The Hudson Valley Film Commission is reporting that first quarter totals for 2020 were off to a fast start before production was halted due to Covid-19 outbreak safety measures.
Over $9-million was spent on over 70 days of production with 85 local crew members and over 100 local actors & extras hired. Over 5000 room nights were rented at local lodging establishments.
Productions included DIARIES OF AN EXCHANGE STUDENT (Diários de Intercâmbio), directed by Bruno Garotti and Anita Barbosa; WEREWOLVES WITHIN, directed by Josh Ruben, and Keith Boynton’s THE WINTER HOUSE from Choice Films. Totals do not include data from several days of filming that took place on reshoots for HBO’s I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE and work in Fishkill and Wappingers Falls for the sci-fi series “RAY JAMES,” inspired by HG Wells The War Of The Worlds. Several smaller films rounded out the first quarter, as well as post-production work, which continues largely undeterred by the pandemic.
G&E crew members at Woodstock FIlm Studios for WEREWOLVES WITHIN
Work on the Brazilian film, DIARIES OF AN EXCHANGE STUDENT (Diários de Intercâmbio) took place in February. The comedy stars Instagram phenom Larissa Manoela (@larissamanoela) as Barbara, and Thati Lopes as Talia. Their dreams of life abroad are met with obstacles and culture shock. The film commission is grateful to Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Delgado for their help in securing visas, which allowed us to secure the production for the region.
Dutchess County producer Jonathan Burkhart oversaw local production with John Hay overseeing UPM duties. Many locals were hired, including Amy Hutchings Casting, Hudson Valley Casting, AC Brian Barney, Chuck Merrihew, Corey Spears and Poughkeepsie’s Ready To Serve Catering. Rio based executive producer Julio Uchôa, recorded a 1 minute message about what it was like to film in the Hudson Valley region. Watch it online at https://vimeo.com/393579636.
WEREWOLVES WITHIN wrapped on March 9 after a 25-day production schedule. The movie was directed by Woodstock native Josh Ruben. In January 2019, Ruben was in the region filming his directorial debut SCARE ME, which World Premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival along with 4 other other local films. (SEE BLOG). Ruben recorded a short message about how he felt about making movies in the mid-Hudson Valley. Watch it online at https://vimeo.com/395841263
The Hudson Valley Film Commission is very grateful to all the folks at Ubisoft and Vanishing Angle for working so hard to hire as many local crew and vendors as possible. We counted more than 25 local hires including director Josh Ruben, G&E folks including Greg Meola, Anthony Stracquadanio, Kevin Koniewicz, Chris van Houten, Bill Hevessy, Mike Hunold, Chris Washington; art, prop and set dressing folks including John Ashton, Tom Newton, Tashav L Powers and Jesse Hegney; HMU department's Erica Pearce, Doria Riker and Yesim Osman; John Livermore from Stone Pony Catering, Frank Dianda for craft services; Others included actors Anni Krueger, Kat Gonzalez and Willis Williams; scripty Chuck Girard, Jesse Rolfe, Willo Hausman, Daniel Rohn, Eugene Hitt, Corey Spears, Woodstock Film Studios and many others.
In addition to supporting production and tabulating data, the Hudson Valley Film Commission also took part in several networking opportunities including the Dutchess Tourism event at Cinehub, Career Day at Bard College and 2020 BardWorks.
The film commission also kept busy promoting the region through articles and podcasts including Lights... Camera... Catskills! From Kaatscast
Upcoming screenings of regional film and TV productions , including three HBO productions that took place in 2019 (THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, and THE UNDOING) are now featured on a new webpage, which was created to make it easier for people to learn how to screen films that have been produced in the region since the Film Commission started work in 2000. For details, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Film and TV Production throughout the state ended in mid March when safety measures were put in place in New York State to combat the Covid-19 Pandemic. Luckily, most productions had wrapped before the mandatory work stoppage. Unfortunately, the stoppage has left thousands of freehand film production contractors without employment. As of April 13, nonessential businesses must stay closed through April 29. For updates, visit www.coronavirus.health.ny.gov
Unfortunately, the stoppage has left thousands of freehand film production contractors without employment. As of mid-April, several productions have expressed interest in starting up production, but nothing will happen until new production paradigms have been created for on-set and location safety. Entertainment Partners, the New York Production Alliance, and several other organizations several other organizations have been providing webinars and related information. Find answers to pressing questions and to get up-to-date news, visit The Production Community