New York Film and Television Production Reaches Historic Highs

A Memo From New York
In this month's e-newsletter distributed by the New York Governor's Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, Broadway Stages and the other film and television production companies that call New York home were commended for reaching historic highs in film and television production and contributing to economic growth. With 56 projects currently filming on sound stages and streetscapes across New York state, this has been a stellar year for the industry, representing a combined $2.1 billion and more than 106,000 hires.

Broadway Stages - Our Contribution to the Industry
Broadway Stages has 53 studios in operation across three boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island – and three more under construction. We are currently hosting 21 productions including "Blue Bloods," "Madam Secretary," "The Blacklist," "Bull," and "FBI" to name just a few. We are also gearing up for ABC’s "The Godfather of Harlem," a limited series to air on the Epix channel.

Broadway Stages is striving to meet the growing needs of the industry, while at the same time investing in the communities where we work. Our 2017 acquisition of the former 69-acre Arthur Kill Correctional Facility located in the Charleston section of Staten Island is estimated to create 1,500 jobs over the next several years. With an initial investment of $7 million to purchase the property, Broadway Stages plans to invest more than $20 million in private funds to update the campus. In addition, Broadway Stages will provide free shop space to Local United Scenic Artists (USA) 829 for their scenic artist apprenticeship program.

With one of five proposed sound stages completed and planning underway for the others, we are confident interest will continue to grow. Prior to any renovations, the prison facility had already been used by major Hollywood production companies for its authenticity and real "prison feel," including shows and films like "Orange is the New Black" and "Oceans 8."

We have also purchased property in the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson to meet growing film production demands. A prime location for filming, we anticipate the area will continue to benefit from the positive effect of economic growth derived by the film and television industry.

Broadway Stages - Our Contribution to the Community                                                                 
As a company with local roots, we understand the needs of our community and the importance of giving back. Our commitment to community is actionable and runs deep. Together with our clients, we have employed thousands of people and have created hundreds of local jobs. We are dedicated to giving back to our community through education, the arts, and environmentally focused programs. We are hyperlocal focused and whenever possible work with local businesses and vendors for our production needs. And we actively demonstrate our commitment to sustainability with our recycling program, rooftop solar panels, farms and gardens, and related educational programs. For more information, follow us at Broadway Stages News. To read the entire article in the September E-Newsletter of the NY Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, click here.                                                                 

Third Annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival on Broadway Stages' Green Rooftop

Plans are underway for the third annual Kingsland Wildflowers Festival on Saturday, September 22, from noon to 4 p.m. Fun and educational, the festival is free and offers an opportunity to learn about the rooftop garden atop our sound stage at 520 Kingsland Avenue in Greenpoint, and other conservation initiatives underway in our community. Additional activities include tours of the green roof, interactive activities for kids, live music, food, and amazing views of our beautiful city.  

ABOUT OUR GREEN ROOF
Three years ago Broadway Stages collaborated with the New York City Audubon, Alive Structures, and Newtown Creek Alliance to create the half-acre green roof. Broadway Stages donated the space and, along with initial funding from the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund, continues to provide financial support for the infrastructure and garden maintenance.  

The design of the garden, led by Marni Majorelle and Alive Structures, features native grasses and wildflowers designed to attract birds and other wildlife species. The NYC Audubon manages the project and oversees the wildlife, monitoring through bat and bird microphones and swallow houses installed on the green roof. The organization is also responsible for managing the year-round educational programs. For more information about greening your rooftop, visit Alive Structures. For more information about the festival, check out NYC Audubon or Kingsland Wildflowers.

Broadway Stages Supports 35th Anniversary of 94th Precinct's National Night Out

For 35 years the NYPD's 94th Precinct has been hosting National Night Out in Greenpoint. Over the last seven years Broadway Stages has supported this community event. This year, Broadway Stages provided all of the entertainment, activities, and food, including Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, a rock-climbing wall, spin and sand art, games, and music.

"We believe that it is important to honor the hardworking and brave men and women who serve and protect us every day," Gina Argento, CEO of Broadway Stages, said. "Especially our local precinct in Greenpoint." Gina said it's a great feeling to watch residents engage with the men and women of the 94th Precinct to introduce themselves and thank them for their service. For the full article by Mark Garzon with the Queens Ledger click here.

A Gift From Broadway Stages Saves Beloved Park Deli in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Broadway Stages, the New York City film and television production company with headquarters in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, paid $30,000 to cover a 110 percent rent increase faced by the owner of the Park Deli, Krystyna Godawa. Offering a lifeline to keep the Park Deli in business, Broadway Stages also orders Krystyna's food for their local productions. "She's a staple for the local community but more importantly for our TV and film industry who all eat her amazing food," said Warren Cohn representing Broadway Stages.

"Thank God for Broadway Stages, who's like an angel for me," Krystyna said. To read the full article by N.J. Burkett with ABC7 Eyewitness News, please click here. For coverage by the New York Business Journal's Anthony Noto, click here.

Kingsland Wildflowers Rooftop Garden at Broadway Stages

Kingsland Wildflowers green rooftop project, hosted by Broadway Stages, is in full bloom and open to the public. To read the full article covered by Spectrum News NY1 click here.  

Broadway Stages Works to Save Beloved Local Deli in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Broadway Stages has long been committed to local businesses, believing that it’s important to promote local vendors and to do whatever possible to keep our mom-and-pop shops around. One of Greenpoint's beloved neighborhood establishments, the Park Deli run by Krystyna Godawa for the last 11 years, is among Broadway Stages' favorites for breakfast, lunch, catering, or just a quick snack.  

Unfortunately the neighborhood deli may be forced to relocate due to a 100 percent rent increase. However, longtime patron Gina Argento, Co-owner and President of Broadway Stages, has been trying to help Krystyna keep her doors open for the Greenpoint community, offering to help pay half of the rent increase. While the landlord denied the patron-sponsored financing plan, Gina is committed to find an alternative location for the Park Deli.

"We’re working to find a new spot in Greenpoint because we want her to remain a staple in the community," says Gina.

To read the full article covered by the Brooklyn Paper click here

Broadway Stages Supports Sustainability in Brooklyn Communities

Community sustainability allows businesses and residents to operate within their neighborhoods with a positive outcome that benefits the whole local ecosystem. Actions such as purchasing or servicing work locally helps boost local economic activity in the neighborhood. By doing so, we stand to positively benefit our community and make Brooklyn even stronger.

For that reason, Broadway Stages has always understood the value of sustainability of local Brooklyn communities. Over the course of 30 years, we have sourced as many of our business essentials from local Brooklyn shops, contractors, and services ranging from stationery to construction because we believe in the quality of our neighborhood craftsmanship and reliability of their services.

To thank the incredible Brooklyn Community, Broadway Stages arranges year-round events that are free for all members of the community. It is common to see Broadway Stages-sponsored events in the form of block parties, to celebrate the amazing community, or educational events, to foster creative and critical thinking in students.

Our events can be seen throughout Greenpoint all the way to Brighton Beach. We are proud members of the Brooklyn community and will not stop doing what we can for Brooklyn. As our saying goes we are "Made in Brooklyn."

Broadway Stages Encourages Hydroponic Learning

Hydroponic systems have exploded in popularity over the past few years, with more New Yorkers joining in on the revolutionary urban agricultural era. The demand for fresh, high-quality produce by urban dwellers has helped drive innovation and technology in designing new urban hydroponic systems.

Hydroponic systems overcome traditional obstacles of large-scale agriculture by reimagining ways to utilize space, water, and nutrients for plants. One of the advantages of hydroponic farming is that it consumes up to 90 percent less water than traditional agricultural methods. The systems resemble connected channels in which nutrient-rich water flows through so it can be absorbed by plants.

Broadway Stages President Gina Argento is a big fan of the hydroponic movement. When first introduced to the concept, Gina was ecstatic to learn how she could help younger generations learn about the amazing innovations in healthier agriculture.

Her search led her to partner with NY Sun Works, an organization that works with educational institutions to teach young scholars about hydroponic systems, solar energy, and fish farms. Since 2016, Gina has worked with NY Sun Works by sponsoring various events and donating to promote its educational programs. Working with NY Sun Works has helped make it possible for dozens of schools across the five boroughs to have hydroponic system learning labs. Under the name Project Greenhouse, the hydroponic labs come fully equipped with modern technology and processes for growing plants. Students are able to learn hands-on with each one of them monitoring and nurturing their very own plant using the hydroponic system. The best part of the whole partnership as summed up by students is that the whole process lets them explore with their own hands! As long as the students are excited, Gina says she is excited to continue to support NY Sun Works and its green education!

Broadway Stages Is Solar Power Prepared

Summer will be in full swing within the month! With that in mind, Broadway Stages would like to share how we are utilizing the natural solar output of the sun to power our sound stage operations. As a green leader in New York's film and television sound stage industry, Broadway Stages has always sought to be a sustainable energy consumer. Following the installation of dozens of solar panels above our sound stages, our solar energy consumption has helped tremendously offset our electrical demands from traditional power grids.

During peak summer months, electrical energy output is at its highest, with a majority of the solar energy converted for use by lighting, heat, and air conditioning. These energy demands would generally place a great strain on our electric grid, however, through the use of solar energy, Broadway Stages is partly self-sustainable. In fact, the decreased draw on the power grid has an overall positive effect on the environment by reducing our reliance on carbon-emitted energy resources. This only continues to benefit the environment and natural biomes.

The experience of producing your own power feels amazing. We encourage you to lead your community and do the same! On one hand, the energy is directly from the sun, and on the other you are in control of your power production. It is a win-win situation, and now is the perfect time to make the switch as summer approaches. So join us in going solar!

Broadway Stages Celebrates Earth Day 2018!

Welcome to Earth Day 2018! It has been over 365 days of energy saving, water conservation, and more by you and members of your community! For a quick recap, let's talk about some of the things that have helped make this Earth Day incredible.

This year, the U.S. has increased solar and wind generation projects while also using fewer non-renewable energy sources, such as coal. These projects reduce carbon emissions in the air, decreasing the greenhouse effect and helping to combat global warming. These projects also clear the air of dangerous chemical pollutants that are the byproducts of coal plants.

And most importantly, global citizens are making being green a trend through social media. This year has marked one of the most unified efforts for global citizens to become environmentally conscious. The progressive movement toward a global system of responsible energy use brings us one step closer to making non-renewable energy sources obsolete.

To encourage and continue the Earth Day celebration, Broadway Stages will share some more tips and tricks to help encourage a greener environment.

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle…. and repair!
   Everyone knows the 3R's reduce, reuse, and recycle, but not many people know its cousin repair. Repairing goods instead of replacing them can significantly reduce your footprint and save you money. For example, durable goods will last longer than lower quality items that need to be replaced more often.

2. Start the compost station!
   A large percentage of most trash in U.S. households is denoted to organic compounds and foods that can be composted. It is time to start considering the benefits of composting. Composting relieves your trashcan of most of its weight and size. Key benefits include replacing your trash bags less often and producing fertile soil that helps your garden grow!

3. Keep the paper in the trees!
   With modern technologies, paper could be made obsolete by writing on tablets or other devices. As deforestation continues to destroy whole ecosystems, global citizens need to protect our precious forests and trees. So next time you are thinking of writing down anything, make an effort to leave no paper trail!

Broadway Stages Urges You to Conserve Water for Earth Day

Over 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water, however only 2.5 percent of that is fresh water. A majority of the planet's fresh water is locked away in glacier ice, which is melting at a rapid rate. The rest comes from underground and ground-level lakes. Humans have access to less than 1 percent of all water on Earth. With the finite water reserves that we possess, it is imperative that we learn to not waste any of it.

To help you save water and our planet, here are some tips:

1. Turn off the tap
   
   Remember to turn off the tap to stop the water from running. Whether it is brushing your teeth, cleansing your face, or washing the dishes, don't forget to turn off the faucet when the water is not in use.
   

2. Flash shower
   
   Shower like the Flash. When showering, try to conserve as much water as possible by showering as quickly as possible. Save your singing routine for another time.
   

3. Buy WaterSense-approved appliances
   
   Like Energy Star products, WaterSense-approved appliances are tested for water efficiency rather than electricity. In fact, WaterSense appliances save on average 20 percent or more water than traditional appliances.

Next time you are using water, keep these tips in mind; a small effort will go a long way!

Broadway Stages Gears Up for Earth Day!

Earth Day is only one week away!

The Earth is more than 4.5 billion years old and has supported eight million species, with many more yet to be discovered. The magnificent Mother Earth has cultivated incredible biomes that have lasted billions of years.

Let's help Mother Earth continue to live in environmental prosperity by each doing our part to keep her healthy this Earth Day.

One of the best ways to give back to nature is to start gardening. It's time to start increasing your green footprint right in your backyard. Simply planting vegetation or trees in your backyard can have a tremendously positive effect on the local environment. By recycling the carbon dioxide in the air, plants help increase your green footprint by producing cleaner, more oxygenated air and depleting carbon dioxide. Your actions, in unison with your fellow neighbors, will make a significant real-world impact if everyone does their part.

Planting in your garden is as easy as a three-step process. All you have to do is dig, plant, and water! It's that simple. What are you waiting for? Go help save the Earth today!