Commercial Shoot In Mamaroneck Signals Media Production Restart

MAMARONECK, NY — A commercial, which just finished shooting in Mamaroneck, has helped "reopen" media production in Westchester County. With a music video shoot scheduled at Playland Park later in August and several other production considering locations, county officials said Westchester is on its way back.

County Executive George Latimer said everyone is excited to welcome film and television production back to Westchester.

“It’s not surprising that production companies want to be back in Westchester County," he said. "Our diverse locations and landscapes offer a breath of fresh air and ample space for film, television and commercial production crews to safely set up and socially distance on set.”

Under New York State's reopening plan, media production was able to start back up under phase 4 which began July 7.

Since that time, Westchester County Tourism & Film has fielded several inquiries from location scouts interested in starting new projects.

Tourism and film Director Natasha Caputo said her agency was eager to help jump-start film production in Westchester.

"We can help you scout a location, and connect you to local crews and services," she said. "What’s more, we are well-versed in the latest state guidelines and health and safety protocols, and we’re ready to help expedite the permitting process.”

Location manager Les Fincher said the film office was instrumental in facilitating production on his one-day pharma commercial shoot. With the new maximum occupancy guidelines in place, he was able to secure two home for filming that were next door to each other.

One home was the set location; the other, space for the 37-member crew.

All people working on the shoot were masked, and separate pop-up tents served as production departments. All equipment was frequently cleaned an disinfected, food service was set up in individual portions, and communications between the production team and the talent took place via a remote online platform.

Fincher said the county made it easy to get back to work safely, find the locations and obtain the permits.

"There were adjustments," he said, "but once we started, the creative process was the same. It felt normal.”

Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy said his village was happy to host the production.

"We are glad to see economic activity returning safely, both to the village and to Westchester County,” he said.

Prior to the shutdown, Westchester was experiencing a film boom, according to a county spokesperson. Inquiries from location scouts about Westchester locations were up 28 percent, year to date, over last year, with production days seeing a 40 percent rise. In addition, revenue from film permitting at county-owned properties was up more than 70 percent.

Westchester has served as the backdrop for award-winning films and episodic television shows, including “The Irishman” (Netflix); “Fosse/Verdon” (FX); and “Mr. Robot” (Amazon) drama. Other recent productions filmed here include “The Americans” (FX); “Divorce” (HBO); “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC); “Saturday Night Live” (NBC); “The Goldfinch” (Amazon).

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