(Photo by epc)

Filming today (23-Sept-2008) for Life on Mars on New Dock Street, Dumbo Brooklyn. Life on Mars premieres on ABC on October 9, 10/9C. “Modern-day NYPD Detective Sam Tyler finds himself suddenly hurtled back to the tumultuous times of New York City in 1973 when he’s hit by a car while chasing down a criminal.”

Previously: {Tax Breaks to Bring More Filming to Dumbo, 28Jul2008}

Filming for Law and Order today until 11pm. No parking on the following streets: Front between Dock and Main Streets, Water between Dock and Main Streets.

While Dumbo isn’t getting MTV’s Real World Brooklyn (although according to Curbed, Red Hook isn’t crazy about it), another reality show, called Engine Room takes place at a renovated loft at 155 Water Street. Beginning on Monday, September 15, MTV and its mtvU channel will broadcast a series that followed 16 creative types in the Dumbo loft to compete for prizes and $400,000 in cash and a chance to program the giant MTV screen in Times Square for a night. Today’s NY Times article about the show states, “the teams of contestants are divided by the regions they come from: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. They are visited during the competition by guests like the musician Moby; Kevin Smith, the movie director; and the British pop band the Ting Tings.” Has anyone spotted the group?

Above: The raw space for Engine Room before the renovation. Photos: blog.mtvengineroom.com

{Like ‘The Real World,’ With More Computers, 11Sept2008, NY Times}
{mtvengineroom.com}
{blog.mtvengineroom.com}

Dumbo has changed so much since its Scent of a Woman (1992) filming when it was (more or less) free to block out several streets for the Ferrari scene. Dumbo has always been an attractive location for filming due to its Manhattan views, dramatic structures, and former industrial buildings. There are a number of factors that bring more movies and TV show filmings to Dumbo (and NYC in general) recently. Marketing and tax incentives are two of the biggest reasons for more film and TV crews to NYC. NY State tripled its tax incentive — to 30% to compete against incentives by other states and cities such as L.A., Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Toronto. Production companies that make movies in NYC will benefit from a combined state and city tax incentive of 35%. Any movie filmed in NY State receives a 30% tax break. On top of that, if you shoot in the city, there’s an extra 5% on any ‘below the line costs’, which include any production costs, except for the talent. 75% of the film or the TV show must be produced in NYC to ensure the production work is done in NYC’s soundstages. Before, movies based in NYC may have done production work on soundstages in Toronto or California, after filming for one or two days in NYC, which caused traffic and business interruptions without added benefit to the economy of NYC. These tax incentives have been very successful and while it is great for publicity, is not always great for local residents who may not see any benefit.

In Dumbo, the Dumbo Neighborhood Association‘s film liaison ‘intervenes with commercial film producers to minimize the disruption of neighborhood lifestyle and traffic.’

We checked in with the DNA who noted:

The DNA’s film liaison recently spoke to Dean McCann of the mayor’s office (MOFTB). She was informed that the city has changed the tax incentive structure for filming here. So, apparently a lot of production will be moving here from LA and that Brooklyn in particular would be hardest hit, especially DUMBO. McCann said the intensity would last five years.

One action the DNA will be taking is requesting that the Department of Transportation (DOT) increase street parking for neighborhood residents. The DNA is actively looking for neighbors interested in working as film liaisons with crews that set up in Dumbo, as well as people who want to work on the issue of helping get more street parking from DOT. (If you’re interested and concerned, please email Marcia at marcia@dumbo-dna.org.)

Looking back at Scent of a Woman video clip above, I can’t imagine this type of filming occurring now, as Dumbo isn’t as desolate (no cars, people, retail businesses), but we will have more film crews, and while we more than welcome more celebrities to the area and filming is good for Dumbo publicity, we can work as a community to work better with crews to coexist.

{Lights, Camera, Tax Credit, 05Jun2008, NY Times}
{Fatter tax break, weaker dollar stir flurry of flicks in New York City, 18May2008, Daily News}
{With an Eye on Connecticut, Filmmakers Get a Tax Break in New York, 11Apr2008, NY Times}
{Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting, NYC.gov}

I Hate Valentine’s Day is filming tomorrow, July 18, 2008 between 5am-11pm in Dumbo on the following streets:

• York Street between Washington and Front Streets
• Front Street between Old Fulton and Washington Streets
• Water Street between Main and Dock Streets
• Washington Street between Water and Plymouth Streets

If you’re parked on these streets, reminder to move your car by tonight by 8pm. Our friends over at Filming in Brooklyn has covered the filming of this movie, which was being filmed in Windsor Terrace Brooklyn earlier this month. I Hate Valentine’s Day stars John Corbett (Aidan from Sex and the City) and Nia Vardalos (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding).

(Photo by epc)

Ugly Betty fans are excited that production has started for the third season. Some Dumbo residents don’t like the number of filming in the area. But the paparazzi are ready for America Ferrera, Vanessa Williams, Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Lohan, or the other stars of Ugly Betty. Who will be at the filming?

[UPDATE: See filminginbrooklyn.com for an update and photos of the Ugly Betty filming.]

ABC Studios will be filming scenes in Dumbo Brooklyn for the third season of the show, UGLY BETTY. Film crews will be in the area on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 between the approximate hours of 6:00am and 9:00pm.

In order to facilitate filming, there will be no parking beginning, Monday, July 7, 2008. The streets affected will include:

• New Dock St. btwn Water St and East River.
• Water St. btwn Dock and Main Sts.
• Dock St. btwn Water and Front Sts.
• Front St. btwn Dock and Main Sts.
• York St. btwn Washington and Front Sts.

Please note: Cars left on these streets after 8:00pm Monday, July 7, 2008 may be relocated to a block nearby by the NYPD Tow Unit.

{IMBb: Ugly Betty}

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FX Drama Rescue Me is filming in Dumbo again on Monday along Plymouth, Adams, and John Streets on Monday, June 30 between 5am and 11pm. I told you I couldn’t keep up with all the filming in Dumbo. But our friends at filminginbrooklyn.com have been following the recent filmings such as a Hungarian comedy, Valami Amerika and Rescue Me (here and here.)

I can’t keep up with these filmings in Dumbo. Two film crews are taking over a few streets today. One titled “Tag” will be filming through 10pm tonight on:

• Pearl Street between Front and York Street
• York Street between Adams and Bridge Street

The other titled “Kidnapped” will be filming until 11pm tonight on:

• Washington Street between York and Water Street

Check the street for no parking signs and if you forgot to move your car, it’s probably towed.

Filming for the TV drama, Castle (2009) is taking place on the following streets in Dumbo Brooklyn on Monday, June 9, 2008 from 5am – 11pm:

• Jay Street between Front and John Street
• Water Street between Bridge Street and Anchorage Pl
• Pearl Street between Front and John Street

Check the street for no parking signs and don’t forget to move your car so it won’t get towed. If anyone will be around to take some photos, please email them to me for posting here.

{Castle, IMBb}