1 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: Welcome to Strictly Business Varieties, weekly podcast featuring conversations with 2 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. I'm 3 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: Cynthia Littleton, business editor for a Variety Today, my guest 4 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: is Anne del Castillo, one of the power players in 5 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,319 Speaker 1: New York City's entertainment scene. Anne is Commissioner of the 6 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, which regulates pretty much 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,599 Speaker 1: everything about entertainment and nightlife in the city. Anne has 8 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,480 Speaker 1: spent the past five months working to get the city 9 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: shovel ready to resume the robust level of TV and 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:41,599 Speaker 1: film production that New York has enjoyed for more than 11 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,480 Speaker 1: a decade. Del Castillo has been with the Mayor's Office 12 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: of Media and Entertainment since and she was up to 13 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 1: the top job last year. While film and TV is 14 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: hoping to get rolling again in September, the road back 15 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: will be longer for the Broadway community and for live events. 16 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: I first met with Anne in early nine when she 17 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: sat down for a cup of tea with me and 18 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: my co worker Brent Lange, Varieties Executive editor of Film 19 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 1: and Media. Brent joins me here for this interview and 20 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 1: del Castillo Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and 21 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 1: Entertainment in New York City, probably the country's most active 22 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 1: department of Media and Entertainment in a city hall and 23 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: del Castillo, how have how have you been grappling with 24 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: the last four or five months? I know in the 25 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,759 Speaker 1: past we've talked. Recent past, we've talked. Your inbox has 26 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: been inundated with people wanting to know when is the 27 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 1: town going to open up? Yes, yes, it's been. It's 28 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: it's been a very interesting time. Um. You know, because 29 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 1: we we over we provide support for all of the 30 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: creative sectors of New York City. So you know, we've 31 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: had UM out geor dining thankfully to help our rest 32 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: ronson bart Um and and in the process of we've 33 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,880 Speaker 1: also been talking to film and television production for sure 34 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: to see how they can come back. You know. We 35 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: we opened up UM earlier towards the end of June. 36 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: We had a small rollout and now we're in phase 37 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 1: four and it's very exciting. Um uh you know, but 38 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,959 Speaker 1: it's it's definitely been a very interesting time to be 39 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:27,519 Speaker 1: and and at times heartbreaking. I think we talked about 40 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:32,519 Speaker 1: this UM at the top of the crisis. It's it's 41 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,679 Speaker 1: very hard to see these industries that are really so 42 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:39,640 Speaker 1: definitive of New York City, UM, just trying to find 43 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 1: a way forward, UM and and us trying to help 44 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 1: them find that way forward with all of the limitations 45 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: that are created by the health crisis, UM and you 46 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: know that the economic crisis as well. So where are 47 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: we in the sort of resumption of production? How many 48 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: are have anything started shooting? Um? And yeah, so in 49 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 1: phase two we had small shoots, right, So so there 50 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: was some limited filming that started in Phase two with 51 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: really small crews of ten cast and crew ten or 52 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: less than in Phase three we open that up to 53 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 1: and in phase four we're starting with small crews right 54 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,959 Speaker 1: because by and large productions are using this time to 55 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: prep plan UM but really looking at a much more 56 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: robust to comeback in in September, right, I think everybody 57 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 1: was sort of waiting for the guidance, trying to see 58 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: what the timeline is. And so we still have some um, 59 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: some productions on the ground, but they're they're they're pretty small, 60 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: UM you know, they're they're twenty they're they're really small shoots. 61 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: And so now we're really talking to the television series 62 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: and the films about how and when and where they 63 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: want to come back, and it's really great. It's great 64 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: to be having those conversations. And so I think will 65 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 1: really start to see they'll see some activity, and they're 66 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: seeing some activity right now, but I think you'll start 67 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: to see the bulk of it, UM really come back 68 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 1: in September. And when you said come back, are you 69 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: talking about I mean, is it about capacity capacity? So 70 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: you know at the at the film So you mean 71 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 1: in terms of the how many productions are coming back. 72 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: You know, it's a little hard to gauge. UM. At 73 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: the top of the crisis, there were, um, there were 74 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: thirty five active shows filming UM and we're talking to 75 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,799 Speaker 1: all of them. So it's really gonna be a matter 76 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:39,720 Speaker 1: of like, uh, their schedules that we're gonna see. I 77 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:41,599 Speaker 1: don't think we're gonna see all thirty five of them 78 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: like roll up. Uh, that would be quite a challenge 79 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: for sure, UM, But I'm really not A lot of 80 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: them are probably gonna start in in the sound stages 81 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: because there's uh you can shoot up to fifty percent 82 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 1: capacity and the sound stages, and so I think we'll 83 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,479 Speaker 1: see some of the folks starting in there. Those are 84 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: also slightly more controlled and ironmans and I I have 85 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: to say, I think production is very mindful of wanting 86 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: to do this right, implement the safety protocols. You know, 87 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: we've seen some wonderful protocols developed across the board UM, 88 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: and so they're going to be testing those out when 89 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,040 Speaker 1: they come back, and they want to be able to 90 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: do that in a controlled environment, I think is really important. 91 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 1: So I think we'll see the majority of them filling 92 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 1: the sound stages and then we'll start to see a 93 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,039 Speaker 1: sort of slow rollout on location UM where you'll see 94 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,799 Speaker 1: people filming in the streets. Again. And you talked about 95 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 1: safety protocols, there have been reports of them. UM. We're 96 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: talking about social distancing for cleanings, UM, different kind of catering, 97 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: what what what are you seeing there? So you know, 98 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 1: I think the state guidelines were very much informed by 99 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:50,600 Speaker 1: UM the wonderful recommendations that industry put together. You know, 100 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: there was the white paper put together by the studios 101 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,160 Speaker 1: and then the way the Safe Way Forward put together 102 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: by the unions. And so we've been seeing some combonation 103 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: of that as we're talking to productions. Temperature checks PPE certainly. 104 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 1: I mean there's certainly things that are absolutely required just 105 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 1: by state guidelines. But then there's some real thoughtful approaches. 106 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: I think that productions are taking thinking about working in pods, 107 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,679 Speaker 1: not having everyone on set all at the same time, UM, 108 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: being really thoughtful about how they're um gathering, how they're filming, 109 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: when they're you know how uh the talent will um 110 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 1: engage with each other. And so we leave that to them, right, 111 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: and we provide the guidance. Uh, the pent have to 112 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: abide by the state and city health guidance. But the 113 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:46,160 Speaker 1: actual maschinations of production, I think, UH, production has been 114 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 1: really good about thinking through all of those steps. What 115 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 1: have you found? Is there anything in this process that 116 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: has been obviously all new and new, you know, a 117 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 1: new set of challenges. But has there been anything in 118 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: getting ready for this advanced phase reopening, anything about that 119 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: process that has surprised you, Any hurdles that have come 120 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: up that you didn't you didn't expect within the confines 121 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 1: of the of all the you know, unusual needs of 122 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: the of the corona. It's kind of funny because what 123 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: we've been become accustomed to is normal, right, So it's 124 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 1: hard for me to say that I've found anything like 125 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 1: super surprising, because kind of everything about this situation has 126 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: been surprising. UM. What has not been surprising are the 127 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: creative approaches and collaborative discussions. I think probably what has 128 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: not been so surprising, but probably more encouraging UM and 129 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: heartening have been the real concerted efforts to coordinate communications 130 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: between US UM, State production, you know, all of the stakeholders, 131 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 1: if you will, to really just being us in communication UM, 132 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: so that we get it right. Uh. And I think 133 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: that has been one of the best things to come 134 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: out of this is too, that that really robust, open, 135 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: ongoing communication and thoughtfulness about how do we do this 136 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 1: in a way that makes sense for New York City 137 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 1: in particular, right, like state guidance is for all of 138 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 1: the state, UH, which looks very different than New York City. 139 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 1: We have a lot more density, we have a lot 140 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: more activity were seven metropolis UM, and so really trying 141 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: to figure out how do we ensure that there's space 142 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: for all of the recovery to succeed. Right. So, there 143 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: are going to be some challenges initially with on location filming, 144 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 1: just by virtue of the fact that we're trying to 145 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: share spaces across the city, right, we have orgining. We're 146 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 1: trying to get people to socially distance in public spaces, 147 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 1: and then we need space for filming. And so that 148 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: balance is an ongoing balance which existed pre COVID. It's 149 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 1: just a little bit more were intense right now because 150 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: people want to get out of their houses. Do you think, 151 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: given that New York City is probably going to have 152 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: some budget problems, are you are you guys at all 153 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 1: preparing for any purtailing of some of the services or 154 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: the programs that that moment offers. UM. There there is certainly, well, 155 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: some of it is just by virtue of no gatherings, right, 156 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: So some of the some of the festival activity, festival 157 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 1: partnerships that we've had, UM, you know, Broadway and the 158 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,320 Speaker 1: Borrows was obviously on pause this year. So some of 159 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: that you're definitely going to see just a pause just 160 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 1: by virtue of the social gatherings. We certainly have had 161 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: to revisit how we're supporting some of our educational outreach 162 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: and workforce development UM, but we're really doing our best 163 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,319 Speaker 1: to stretch the dollar as much as we can and 164 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 1: UM and working with our industry partners to see how 165 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: how we can make the most of our collaborations. UM. 166 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 1: It's it's a little a bit hard to gauge, UM 167 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: what the ultimate impact is. So far, we've been able 168 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: to continue a lot of our programs virtually. UM. There 169 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,679 Speaker 1: hasn't been anything that we've actually had to stop. I'm 170 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:14,719 Speaker 1: trying to think about it. We we weren't able to 171 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 1: launch Music Months in the same way this this year, UM, 172 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 1: but that was I think and as I said, some 173 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:22,959 Speaker 1: of the public programs we weren't able to move forward with. 174 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: But but other than that, like our workforce programs are 175 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: still going UM. Our educational programs are still going online. UM. 176 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 1: And we're really working um uh collaboratively with our partners, 177 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:40,320 Speaker 1: partically at the Department of Cultural Affairs and n y 178 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:42,839 Speaker 1: C and CO and Small Business Services to see how 179 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: we can really support some of our entertainment and cultural 180 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: organizations UM, particularly the ones that are shut down. How 181 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: do we how do we ensure some sustainability for them. 182 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 1: In addition to some of the programs that the city 183 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: had launched earlier, like some of the small business grant programs, 184 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 1: some the loan programs we have are very fortunate to 185 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:08,240 Speaker 1: have a strong Legislative Affairs Team UM in d C 186 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 1: that is working to ensure the strongest stimulus and recovery 187 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 1: packages UM uh and you know other types of financial relief. 188 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: They're working UH to get that for our constituents. Here 189 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: to that point, UM, what happens if if the added 190 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 1: Unemployment UM benefits expire? I mean it seems like that 191 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 1: would impact a lot of the people, a lot of 192 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,679 Speaker 1: the folks in this particular sector because they have been 193 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: out of work for for many months. Yes, UM, I 194 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: mean that is a very don't have a good answer 195 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: for that, you know, I you know I UM. I 196 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: had the benefit of coming into this office when things 197 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: were thriving. UM. I this is my first unfortunate encounter 198 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 1: with like, how do we support New Yorkers UM when 199 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: certain benefits runt out? Uh? I think in the same 200 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 1: way that we've been working with UM, our colleagues and 201 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:14,079 Speaker 1: industry and other aspects of government to figure out how 202 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: to do a restart, we have also been working with 203 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: our partners that like the Department of Consumer and Worker 204 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:23,719 Speaker 1: Protection for example, UM, Department of Immigrant of FARAOS and 205 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: and UH New York City Economic Development Corporation to see 206 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: like what are some programs that we have that can 207 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 1: connect UM are workers to resources UM and assistance that 208 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 1: maybe the city is not providing, but that you know, 209 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: maybe third party or or just information about federal It's 210 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: it's a whole. We're really just trying to make sure 211 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: that we are on top of UM connecting our our workers, 212 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 1: are artists, are are our small businesses to as much 213 00:12:54,760 --> 00:13:00,199 Speaker 1: information UM as is available UH to support them through this. 214 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,679 Speaker 1: But I don't have a good answer. I mean, this 215 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: is why we're really UM advocating strongly for some real 216 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 1: support to come out of Washington UM at the same 217 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 1: time and I realized this doesn't you know that the 218 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 1: final decision does not rest with your office, but both 219 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: the mayor and the governor have been very frank about 220 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:25,559 Speaker 1: the budget shortfalls that they face. UH. This text incentive 221 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:27,839 Speaker 1: that that New York offers on a state level has 222 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: been enormously consequential when it comes to sort of encouraging 223 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: film and television production. Is that something that might be 224 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: under threat if if there is a real budget shortfall, 225 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 1: if the federal government doesn't increase aid to to UM 226 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: to you know, local communities. Thankfully, I have not heard 227 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 1: that we have yet to be concerned about tax credit UM. 228 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: I think as a general matter, both UM, the Mayor 229 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: and the governor recognize the UM the real significance of 230 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:08,560 Speaker 1: this industry in generating overall economic activity UH and really 231 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: being a critical piece of New York City's recovery for 232 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: the very reasons that I just stated that it really 233 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 1: fuels a lot of other businesses, and so I think 234 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: they would look very carefully UM at at UH and 235 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: try to ensure as much as possible that we're able 236 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 1: to sustain our film and television production activity in the state. 237 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: We talked a little bit about tax credits. UM. There's 238 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: some particularly in the broadway sector, which has been just 239 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 1: you know, decimated by this pandemic, that are looking for 240 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:42,520 Speaker 1: for more than just tax relief. They're looking for an 241 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 1: actual bailout. UM. Is that a realistic UM, you know 242 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: ask given the kind of financial circumstances that that that 243 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 1: the city and the state are facing. UM, I think 244 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: that kind of support is really we really this is 245 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: where we really need to support from federal UM. You know, 246 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: the the amount of UH resources that it would take 247 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: to support those efforts really require much more significant UM 248 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: support from our federal government that we are actively uh 249 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: advocating for UM. I know we've we've seen UH. I'm 250 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: in touch with these organizations and institutions every day, and 251 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 1: UM they really do need some very strong support UM. 252 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 1: And so we're hoping to see some movement on that. 253 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: I mean, it's encouraging to see. UH. I was just 254 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: reading earlier today, UH And unfortunately I'm not able to 255 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 1: keep track of source and name, but I did see 256 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 1: that there is some movement to really uh provide uh 257 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: stronger bills to support the recovery of of theater in particular, 258 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 1: what and if you have a sense from your colleagues, 259 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: other colleagues working for the mayor, is there what's different 260 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: about planning the reopening of entertainment, of production of film, 261 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: of filming on sound stage, you know, producing shows on 262 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: sound stages, or filming movies on the streets of New York? 263 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: Are there? There's gotta be things that are you know, 264 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: so intrinsically you know, specific to that business, that are 265 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: harder than you know, reopening a dry cleaners or even 266 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: a restaurant. Yes, sort of found those things, Yes, you know, 267 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: just by its nature, creative industries are all about collaboration 268 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: and community and gathering, right, whether you're working on a 269 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: set um or you're performing in front of an audience. Uh, 270 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: it's like the arts are meant to bring people together. 271 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: And so in pandemic where like social distancing is the 272 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:07,960 Speaker 1: key to recovery, it's very challenging, um to figure out 273 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 1: how you bring that back safely. Um. It's one of 274 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 1: the reasons why we are still trying to figure out 275 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 1: how we support theater and why you know, movie theaters 276 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 1: in New York City anyway, um are closed and so 277 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 1: uh so it's it's it's look, it's running through those 278 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 1: kinds of scenarios. And then also you know, film and 279 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 1: television production in New York. For the reason why people 280 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:36,360 Speaker 1: come to New York is because of the iconic locations, right, 281 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,919 Speaker 1: that's one of these. It's it's also because of the 282 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: incredible talent base here. But um, you know, they want 283 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 1: to be on the street, but we have to make 284 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:47,679 Speaker 1: sure that the use of the street is open to 285 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 1: you know, we've we've opened that up for outdoor dining, 286 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 1: which is really important UM. As I said earlier, like 287 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: we're trying to create as much space as we can 288 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 1: for public use. And so balancing all of those has 289 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: been I feel like a be unique challenge for our 290 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 1: office in particular. Yeah, do you have a sense, um 291 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: you know, obviously, right as we speak here in the 292 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 1: late July, UM, we're seeing numbers and rates of infection 293 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:20,440 Speaker 1: obviously go in in concerning, you know, in a concerning 294 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 1: direction in many other states. New York hard hit early on, 295 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: seems to be hanging on despite what we've seen. We 296 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:30,880 Speaker 1: saw the large scale protests we've seen, you know, we've 297 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 1: seen unfortunately so the troubling images of people crowding in bars. Um. 298 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 1: Do you have a sense from from you know, talking 299 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:42,159 Speaker 1: to people in the mayor's administration of like what is 300 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: what has allowed New York City to kind of hold 301 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:47,520 Speaker 1: the line over the last you know, four to five 302 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: weeks when we've seen other states really skyrocket. I really 303 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 1: think it's been our approach to reopen um. You know, 304 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 1: as as painful as it has been for the industries 305 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 1: that we support to hold act so much, I actually 306 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 1: think that has been in large part, um, the key 307 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,880 Speaker 1: to our success. Also the messaging around masks. I mean 308 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: you travel anywhere. Actually, um was uh, just for very 309 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: brief time I was able to get away for like 310 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:21,560 Speaker 1: a twenty four hour period up north um uh, and 311 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:26,199 Speaker 1: everyone's wearing masks, even in the Catskills, where you know 312 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 1: you might pass someone, but when you go into the source, 313 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 1: everybody's wearing masks. Everybody's social distancing. It's the city and 314 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 1: state have really been successful about getting that word out. 315 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:40,920 Speaker 1: Any Yorkers are, you know, they they're committed to doing 316 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,720 Speaker 1: a smart recovery. So I really really do think it 317 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:48,399 Speaker 1: is just something you guys know. I'm an obnauseous native 318 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: New Yorker, but I really think New Yorkers have just 319 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,280 Speaker 1: really committed um and and put their minds to a 320 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 1: strong recovery. And that's a lot of the success of 321 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: New York City. Interesteeing that, you know, the types of content, 322 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:07,640 Speaker 1: are they changing it all because of coronavirus? I'm wondering if, 323 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 1: for example, productions are trying to figure out ways where 324 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:15,560 Speaker 1: they don't have fight scenes or kissing scenes or scenes 325 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: that people are coming into very very close contact with 326 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: one another in a way that it could actually, you know, 327 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: transmit the disease. I think probably it's really just more 328 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: of an emphasis on ensuring that when people are together 329 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:38,399 Speaker 1: that they're healthy right. Um. I think yes, they're rethinking 330 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:42,440 Speaker 1: how they approach those scenes. Um. You know, I've read 331 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: a ton about how people are thinking about maybe scripting 332 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 1: things the way they used to be in the fifties, 333 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:50,120 Speaker 1: where you didn't see the intimate act, you just knew 334 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:54,679 Speaker 1: what happened, right Um and uh, and then you know 335 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: how they're how they're choreographing stunts and things like that. 336 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 1: I've definitely heard ANNECD it's about that. Um. Uh. We'll 337 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: see what our conversations are as we uh continue to 338 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: open phase four. Um, we're very early in those conversations. Um. 339 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: And then thinking about like what does your background look like? Like? 340 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 1: How many people do you really need to have in scenes? 341 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 1: I think they are thinking through that, Um, But I don't. 342 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:27,400 Speaker 1: I think at the end of the day, you still 343 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:32,159 Speaker 1: want entertainment that you know, transports you. You want to 344 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:35,760 Speaker 1: watch something that you can constantly reminds you of the 345 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:39,159 Speaker 1: situation that you're in. That's not you know, it's not 346 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 1: necessarily where I watch movies. But um, and so I 347 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 1: think they're there less changes to content and more changes 348 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 1: to approach. I think is what we're going to see 349 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 1: what happens if I wonder if you all have gained 350 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:57,639 Speaker 1: this out there is an outbreak on a set um, 351 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: it seems like something that isn't just is possibly quite 352 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 1: possibly inevitable that that will happen because of how contagious 353 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:10,919 Speaker 1: coronavirus is. What would happen in that that scenario, Well, 354 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 1: you know, as I said, I think some of the 355 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 1: folks are really thinking about how compart how to compartmentalize 356 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 1: UM their teams, and so the sense that I'm getting 357 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:25,399 Speaker 1: is that they would immediately go to quarantine and do 358 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: a test in trace, and you know, so I think 359 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,000 Speaker 1: that's what you would see. I don't know that you 360 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: see an entire shutdown of the production just based on 361 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: the protocols that they've put into place to safeguard against 362 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,640 Speaker 1: having to do that. But my sense is that there 363 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 1: really would be an immediate quarantine of the individual, quarantine 364 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: of the team that was around them, UM, so that 365 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:49,439 Speaker 1: you know it doesn't have a spread in that sense. 366 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 1: Do you think you know, something like New York production 367 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 1: world going at full capacity? How how far out do 368 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: you think that will be? Is it a year away? 369 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 1: Two years away? That's a tough prediction. And I'm not 370 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 1: trying to dodge in any way. Uh, I understand. But 371 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:12,480 Speaker 1: I think it's also like we're all sort of sensitive 372 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,679 Speaker 1: right now, and if I say the wrong thing, like 373 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:17,960 Speaker 1: it could really like upset the Apple card. But also 374 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:21,119 Speaker 1: we just don't know, Like the information changes daily, Like 375 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:24,200 Speaker 1: maybe there'll be a vaccine, right and that will really 376 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:28,359 Speaker 1: shift the dynamic considerably. UM. But if there isn't, I 377 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 1: think we've seen that the way that people are approaching 378 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: this is pretty creative and will come up with different solutions. 379 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: I'd love to think that we get back to where 380 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:38,400 Speaker 1: we are just in terms of people being employed right. 381 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:40,240 Speaker 1: Like I'm not saying I want to see us all 382 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 1: crowding together. That's definitely not what I'm saying. But I 383 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:44,880 Speaker 1: want to see us get back to that place where 384 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,680 Speaker 1: everybody's employed and working and creating UM as soon as possible. 385 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 1: I mean one of the things because you were asking, 386 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,480 Speaker 1: like what happens um, you know, if someone gets sick, 387 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 1: And I think that is another area that New York 388 00:23:56,720 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: has been pretty smart about, like just being ready UM, 389 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:03,240 Speaker 1: you know, making sure that we have UM capacity in 390 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: our hospitals, making sure that we have proper ppe UM 391 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:12,760 Speaker 1: you know, very early on the economic development Corporation, UH 392 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 1: set up a manufacturing operation at Berkley Navy Yard because 393 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: we didn't want to be in the position of not 394 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 1: having access um to the proper equipment, UM if the 395 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:27,600 Speaker 1: demand got to be so much. And so I think 396 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: that kind of um thoughtfulness of approach to how we're 397 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 1: going to be how we're going to continue to manage 398 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:37,480 Speaker 1: the situation is also something that has helped New York 399 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:41,560 Speaker 1: UM recover in the way that it has. Broadway when 400 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:45,160 Speaker 1: when when are we looking in terms of that coming back? 401 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 1: I mean, I think the last um, the last I 402 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:52,680 Speaker 1: heard from Broadway League is that they're really looking at 403 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:58,320 Speaker 1: It's not this year, it's early next year. UM. We're 404 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:01,480 Speaker 1: continuing to engage them in conversations and trying to see 405 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:04,120 Speaker 1: if there's other ways that we can support theater generally 406 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:11,000 Speaker 1: right because it's it's also beyond Broadway UM Uh. We 407 00:25:11,119 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 1: really are doing everything we can to make sure that 408 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:18,719 Speaker 1: we can get these back and safe. I think, you know, 409 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: I think what we'll see initially is are ways that 410 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 1: we're connecting locals to entertainment um uh, you know, social 411 00:25:30,840 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 1: distancing uh. Who I would love to see that we 412 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:38,520 Speaker 1: get to a place where we can have some social 413 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 1: distancing indoors where people can gather again to enjoy UM 414 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:47,840 Speaker 1: are incredible entertainment offerings here. It's a little tough in 415 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:53,359 Speaker 1: theater because the economies of scale are significant. UM and 416 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:58,160 Speaker 1: so surprised because I spoke to Charlotte St. Martin, she's 417 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,800 Speaker 1: saying that that they do not have any plans to 418 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,520 Speaker 1: social distance in their theaters, that they just can't work 419 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,359 Speaker 1: for them. No, I'm sorry, and I'm not. Yeah, and 420 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:08,600 Speaker 1: that's what I mean, Like, that's a challenge. So when 421 00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:12,080 Speaker 1: I I'm sorry, I went off Broadway into like the 422 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 1: general like live performance worlds right now. It's true in 423 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:19,120 Speaker 1: theaters like you can't. It doesn't make sense for them 424 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:21,679 Speaker 1: to open and have half the theater open like that 425 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,360 Speaker 1: does not pay the bills, that does not pay the actors, 426 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:27,240 Speaker 1: that does not keep the doors open. And so but 427 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 1: in the interim for UM, some of the other folks 428 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 1: in the theater, in live performance world, we're trying to 429 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 1: see if there are ways that we can, you know, 430 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:38,159 Speaker 1: come up with solutions for them to be able to 431 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:42,159 Speaker 1: continue to work and engage audiences. It's it's tough, but 432 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:44,959 Speaker 1: I really think it's important that we find a way. Uh, 433 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:48,880 Speaker 1: it's it's what makes New York incredibly unique and special, 434 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:50,920 Speaker 1: why people want to live here, why people want to 435 00:26:50,960 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 1: visit here, um, and so uh we're just going to 436 00:26:54,480 --> 00:27:03,920 Speaker 1: continue trying to do that. Thanks for listening. Be sure 437 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 1: to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. We love 438 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: to hear from listeners, and tune in next week for 439 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: another episode of Strictly Business