City Guide Filming in Astoria, NY
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: To be determined by the Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting.
- Film Permit Application Fee: $300
Minimum Insurance
- Comprehensive general liability
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Astoria
Astoria is one of the neighborhoods in the borough of Queens in New York City. It is located at the western end of the borough and sits directly northeast of Long Island City. Although Astoria is just one of the neighborhoods in the five boroughs of NYC, it continues to be one of the places that make the city a top filmmaking destination. Interestingly, film production here in Astoria dates back to the early 1900s, and to date, the neighborhood remains strong as an amazing place to film.
If you are interested in seeing what Astoria looks like after producers have done their magic in the neighborhood, check out projects such as A Bronx Tale (1993), Goodfellas (1990), Serpico (1973), The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009), A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006), People Places Things (2015), Decoy (1957–1958), FBI (2018 TV show), and Blue Bloods (2010 TV show), to name a few.
Besides the amazing filming locations that make the neighborhood truly hard to resist, another reason why filmmakers love coming here is the ease of access to production resources. This is thanks to the fantastic work that the Film Office does here to support filmmakers. Find the location that suits your needs in Astoria using Giggster, and you can rest assured that your production will be better than you imagined.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Astoria?
According to the provisions of Astoria’s filming laws, the nature of your production in the neighborhood is what will determine if you require a permit or not. There are generally three categories - projects that do not require a permit, projects that can have an optional permit, and projects that require a permit.
Permit Management in Astoria
Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting
The Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting, otherwise known as OFTB or Film Office, is the agency that is saddled with the responsibility of issuing filming permits to filmmakers that intend to shoot in Astoria. Besides assisting filmmakers with everything relating to film permits in the neighborhood, the Film Office also provides additional services to support film productions.
If you intend to shoot films here, you will get free police assistance from the OFTB and enjoy access to many exterior locations in the neighborhood without paying any fees. You also get to enjoy free parking privileges in the neighborhood, thanks to the Film Office. When it comes to liaising with the Police Department and other city agencies, the Film Office also spearheads that effort as they work closely with the city units whose services will be required to make the film production seamless. Even when you wish to film in areas not under the direct control of the Film Office, you can still count on their support to get appropriate contacts.
The first thing to do as you plan to film in Astoria is to schedule a pre-production meeting with the OFTB before you commence production. The ideal time is three weeks in advance, but it should be no later than five days before the date you intend to start. It is at this meeting that all concerned parties will review your filming plans and schedules. Then, you may proceed with your film permit application.
Complete your film application online at least two business days before the date of filming if you have a simple production. More complex productions (such as those involving the consideration of the NYPD Movie & TV Unit) take longer to process, so submit your complete application three to four business days before the date you intend to commence such productions.
There is a non-refundable application fee for each permit application you submit to the OFTB. You will need to provide proof of insurance that complies with the production insurance requirements of Astoria. In addition, you must provide proper notification to the folks in the neighborhood where you plan to shoot your commercial film. Depending on the nature of your project, you may require approvals from the Fire Department as well for public safety reasons.
What Insurance Do I Need in Astoria?
Before the Film Office issues you a permit to film in Astoria, you must provide liability insurance that aligns with the production insurance requirements of the city and neighborhood.
The Film Office must receive your certificate of insurance 48 hours before you submit your online film permit application. You should also note that the Film Office only accepts the certificate directly from insurance brokers and not filmmakers themselves. Therefore, ensure your insurance broker sends it in via email as required. If you do not have an insurance broker, there are several insurance providers available.
Your certificate of insurance must contain a comprehensive general liability policy of at least $1,000,000 and name the City of New York and its employees and officials as additional insured. In addition, the certificate must also have the details of your insurance broker and the dates that the insurance policy is in effect. Do not change or cancel the insurance policy without first giving the OFTB seven-day written notice ahead of time.
If you are a student filmmaker, your school’s insurance policy will suffice. Get a letter from your school that states your name and active student status as well as the date(s) of your film production and authorized signature.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Astoria?
Astoria features lots of locations that are perfect for film shoots, chief among which is the Kaufman Astoria Studios (KAS). Every filmmaker in the region knows KAS as it is a top-class production center on the East Coast. KAS was built in 1920 and was the production site of more than 100 silent films back in the day. As the former home of Paramount Pictures, this studio has more than half a million square feet of sound stages, service space, and production offices. Filmmakers certainly know the value of this outdoor stage facility that’s located in Astoria.
In addition to KAS, Astoria also features beautiful museums and parks that provide production companies with spots to set up their gear to shoot scenes. Examples include the Museum of Moving Image, Isamu Noguchi Museum, Socrates Sculpture Park, and Astoria Park – the largest park in the neighborhood equipped with a public pool. Other outdoor locations that are frequently used by filmmakers in Astoria include the Hell Gate Bridge, Vermond Boulevard, Astoria Boulevard, Steinway Street, and Broadway.
If you desire business and commercial areas for your shoot, Astoria is full of options to choose from, so look out for office buildings, restaurants and shops, and other spaces that may meet your requirements as you explore the neighborhood. There are beautiful residential areas, too, with various types of apartments and homes.
Special Requirements in Astoria
Astoria
The permit to film in Astoria that is issued by the Film Office comes with free parking privileges, but this only applies to production vehicles and not personal or crew vehicles. For your production vehicles to be eligible for the free parking benefit, you must provide the vehicle details (license plate, make, model) during the application process. If you use an oversized vehicle for your production, you must apply for an oversized vehicle permit.
Filming with pyrotechnics, explosions, fire effects, and smoke effects requires the approval of the New York City Fire Department. For this, an inspection must take place before production starts, and you will also need to have personnel from the Fire Department on hand to supervise production activities.
Astoria Park
Astoria Park is a New York City Park within the neighborhood, so any request to shoot commercial films in the park must go through the NYC Parks Office. The first step is to complete a Parks Film Shoot Request Form, which will be treated by the Astoria Park Manager within five business days. If the Park Manager approves your production, you can then submit your film permit application to the OFTB and include a reference to the Park Manager’s approval.
Here are some of the things to consider as you plan to shoot production in Astoria Park:
Vehicles are not allowed to park within the park’s perimeter except if there is prior approval to do so.
No filming is allowed within areas that will affect the privacy of park patrons.
Equipment, ropes, and props are not allowed on trees, benches, shrubs, or architectural features.
Cables crossing pedestrian paths must be safely installed and covered.
Directional signs for film locations are not allowed on the ground.
Remove items that are brought into the park and any trash created during production.
Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
Before you can film on the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) property, you must submit a DCAS permit to the Film Office and accompany the application with a non-refundable $3,200 fee. This DCAS fee is separate from the application fee that the Film Office collects for the permit to film in Astoria. You must obtain permission to film on DCAS property before you apply for the OFTB film permit. This department manages 55 public buildings in the city, so it’s possible you may need to contact them.
Here are additional requirements for a DCAS permit in Astoria:
Submit all forms and supporting documents to the DCAS Special Events Office at least seven business days before you plan to start.
Provide general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate and name DCAS as an additional insured.
Provide workers’ compensation insurance that complies with the statutory laws of the state of New York.
Settle all fees required by DCAS as applicable.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) welcomes production companies to shoot films on MTA property. To obtain approval for this, you must contact the MTA at least three weeks before the date of filming and comply with the following requirements:
Provide proof of insurance to cover the minimums for general liability, auto liability, worker’s compensation, and railroad protective liability if required.
Provide a letter of intent as well as a script and storyboard for the production.
Pay the fees required for the production.
Abide by the safety instructions on the platform and tracks.
The Special Events Unit of the MTA will provide you with additional information regarding the exact amounts or estimates for the insurance and the filming costs for your production.
Port Authority
If you wish to shoot commercial film production at Port Authority facilities, you must complete an online application. However, before filling out the application, you should first reach out to the Port Authority to discuss the details of your production and what you need for the project to be successful. If a scouting visit is required, it can be arranged during the initial contact. Then, you can proceed with your online application.
The Port Authority requires all commercial film producers to submit the request to film at least 30 days before the date that filming is scheduled to take place. There is a non-refundable $250 filing fee for each application, and this is different from any other fees that may be required to use locations for filming. The required documentation is as follows:
A signed cover letter that contains an overview of the scheduled production.
Operations and Security Plans.
Signed and Sealed Drawings and Code Analyses.
Insurance certificates.
Other applicable licenses and certificates.
The Port Authority’s Risk Finance team will notify you of the assigned insurance minimums for your project. You will also be provided an estimate of the costs associated with your production. This will include the fees for personnel and services that will be provided to ensure your project runs smoothly and safely.
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
If you wish to film in Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, you need to submit an NYS Parks Film Shoot Request Form to the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation via email and await a response to your request from the Office. Your request will be treated within five business days, and if approved, you will be provided an application form to which you must attach the following supporting documents:
A detailed site plan.
A certificate of insurance with general liability cover of $2,000,000 aggregate.
A copy of the script.
The complete application will take about seven business days to review, and complex productions may take longer. A walk-through of the facility may be deemed necessary to sort out the filming logistics before the issuance of the permit.
As for the fees, there is a $30 non-refundable application fee for the permit. Additional fees may be required to cover things like location use, security deposits, staff services, and police services.
For student filmmakers, a letter from the school attesting to the student’s status, as well as a current identity card, would be required before the issuance of a student film permit.
What Does it Cost to Film in Astoria?
Even though access to most exterior public locations in Astoria is provided free of charge to filmmakers by the Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting, there are other fees that a filmmaker must pay before commencing a commercial film shoot in the neighborhood. There is a non-refundable $300 application fee that must accompany every film permit application submitted to the OFTB. However, if the filmmaker can demonstrate unreasonable hardship, which makes them unable to pay the application fee, the OFTB reserves the right to waive the fee for the applicant. In any case, if there are city services that the production requires and these services have associated costs, the filmmaker must cover them.
Additional Fees
The City of New York usually requires a film permit for commercial or non-news filming involving City property, such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public spaces. It's advisable to contact the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment or relevant local authorities in Astoria or New York City to get accurate and up-to-date information about the additional fees and permits required for your filming project.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Astoria?
Astoria lies in the western end of the borough of Queens in New York City on the shore of the East River, which forms its northern and western borders. Long Island City lies southwest of the neighborhood, while Sunnyside and Woodside lie south and east, respectively. Ditmars Steinway borders the neighborhood to the northeast.
Outreach in Astoria
One of the things that every filmmaker must do to comply with Astoria’s filming regulations is to conduct outreach in the neighborhood before the start of filming. The filming guidelines stipulate that a filmmaker must notify the residents and merchants that will be affected by the filming activity, be it through parking, filming, food service, or base camps. The minimum notification period is 48 hours before the start of filming.
There is a sample resident notification letter that filmmakers can use as a template for the notification that will be sent out to those that will be affected by the production. Ensure all the specific details that pertain to the scheduled production are included in the letter.
Community Management in Astoria
In addition to the notification letter, filmmakers can play more roles to make the production activity beneficial to the folks in Astoria. One such way is by actively engaging the local community board that represents the residents of the neighborhood. There are other platforms like the City Council District and the Business Improvement District that also connect with the community. Besides, filmmakers can always reach out to the locals face-to-face or through community meetings or forums as well for a more direct experience.
Conclusion
Astoria is home to one of the most popular and state-of-the-art film production studios in New York City, and for that alone, it is always considered to be a top destination for filmmaking. In addition, the neighborhood features lots of indoor and outdoor areas that favor productions of all scales and sizes. If you are looking to bring your cast and crew here, check out some of the amazing filming locations in the neighborhood on Giggster.
The Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting in the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment oversees the film-permitting process in Astoria. The Film Office also assists filmmakers with other production services and resources they need to make their projects successful. That is why countless blockbuster projects have been filmed in this part of Queens. Schedule your next production here, and you will attest to why Astoria is such a magnificent filmmaking hub.