Our regular readers know many of our tips come from the No Parking signs that are posted around NYC before a film shoot, but those days may be coming to a end.
Kaufman Astoria Studios has opened New York City’s first backlot which will allow filmmakers the ability to shoot on a New York street without having to tie up parking spaces, stop traffic, move props, or worry about onlookers.
Outdoor lots are commonplace in Hollywood so local officials are hoping the new space will attract out-of-state productions and make New York more competitive. “This is a gamechanger,” said New York Senator Charles Schumer. “We are telling Hollywood we can compete. Hollywood watch out.”
The outdoor lot is a 34,800 square foot space located on 36th Street, between 34th and 35th Avenues, in Astoria, Queens.
Right now plenty of productions are still filming on location around the city but if Kaufman Astoria’s new backlot proves to be a success, we may be seeing less and less of those famous No Parking signs.
Actually they just closed off the street that runs through their studio complex. Not going to be a real back lot.