NY's Steiner Studios to build new complex in Brooklyn

New York City’s Steiner Studios is set to build a new 500,000-square-foot film and television production hub in Sunset Park, Brooklyn with eight soundstages.

The major studio complex is expected to “advance diversity and equity in the media and entertainment industry and create thousands of jobs [through targeted programmes),” according to the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME).

These programmes include:

• $50,000 per year to advance opportunities in media and entertainment to New Yorkers of colour and women through MOME's Made in NY Production Assistant and Made in NY Post-Production job-training programs, ensuring that an additional 25 to 30 participants a year gain work experience, training, and connections to jobs.
• $250,000 over 10 years to a non-profit organization supporting gender equity, diversity and inclusion in the New York City film and television production industry.
• Creation of a new, offsite local program for high school students to train for jobs in the production industry, with up to $50,000 towards its establishment, plus $25,000 per year for resources and programming and school year internship opportunities.

Steiner Studios expects to support 2,200 jobs upon project completion, including set builders, electricians, scenic artists, grips, propmasters, set dressers, hair and make-up artists, and costume designers.

This investment is also expected to create at least 1,800 temporary construction jobs and comes with a goal of 25% participation rate by Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises.

"TV production is a thriving industry in New York, and this project helps jump-start the city's economic recovery and growth," said Doug Steiner, Chairman of Steiner Studios. "We're beyond thrilled to have been selected, and to bring 2,200 high-paying jobs and opportunities to Bush Terminal."

New York City gave movie and television crews the Phase 4 green light on July 20, so production companies are preparing to return with with office re-opening, schedules set up and scripts being fine-tuned. Although filming isn’t expected to start for most productions until at least next month.

“We’ve tried to take a very measured response to the production rollout. September is when we’ll start to see some of the bigger shows come back,” said Anne del Castillo, commissioner of MOME. “That will include some locations throughout New York City. “But even then, because of geographic limitation, it’s not like you’re going to see a hundred productions on the street.”