With Yonkers now firmly established as a motion picture and television production center with the Lionsgate Studios and other soundstages either open or in development by Great Point Studios as well as producers using myriad locations throughout Westchester County, the county has calculated that the film and television sector contributed $924.2 million to its economy during 2024.
The figure was disclosed in connection with this year’s gathering of film and TV industry professionals and stakeholders along with municipal leaders and related businesses that was titled the “Future of Film in Westchester.” The event took place on the evening of April 30 at the Sonesta White Plains and was hosted by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and the county’s Office of Tourism and Film.
According to data from the county, in 2024 the total number of jobs supported by the county’s film and television industry rose by 51% to 3,103 in 2024 from 2053 during the previous year. Of those jobs, 1,339 were tied directly to production. The industry generated $261.6 million in total wages, including $130.2 million in direct earnings. Various productions provided a total of 1,372 days of work.
The county noted that following a falloff in production activity during 2023 due to the strikes by the writers’ union the Writers Guild of America and the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, industry activity in Westchester rebounded sharply in 2024.
“Our film and television sector is not just thriving, it’s driving real economic growth and opportunities for our communities,” Jenkins said. “Westchester has firmly established itself as a premier destination for production. We’re proud to provide the environment, the workforce and the commitment that keeps this industry growing. The future of film in Westchester is just getting started.”
Natasha Caputo, the county’s director of tourism and film, noted, “Our proactive approach, streamlined processes and strong partnerships with local businesses, government and communities make us a model for best practices in the industry. Producers know they can count on Westchester not only for our diverse locations, but for the seamless support that helps bring their projects to life.”
Some of the productions that worked in Westchester recently included: “The Equalizer” (CBS); “Elsbeth” (CBS); “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS); “The Gilded Age” (HBO); “Law & Order” (NBC); “Poker Face” (Peacock); “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (Starz); “Severance” (Apple TV+); “Your Friends & Neighbors” (Apple TV+); “Zero Day” (Netflix).
Bill Carraro, an award-winning executive producer, producer, and production manager described his experiences working on the HBO series “The Penguin,” a continuation of the Batman story.
“I have had the privilege to produce projects all over the world and continue to find New York to be a premier destination, and as we found on ‘The Penguin,’ and Westchester County is the crown jewel of the region,” Carraro said. “Westchester was able to fill the void for essential locations in the telling of our story. There are few places with the diversity of environments that Westchester has to offer; from urban to rural locations, a broad range of suburban neighborhoods, beautiful beaches, stunning riverfront properties, lakes, woodlands, state and local parks, university campuses, government buildings, airports, in addition to production stages, all minutes from New York City. Westchester is a collaborative, production-friendly environment offering producers options that work logistically and creatively.”
Praise for Westchester also came from Josh Levin, vice president for the northeast region of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), whose member studios are: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix Studios, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. MPA serves as the global voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries.
“Film, television, and streaming productions have a world of options,” Levin said. “Westchester is a top choice because it has built a reputation for reliability, versatility, and strong local collaboration while providing a bevy of on-location options, top-notch soundstage infrastructure, and hundreds of vendors.”
The county found that production activity generated $2.6 million in local sales taxes and $3.2 million in lodging-related sales and occupancy taxes. The county and its municipalities collected an additional $1.8 million in permit and location fees.
