HUDSON VALLEY FILMS ON HULU, PART 1

For #throwbackthursday, we’re featuring several mid Hudson Valley Region productions that are currently streaming on Hulu.

In 2021, the Season 1 of Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth, filmed extensively in Milan, Putnam Valley, Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, and Staatsburg. The story follows the cracks in every aspect of Beth’s seemingly great but unfulfilling life. The series stars Amy Schumer, Michael Cera, Michael Rapaport, Violet Young, Susannah Flood and hundreds of Hudson Valley locals that were cast by Roman Candle with support from the film commission. Local crew included many HV regulars including Jamie Buckner, Jesse Hegney, Greg Meola, Anthony Straquadanio and many others.

Filming for Season 2 took place during the second quarter of 2023, primarily in Staatsburg. The film commission worked again with Roman Candle Casting to find local actors to work in a scene with Amy Schumer and Michael Cera.

Click here to watch Life and Beth, Season 1

Cameron Edwin, the host of a failing TV science show for children, has always had aspirations of being an astronaut. When a mysterious satellite coincidentally falls from space and lands in his backyard, his midlife crisis manifests into a plan to rebuild the machine into a rocket. As surreal events start to unfold around him, he slowly realizes that there's more to his life story than he once thought.

Linoleum was one of the productions to film following the Covid-19 outbreak. The indie feature film by Colin West, stars Jim Gaffigan, Rhea Seehorn, Katelyn Nacon, Gabriel Rush, Tony Shalhoub and many local actors including Roger Simon, Elizabeth Henry, Twinkle Burke, Willoughby Pyle, William J. Tully, Kevin Callahan... Local actors and background extras were handled through Heidi K. Eklund, CSA. Local crew members were also very involved and catering was provided by Stone Pony Deli.

Click here to watch Linoleum

Directed and executive produced by Desiree Akhavan (Ramy, Hacks, Monsterland) , this indie film, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, features Chloë Grace Moretz, Owen Campbell, Steven Hauck, and Quinn Shephard in a story about a teen (Moretz) who, after getting caught making out with another girl, is sent to a camp that specializes in gay conversion therapy.

Filming took place in the fall of 2016 in Coxsackie, Cairo, Palenville, Round Top, and SPAF in Saugerties. Casting was handled by Jessica Daniels.

UPM and co-producer Rob Cristiano wrote: “This is the third film that I worked in the Hudson Valley, and I have always received prompt and helpful guidance and feedback from the Hudson Valley Film Commission regardless of the size and budget of the project. Local businesses, locations, and towns have been very easy to work with, and we have had a good experience with location background casting and filming at local stages. The Hudson Valley is a great place to escape to with a dedicated cast and crew and I'm looking forward to returning again with the next project.”

Rob’s most recent Hudson Valley project, Stay Awake, is currently in theaters.

Click here to watch The Miseducation Of Cameron Post

Several scenes for Episode 3 of Monsterland were filmed in uptown Kingston in November of 2019. Wall Street and several other locations were used to double for New Orleans during a Mardis Gras type celebration. Temperatures were in the twenties but production went off without incident. Catering set up outside Wall Street’s Kingston Studios. The Hudson Valley Film Commission helped recruit extras.

Episode 3, which is directed by Craig William Macneill, explores the dissolution of a marriage after Annie (Nicole Beharie) discovers a terrible secret regarding her husband Joe Keller (Hamish Linklater). The episode quickly spirals into Annie's own breakdown over the secret in question.

Click here to watch Monsterland

Directed by Lucky McKee, Old Man stars part time Hudson Valley actor Stephen Lang (Avatar), and producer, actor Marc Senter. The story follows a lost traveler (Senter) who stumbles upon an old man (Lang) living in a remote cabin in the woods. An unimaginable nightmare unwinds.

After weeks of helping to find an ideal cabin, the production decided to film in a controlled setting––Umbra of Newburgh. Lili Teplan, who has worked on many local films, oversaw production design, while Jerry Wenutu handled art direction.  Other local crew members included key grip Crawford Watson, construction coordinator Josh Slack, scripty Chuck Girard, still photographer Jason Vasquez, health supervisor James Glorioso, prodctuction assistant Will BBiavvati, stage managers Tony Glazer and Summer Crockett Moore and many others.

Click to watch Old Man

MAN ON WIRE

Philippe Petit balancing the Oscar on his chin.

For #throwbackthursday, we’re featuring the documentary, MAN ON WIRE. If you haven’t seen it, the film is currently streaming on Hulu.

Directed by James Marsh, MAN ON WIRE is based on To Reach The Clouds: My High Wire Walk Between The Twin Towers by part time HV resident, Philippe Petit. 

The story follow a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit, who on August 7, 1974, stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York.

The film received a Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award  at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win Best Documentary at the 2009 Academy Awards. 

Philippe Petit explaining how he prepared

“I had the pleasure of hearing Philippe read the first two chapters of the book that the doc is based on back in 2001,” recalls film commission executive director Laurent Rejto. “The reading was held at Valerie Fanarjian’s home in Boiceville. Valerie was one of his wire riggers and she also worked closely with the film commission. We were all mesmerized at the reading. Eight years later, another mutual friend, Lisa Myers, was tasked by Philippe to create an item that could mimic  an Oscar Statue. This allowed Petit to practice balancing the item on his chin in the event the film won. It was a lot of fun watching the Oscars with Lisa that year, and seeing how her bowling pin version came in handy.”


In 2014, To Reach The Clouds was adapted as THE WALK, by the legendary Robert Zemeckis.

As a boy, Philippe Petit dreams of performing daring feats for dazzled crowds. As an adult, his life's ambition comes true when he becomes a high-wire artist who stares death in the face with every step. Under the guidance of mentor Papa Rudy, the French daredevil devises a plan to walk on a tightrope attached to the north and south towers of the World Trade Center. With help from his team and against all odds, Petit attempted the seemingly impossible stunt on Aug. 7, 1974.

The film was primarily produced in Canada but the Hudson Valley Film Commission had a hand in recommending a place where Philippe Petit could train the person who would portray him in the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. As a result, trained at Tech City in the Town of Ulster. Other scenes involved Gordon-Levitt's tightrope walking body double and CGI face-replacement technology. For a short clip with Levitt, Petit and Zemeckis at https://youtu.be/yXtgDfE3VSY

Robert Zemeckis is considered one of the premier American directors. His credits include Forrest Gump, Cast Away, The Back To The Future trilogy, and Welcome To Marwen, which was inspired by Marwencol, a documentary about another Hudson Valley resident Mark Hogancamp.






2022 SUMMER FILMS UPDATE

The sad news is that current labor issues have stopped a lot of the productions that were filming in the region. This has led to serious unemployment issues for thousands of local crew members, actors and vendors (including equipment houses, qualified production facilities, hotels, restaurants…) We’re hoping that AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) will somehow, quickly come to terms with the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artist).

In the meantime, we're still working with some small non-union films, music videos, industrials and other productions, with the hope that local industry members can get some much needed work. We're also looking forward to working with union productions that will be granted  waivers via SAG-AFTRA.

In terms of film releases, we’re taking a look back at movies that filmed in the region during the summer of 2022:

BLACKOUT, which was written and directed by Larry Fessenden, recently world premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival.The story follows a painter who, convinced he is a werewolf, creates chaos in a small town at each full moon. The cast features Alex Hurt, Addison Timlin, Motell Gyn Foster, Joseph Castillo-Midyett, John Speredakos, Michael Buscemi, Joe Swanberg, Barbara Crampton, James Le Gros, Kevin Corrigan and Marshall Bell. Many local actors were involved as well, including Steve Heller of Fabulous Furniture. Regional locations included Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, Snyder’s Tavern, Woodstock Building Supply and many more. Chris Ingvordsen produced in conjunction with Larry Fessenden and James Felix McKenney. Yellow Veil Pictures is distributing.

Alex Hurt in Blackout

THE GOOD MOTHER (a/k/a Mother’s Milk),  is set to be released by Vertical on September 1. Written and directed by Albany’s Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, the film features two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby). She stars opposite Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon) and Jack Reynor (Midsommar). The story follows a journalist who, after the murder of her estranged son, forms an unlikely alliance with his pregnant girlfriend to track down those responsible for his death. Together, they confront a world of drugs and corruption. The feature film was produced in the Capital Region, but hired a lot of Hudson Valley crew and cast members through Heidi K. Eklund, CSA.

On location with The Good Mother

LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE is still in post production. The feature film, which is based on the book by the same name, tells the inspiring story of a 12-year-old boy, who, separated from his family by a fast moving storm, must fight to stay alive during his nine-day adventure lost in the backwoods of Maine. Directed by Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger, and features Paul Sparks, Luke David Blumm and Caitlin FitzGerald. Background casting was handled by Amy Hutchings Casting and Heidi K. Eklund, CSA. Filming took place in July and August in Elka Park, Gardiner, High Falls, Kingston, New Paltz, Phoenicia, Rosendale, Saugerties, and Stone Ridge.

On location with Lost on a Mountain in Maine

SING SING, which filmed in July and August of 2022 at Downstate Correctional in Fishkill, and other locations in Beacon and Warwick, just announced that it will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Based on a real-life rehabilitation program, the story follows a theatre troupe that  finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play. Sing Sing was directed by Greg Kwedar and stars Colman Domingo (Euphoria), Sharon Washington (Joker, Michael Clayton). Cast members also included formerly incarcerated actors and many local background extras. Rita Powers casting handled background. For more info, visit www.tiff.net/events/sing-sing

Colman Domingo in Sing Sing

THEATER CAMP, which filmed in June of 2022 opened in theaters on July 18. For dates and times, click here. Directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, the story follows eccentric staff members of an upstate New York theater camp who must band together when their beloved founder falls into a coma. Production took place primarily in Warwick and Newburgh. The cast features Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Jimmy Tatro, Amy Sedaris and many local background extras who were hired through HBG Casting.

On location with Theater Camp

STAY TUNED –– we’ll feature 2022 TV productions in an upcoming blog.

BRIAN WILSON: LONG PROMISED ROAD

On Wednesday, July 19 at 7pm, the Hudson Valley Film Commission and Tinker Street Cinema will present a special screening of Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road at the Tinker Street Cinema, 132 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY. The screening will feature special guest, Woodstocker, executive producer and Rolling Stone Magazine editor, Jason Fine. An exclusive video intro from Brian Wilson will precede the screening.

Brian Wilson and Jason Fine

The documentary follows Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, on an intimate journey through his legendary career as he reminisces with Rolling Stone editor and longtime friend, Jason Fine.

Wilson and Fine are featured driving around Los Angeles chatting about triumphs, setbacks, death, disaster, rebirths, and legacy. The documentary also features a new song, "Right Where I Belong," written and performed by Wilson and Jim James (My Morning Jacket), and interviews with Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Jonas, Linda Perry, Jim James, Gustavo Dudamel, and Al Jardine.

"I'd say that it was the music of The Band and Dylan and jazz guys like Don Cherry that drew me to Woodstock many years ago," says Jason Fine. “Long before that, growing up in Southern California, it was The Beach Boys that got me into music in the first place. So it's cool to bring the Brian Wilson movie to Woodstock, connecting the dots of my own musical journey and sharing it with the community I love so much."

Hudson Valley Film Commission executive director Laurent Rejto was following the film and reached out to Jason Fine about a potential hometown screening.

“It was one of those perfect connections,” Rejto recalls. “When I reached out to Andy Braunstein at Tinker Street about a possible screening, he replied by sending me a photo of himself and his dad Mark, hanging out with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. He also included a photo of the tattoo on his arm, which simply reads, The Beach Boys.”

As it happens, Andy Braunstein, who runs the Tinker Street Cinema, also grew up a fan of The Beach Boys. He was psyched about the intro and the upcoming screening “There will always be a place for brother Brian in this theater,” Braunstein added. “It’s perfect for our programming which focuses on classic, weird and cult cinema – the way it should be!”

For tickets, or more details, visit Tinker Street Cinema. All profits go to screening venue.

UPDATE: Due to Omicron, this screening was postponed from December 22, 2021.

Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to support our continued efforts to bring economic development to the region through Film & TV production. For more info, visit hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/support

There are many ways you can support the
HUDSON VALLEY FILM COMMISSION, including:
PAYPAL GIVING
(100% of donation goes HVFC)
https://tinyurl.com/hvfcpaypalgivingfund

FACEBOOK
(100% of donation goes HVFC)
https://tinyurl.com/fbgt21

THE ADULTS U.S PREMIERE

The Adults, which is directed and written by Dustin Guy Defa, will have its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival from June 14-16. 

The cast features Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, Sophia Lillis, and was produced by Allison Rose Carter, Jon Read, Julia Thompson, Michael Cera*, Hannah Dweck, and Theodore Schaefer. *Cera has appeared in several Hudson Valley productions, including Hits by David Cross, and Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth (seasons 1 & 2)

The feature film was produced over 23 production days in November and December of 2021 at 17 locations throughout the mid Hudson Valley region. Specific towns included Beacon, Fishkill, Maybrook, Millbrook, Newburgh, New Windsor, and Saugerties. The production team included 11 local crew members, 3 actors and 92 background extras.

On location with producer Jon Read

“Allison and I love filming in the Hudson Valley, knowing the Hudson Valley Film Commission can always support us with vendors, cast, locations and excellent local crew,” wrote Read. The Hudson Valley Film Commission has been delighted to work with Allison and Jon on multiple projects over the years, including Shirley, A Vigilante, and Diane. 

2023 has been a big year for Allison and Jon. In addition to the world premiere of THE ADULTS at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2023, the producing partners from Savage Rose Films attended the 95th Academy Awards, to support their work on Everything Everywhere All At Once, which was nominated for 11 Oscars. The film ended up winning 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. 

Tribeca Film Festival’s Jarod Neece wrote the follow summary for The Adults:
When Eric’s (Michael Cera) short trip back home turns into an extended stay, relationships with friends and family come to a head. The trip reunites him with his sisters, Rachel (Hannah Gross) and Maggie (Sophia Lillis), and unearths some old wounds as Maggie yearns to rekindle moments of their youth. At the same time, Eric falls back in with his old poker buddies, asserting his dominance as the best poker player in town. They gradually reveal their complicated inner lives, trauma, and relationships through theatrical performances and shared histories. The film's strength lies in the cast’s nuanced performances and writer-director Dustin Guy Defa’s use of raw emotion and close-ups to convey the siblings' complicated dynamic. 

With top-notch performances from a talented cast, Defa returns to Tribeca with a personal and uplifting film that delves into family bonds and memories through the lens of a broken family trying to mend. The Adults is a well-crafted and affecting film that blends humor and heartache in a way that is both honest and relatable.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to engage, support and promote regional Film & TV productions. As we start our 24 YEAR, we will continue recommending thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background,  and vendors. We also refer qualified production facilities (many of which we helped certify), post production houses and much more. 


RECENT LOCAL PRODUCTIONS:
(For a list of local films, see www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest)
Kitchen Nightmares • Pretty Little Liars: Summer School (HBO MAX) • Good One • Companion • Bloody Axe Wound • Park Avenue • Life and Beth (S2 - Hulu) • Between the Temples • Severance (S2 - Apple TV+) • Billions (S7 - Showtime) • Neil Gaiman Masterclass • A Killer Romance • New Amsterdam (NBC) • Post Truth • The Sweet East • Blackout • Manifest (Netflix) • Full Circle (HBO) • Figments of Freedom • A Paracosm • Sing Sing • Fallout (Amazon Studios) • Poker Face (Peacock) • Lost on a Mountain in Maine • The Sweet East • Family • The Tuba Thieves • Theater Camp • Blue Light • A Holiday Spectacular (Hallmark) • Three Women (Showtime) • The Adults • New Me • Rub • Pinball • The First Lady (Showtime) • One December Night (Hallmark) • Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO Max) • The Endgame (NBC Universal) • Crumb Catcher • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Adopting Audrey • The Hating Game (BCDF Pictures) • Invasion (Apple TV+) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Follow Her • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)

LOCATIONS FOR WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS

Since 2000, the Hudson Valley Film Commission has had the pleasure of working with hundreds of Film & TV location scouts and managers; many of whom have returned to the region time and time again over the years. We still keep in touch with some of the personnel that worked on early iconic Mid Hudson Valley productions, including Nobody’s Fool and War Of The Worlds.

In 2018-19, we had the pleasure of working with HBO’s  I Know This Much Is True, and different departments including production management, background casting, and the locations department which was managed by seasoned professional Stephen Grivno. In 2021, Stephen was back with another HBO series; White House Plumbers.

The five-part limited series was filmed in 2021, primarily in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Location highlights that were filmed locally included private homes,  courtrooms including the Senate Watergate Hearings setting, a Miami Restaurant, the attorney general’s office, diners, a prison, Cuba, as well as airplane sets, halls of Congress and other miscellaneous interiors that were built at Umbra of Newburgh.

Filming took place in Albany, Westchester, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Specific local towns and cities included Albany, Beacon, Dover Plains, Garrison, Hurley, Kingston, Millbrook, Monticello, Newburgh, New Rochelle, Orangeburg, Pomona, Poughkeepsie, Purchase, Rhinebeck, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, White Plains and West Park.

We recently reached out to Stephen regarding the work that he and his team did on the series. New episodes premiere Mondays at 9pm throughout May on MAX. Here’s a few questions we asked…

HVFC: Your work on Derek Cianfrance's I Know This Much Is True included many remarkable Mid Hudson Valley locations that helped the series span six decades. How did spending over a year on that show based out of Poughkeepsie give you a head start for White House Plumbers?

GRIVNO: It was a huge head start just understanding the lay of the land in general, types of architecture, socio economics, and just a great backlog of location photos on file. 

HVFC: We received initial information in October of 2020 for Federal-type interiors, courts, opulent dining rooms, and vintage offices. Can you give us a few highlights regarding locations in Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties that were used for White House Plumbers?

GRIVNO: Some highlights that surprised me are the Dutchess County Office Building in the City of Poughkeepsie and their City Hall. We were scouting for specific mid century looks that usually end up being municipal buildings that have not undergone lots of renovation through the years. We had to go to Westchester for a few locations as they just have larger scale buildings in places like White Plains and a few corporate complexes for hour-or-less commutes to NYC. And of course some massive government buildings in Albany were too tempting to pass up. 

Another great location! we filmed at was St Josephs – an old estate in Garrison that is now a School that works with orphans. They are doing good things there. We filmed the Attorney Generals Office scene there, which might be one of the funniest scenes in the series. It is just below Boscobel Gardens, where we did base camp and crew parking.

HVFC: How did you end up renting property from the City of Poughkeepsie for offices and courtrooms?

GRIVNO: We had a great time in the City of Poughkeepsie on IKTMIT. They were very amenable to production requests and schedules so we tried to find as many locations there as possible. In the end we got lucky because they had the best-looking locations for the scene as well. 

HVFC: I remember recommending the Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Newburgh mostly because of its marble opulence. What scenes were filmed there?

GRIVNO: We filmed the US Senate hearings at the Karpeles. It was a perfect location for that. Luckily they were amenable to us completely emptying the museum, which is now part of Umbra of Newburgh. 

HVFC: We were thrilled to add Cuba to our list of locations that have been filmed in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Who suggested filming the Bay of Pigs invasion at Kingston Point Beach?

GRIVNO: Well, it was the only beach we were aware of, so it kind of had to be there. Luckily it worked! And since it was a flashback scene that was kind of surreal and would have a lot of special photography and visual effects, the foreground scenery we were able to work with was enough to build the rest onto. 

HVFC: The HBO podcast talks about how the search for Howard Hunt’s home led you back to Poughkeepsie. We don’t disclose private home locations but can you talk about that location and also G. Gordon Liddy’s home in the Beacon area?

GRIVNO: I found the Hunt House on the first day of scouting, mostly based on my instincts of where mid century modern clusters of residential homes might be. Luckily the house was a winner. I don't think there was a close backup, and honestly there are not a ton of film-friendly mid century modern homes in the Hudson Valley that I am aware of. Even when we started prepping the show in the NYC Zone we struggled to find great options. The Poughkeepsie house blew our best NYC area options out of the water. 

HVFC: The White House Plumbers T-SHIRT that was created to commemorate towns that were used in the region is an incredible ‘gemstone.' Who came up with that great memento?

GRIVNO: A couple of my assistant location managers generated that one. One of them bought this vintage poster of Nixon that we thought was funny, which was on the front of the shirt. And on the back we wanted to shout out all the locations we used in the theme of the Gemstones Pitch that Hunt and Liddy give during Episode 2. 

HVFC: It was a pleasure to see that you were working on Severance back in March. Do you have any other potential projects that might film in the region? If you have any other thoughts about working in the Mid-Hudson Valley, please do share.

GRIVNO: It is so cool that Severance has been drawn to the Hudson! Same with Pretty Little Liars and Poker Face. 

HVFC: Do you have any general thoughts about filming in the region?

GRIVNO: My general thoughts about filming in the Hudson Valley are that you can find a surprising amount of disparate locations there. White House Plumbers really pushed the envelope for me and honestly surprised me with how well everything turned out. The people are nice and generally receptive to production. The food and drinks are good. There is no traffic. And the Hudson Valley is quite beautiful. Winters can be rough though! 

Stephen Grivno is a member of the directors guild (DGA). As a location manager and scout, he has worked on many Film & TV projects including The Peripheral, Y: The Last Man. I Know This Much Is True, Marriage Story, Shaft, Mapplethorpe, Wonder, The Meyerowitz Stories and more.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to engage, support and promote regional Film & TV productions. As we start our 24 YEAR, we will continue recommending thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background, and vendors. We also recommend qualified production facilities (many of which we helped certify), post production houses and much more.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is supported in part by:
Dutchess Tourism Inc (DTI) brings tourism dollars to area businesses by marketing and promoting the assets of Dutchess County to the nation and the world.

Markertek.com – An industry leader in audio and video, Markertek carries a full complement of camera accessories, lighting gear, cables, expendables and more for all levels of film production.

120dB Films – Since 2004, 120dB Films has helped independent film and TV creators bring their projects to the screen by providing production loans and executive producer services to help filmmakers get their projects financed and finished.

The Wood Dock Foundation, Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 52, and private support.

THROUGH THE STARS

For #filmmakerfriday, we’re featuring Alex Knapp and Max Gardner of A+M Creative, and a new short they worked on called THROUGH THE STARS, directed by Ariel Danziger.

The short is screening on DUST, which  presents thought-provoking science fiction stories, exploring the future of humanity through the lens of science and technology. 

SYNOPSIS
Under the cover of darkness, a teenage girl attempts to escape her tormented reality, determined to find her missing father with the help of her best friend and a mysterious device.

A+M Creative connected with Executive Producers Ryan Marth and Lisa Carr via director of photography, Waleed Sokkar and director Ariel Danzinger, who they had worked with in 2021.

The project was originally set to film in Tacoma, WA but A+M Creative  suggested filming in Columbia County where they are based and where they have produced a lot of work throughout the years, including the feature film GO/DON’T GO. After seeing the value of the  locations and the resources available in the Hudson Valley, Marth and Carr agreed to move the project. 

On-the-ground production was based in and around Hudson. A+M Creative reached out to their local network , which is predominantly based in the surrounding counties. They also taped into some great resources for gear and production support, especially Jon Sharaf who provided the Arri LF cameras, G&E equipment and the primary location.

As for actors, the supporting cast was locally sourced through Hudson Valley Casting. The primary actors came from the West Coast. 

Additionally, Ghent-based Exec Producer Tom Essig of SSYY Productions acted and provided some additional financial support. Essig was the primary executive producer of GO/DON’T GO.

Connect with the Filmmakers @ THROUGH THE STARS

To view more local films, visit www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest

APRIL RECAP

The second quarter of 2023 got off to a great start as 3 streamers from Apple TV+, HBOMAX and Hulu kicked April off with major production work in the Mid Hudson Valley Region for season 2 work on Severance, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, and Life And Beth. Work took place at multiple locations in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange and Ulster Counties.

As if things couldn’t get any better, Dutchess and Ulster Counties also hosted a bonafide indie film production by Nathan Silver, featuring two iconic actors; Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore, Asteroid City) and Carol Kane (Hester Street, Taxi, The Princess Bride, The Dead Don’t Die), and over 100 local background extras. 

Other April highlights included a Wim Wenders’ inspired short film, Devil Music at Wing's Castle, commercial work, music videos, and verification that at least 3 more indie films will soon be in production in the Mid Hudson Valley, specifically Dutchess and Putnam.

April may be gone, but May 1 marks the HBO premiere of White House Plumbers, which filmed extensively in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Albany, and Westchester were also used extensively as was Washington D.C.

The amazing locations department headed up by Steven Grivno, created this exclusive T-shirt showing how regional productions actually are. The photo was taken while on location for Poker Face with location scout Will Biavati.

As far as other work is concerned, the Hudson Valley Film Commission spent the month discreetly working behind the scenes, and also publicly promoting projects and industry members.

A few highlights included: 

For more visit our Instagram at www.instagram.com/hudsonvalleyfilm.

In April, we also celebrated our birthday fundraiser. It concludes today – May 1. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our continued efforts to engage, support and promote REGIONAL Film & TV productions. As we start our 24th YEAR, we will continue recommending thousands of locations, local crew members, actors, background, vendors, including qualified production facilities (many of which we helped certify), post production houses and much more. To make a contribution of any size, please donate on Facebook or visit https://tinyurl.com/hvfcsupport

POKER FACE LOCATIONS

POKER FACE from Peacock TV filmed in the Hudson Valley from April through October 2022.

The 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series ended March 9 with last episode for season 1. The series follows Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.

In addition to Natasha Lyonne, the series will feature guest stars Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Michael Hall, Charles Melton, Chelsea Frei, Cherry Jones, Chloë Sevigny, Clea DuVall, Colton Ryan, Danielle MacDonald, Dascha Polanco, Ellen Barkin, Hong Chau, Jasmine Aiyana Garvin, Jameela Jamil, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Light, Leslie Silva, Lil Rel Howery, Luis Guzmán, Megan Suri, Niall Cunningham, Nicholas Cirillo, Nick Nolte, Reed Birney, Rhea Perlman, Ron Perlman, Rowan Blanchard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shane Paul McGhie, Simon Helberg, Stephanie Hsu, Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Meadows and thousands of local extras.

“The Hudson Valley Film Commission was an excellent resource for us in casting Hudson Valley locals. They were always available and eager to help us get the word out to as many locals as possible to be involved as background extras on our shows. Without their help, our job would have been a lot more difficult in helping the production achieve their vision. It is great to see an expanding pool of locals who are excited and willing to do background work and show up to set knowing what they are doing.” –Grant Wilfley Casting

In addition to local extras, the production hired more than fifty local crew members to work in different departments including accounting, grip & electric, hair & makeup, location scouting, production, set medics, special effects, stage management, wardrobe and more.

Filming took place throughout the Hudson Valley. Here’s a little recap of some of the locations.

EPISODE 1: DEAD MAN'S HAND
Directed by Rian Johnson,
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Adrien Brody, Dascha Polanco, Benjamin Bratt

When a close friend meets an untimely end, Charlie Cale, a casino cocktail waitress with an uncanny knack for identifying lies, is determined to unravel these mysterious events, even if it endangers her own life.

Select Hudson Valley Locations:
Umbra of Newburgh (@former Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor), North Plank Road Tavern in Newburgh

EPISODE 2: THE NIGHT SHIFT
Directed by Rian Johnson,
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Hong Chau, Megan Suri

Wounded and on the run, Charlie is forced to make a pit stop in desolate New Mexico where she tries to clear the name of a trucker framed for the murder of a local.

No Hudson Valley Locations in this episode.

EPISODE 3: THE STALL
Directed by Iain B. MacDonald
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Shane Paul McGhie, Lil Rel Howery, Danielle Macdonald

Charlie takes a job at a family-run Texas BBQ joint and must use her skills of perception to sniff out the truth behind a shocking death.

Select Hudson Valley Locations: Accord Service Station, Big Dogs Brewery in Walden, Umbra of Newburgh

EPISODE 4: REST IN METAL
Directed by Tiffany Johnson
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Chloë Sevigny, Nicholas Cirillo, Chuck Cooper, Benjamin Bratt

Charlie goes on tour with has-been metal band Doxxxology, a motley crew of dejected rockers who've spent decades trying to write a new hit; Charlie suspects foul play when one musician winds up dead.

Select Hudson Valley Locations: The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, Towne Crier Café in Beacon, Restaurant Depot in Newburgh, Rodeway inn in New Paltz

“It was a great experience overall, generating a lot of local excitement, and we were pleased that we were able to offer two stages for filming, showing Natasha Lyonne's character performing at two different venues." –Towne Crier Cafe

EPISODE 5: TIME OF THE MONKEY
Directed by Lucky McKee
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Judith Light, S. Epatha Merkeson

Working at a retirement home, Charlie makes friends with two rebellious old ladies who may have taken matters into their own hands.

Hudson Valley Locations: Woodland Pond at New Paltz, Trevor Zoo in Millbrook

“Overall, we had a rather pleasant experience hosting Poker Face and the film crew here at Woodland Pond. Amongst an unsure prediction as to how this was to unfold, we found the process of coordinating community and facility usage with the Film Agency unproblematic and enjoyable. The one issue we did run into was frequent smoking on campus, which was prohibited from the start of the filming.” –Woodland Pond

EPISODE 6: EXIT STAGE DEATH
Directed by Ben Sinclair
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Ellen Barkin, Tim Meadows, Audrey Corsa, Jameela Jamil

Charlie's waitress job at a dinner theater is interrupted by a tragic death on stage during a performance by two washed-up television stars; when she starts to investigate, deadly motivations come to light.

Hudson Valley Locations: Private home in Garrison, Beacon Theater, Umbra @ Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor.

“Poker Face shot at both our theater and restaurant, as well as exterior marquee stuff, for an episode. It was an absolute dream of an operation, from top to bottom. All my contacts on the locations side of everything were extremely generous and professional, as well as just being very cool people. And the crew was one of the most dedicated and talented I've seen, everybody was an amazing piece to a spectacular puzzle. It was really a situation that could've been a nightmare to handle, but everyone involved in the prep, shoot and clean up made it a dream. Very psyched to catch the episode!“–Mike Burdge, Story Screen (now The Beacon)

EPISODE 7: THE FUTURE OF THE SPORT
Directed by Iain B. MacDonald
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Tim Blake Nelson, Chales Melton, Leslie Silva, Angel Desai

While working at a go-kart complex, Charlie becomes involved in a bitter feud between an aging race car driver and a hotheaded young upstart, whose rivalry has explosive consequences.

Select Hudson Valley Locations: Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, The Castle Fun Center in Chester, Happy Valley Arcade Bar in Beacon and Private Homes.

EPISODE 8: THE ORPHEUS SYNDROME
Directed by Natasha Lyonne
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Nick Nolte, Cherry Jones, Luis Guzmán, Tim Russ

A special effects artist unearths a past project to find closure from the guilt of a fatal on-set accident; when old demons resurface, Charlie is left to unravel a new deadly plot.

Select Hudson Valley Locations: Barbershop on Main Street in Cornwall, Private Homes & Barn, IBM Somers Office Complex, Umbra of Newburgh

EPISODE 9: ESCAPE FROM SHIT MOUNTAIN
Directed by Rian Johnson
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Castaneda, Stephanie Hsu

Charlie finds herself stranded in a motel during a blizzard; in order to survive the night, Charlie must decipher the deadly tension between her questionable companions.

Most of the exteriors for this episode, which is set in Colorado, were not filmed in the Hudson Valley but there are a few surprises including Tetta’s Market in Olivebridge, which was actually one of the first locations used in the region on April 11, 2022. The scene features Natasha Lyonne and Stephanie Hsu.

Select Hudson Valley Locations: Tetta’s in Olivebridge, Tuxedo Motel, Umbra, Vassar Hospital

“It was a pleasure to host and work with Poker Face. The film crew was very professional, considerate and communicative both before, during and after filming. It was a wonderful experience to see the amount of thought, work and coordination that goes into these film shoots. In the days after shoot, the production stood by their word and made sure the store was just as they found it, if not better.” –Tetta's Market and Pizzeria

EPISODE 10: THE HOOK
Directed by Janicza Bravo
Featuring Natasha Lyonne, Ron Perlman, Simon Helberg, Clea DuVall, Benjamin Bratt, Rhea Perlman

Charlie faces her greatest challenge yet when she is caught in the crossfire of a deadly power play that puts her in the sights of two ruthless crime syndicates and the FBI.

Select Hudson Valley Locations: Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie, Big Dogs Brewery in Walden, The Chance in Poughkeepsie, Beacon Movie Theater, Ireland Corners in Gardiner, Umbra builds for Yacht

PREMIERES, OSCAR NODS, POKER FACE & MORE

January 2023 has been a busy time for many regional films, TV shows and filmmakers. Here are a few highlights from the past week including Premieres, Academy Award nominations, and more

On Saturday, January 21, THEATER CAMP premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

First-time feature directorial duo Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman authentically celebrate the brilliant and slightly unhinged educators and magical spaces that allow kids to be themselves and find their confidence, nailing the details after experiencing decades of camp life. The film features a winning comedic ensemble cast and boundless creativity.

The film features Amy Sedaris, Jimmy Tatro, Ben Platt and Molly Gordon. Filming took place in June of 2022 in Warwick and at the Newburgh Unity Armory. HBG Casting handled background, and many regional crew members participated.

Variety wrote: “Longtime friends Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman have assembled an intermittently amusing, mostly ad-libbed, wannabe 'Waiting for Guffman' set in the world of junior acting programs.” Click here to read review in Variety

On Sunday, January 22, THE TUBA THIEVES premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Alison O’Daniel and Laurent Rejto on location at Maverick Concerts

THE TUBA THIEVES, directed by Alison O’Daniel,  fictionalizes real events and lived experiences through a cinematic language that mirrors the experience of being hard of hearing: overlapping narratives, obscured visual framing, and captions that present a third narrative equal to image and sound. The film unfolds between 2011 and 2013 during a rash of tuba thefts from Los Angeles schools. Nyke Prince and Geovanny Marroquin play fictionalized versions of their lives. Nyke, who is Deaf, is given a drum kit and an empty practice room and navigates her relationship to music with her hearing boyfriend and hearing father. In other parts of Los Angeles, Geovanny and other high school students impacted by the tuba thefts perform at football games and hang out after school. 

Their stories are interrupted by reenactments of historic concerts where audiences experienced music through ‘silence’—John Cage’s 1952 premiere of 4’33” where a pianist sat at a piano for 4 minutes and 33 seconds without playing a note. Second, the 1979 final punk show at the Deaf Club in San Francisco, a social club for the Deaf that hosted west coast punk shows. And lastly, Prince’s surprise 1984 free concert at the Deaf University Gallaudet on his Purple Rain tour.

The 1952 premiere of 4’33” was filmed where the premiere actually took place: Maverick Concerts: the oldest continuous summer chamber music festival in America.

For more details, visit https://creative-capital.org/projects/the-tuba-thieves
Click here to read review in Indiewire

On Sunday, January 22, WITH PETER BRADLEY premiered at Slamdance

Alex Rappoport and Peter Bradley

WITH PETER BRADLEY is an intimate documentary collaboration between filmmaker Alex Rappoport and abstract artist Peter Bradley, who both live in Saugerties, New York. When the two met in January 2020, Peter was 79 and had neither sold many paintings nor had a major show in over four decades – yet he still painted every day in and around a shipping-container studio, heated by a wood stove, no matter what the weather...

"I’ve lived in the Hudson Valley town of Saugerties, New York for 22 years," recalls Rappoport. "A few years less than Peter Bradley, whose house I drove past all the time without ever knowing he was there. Until two years ago. I was introduced to Peter by Robert Langdon, who runs Emerge Gallery in Saugerties, a small storefront space dedicated to local artists. In June 2019 Robert showed new works by Peter, who hadn’t had a solo exhibit of his paintings in a long time. My wife, Katie Cokinos, went to the opening at Emerge, and Robert introduced her to Peter as a filmmaker. Peter said, “You should make a film about me.” Katie suggested her husband instead, and told me later but I forgot all about it. Six months later my daughter, Lula, was helping Robert at the gallery over her winter break from college. She came home one day and said, 'You should make a movie about Peter Bradley.' So I did - because he lives 5 minutes down the road, his story is amazing and, remarkably, no one else had ever showed up to record it previously."

For more details, visit www.withpeterbradley.com

On Tuesday, January 24, the Academy Award Nominations were announced.

Darren Aronofsky's THE WHALE was nominated for 3 Academy awards including:
Best Lead Actor – Brendan Fraser 
Best Supporting Actress – Hong Chau
Best Makeup and Hairstyling  – Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Anne Marie Bradley


Filming for A24’s THE WHALE took place primarily on the soundstage at Umbra of Newburgh and on location in New Paltz. The cast features Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton and Hong Chau, who has also worked in the region on DRIVEWAYS. Many local crew members were hired including 'legendary' key grip Mitch Lillian. Other locals working G&E included Jimmy DeMarco (rigging gaffer), Jack Lillian (B camera dolly grip), Greg Meola (grip), Kimberly Sauer (add'l digital imaging technician), Anthony Stracquadanio (grip), Todd Sullivan (lead shop electrician). Other crew members included Rachaell Dama (costume supervisor), Michele Elise (tailor), Michelle Bayreuther (set medic), Tony Glazer (stage manager), Summer Crockett Moore (stage manager). Hilary Greer (HBG Casting) was in charge of background actors.

On Tuesday, January 24, we also announced that THE ADULTS will world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.

Jon Read on location for THE ADULTS

THE ADULTS is directed by Dustin Guy Defa with Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, and Sophia Lillis. Filming took place in November and December of 2021 in Beacon, Fishkill, Maybrook, Millbrook, Newburgh, New Windsor, and Saugerties. 

Cera has previously worked in the Hudson Valley on the Hulu TV series LIFE & BETH by Amy Schumer, and HITS by David Cross. 


The production was handled by Savage Rose Films. Producing partners Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read have worked in the region on many feature film projects including SHIRLEY, DIANE, and A VIGILANTE.

Savage Rose Films claims that it is "grounded in humanity, not always reality" may best be exemplified by the release of A24’s EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, which has been nominated for 11 Academy Awards!!!

On Wednesday, January 25, LINOLEUM premiered in theaters.

Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn in LINOLEUM

LINOLEUM, which was filmed in the Hudson Valley, opened in theaters on January 25, 2023. Written and directed by Colin West, the film stars Jim Gaffigan, Rhea Seehorn, Katelyn Naco, Gabriel Rush, Amy Hargreaves, with Michael Ian Black and Tony Shallhoub.

Filming took place in Kingston, Saugerties and the Town of Ulster between October 19 to November 14, 2020. "In addition to hiring locals, visiting cast and crew stayed at the Best Western Plus in Kingston. LINOLEUM was one of the first productions to film after the Covid 19 lockdown.

When a satellite falls from orbit and crashes into the suburban home of a dysfunctional family in Ohio, the father (Jim Gaffigan) seizes the opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming an astronaut by re-building it into his own rocket ship. While his wife (Rhea Seehorn) and daughter (Katelyn Nacon) believe he's experiencing a midlife crisis, surreal events Begin to unfold around him, forcing him to reconsider how interconnected their lives truly are.

For more info, visit https://www.linoleummovie.com

On Thursday, January 26, the first four episodes of POKER FACE were released on PeacockTV

Episode’s currently streaming include:

Dead Man's Hand
When her friend is murdered, Charlie Cale, a woman with a knack for identifying lies, investigates. (Exterior locations in this episode are not local.)

The Night Shift
Charlie, adjusting to life on the run, struggles to clear the good name of an innocent trucker. (This episode was not filmed locally.)

The Stall
Charlie uses her perception skills to sniff out the truth behind a shocking death at a BBQ joint. (This episode, which takes place in Texas, was filmed entirely in the Hudson Valley.)

Rest in Metal
Charlie suspects foul play when a musician from a once-popular metal band meets a shocking end. (This episode, which takes place in the Midwest, was filmed entirely in the Hudson Valley. Featured locations include the Towne Crier Café in Beacon , The Chance in Poughkeepsie and the Rodeway Inn in New Paltz.)

Filming for the TV series took place from April through October 2022.  The 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series, follows Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve. Read our full blog including select locations at www.tinyurl.com/pokerfaceblog 

Read Why the Hudson Valley was the perfect place for 'Poker Place' at www.tinyurl.com/timeunionpf
Our favorite quote from the article follows...

The Hudson Valley appealed to POKER FACE’s producers because they needed an eclectic region that could be made to look like a variety of places in America.

“It was its diversity,” says [showrunner] Lilla [Zuckerman]. “It doubled for the Texas Hill Country. It doubled for everywhere through the Midwest. The Yacht Club doubled for Atlantic City. We were really able to find a little bit of the heartland of America in the Hudson Valley all over the place.”

Rejto has been trying to spread the fact that film productions “can do anything in the Hudson Valley” for decades. “We’ve certainly bragged about how you can simulate any part of the country here. You can find any location you need. The crew making ‘Poker Face’ certainly found everything they needed.”

The Hudson Valley Film Commission was also happy to announce this week that the region has been included in MovieMaker’s BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIEMAKER. Based on the number of Film & TV projects that were produced in the region, we would have liked being closer to the top, but we’re very grateful and happy that MovieMaker agreed to include multiple cities. Please note that we did provide specific locations for each project, but the magazine narrative (see below) only includes nearby cities. We’re very grateful to all the wonderful locations scouts and managers who have brought many of the projects listed below, to the region. Hoping you’ll all be back.


#10. THE HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK TOWNS OF POUGHKEEPSIE, KINGSTON AND NEWBURGH
We rank cities, not regions —but there’s no denying the rise of the Hudson Valley, a collection of small cities and towns making a huge impact on the industry. Poughkeepskie has welcomed productions including NBCUniversal’s THE ENDGAME, Apple’s INVASION and SEVERANCE, Showtime’s THE FIRST LADY and HBO Max’s THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS. SEVERANCE has also shot in nearby Kingston, and so have Netflix’s MANIFEST, HBO’s FULL CIRCLE and THE UNDOING, as well as many more productions. Newburgh, meanwhile, has welcomed Rian Johnson’s Peacock show POKER FACE, HBO’s THE WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS, and Darren Aronofsky’s THE WHALE. The region’s stately, reserved beauty and century-long embrace of arts and culture have made it highly desirable, especially for thoughtful prestige productions. Many New York City residents found the area to be a refuge as they fled tight quarters during lockdowns, which may explain why so much creativity has spilled out of the valley. And it benefits from New York’s 25% tax credit on below the line costs, and an additional 10% on below-the-line labor. Massive Clouds, in Kingston, is among the superb local boutique post houses.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that has engaged, supported and promoted hundreds of regional Film & TV productions since 2000. As part of its mission, the Film Commission refers locations, local crew, cast, vendors, qualified production facilities, post production houses and more. As a result, thousands of jobs have been created and more than $400-million in regional economic development.  

Please consider supporting our continued efforts with a tax-deductible contribution at https://tinyurl.com/hvfcsupport


RECENT local productions:
Stream regional Films and TV Shows at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Neil Gaiman Masterclass • To Have and To Kill • New Amsterdam • Post Truth • Blackout • Manifest (Netflix) • Full Circle (HBO) • Figments of Freedom • A Paracosm • Untitled Prison Movie • Hondo • Poker Face (Peacock) • Lost on a Mountain in Maine • Family • Theater Camp • Blue Light • A Holiday Spectacular (Hallmark) • Three Women (Showtime) • The Adults • New Me • Pinball • The First Lady (Showtime) • One December Night (Hallmark) • Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO Max) • The Endgame (NBC Universal) • Crumb Catcher • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Adopting Audrey • The Hating Game (BCDF Pictures) • Invasion (Apple TV+) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Follow Her • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)

BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIEMAKER

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is happy to announce that the Hudson Valley has been included in MovieMaker’s BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIEMAKER. Based on the number of Film & TV projects that were produced in the region, we would have liked being closer to the top, but we’re very grateful and happy that MovieMaker agreed to include multiple cities. Please note that we did provide specific locations for each project, but the magazine narrative (see below) only includes nearby cities.

10. THE HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK TOWNS OF POUGHKEEPSIE, KINGSTON AND NEWBURGH

We rank cities, not regions —but there’s no denying the rise of the Hudson Valley, a collection of small cities and towns making a huge impact on the industry. Poughkeepskie has welcomed productions including NBCUniversal’s The Endgame, Apple’s Invasion and Severance, Showtime’s The First Lady and HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls. Severance has also shot in nearby Kingston, and so have Netflix’s Manifest, HBO’s Full Circle and The Undoing, as well as many more productions. Newburgh, meanwhile, has welcomed Rian Johnson’s Peacock show Poker Face, HBO’s The White House Plumbers, and Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. The region’s stately, reserved beauty and century-long embrace of arts and culture have made it highly desirable, especially for thoughtful prestige productions. Many New York City residents found the area to be a refuge as they fled tight quarters during lockdowns, which may explain why so much creativity has spilled out of the valley. And it benefits from New York’s 25% tax credit on below the line costs, and an additional 10% on below-the-line labor. Massive Clouds, in Kingston, is among the superb local boutique post houses.

We’ve been compiling a list of states, countries and otherworldly locations that the Hudson Valley has been used for. If we’re missing anything that you can think of, please let us know.

Here's a short list...

Belarus – The Endgame

Belgium (Ardennes) – Foxhole

California – White House Plumbers

Cuba – White House Plumbers

Centerville – The Dead Don't Die

Colorado – Poker Face: Escape from Sh•t Mountain

Connecticut – I Know This Much is True

Earth – Avengers: Endgame / battle scene

Idaho – The Whale

Illinois – Driveways, The Better Angels, The Americans

India – Growing Up Smith

Kier – Severance

Louisiana / New Orleans – Monsterland

Maine – Lost on a Mountain in Maine

Massachussets – Diane

Midwest – Skin

Minnesota – Poker Face, The Thing About My Folks

Montana – The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Nevada – Poker Face

New Jersey – Poker Face, The Plot Against America

North Carolina – What Happened Miss Simone

Ohio – Linoleum

Oklahoma – Growing Up Smith

Oregon – Antarctica

Outer Space, Mars – Approaching the Unknown, Save Yourselves

Pennsylvania / Millwood – Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

Tennessee – Poker Face: The Future of the Game

Texas – Poker Face, Cold in July, One Armed Man, Approaching the Unknown

Vermont – The Sex Lives of College Girls, Shirley, Last Vermont Christmas

Virginia – Stay Awake, White House Plumbers

Washington, DC – The White House Plumbers

Wisconsin – Poker Face, The Night Listeners

2022 was in fact a record breaking year. To analyze the impact of regional FILM, TV and MEDIA production, the Hudson Valley Film Commission collects and studies data to show how jobs and direct spending benefit local economic development. Important factors for local production include availability of trained professionals and the wide variety of locations available. NYS Film Tax Credits continue to be the principal factor cited for filming in the Hudson Valley.

2022 DATA INCLUDES:
• Direct Local Spending: $62-million+
• Room Nights at Local Lodging: 45,757 
• Scouting Days: 540 
• Production Days: 448 
• Locations: 214 
• Crew Jobs Created: 790 
• Cast Jobs for Actors & Background Extra: 3,383+

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that has engaged, supported and promoted hundreds of regional Film & TV productions since 2000. As part of its mission, the Film Commission refers locations, local crew, cast, vendors, qualified production facilities, post production houses and more. As a result, thousands of jobs have been created and more than $400-million in regional economic development.  

RECENT local productions:
Stream regional films at www.hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org/streamfest
Neil Gaiman Masterclass • To Have and To Kill • New Amsterdam • Post Truth • Blackout • Manifest (Netflix) • Full Circle (HBO) • Figments of Freedom • A Paracosm • Sing Sing • Fallout • Poker Face (Peacock) • Lost on a Mountain in Maine • Family • Theater Camp • Blue Light • A Holiday Spectacular (Hallmark) • Three Women (Showtime) • The Adults • New Me • Pinball • The First Lady (Showtime) • One December Night (Hallmark) • Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (HBO Max) • The Endgame (NBC Universal) • Crumb Catcher • Stay Awake • Redemption in Cherry Springs (Hallmark) • Life & Beth (Hulu) • The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max) • The White House Plumbers (HBO) • Remote • The Gilded Age (HBO) • Severance (Apple TV+) • The Whale (A24) • Old Man • Master (Amazon Studios) • Adopting Audrey • The Hating Game (BCDF Pictures) • Invasion (Apple TV+) • The Green Veil • Linoleum • The Sixth Reel • The Secret Diaries of an Exchange Student • Werewolves Within (Ubisoft/IFC Films) • Things Heard and Seen (Netflix) • Billions (Showtime) • Monsterland (Hulu) • The Plot Against America (HBO) • Silent Retreat (Miramax) • Black Bear • Follow Her • Lapsis • Foxhole • The Undoing (HBO) • I Know This Much Is True (HBO)

POKER FACE AIRS JAN 26

POKER FACE from Peacock TV filmed in the Hudson Valley from April through October 2022.

The 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series, which premieres January 26, follows Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.

The series was directed by Rian Jonson (Knives Out, The Last Jedi…). In addition to Natasha Lyonne, the series will feature guest stars Adrien Brody, Angel Desai, Audrey Corsa, Benjamin Bratt, Brandon Michael Hall, Charles Melton, Chelsea Frei, Cherry Jones, Chloë Sevigny, Clea DuVall, Colton Ryan, Danielle MacDonald, Dascha Polanco, Ellen Barkin, Hong Chau, Jasmine Aiyana Garvin, Jameela Jamil, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Light, Leslie Silva, Lil Rel Howery, Luis Guzmán, Megan Suri, Niall Cunningham, Nicholas Cirillo, Nick Nolte, Reed Birney, Rhea Perlman, Ron Perlman, Rowan Blanchard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shane Paul McGhie, Simon Helberg, Stephanie Hsu, Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Meadows and thousands of local extras.

“The Hudson Valley Film Commission was an excellent resource for us in casting Hudson Valley locals. They were always available and eager to help us get the word out to as many locals as possible to be involved as background extras on our shows. Without their help, our job would have been a lot more difficult in helping the production achieve their vision. It is great to see an expanding pool of locals who are excited and willing to do background work and show up to set knowing what they are doing.” –Grant Wilfley Casting

In addition to local extras, the production hired more than fifty local crew members to work in different departments including accounting, grip & electric, hair & makeup, location scouting, production, set medics, special effects, stage management, wardrobe and more.

Filming took place throughout the Hudson Valley. Locations included Accord, Beacon, Middletown, New Paltz, Newburgh, New Windsor, Olivebridge, Poughkeepsie, Somers, and Walden.

A few featured locations included

Administrative work and stage builds (casino, dinner theater…) were handled at
Umbra of Newburgh (including the stage at the former Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor)

Read Why the Hudson Valley was the perfect place for 'Poker Place' at www.tinyurl.com/timeunionpf
Our favorite quote from the article follows...

The Hudson Valley appealed to POKER FACE’s producers because they needed an eclectic region that could be made to look like a variety of places in America.

“It was its diversity,” says [showrunner] Lilla [Zuckerman]. “It doubled for the Texas Hill Country. It doubled for everywhere through the Midwest. The Yacht Club doubled for Atlantic City. We were really able to find a little bit of the heartland of America in the Hudson Valley all over the place.”

Rejto has been trying to spread the fact that film productions “can do anything in the Hudson Valley” for decades. “We’ve certainly bragged about how you can simulate any part of the country here. You can find any location you need. The crew making ‘Poker Face’ certainly found everything they needed.”

Click below to watch the POKER FACE trailer.