Report: Film, TV industry generates $533M, 600+ jobs in Nassau

The film and television industry generated more than $533 million in economic activity in Nassau County and led directly to the creation of more than 600 jobs from 2013 to 2014, according to a new county analysis.

The report by Camoin Associates of Saratoga Springs focused on the filming of movies, TV shows, commercials, music videos and documentaries at Nassau's three film studios -- Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios in Bethpage, and Sands Point Preserve in Port Washington -- and on location throughout the county.

A total of 535 productions were filmed in Nassau in 2013 and 2014, accounting for 2,109 days of filming, said the report, commissioned by the Nassau Industrial Development Agency.

They include films such as "The Amazing Spiderman 2" and "The Wolf of Wall Street," TV shows such as "The Blacklist" and "The Good Wife," and live TV versions of "The Sound of Music" and "Peter Pan."

"This is a huge employer for the county that brings in a lot of dollars," said Camoin vice president R. Michael N'dolo.

Camoin's analysis measures economic impact using "direct effects," such as wages paid to employees and money spent at local businesses, and "indirect effects" of local spending by those employees and companies.

The study found the film and TV industry was responsible for $375.5 million in direct economic activity from 2013 to 2014, including $91 million in wages from 637 jobs.

SEE PHOTOS50 movies that have filmed on Long Island

Camoin calculated the job figures using a formula that determined the number of job years -- five days of work for 52 weeks, equaling 260 days of employment -- that occur as a result of the production industry. By that calculation, Nassau County residents gained 374 job years in 2013 and 263 in 2014.

The film and TV projects generated another $158 million indirectly though spending by production employees at local businesses, including restaurants, retailers and entertainment sites. The indirect spending created 1,136 jobs and $61.8 million in wages, Camoin found.

Camoin also estimated that spending by the TV and film industry accounted for $1.1 million in direct sales taxes to Nassau and $504,000 in hotel taxes.

The report does not take into account fees paid directly to the county when the filming occurs in its facilities or any property taxes paid by businesses involved in the industry.

Since Nassau's studios are designated state production facilities, film producers get a 30 percent credit under the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit program.

Camoin also noted that Nassau's studios are attractive to producers because they are located within 25 miles of Manhattan, a zone designated by film unions that defines the region where their members will work without incurring travel and overtime costs, the report noted. Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano hosts annual tours of the Nassau's film studios to attract producers and directors.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.