Mar 26, 2013
(Tuesday, March, 26th, 2013)New York State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announced today that after weeks of negotiating, the final enacted state budget will include a provision to boost the film production industry in upstate New York.
Currently, New York State provides a tax incentive for up to 30 percent of certain production costs, but Gallivan has long argued that upstate and its unique cities need something more to attract significant studio interest. “It’s all about costs, and one of the most prohibitive costs for film productions is labor. In New York State, most of the high-skilled labor associated with film production in based in New York City. The further away from New York City a production takes place, the more expensive it is to film. A universally applied tax credit doesn’t necessarily do much for Upstate,” Gallivan said. “This reform will really level the playing field so Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and other upstate communities can attract bigger productions and the inherent jobs and economic benefit that come with them.”
The new tax credit creates a two-tiered system so that an additional 10 percent credit can be applied to the amount of wages or salaries paid to most individuals directly employed by a film production in the specified geographic area. This brings the total available credit in upstate counties to 40 percent without altering the total cost of the program for taxpayers.
“This is a very useful tool that will help upstate film commissions attract more production spending. It’s a direct response to people asking “why does more than $20 million dollars in production spending drive across state lines every year?” and “why did Draft Day choose Cleveland instead of Buffalo?,” said Nora Brown, Executive Director of the Rochester and Finger Lakes Film and Video Office.
“Upstate and Western New York miss out on some film opportunities because the current incentive structure doesn’t allow us to compete with neighboring states,” said Tim Clark, Commissioner of the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission. “This new tiered film tax credit program rectifies this inequity and will really put our region on the map when studios are evaluating shoot locations.”
For the purposes of this legislation, upstate counties have been identified as the following: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming, or Yates.A final state budget is expected to be passed before the end of the week. The new film production tax credit is modeled after legislation (S.498) authored by Senator Gallivan.
Senator Patrick M. Gallivan represents all or parts of Erie, Wyoming, Livingston and Monroe Counties in the New York State Senate.
Mar 12, 2013
(Friday, March 8th, 2013) A lounge and social hall with a distinctive European flavor are all available for your next film in Buffalo with the Dnipro Ukranian Center just outside of Downtown on the East Side. Built in 1914 by German Businessmen, the club evolved to it’s current style in 1955 when it was converted to a Ukranian American Community Center.
More Photos and History of the Dnipro at ForgottenBuffalo.com
Jan 29, 2013
(January 29th, 2013) Each year the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development creates a pop-up NY Lounge during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. This year’s Lounge took over the Willie Holdman Gallery and used the unique space to feature NY State Location Images from the Buffalo/Niagara and Rochester/Finger Lakes regions in place of the art.
Every year this Lounge serves as a gathering point for many NY based film professionals and those with an interest in New York Production. Along with consuming New York State produced bagels, cider, and coffee, participants were able to see topical panel discussions, acoustic performances from New York Artists, and speak with New York State Regional Film Commissioners regarding the New York State Film Production Tax Credit and most importantly filming in New York State Locations.
The panel discussions are always heavily attended at the New York Lounge and feature the latest trends and business aspects of film production, with a special focus on New York State. In case you couldn’t get out to Park City to see the panels, the New York State Film Office has them archived at their USTREAM channel of which you can find a detailed listing and links below:
- 1/21/13 Film Finance panel »Experts from EP Financial Solutions and HSBC will discuss the aspects offilm production, film financing, and production incentive financing you need to know.
MODERATOR: John Hadity, EP Financial Solutions
- 1/20/13 Distribution Trends » DESCRIPTION: This panel will feature players from both the traditional and emergingWorld of distribution who will discuss the unprecedented options for Filmmakers to createintegrated platforms tailored to achieve their unique goals.
HOST/MODERATOR: Steven Beer – Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo (FWRV)
- 1/19/13 More Dollars on the Screen: Innovative Tools for Independent Filmmakers »A panel of filmmakers and post-production professionals, including active members of thePost New York Alliance (PNYA), looks into the current state of technological innovation forcinema, and how the latest advances can be used to make the most of today’s productionbudgets. From cameras to tax credits, new tools for filmmakers are appearing faster than youcan say “action.” This discussion will continue a real-world dialogue on how filmmakers cantake advantage of the newest resources to make the most of their budgets, to expand theiraudiences and to bring their stories to the screen.
MODERATOR: Alex Halpern, filmmaker and founder/CEO of Post FactoryNY
- 1/18/13 Empowerment Town Hall »Welcoming industry professionals from both the creative and businessside of film, the Empowerment Town Hall will discuss community challenges, resources, and opportunities available for successful filmmaking in New York and beyond.
HOST/MODERATOR: Steven Beer – Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo (FWRV)
The New York lounge was sponsored this year by the New York Production Alliance, EP Financial Solutions, PostFactory, ARRI, HSBC, Franklin, Weinrib, Rudell & Vassallo (FWRV) and Mandarin Oriental.
Dec 17, 2012
(December 17th, 2012) Patrick Gallo was born and raised in Buffalo. In the 1980s as one of the pioneering Buffalo Skateboarders in the Elmwood Village, Pat started to exercise his creativity through extreme sports, before performing in his first musical at Lafayette High School. It was there that his fate in the arts was sealed before heading off to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City at age 19 to start his career.
As an actor he has guest starred on numerous shows including Cold Case, ER, NYPD Blue, & Reno 911. As an editor he is working with shows like The Simpsons, Glee, & Dollhouse. His most recent work has included a collaboration with Buffalo’s 1derful films Phil Gangi, Peter Tasca, and Stephen Butler on a documentary which explores the Buffalo Bill’s 1990’s Superbowl Run, and also a guest appearance on this past season of Boardwalk Empire.
Patrick attributes growing up in Buffalo, spending time with the rich and deeply unique characters, inspiring architecture, and vibrant culture as something that he is terribly thankful for. He feels that it’s a huge part of his identity as an artist.
Boardwalk Empire-
BNFC -How’d you land the role?
PG – The casting director, Meridith Tucker became a fan of mine and kept reading me on numerous roles, determined to eventually find a place for me on the show. I read for 5 roles over a 6 months…booked my 6 read.
BNFC– Describe your role and approach to the character I believe he was only known as cousin Franco?
PG– Yes, He was the only known cousin. Franco grew up on the docks, and the fishing trade was a big part of his life. My approach is the same as always, I find his tone in rehearsal, and let it naturally evolve.
BNFC– Why’d he get whacked? How did they bury you in the sand?
PG– He got whacked because he made Gyp feel inferior to him…as you know, it doesn’t take much. The sand gag was done by digging a huge hole and placing a a large plastic container in it where I would sit. Then they cover the top with sand. For the actual shovel to head contact, they used a prosthetic they made of my head.
BNFC– What was your biggest takeway from this opportunity? Observations about the production that could translate to someone writing or producing episodic television?
PG- It’s rare that you get to become a part of an acclaimed show that you actually watch and actually respect creatively…that’s rare and I took from it nothing but how lucky I was to be a part it and getting the opportunity to work with people that are at the top of their game, from hair and makeup, to camera etc etc.
Almost a Dynasty-
BNFC– Talk about your participation in Almost a Dynasty? How did you get Scott Norwood and Bill Polian to participate?
PG – My participation in the film was to help out some guys who had a great idea, but no idea as how to execute a feature documentary.
BNFC– How did you get Scott Norwood and Bill Polian to participate?
PG– Bill Polian was involved through a favor of a good friend of mine who knows him very well…he was wonderful and very happy to be a part of it. Scott Norwood was basically a steal. We heard he was at an event, we went and hoped we could grab some footage…we were lucky enough to make it happen.
BNFC– Did any of the info in the interviews surprise you? If so what?
PG – Yes, it was all surprise to me as I am not a sports fan!
Almost a Dynasty – Trailer
Nov 30, 2012
(PICTURED L-R: Stephen Banko III, Michael Militello, SSG Tommy Rieman, Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder, and JRC Promotions President Joseph Ciffa.)
(November 30th, 2012) U.S. Army Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient SSG Tommy Rieman, a Wounded Warrior from Charlotte, NC along with one of the most highly decorated Vietnam War Veterans in New York State Stephen T. Banko III of Buffalo; local businessman and Vietnam War Purple Heart recipient Michael Militello, and Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder were on hand today at the Seneca Niagara Events Center to announce the Western New York premier of “HALFWAY HOME”. The premier takes place Friday, January 18th, 2013, at Seneca Niagara Events Center.
One of the greatest challenges facing our men and women who served in the United States military are the effects of war known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD).
Finally, someone has documented and told of their plight in a dramatic, eye opening movie documentary called “HALFWAY HOME”, This Polaris Media film by Peabody Award –winning and Emmy – nominated Hollywood filmmaker Paul Freedman and narrated by Hollywood film and television star Martin Sheen, brings to the big screen the truth about what many of our war heroes face when they return home.
OFFICIAL SITE : http://www.halfwayhomethemovie.com/
VIDEO FROM PRESS CONFERENCE: http://youtu.be/bLuI7c_ycL
