples to consider:

1. The High Line: This elevated park built on a historic freight rail line offers unique urban greenery and spectacular views. It’s a highly-trafficked area with not much square footage, so probably a better match for smaller shoots that can also spare the budget to secure a permit.
2. The New York Public Library: A less-mentioned landmark in the center of Manhattan than some others, the grand halls and iconic exterior of the NYPL can make for a memorable backdrop.
3. DUMBO, Brooklyn: Featuring stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge, this upscale but formerly-industrial neighborhood offers a unique mix of wide shots.

New York is home to some of the world’s finest acting talent, drawn from its vibrant theater scene, including Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. There’s also a thriving community of stand-up and improvisational comedians that work and study in the city, making the casting of top-tier local talent a fast and straightforward proposition.

And remember all those TV shows and movies we mentioned? 

They require a whole lot of people to produce. In between shoots, those crew members are often available to work on your commercial. There’s no shortage in New York of experienced and reliable production and post-production talent, to help keep your shoot efficient and highly professional.

Along these lines, New York City also offers great options for sound stages and gear rentals:

1. AbelCine
2. Panavision New York
3. Silvercup Studios

New York is also home to B&H Photo, one of the largest and most well-known suppliers of film gear in the U.S. This doesn’t happen to us (😉)...but sometimes on a shoot, a missing, broken, or suddenly-needed piece of gear needs to be obtained quickly. At B&H, you walk in, order what you need, and it’s delivered to the pickup counter in minutes via an elaborate conveyor-belt system (for real) – no shipping required.

The tradeoff for the “easy” path to top quality when shooting your commercial in New York City is cost.

Probably that’s not surprising, but let’s take a fuller view of what this tradeoff looks like.

First, those prime locations in NYC can come with high fees. The permitting process, while generally efficient, still requires coordination with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). That takes some time and planning.

But did you also know that, with a small enough team, you can legally “steal” shots in New York City without a permit? This is a bit of a guerilla filmmaking tip that probably would only come in handy in particular situations, but it can be a way to bring a lot of value, cheaply, to your shoot. Just know that, to really get away with this, you have to keep your crew size to no more than 5-6 people (or fewer!) and gear needs to be light, mobile, and unobtrusive.

Okay, and that traffic? And general population density? It’s not for the faint of heart when you’re shooting on location and not in a studio. We kind of get a charge out of it, but this is another aspect of filming your commercial or brand video in New York City that can benefit from planning, experience, or ideally both.

Does all this mean you shouldn’t shoot in New York? Not at all.

Those local crews truly are serious pros, who can help you save time and money on set, not to mention travel and accommodation costs. And through the right relationships with casting agencies, location scouts, and other vendors or partners, the right production company (👋) can usually get some costs down for you.

Anytime you want to discuss the pros and cons of producing your commercial in The Big Apple in more detail, reach out. We’re always available to talk shop with educated brands that know what they want, and who aren’t afraid of a little research when estimating ROI under different scenarios.

If New York feels like the right move, we’re happy to help confirm that for you based on our experience filming for other brands in the city.

P.S. – A lot of people have opinions on the best pizza in NYC. They’re all wrong, except for anyone who says Di Fara 🍕. It’s worth the hike out to Avenue J in Brooklyn.