In terms of history, New York film history is ancient. The inception of New York's film industry nearly coincides with that of Hollywood. The main factors that kept New York from being the heart and soul of the film industry today are climate and preferences. For some, the sunshine and warm weather of Hollywood are more appealing than the snowy, cold conditions of New York's winters.
Because of its distinct landscapes, New York is a highly recognizable filming location in the movie industry. When a filmmaker chooses New York as their film setting, no other location will do. The backdrop of New York is adorned with architectural landmarks that are almost impossible to replicate anywhere else.
This is only one of the many reasons that have made New York the number two favorite filming location in the United States. Other reasons include its rich history and diverse populace. The meshing of these two over the last hundred years have created events and stories which lend themselves beautifully to the filmmaking process.
The first film screening to be held in the U.S. was held in the state of New York on April 23, 1906. The event was held at Koster and Bial's Vaudeville house (modern day Macy's Department Store), and Thomas Edison himself actually ran the projector.
There are literally thousands of movies that have been filmed in New York. Some of the most popular have included:
Batteries Not Included
Sleepless in Seattle
Diehard with a Vengeance
Spiderman
The Devil Wears Prada
The Good Shepherd
Because so many movies have been filmed, and continue to be filmed, in the Empire State, New York has set several milestones in the entertainment industry. New York was the location of America's very first movie studio, Vitagraph Studios, which was established in Brooklyn in 1903. The studio fared well independently until the 1920s when it was bought by Warner Bros. This studio is still used today and is best known as the shooting location for The Cosby Show.
The first modern film made in New York was On the Waterfront, which opened in 1954. This movie won eight Oscars, including Best Picture. It was a feat that stunned the Hollywood loyalists, and which greatly increased New York's filming location clout in the minds of many directors. But, this wasn't the only memorable New York milestone to occur in 1954. This was also the year when Marilyn Monroe shot the iconic film scene in which her skirt is blown upwards in the film, The Seven Year Itch. Only 1,500 people were lucky enough to witness the filming of this scene first hand, but millions have enjoyed viewing the image since it debuted on the silver screen.
Filmmaking never takes a break in New York. For every film that's completed, there are two more that begin production. As this article was being written, these films were in production in New York:
Hoax (starring Richard Gere and Alfred Molina)
Little Children (starring Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly)
Margaret (starring Matt Damon and Mark Ruffalo)
Fast Track (starring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet)
Of course, with all this filmmaking going on, New York boasts its fair share of film festivals. For travelers who love film, attending a film festival is a great way to see a wide variety of excellent films, some of which may never make it to your local movie theater. Here are a few film festivals which take place throughout the state:
New York Film Festival – New York City. This 17-day festival held in the fall features films from all over the world, by both prestigious and emerging filmmakers. Its Avant-Garde lineup presents innovative films which don't follow the narrative norm.
New York International Independent Film & Video Festival – New York City. Also held in the fall, it showcases international works by everyone from novices to top-level talent.
Rochester High Falls Film Festival – Rochester. Taking place around the beginning of May, this festival focuses on films highlighting exceptional work by women in the film industry.
Tribeca Film Festival – New York City. Founded by Robert deNiro as an offshoot of his Tribeca Cinemas and Tribeca Institute, this spring festival presents a wide variety of acclaimed films.
Woodstock Film Festival – Woodstock. In addition to film screenings, this October event includes concerts, workshops, and panels led by celebrities.
These are just a few of the annual film festivals happening in New York. No matter where in the state you'll be vacationing, there's a good chance that a film festival or special event takes place nearby at some point during the year.
But, film is not the only popular medium to be shot in New York. Television networks also film within the state for the same reasons. Some of the most noted shows include:
The Sopranos
Law and Order
Rescue Me
The View
As the World Turns
All My Children
Late Night with Conan O'Brian
Late Show with David Letterman
Even the show Sesame Street was at one time filmed in New York.
Because television also plays such a large role in New York, and because some of its shows have led actors to film, a few more milestones must be touched upon. The biggest one applies to Saturday Night Live. This show has been filmed in New York since 1975 and is still on the air today. It is the highest rated and longest running late night television show in the history of television.
Talk show host Regis Philbin also left his mark in 2004 when he set the record for the person with the most times spent on television (15,188 hours). His show, Live with Regis and Kelly has been filmed in New York since its debut in 1989.
Travelers to New York City can attend tapings of shows which include audiences. It's best to arrange your tickets in advance, although many shows provide stand-by tickets to people willing to stand in line. However, you'll usually have a long wait, and there are no guarantees you'll get in. If you reserve a seat in advance, make sure you know whether your place is really guaranteed – some shows overbook, so if that's the case, you'll need to get there early. Fans of morning shows like The Today Show and The Early Show can gather outside the studio on the plaza for a chance to meet show hosts or get their own 15 seconds of fame on television.
If you love Lucy, you may want to head to the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, where Ball grew up. The center includes a museum, playhouse, and gift shop dedicated to Lucy and Desi. It also hosts two annual festivals, one over Memorial Day weekend and another in early August.
The film and television industries go hand-in-hand in New York. There's no doubt that the rich history and culture of New York will continue to promote great artistic achievements in Hollywood for years to come. Visitors to the state will agree, and if lucky enough, may even get to witness it first hand while on vacation.
