Filming in New York: The Complete Production Guide
New York City is one of the most filmed cities in the world — and one of the most complex to produce in. The city offers an extraordinary combination of iconic locations, world-class crews, deep talent pools, and a production infrastructure built over a century of filmmaking. But filming in New York also means navigating union requirements, city permits, insurance regulations, and neighborhood-specific logistics that can overwhelm productions without the right local expertise.
This guide draws on 37th Degree's decade-plus of on-the-ground production experience in New York to help you plan your project with confidence — whether you are a global brand, an international broadcaster, a K-pop label, or an independent filmmaker shooting in New York for the first time. As an international production company with permanent offices in New York, Seoul, and Los Angeles, we bring a cross-border production perspective that is especially valuable for teams producing in NYC from overseas.
WHY FILM IN NEW YORK?
1. Locations that no other city offers
New York provides a virtually unlimited range of visual environments within a compact, accessible geography. Midtown Manhattan delivers globally recognizable backdrops — Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal. Brooklyn offers industrial warehouses, street art corridors, waterfront skyline views, and residential brownstone streets. Queens provides diverse residential neighborhoods and proximity to major studio complexes like Silvercup and Kaufman Astoria. The Bronx and Staten Island offer settings that are harder to find in more heavily filmed parts of the city.
The visual density is New York's greatest asset: a production can shoot a luxury penthouse interior, a gritty street scene, a waterfront sunset, and a subway platform sequence — all within the same production day, all within the same borough.
2. The deepest talent pool in the country
New York is home to the largest concentration of professional actors, models, dancers, and performers in the United States. SAG-AFTRA talent across every demographic, experienced union crews in every department, world-class choreographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, and the nation's highest concentration of advertising agency creatives — all available within the five boroughs. For productions that need to cast quickly, rehearse efficiently, and execute at the highest level, no other US city matches New York's talent density.
3. Production infrastructure at global scale
New York's production infrastructure has expanded dramatically over the past decade. Purpose-built studio facilities in Brooklyn (Steiner Studios, Broadway Stages), Queens (Silvercup, Kaufman Astoria), and the Bronx offer soundstage space, grip and electric packages, set construction shops, and post-production suites. Equipment rental houses stock international-standard camera, lighting, and grip packages. Post-production facilities handle finishing for any broadcast, streaming, or theatrical delivery spec.
4. Gateway to the American market
For international productions entering the United States, New York is a strategic base. The city is home to major broadcast networks (NBC, CBS, ABC), cable networks, streaming platform offices, and the largest concentration of advertising agencies in the country. Producing content in New York provides proximity to American distribution partners, press, and industry gatekeepers. For Korean, Japanese, and European productions looking to reach US audiences, New York offers both the production capability and the market access. 37th Degree serves as the bridge for these cross-border productions — managing American production logistics while maintaining direct communication with international creative leadership.
5. Cultural credibility
New York carries a global cultural weight that translates directly to screen. Whether your project is a fashion commercial, a hip-hop music video, a K-pop visual album, or a branded content series — filming in New York gives your production a visual authority and cultural authenticity that audiences worldwide recognize and respond to.
TYPES OF PRODUCTIONS WE SUPPORT IN NEW YORK
37th Degree supports the full range of production formats in New York City:
Commercials & Branded Content: Full agency-ready production for TVC, digital, and branded content shoots — from single-day product campaigns to large-scale multi-location commercials. We work with global agencies and direct-to-brand clients across fashion, beauty, tech, food, and entertainment. For more details, see our commercial production in NYC page.
Feature Films & Co-Productions: Full line production for narrative features, including location management, crew hiring, union compliance, permits, and production coordination. We specialize in US-Korea co-productions and international films shooting in New York.
Music Videos: We produce music videos in New York City for K-pop artists, hip-hop acts, and international musicians. 37th Degree brings a unique edge to NYC music video production — combining Korean creative sensibility with New York's world-class talent pool and production infrastructure. Learn more about our music video production in NYC.
Reality & Unscripted Series: 37th Degree supports unscripted content in New York, including reality competition formats, talent-based programs, and variety series for streaming platforms and international broadcasters. Our cross-cultural perspective adds unique value to global reality formats shot in NYC.
Documentary: Location research, access coordination, crew, and bilingual fixers for international documentary teams working in New York City. We handle permits for sensitive or high-security locations and coordinate with local authorities as needed.
K-pop & Korean Entertainment: 37th Degree is a trusted production partner for Korean entertainment companies producing in New York — from music videos for HYBE and JYP Entertainment artists to variety show episodes and branded content for Korean networks. Our bilingual team bridges Korean creative direction with American production execution.
FILMING PERMITS IN NEW YORK CITY
One of the most common concerns for productions coming to New York is the permit system. Here is what you need to know:
MOME (Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment): All commercial filming on public property in New York City requires a free permit from MOME. This includes any production using a camera and crew on streets, sidewalks, parks, or plazas. Applications are submitted through the MOME online portal at least 5 business days in advance — complex shoots need 10-15 business days.
NYPD Film Coordination: Productions requiring street closures, traffic management, or involving stunts, weapons props, or special effects must coordinate with the NYPD Movie/TV Unit through MOME. NYPD officers assigned to your production manage traffic control and public safety. Their fees are billed separately.
Parks Department: Filming in any NYC park requires a separate permit from the Parks Department, coordinated through MOME. Central Park, Prospect Park, and waterfront locations have specific usage rules and time restrictions. Large-scale productions may require restoration deposits.
MTA (Subway & Bus): Filming in the New York subway system or on MTA property requires specific MTA approval. This involves advance coordination, insurance documentation, and safety compliance. MTA filming is popular for music videos and feature films but requires experienced permit management.
Private Locations: For shoots at private commercial or residential locations, 37th Degree negotiates location agreements directly. New York has an active location scouting market with established relationships between production companies and property owners.
37th Degree manages all permit applications and negotiations as part of standard production services. International clients do not need to engage with NYC permit systems directly. For a detailed breakdown of the NYC permit process, see our NYC film permit guide.
HIRING CREW IN NEW YORK
How crew hiring works in NYC:
New York is a union town. Most professional productions work with IATSE crew members (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), SAG-AFTRA talent, and Teamsters Local 817 for transportation. Understanding union rates, overtime rules, meal penalties, turnaround requirements, and fringe costs is essential for accurate budgeting and smooth production execution.
Non-union crews are also available in New York, particularly for digital content, branded shoots, and smaller-scale productions. 37th Degree advises on the right crew structure for your project's scale, budget, and distribution requirements.
Key crew roles
DPs / Camera operators: New York has one of the deepest pools of experienced DPs in the world, with credits spanning commercial, narrative, documentary, and music video production.
Gaffers & lighting crews: NYC's year-round production schedule produces highly experienced lighting teams accustomed to fast-paced commercial and music video workflows.
Art department: Production designers, art directors, set decorators, and prop masters — New York's advertising and film industries feed a world-class art department talent pool.
Hair, makeup & styling: The fashion and advertising industries give New York one of the strongest hair, makeup, and styling markets in the world.
Producers & production coordinators: Experienced line producers and coordinators who understand NYC-specific logistics — permits, unions, locations, and the pace of New York production.
Bilingual production management
For any Korean or Asian production shooting in New York, bilingual crew communication is essential. 37th Degree's production management team operates in both English and Korean, ensuring seamless communication between the international client's creative leadership and local American crews. This includes real-time on-set translation, bilingual call sheets and production documents, and cultural bridging between Korean production customs and American crew expectations. This cross-border production management capability is central to what makes 37th Degree the preferred NYC production partner for Korean entertainment companies.
BUDGETING A PRODUCTION IN NEW YORK
What to expect
New York is one of the more expensive production cities in the world — but the production value achievable here justifies the investment for projects that need it. Understanding where costs concentrate helps in planning:
Typically higher than other US cities: Union crew rates (IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters), location fees in high-demand Manhattan areas, parking and vehicle staging costs, NYPD coordination fees for street closures, studio rental in premium Brooklyn and Manhattan facilities.
Competitive or flexible: Equipment rental (competitive market with many vendors), post-production (wide range of price points), art department and set construction, hair/makeup/styling (deep talent pool across all budget levels), locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and outer boroughs.
A professional commercial shoot in New York — full union crew, one location, one shoot day — typically ranges from $50K-$150K+ depending on scale, talent, and location complexity. Music video productions can range from $20K for lean shoots to $200K+ for large-scale K-pop or major label projects. Contact us for a specific budget estimate based on your project scope.
LOGISTICS FOR INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS
'Entry & Visa: Most international passport holders can enter the US on ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or B-1/B-2 visas for short-term production work. For longer productions, paid work, or specialized crew, O-1 or P-1 visa categories may apply. 37th Degree advises on appropriate entry categories and can coordinate with immigration attorneys when needed.
Equipment Import: Professional camera and production equipment can be brought into the US on a temporary import basis. ATA Carnet is recommended for smooth customs processing. 37th Degree coordinates customs logistics and can supplement imported equipment with local rentals from NYC's extensive equipment rental market.
Accommodation & Transport: New York has extensive hotel options across every budget level. For production crews, we recommend accommodations in Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn) or Midtown Manhattan for central access to both studio and location zones. Ground transportation in NYC includes production vans, sprinter shuttles, and Teamsters-driven vehicles — 37th Degree coordinates all production transport.
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5 (UTC-4 during Daylight Saving Time). New York is 14 hours behind Seoul (KST) — plan for this when coordinating international approvals during production. 37th Degree's Seoul office can bridge time zone gaps for real-time communication.
WORKING WITH 37TH DEGREE IN NEW YORK
37th Degree is a New York-based international production company with permanent offices in New York, Seoul, and Los Angeles. We serve as both a film fixer and a full line production partner — depending on the scope of your project. As cross-border production specialists, we bring unique value to international productions shooting in New York.
What we provide
Local production management and line producing, location scouting and all permit applications (MOME, NYPD, Parks, MTA), union and non-union crew sourcing and management, equipment and studio coordination, transport, catering, and full logistics, bilingual (English/Korean) on-set production management, cross-market production support (New York to Seoul to LA), post-production pipeline coordination.
Who we work with
Global advertising agencies, Korean entertainment companies (HYBE, JYP Entertainment), international broadcasters, streaming platforms, independent filmmakers, and brands producing in New York for US market entry.
FAQ — FILMING IN NEW YORK
Q: Do I need a local production partner to film in New York City?
A: For most international productions, yes. New York's permit system, union requirements, insurance regulations, and location logistics rely on local expertise and established relationships. A local production partner or film fixer significantly reduces risk, cost, and production time.
Q: How far in advance should I plan a production in NYC?
A: For a standard commercial or music video shoot, 2-4 weeks of pre-production is typically sufficient. For feature films, multi-location series, or shoots requiring complex permits (MTA subway, street closures, parks), allow 4-8 weeks of pre-production minimum.
Q: Can 37th Degree support productions outside of New York City?
A: Yes. We support productions across New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut. We also have offices in Los Angeles and Seoul for multi-city productions.
Q: Does 37th Degree work with Korean productions shooting in New York?
A: Yes. With permanent operations in both New York and Seoul, 37th Degree is a natural partner for Korean productions and artists working in New York. We bridge Korean entertainment with the US market, supporting music videos, reality formats, commercials, and co-productions.
Q: What languages does your New York team work in?
A: English and Korean. Our production management team is fully bilingual, enabling seamless communication between international clients and local American crews.
Q: Does 37th Degree offer line production or fixer services?
A: Yes. We provide both full line production (managing the entire production from pre through wrap) and fixer services (supporting visiting production teams with local logistics, permits, crew, and coordination) in New York City.
Q: How do I get a quote for a production in New York?
A: Contact us at info@37thdegree.com with your project details — format, timeline, crew requirements, and locations. We respond quickly with a transparent overview of costs and logistics.
READY TO FILM IN NEW YORK?
37th Degree is New York's international production partner — with the local expertise, crew relationships, union knowledge, and permit experience to make your project happen. Whether you are producing a commercial, music video, feature film, or reality series in New York City, we are ready to support your production.
Contact our NYC team: info@37thdegree.com
37th Degree — Seoul / New York / Los Angeles
We also support productions in Seoul and Los Angeles.